3 lugares sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial que debes conocer

3 places about World War II that you need to know

Europe

Germany is a very rich field for those fascinated by the history of the Second World War, as it is still possible today to visit and get to know places that were the stage for important events from this period. In this post you will discover three places that marked different points in the history of the German National Socialist Labor Party, from its rise to perpetuation of power until its fall.

Ordensburg Vogelsang: the officers’ school of the Nazi Regime

Like every dictator, Adolf Hitler had a lasting power plan that aimed, in particular, at indoctrinating young people’s thinking, as they would guarantee the perpetuation of his ideals and power.

To this end, from 1936 to 1939, the Ordensburg Vogelsang was in operation, a complex of over 50,000 m2, dedicated to receiving the children of the leaders of their German National Socialist Labor Party. In addition to these, there were 3 more centers with the same task, which was to train future party leaders, the future Nazi elite that would be to come.

Built on the Eifel Hills, overlooking Lake Urft, the size and pomposity of the place, as well as other works of the Nazi Party, always with opulent architecture, were intended to show power and impress.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, the place had a military function, and housed refugees from cities that had been bombed, and the school itself did not escape the bombings.

Interestingly, today, the area is open for visitors, with exhibitions that aim precisely to repel Hitler’s ideals: educating young people so that they do not repeat the terror caused by Nazi authoritarianism, explaining the mechanism by which the government made ordinary men and women were led to hate Jews and others considered inferior.

Ordensburg Vogelsang. Fonte: DW. Author: D. Crossland

Bunkers of Zossen

Between 1937 and 1941 bunker complexes and underground installations were built in the Zossen region, near Berlin. O Maybach Ibuilt by the Army High Command, and the Maybach II e Zeppelin by the High Command of the Armed Forces.

The interesting thing about complexes Maybach Above ground, they were designed to look like homes, especially seen from above, but underground was a highly developed interconnected complex, with a water system, sewage system, air filters and diesel engines keeping all the machinery running. The chimneys of the simple “houses” were ventilation towers, all designed to camouflage themselves from curious eyes.

Old photo of the Maybach I complex.

Already the Zepellinwhich had the codename Amt 500, was a sophisticated communications center, responsible for intelligence and signaling services. Between 1960 and 1961 the Soviets rehabilitated the Zeppelinto be an underground command center, serving the Soviet military command in East Germany.

Communication system inside the Zeppelin, in 1939. Source: Wikipedia. Author: Joachim Kampe

The Maybach II was practically completely destroyed, while the Maybach I (which suffered many damages) and the Zeppelin still welcome visitors who can take a guided tour of these last two installations.

Nuremberg Trials

In 1945 the eyes of the entire world were directed to trial room 600, in the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg, which hosted the International Military Tribunal for the trial of the high command of the German National Socialist Labor Party.

Dock during the International Military Tribunal trial in Nuremberg, 1945 Source: Wikipedia. Author: Raymond D’Addario

Currently there is the Memorial to the Nuremberg Trials, where it is possible to visit following the chronological line from the period in which the Nazi regime ruled Germany, to the sentence and the end that each of the 24 high-ranking members of the party took and associates who were tried there. At the end of the tour, the visitor can visit the famous 600 court room.

This trial and its resulting sentences were a landmark for International Law, serving as the basis for studies that influence us to this day, putting an end to a sad period in German history.

The 600th courtroom, these days.

To visit these and other points on the Second World War theme, contact us, we will be happy to assist you 🙂