Hitler Is Alive! Read online

  Neither Commandant Wermutt nor Capt. Schaeffer could reveal anything concerning the nature of their mission, since they did not know a thing about it. They did not know whom they followed or escorted nor where they were bound for. They had received from their superiors sealed orders to the effect that they were to follow a predetermined route towards the South Atlantic, always traveling submerged.

  They, as well as the other units of the convoy, had been expressly forbidden to use their radio, even for intercommunication, so as not to reveal their whereabouts. They were to follow the submarine flagship as closely as possible, guided only by their earphones.

  This then was the “phantom convoy” which traveled southward, mute, blind, unseen and unheard, led only by the one vessel which knew its plan and purpose and final destination. It did not matter if one or several of them would be impelled by storms, or would suffer damage impairing their maneuverability and become separated from the convoy. The risk of losing several of the units during the long trip had been foreseen. It did not matter—as long as none of the officers knew anything about the true nature of the “phantom convoy” so that they could not reveal the plan.

  And this was what happened to the Leixoes-surrendered sub as well as to the U-530 and the U-977. The first suffered serious engine trouble. The other two were most probably isolated from the main convoy by storms, since their engines and other sailing equipment were found to be in perfect order. It seems safe to calculate that this piece of bad luck occurred in 1945, probably in the South Atlantic, approximately 40 degrees southern latitude.

  Furthermore, the fact that the U-530 and the U-977 were separated from the rest of the “phantom convoy” explains clearly why these two subs. roamed for so long in the South Atlantic before their commanders decided to turn towards Mar del Plata and surrender. They had been forbidden to use their radios. Yet, they continued to keep on their course in the vague hope that some units of the convoy would turn around and come searching for them. The security measures prescribed for the commandants of the convoy were so stringent that they deprived the individual captains of any chance to make for a prearranged rendezvous point in case they should find themselves dispersed for unforeseen reasons. To act otherwise would have been imprudent: it would have meant taking unjustified risks which could have compromised the entire scheme.

  The convoy units had been ordered to refrain from any warlike actions. They were not to use their cannon and their torpedo tubes except when actually attacked and then only to protect the submarine flagship. However, no such contingency materialized. The convoy was not attacked and the two subs which surrendered at Mar del Plata arrived with their arms and munitions intact.

  That it was the “double” of the U-530 and not the authentic U-530 which surrendered at Mar del Plata confirms plainly that the convoy had been prepared with the greatest secrecy and that most of the Nazi Naval Chiefs did not suspect its existence. It seems safe to assume that quite a number of subs which formed the convoy were doubles of Nazi subs which at that time were operating from various German bases. This was an easy way to fool the victors as well as the leaders of the vanquished German Armies.

  What was the final goal of the two German subs which surrendered at Mar del Plata? Where did the “phantom convoy” travel to? In what part of the globe was the “Shangri-La” which had been constructed by the Nazi submarine fleet and which had inspired the aforementioned boasting on the part of Doenitz late in 1943?

  Although it might seem obvious, Hitler could not have escaped to Japan. At the time of the flight, relations between Berlin and Tokyo had been strained since the Japanese Warlords had refused categorically to attack Russia in order to save the hard-pressed Nazi armies. On the other hand, it is well known that the Fuehrer himself cordially detested the Japanese and that he had not the slightest confidence in them.

  Also he could not have taken refuge in any neutral country. No Government, regardless of what its principles and politics might be, would have assumed the responsibility of granting refuge within its territory to Adolf Hitler. To grant asylum to “World Criminal No. 1” would have in itself constituted a grave affront and defiance of the Great Powers and might have brought about an armed conflict which could have resulted only in the final capture of Adolf Hitler. And if the Fuehrer had entered secretly a neutral country or one of its colonies, even under a disguise, he would have ever been in danger of being spotted. No, the Fuehrer did not devise such a hiding place from which to plan ultimate resumption of his power through preliminary underground activity. And this was not the kind of refuge Doenitz had hinted at in his notorious boast.

  Actually, there was only one country, both remote and practically deserted, which could have been considered. The construction of a Shangri-La which at the same time was an unimpregnable fortress, took a considerable time. Furthermore, it had to be hidden, regardless of where it might have been. Thus there remains the possibility that Hitler’s refuge might have been established on an island, located in some remote part of the world.

  A number of times there have been rumors that German submarines, in the course of their wartime roamings, had discovered some faraway, island and that they had established there a refuge for the Fuehrer.

  Such a theory is that and nothing else.

  But where did the Fuehrer and his convoy travel?

  If he did not go to another continental country nor to any island, where did he go?

  In other words: Does there exist in any part of the globe a sufficiently uninhabited, large enough space where it would be practically impossible to find Hitler and his entourage? Is there a refuge which is simultaneously sufficiently remote and immense enough so that it would be practically impossible to carry on a search for him?

  Yes, that land exists, although it may seem improbable.

  And not only does this place exist, but the Germans—and we shall prove this to be so—began to fit it out suitably as early as 1940.

  HITLER IS ALIVE!

  Seventh of a Series

  The place where Hitler sought refuge comprises a surface of fantastic expanse—6,205,000 square miles, much more than the area of Europe. This land is the Antarctic, the Seventh Continent of the world. Its inhospitable regions are difficult to enter and are not inhabited by any other human beings.

  This, then, was the ingenious element of Hitler’s plan of flight: instead of seeking an isle, here was an entire continent available as Hitler’s Shangri-La. As unbelievable as this idea appears at first glance, it was the result of calculation.

  The logic in the Nazis’ train of deliberation readily foresaw that the Antarctic would serve as an ideal hiding place for the Dictator because it was far from the inhabited world, just as remote as another planet. Here the Fuehrer could exist in absolute safety and here he could once again plan his revenge, his comeback at an hour when events would be favorable.

  The idea to create for Hitler an absolutely safe refuge was the decisive factor in the choice. For the Nazis foresaw that even if Hitler’s presence in the Seventh Continent were known, a search for him would practically be impossible. How could the Allies search every nook and corner of this vast expanse, with its plains, valleys, mountains and glaciers covered with ice and snow? Thousands of polar explorers with suitable equipment would be required to explore even a trifling slice of this immense territory. And the Nazis did not intend to render Hitler’s hideout visible from the air.

  If one wishes to analyze further the Nazi scheme and its development, a brief examination of the known facts concerning the South Pole would be in order.

  In 1823 the English seafarer James Weddell, at the head of an expedition of seal hunters, penetrated the Antarctic Circle and got as far as 75°15 latitude. According to his report, “The ice in this region had completely disappeared, the temperature was mild, birds were observed flying around the ship and groups of whales frolicked in the wake of the craft.” This unexpected change in climate surprised Weddell and his sailors, especia
lly since the temperature continued to increase the farther south they penetrated.

  “I should have liked to proceed sailing southward,” Weddell added, “but considering the season was already advanced and since we had to cross again a sea studded with ice-covered islands, I could do no better than profit from a favorable wind for our return.”

  Actually, the real period of Antarctic exploration began in the 20th Century when aviation facilitated exploration on a large scale. Sir Hubert Wilkins, operating from a base set up on the Isle of Deception, succeeded in flying over the Seventh Continent in 1928. His feat was repeated in 1928 through 1930 by planes of the Byrd Expedition.

  With its wealth of technological equipment and modern resour­ces, Commander Byrd’s expedition eclipsed all previous enterprises. He set up a comfortable base in Whale Bay and called it Little America. From there he maintained communication with the rest of the world by means of his radio station. Five years later he returned to Little America with personnel and equipment even more numerous than that of the earlier expedition. He brought with him tractors and airplanes of several types, including even a helicopter. The personnel of his expedition did not succumb to scurvy, that terrible scourge which haunted the polar explorers of old. Instead, they enjoyed all the comforts of civilized life, not excluding a movie theatre.

  Despite the numerous South Polar expeditions in the course of our century, the Antarctic Continent is still largely unexplored. It is safe to state that the explored sections of its regions do not exceed 10% of its total surface. In other words, the situation up to the present may be summed up as follows:

  (1) What we have here is a Continent of its own. This Continent is situated within the Polar Circle (66°32’33”), on a peninsula known as Graham Land.

  (2) Approximately, this Continent is located at a distance 5,600 miles from Africa, 4,760 miles from Australia, 1,870 miles from the southernmost point of South America.

  (3) This Continent comprises not just ice-covered surface like the Arctic regions. Instead, we have here a veritable Continent, with plains, valleys and mountains. It is believed that the mountain chain extending from the Weddell Sea to the edge of Ross Sea, where Little America was located, actually is but the extension of the Cordilleran Andes. The most elevated peaks among these mountains attain heights of around 15,000 feet. On the other hand, it is believed that the eastern zone of the Antarctic Continent formed almost entirely by a high plateau locate approximately 9,000 feet above sea level.

  (4) According to calculations by geographers, the surface area of the Antarctic Continent exceeds five million square miles. Thus, this continent is much larger than Europe.

  (5) Outside of penguins, certain insects and lichen which abound on the slopes of the volcano Erebus, there is practically no fauna or flora in the vast reaches of the Seventh Continent.

  (6) The temperature in the interior of the Continent is approximately around 0° Fahrenheit during the Summer. It drops to about 20° below zero, but usually it never falls below –30°. Temperature studies undertaken by meteorologists of the Bruce, Borchgrevink, Scott and Schackleton expeditions have shown that the cold reaches its maximum of intensity during July, when it hovers around 16°–20° Fahrenheit.

  (7) Aside from the temperature, which is higher than the Winter temperatures prevailing in certain regions of Northeastern Europe, strong winds—swelling to whirlwinds and even hurricanes—cause human beings the gravest discomfort in these Antarctic regions, especially during the Winter season. But generally the air is dry, extremely pure and healthy throughout the entire Continent, according to abundant testimony.

  (8) It is known that the soil of Antarctica is extremely rich. Both Charcot and Shackleton found on the surface numerous deposits of iron, copper, felspar, coal, peat and other ores, despite the fact that they were not briefed to undertake geological exploration. Admiral Byrd’s three expeditions have enlarged our store of knowledge in this respect. Aside from vast deposits of coal and iron, he established the presence of more than one hundred different mineral ores on the surface. It is believed that among the vast geological treasures of Antarctica are large quantities of uranium, the element which is of paramount importance in connection with atomic research and production.

  Thus, with its more than five million square miles, the Antarctic Continent is yet unknown land. Here is a vast, remote and barely accessible region which, in addition, was completely uninhabited. Here, then, there offered itself the ideal hiding place for Adolf Hitler and his aides. Once there, it would be practically impossible to flush him out. At any rate, at this point, there are the following questions to be answered:

  (a) Was Hitler’s group able to reach the Antarctic Continent?

  (b) Are there proofs or indications that he traveled in the direction of Antarctica?

  (c) Were the Fuehrer and his aides able to live all these years in the inhospitable reaches of this Continent?

  (d) Did the Nazis undertake preparations for the construction of Hitler’s refuge in Antarctica?

  To answer these four questions satisfactorily would furnish an explanation not only of the mystery of Hitler’s disappearance but also of his present whereabouts, of the final refuge where the man from the tiny town of Braunau, Austria. waits for the proper moment to make a comeback on the stage of world history.

  The Strange Expedition

  Concerning the first question, it can be stated beyond the slightest doubt that Hitler and his group reached the Antarctic Continent without any difficulty. During the larger part of the trip, which was negotiated under water, the phantom convoy in this fashion could have avoided a blockade—only there was no blockade to be evaded. Once the convoy had arrived in the Antarctic zone, there was no fear of the presence of anybody who might have reported its presence. True, on certain points of the Antarctic Continent existed a US based and a British mission. However, the Nazis knew the location of the latter and took pains to keep at a distance.

  The fact that the U-530 and the U-977 surrendered at Mar del Plata, Argentina, is stark proof that the phantom convoy went southward, in the direction of the Seventh Continent. In examining the itinerary covered by these two Nazi subs from their departure from Norway, the sole conclusion which can be arrived at is that the line traced thus far was broken at the latitude of Mar del Plate and that its extension would undoubtedly have led the rest of the convoy to the Antarctic. Where would the line have terminated?

  The history of the expeditions carried out in the 20th Century furnishes the most eloquent proof that a group of persons under certain conditions could exist in these regions throughout the entire year.

  The Byrd expeditions have demonstrated the miracle of technological progress as applied to survival in these remote corners of our globe. The members of these expeditions did not suffer any privations. Photographs of the members of these expeditions, showing them with bare upper bodies caressed by the Antarctic sun, show in irrefutable manner that the human being, if equipped with proper resources, can exist throughout the entire year in the vastness of Antarctic Continent without any damage to his health and without the necessity of lowering his living standard.

  It is safe to assume that the Nazis did everything in the way of preparations so as to construct a comfortable refuge in this Seventh Continent.

  And there are proofs. Even if we disregard Doenitz’ assertions concerning that “paradise on land” and “impregnable fortress” which had been constructed for the Fuehrer by the Nazi Navy, there are additional facts of circumstantial evidence.

  Toward the end of the second expedition by Byrd, and after the Ellsworth expedition which explored a zone that was later on claimed by Australia, the Norwegians, the British and even the Japanese seized parts of the Seventh Continent. All this happened during the years preceding the second World War. Then on January 2, 1938, it was announced at Moscow that preparations had been concluded for a South Polar expedition under Vodopyanov. But this venture never came off. On the other hand, a
German mission appeared in the Antarctic Continent toward the end of 1938, without any previous announcement. It returned the following year. This expedition caused worldwide surprise.

  “In carrying out this mission, I have merely executed the orders of Marshal Goering,” declared Capt. Alfred Ritscher, after his return to Hamburg on board the Schwabenland on April 12, 1939.

  According to this officer’s statement, the purpose of the expedition had been to study the feasibility of whaling in these international waters, since the Reich was much in need of all sorts of fats.

  It so happens that the motor vessel Schwabenland was not an ordinary ship. It was, rather, a floating island. It belonged to the Lufthansa, which had placed the vessel, with its complement of technicians and planes, at the disposal of the expedition. There were two planes on the Schwabenland, both amphibians weighing ten tons each. Among the flight personnel attached to the Schwabenland were fliers who had experience in Arctic aerial reconnaissance. They now were able to collect photographic aerial surveys of large and previously unmapped stretches of Antarctica. For their specific mission these planes had been equipped with powerful Zeiss cameras.

  With typical German arrogance, Capt. Ritscher let the cat out of the bag when he made his statement concerning his aerial reconnaissance activities over the South Pole:

  “For the first time German planes flew over the Antarctic Continent. Under extremely difficult conditions, they landed in the vicinity of the South Pole and there raised the German flag designating the sovereignty of the Reich. Every 25 kilometers our planes dropped pennants with the colors of the Reich and thus marked the boundaries of their flights. We covered an area of about 600,000 square kilometers. Of these, about 350,000 were accurately photographed, thus yielding a suitable map of the region.”

  In other words, Ritscher had started out to study whales and had ended by staking out for the Reich some 600,000 square kilometers. He frankly added that the territory mapped out by the Schwabenland expedition was situated between 11°5’ west and 20° east longitudes and that it reached the coast near 70° southern latitude and approached the South Pole at 76°5’. “From the latter point,” Ritscher added, “there rises a vast plateau at an altitude of about 12,000 feet which extends toward the South Pole. And within this territory mapped by our planes there rise mountain ranges up to a height of an additional 9,000 feet.”