Although World War II ended more than 70 years ago, there are mysteries in the war that until now people have not been able to find satisfactory explanations.
The crew of the L-8 balloon is missing
American L-8 hot air balloon. Photo: US Navy
At 6:00 a.m. on August 16, 1942, the US Navy’s L-8 airship took off from the base on Treasure Island, San Francisco Bay to patrol anti-submarine warfare along the coast of California, USA. The crew at that time included pilot lieutenant Ernest DeWitt Cody and second lieutenant Charles E. Adams, from WATM .
After an hour and a half of flying patrol, Lieutenant Cody used his radio to report that he had discovered something that could be an oil slick on the sea surface and would go there to check. Three hours later, the balloon arrived on the south shore of San Francisco, nearly 13 km from the planned flight route.
However, the hot air balloon suddenly collided with the cliff on Ocean Beach, causing one of the two anti-submarine bombs to release from its mount and fall to the ground. After that, the balloon continued to fly deep inland and fell into Daly City.
When rescue workers arrived at the scene, they were surprised to find that the cabin doors below the balloon were open and no one was inside. Lieutenant Cody and Second Lieutenant Adams were confirmed missing while on duty.
Several theories have been put forward about the mysterious disappearance of these two officers, such as one went out to repair the airship while the other provided support and both fell into the sea, or they discovered out on a Japanese submarine, lowered to investigate and was captured.
Amber room
Considered the “8th wonder of the world”, the Amber Room is the lost treasure that holds the most secrets in history.
In 1701, it was ordered by Prussian King Friedrich to be crafted. The original room is said to have been about 3 meters long and 2 meters wide, with interior walls containing several tons of magnificent amber, large gilded mirrors, and four magnificent Florentine-style mosaic panels. Arranged in three layers, the room is filled with precious jewels, and glass cases display one of the most valuable collections of Prussian and Russian art.
The Amber Room is considered the 8th wonder of the world. Illustrative photo: Goldmajor
In 1716, King Friedrich I’s son decided to give the Amber Room to Tsar Peter the Great of Russia to build a Russian-Turkish alliance. It was then transferred to the Catherine palace, near St. Petersburg, and after several renovations, the room was expanded to an area of about 55 square meters. In 1941, the Nazis invaded Leningrad, disassembled the Amber Room within 36 hours and put it on display at Konigsberg Castle.
However, in April 1945, this treasure suddenly disappeared. Some people believe it was destroyed when Konigberg Castle was bombed, however, others believe it is still intact and hidden underground.
Traitor Jean Moulin and Anne Frank
Jean Moulin, a high-ranking member and symbol of the French resistance movement, was arrested on June 21, 1943 after someone informed the German Gestapo secret police that there was a meeting of leaders. The resistance movement will take place in Caluire, France. It is believed that Gestapo agents followed a member of the resistance movement and broke into the meeting to arrest Moulin and other senior resistance leaders.
However, until now, no one knows who betrayed Jean Moulin. Some believed it was Rene Hardy, a newly joined resistance member, but Hardy was found innocent in two trials. Others believe that it could have been Raymon Aubrac, another resistance leader, or that it was Moulin’s wife who betrayed her husband.
Another alleged victim was Anne Frank, a 15-year-old girl who later became one of the most famous victims of the Holocaust when she wrote “The Diary of a Young Girl” in Two years with his family hiding from the Nazis, he touched the hearts of many people.
On the morning of August 4, 1944, her family and those who hid them were captured by the Nazis and taken to various refugee camps, after being provided shelter by an informer. After moving to the refugee camp, Anne’s entire family died except her father. To this day, no one knows the identity of the informer who betrayed the Frank family. Some believe it was Miep Braams, whose girlfriend was a member of the Dutch resistance, but no conclusion has been drawn.
Hitler’s deputy general’s flight to Scotland
Rudolf Hess (right), Hitler’s deputy. Photo: AP
On May 10, 1941, Rodolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, alone flew a plane to Scotland but did not land but parachuted into the air and was captured by local militia as soon as he landed.
Contacting a British Royal Air Force commander, Hess said the reason for his flight to Scotland was to arrange peace negotiations with Duke Hamilton.
However, this incomprehensible action of Hess has left many historians and researchers confused. Although Karlheinz Pinsch, Hess’s aide, described in his memoirs that after hearing the news, Adolf Hitler appeared calm and acted as if he had known this in advance, many people still doubted his ability. Hess carried out the plan under the direction of the fascist boss.
Another mystery is Hess’s death. After World War II ended, Hess was sentenced to life in prison by a war crimes court and served at Spandau prison. According to the official statement, Hess hanged himself with an electric wire in prison on August 17, 1987 at the age of 93.
However, many conspiracy theories arose as to why he committed suicide at the age of 93 after being detained for 46 years. Some believe he was murdered by Britain’s secret intelligence service to prevent the release of information about British misdeeds during the war. Historian Peter Padfield said a suicide note was found on him written in 1969 when he was hospitalized.
