The Wolf's Lair
Located among lakes and forest in the far northeast of Poland, the massive concrete bunkers of the Wolfsschanze (Wolf's Lair) were the Führerhauptquartiere (Führer Headquarters) during World War Two. Hitler lived there for over 800 days between June 1941 and 20 November 1944, surrounded by his inner circle ( Martin Bormann, Hermann Göring, Wilhelm Keitel, Alfred Jodl et al) and the heads of the German Armed Forces.
Such was the size and strength of the reinforced concrete, the site could only be partially destroyed by the SS in January 1945 as the Russians advanced across Poland heading for Berlin. During 45 years of Russian occupation, the site was left to become overgrown by the forest; today it is a major tourist attraction. Visiting Poles remember the horrors of German and Russian occupation; German visitors muse on what might have been! We looked on aghast!
Such was the size and strength of the reinforced concrete, the site could only be partially destroyed by the SS in January 1945 as the Russians advanced across Poland heading for Berlin. During 45 years of Russian occupation, the site was left to become overgrown by the forest; today it is a major tourist attraction. Visiting Poles remember the horrors of German and Russian occupation; German visitors muse on what might have been! We looked on aghast!