Capturing Hitler's Eagle's Nest
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มี.ค. 2018
- The famed Eagle's Nest, part of Hitler's mountain home on the Obersalzberg, a village above Berchtesgaden in southern Bavaria, was a major target for Allied forces in April - May 1945. But who succeeded in capturing this ultimate prize? Was it the Americans or the French? VISIT www.markfelton.co.uk for more great content!
Love that line: "After a bit of light looting...." Makes it sound like a Sunday excursion.
This channel is what the history channel used to be like. These videos are great and very informative.
Very worthwhile and interesting. My father, Alan B. Worthington (who retired a full Colonel from the Army) escorted Eisenhower up the path to the Eagle's Nest when Eisenhower arrived and chose not to take the elevator which had a sign that said, "Officers Only". My Dad was a PFC at the time, only 20 years old, and told the General that he would meet him at the top, showing Eisenhower to the elevator. Eisenhower scoffed, swore and threw the sign over the side of the mountain, and then walked with my Dad up the mountain path to the top. After Eisenhower left, my Dad's commanding officer made him climb down the mountain to retrieve the sign!!
What a wonderful story! Many thanks for sharing it with me. Mark
Carol Worthington-Levy Wow amazing story!
Sorry for the word, but The then commanding officer of your father is a XXX. If my memo serviced me right, you dad need to walk at least four miles , in order to back down hill.
Carol Worthington-Levy great story! Thanks for sharing with us.
Great story. The CO is a jealous SOB. It was probably him that put up his precious sign.
I had the pleasure of visiting the eagles nest while stationed in Fulda back in the late 70s. It was a great experience, Berchtesgarden is beautiful.
My father served in the WWII 7th Army. And thank God. He was a photo buff.And I have his WWII 7th Army b/w photo's tour.And I have his photo's of Berchesgaden. And the pathway. Up to the Eagles Nest. And a photo he took.Right beside the wall of the Eagle Nest. Of the beautiful mountains ranges.
thekinksman1 What a treasure! I don't suppose by any chance you have scanned the photos and put them online somewhere?
thekinksman1 - please make a TH-cam video of your fathers photos!!!
The best prize was Goerings wine cellar!
The picture @7:29 is actually only of a few members of the 101st. The mojority in this picture were in the 82d. My uncle is 2d from the right, Earl Hickman, 508th PIR. I have the names and outfits of most of the guys in this picture. If anyone cares, I'll add those in an updated post.
I have been to the Eagle's Nest.Very impressive and a beautiful region of Germany.
I visited there in 2008, road the elevator and toured the Kehlsteinhaus. Overall the entire place left quite an impression.
Thank you so much for bringing these films back so that folks like me who were born right after the war can see! I remember some of these videos were shown at movie theaters before the movie! It is sad these are not used to teach our children and grandchildren such history as this! God bless America for helping to win this ugly war!
I knew a parachutist...( Band of Brothers ) mentioned at the end of this fine presentation...of the 101st. who claimed he 'liberated' souvenirs from The Eagles Nest. He was among the ones that "got there first"....and would only smile & chuckle when I asked for more details and to see his cache, which he brought back to the U.S. ! He has passed away but I believed him, as he was a man of honor and well respected....and a good customer of mine....and signed a soft cover volume of Band of Brothers for my collection of WW2 "bits & pieces"! I have since sold that book on eBay...and I regret that !
BIGGLES flys again Money does strange things to people!
Well, documented Mark. Your commentary is also superb. Great insights.
Many thanks, you are too kind!
I lived and worked for several months here in the mid-70's. The entire mountain complex was run as a NATO resort. I got a job as a waiter at the ski resort and shared a room in the basement of the Platterhof. (Then known as the General Walker Hotel.) Couple bits of trivia... The Eagle's Nest was constructed by Mussolini as a present to Hitler. The elevator was solid brass and a wonder to behold. Hitler seldom (or never?) visited the Eagle's Nest. (He was scared of heights.) Also... Every Friday night there would be a banquet for the servicemen there on holiday... There were Swashtika's on the bottom of the silver serving trays. Oh yeah... I once attended a picnic in the ruins of Eva Braun's cottage. Fun times.
About 20 years back I met a man who'd been in the 101st who showed a group at local history society a flag he said he'd taken from (As I recall) the Eagles Nest. He stated he had no authentication of where he got it, and hid it because of not wanting "souvenir hunters" coming around. Whatever the veracity of his report, it will always remain true that no one will ever tell all the stories of WWII.
They liberated the wine depot lol
Mark - your videos are without exception, the finest, most detailed videos I have seen on these topics. Excellent research and production 👍
Hitler barely used the Eagles nest as he had health problems being at such high altitudes. Other high ranking Nazi’s tended to use it for their own pleasure. I’ve been up there three times now and I must say that the coach ride and the building is very impressive. I have relations who live in Rosenheim about one and a half hours drive from Berchtesgaden and it’s easy for me to go there. In my experience early September is one of the best times to visit Southern Germany when it enjoys near perfect weather.
I understood he didn't like the lift
Whoever gets there first usually makes off with all the good souvenirs... and the 101’st grabbed up a ton of good shit to back up that they were indeed there first.
I took Sherman Pratt out to the National Archives in Maryland in the late 1990s. He had a cool trophy from this operation, a silver cup with AH on it that he showed me at his home. Great guy. Sadly he has since passed away. He was very interested in the Cottonbalers in the War of 1812 and maps of that battle.
Dr.Felton your highly accomplished Oration and Research is perfectly Executed for concentrated intake of pertaint information. thank you.
This man making them is a genius thank you again mark
While stationed in Neu Ulhm in The seventies I traced weekly to Berchesgarden on my Triumph 650, down through Augsburg and Muchin. Saw Neushustien Castle and the Zugspitz. One of the most beautiful places in the world.
This is SUPERB!..An old school serious documentary with an excellent narrator
One of my High School teachers was stationed in Germany after WWII and he said that on a couple of occasions his friends and himself would "have a party at Hitler's house" haha
Everlasting fame for arriving first at a tea room, even neglecting orders to do so.
This kind of behaviour has led to "First" comments on TH-cam
Yeah, when they first showed the 7th division general I thought "You're going to risk men's lives for this? When they are so close to surviving the war, going home alive?" Mark lists no actual Allied casualties from the firefights, but the German armored car that was "taken out" probably took a couple of unfortunate men with it.
We’ve got a small-ish type military museum where I work at on the weekends, and the site of the (old) coastal fortifications are situated upon a small hill nearby. I used to carry supplies and do maintenance which required me to walk up that hill countless times back in the 00’s, and I can tell you, I was left with no breath and a pounding heart after each walk up it. So I could imagine what it would be like to walk up some mountainous location like that shown. I couldn’t do now without hitching a lift in a truck.
Great video. Thanks for posting. The real prize was the Berghof surely. As I understand it, the Eagles nest was built for Hitler by senior Nazi's but he didn't go there very often, preferring another tea house close by.
Excellent and completely accurate. I was there in the early 80's and the "tea house" was/is a example of extraordinary engineering
Aar well, the main thing is that the Eagle's Nest wasn't destroyed.
It's a pity that buildings like the Berghof and Reich Chancellery were destroyed. They would have made great museums. But, human nature being the way it is.
Wait, Spanish soldiers were fighting with the French? That sounds like a great video topic!
I recently discovered your channel, great content, research & narration. There’s plenty that should be common knowledge to amateur historians but also lots of great insight.
Been there, highly recommend. Stunning views from up there. Berchtesgaden is gorgeous.
Indeed these videos are informative.Thank you Mr.Mark felton
So glad I found this channel, superb and very interesting. 👍
They tried to target the Eagles Nest with aerial bombing but it was too difficult to locate in the terrain. It was either the Berghof or Eagles nest they located the cache of the diamond/oakleaf awards in presentation cases in a safe. These diamond awards intended for the Knights Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten) that were never issued. Yet stash was somehow forgotten upon the retreat or no one in the SS had authority to open the safe except Martin Borman who was in Berlin. Some of those highly prized diamond/oakleaf award in the presentation cases have ended up in expensive private collections today.
I’ve been to the Eagles Nest. The tunnel leading to the elevator is is a marvelous piece of work. The elevator leading to the Eagles Nest was lined with mirrors, the guide said it because Hitler was claustrophobic.
A must see if you are ever in the German Alps.
1: Your videos are very informative and I look forward to each one
2: You sound almost identical to my recently departed father and that makes it even more awesome
Seriously? No proof? What about all the photos showing 101st men at the eagles nest? And how do you explain all the artifacts 506th guys have from the nest? Hitler's photo album, etc.
Technically speaking Hitler bought a house at the site and upon becoming Chancellor had it greatly expanded.
Thank you. Yet another really interesting and well produced video. I would have liked a few maps/diagrams to orientate, but that's a personal preference. Thanks again.
Some info and pics that I've never seen before. Great stuff
I was there in the mid 90s as a teenager. Beautiful part of the world. Great history lesson. Excellently preserved and the people of the area where beautiful as well. 👍🏻👍🏻
I visited the area in 2000. The eagles nest is now a tourist attraction.
Another well done video by Mark Felton. Thank you.
A pleasure
Awesome channel. No nonsense or filler.
An important fact about the Kehlsteinhaus, allied officers could use the lift but 'other ranks' had to climb up the zig-zag path.
got to love the M3s with machine guns everywhere.
Excellent research & film, strange turn of phrase @5.48 though with: "American forces liberated Berchtesgaden". I would have said they captured it, personally.
I know a veteran of the french 2nd armored who climbed the berghof and was part of the looting of the wine cellar
I visited a few years ago & incredible experience. The scenery was stunning the the interpretive center at the Ober Salburg and Eagles Nest didn't shy away from the history of the Nazi party in the region, met Americans on Band of Brothers tour, now that would be cool.
Here is your proof that the 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment was the first to reach Eagles Nest. I used to know a verteran of this unit. They were all told not to disturb anything when they arrived, but they all took a souvenir. His: the Siemans telephone off of Hitler's desk, which he proudly displayed in his living room, which is where I saw it in the '80s. It's horrifying to think of the evil orders that were issued through its handset.
I just finished Band of Brothers this morning, I believe it's account of how the 506th PIR of the 101st got there 1st in a lot more accurate than what this video portrays, and the book includes it's sources.
I've been to the Eagles Nest, extremely awesome place....The elevator is one hell of a ride, I believe it holds the record for elevator height...the door and inside the elevator itself is solid highly polished brass..Its quite a place, good damn beer up there too!
Captain Touyeras a French soldier, was the first to arrive at the Berghof.
Sorry boys... lol...
My brother still has in his possession Berghof memorabilia including a china plate with Hitler's coat of arms that comes from the Berghof.
wow how does it feel to be related to a fool and a monster.
My dad was one of those us troops. It is very interesting to me to watch this.
Honestly, who are the people who dislike these videos??
Great story-thanks again
Damn how I wish that house was left alone, I'd have loved to take a tour of the property....
My son put me on to this guy .best thing he ever did 👍
Wow, your channel grew a lot, Professor Felton. I like how you are not biased in these videos.
I learned a new word -- alacrity!
If you could post more on the Korean War for the 7th army or any. My grandfather served and all I really know is that he was part of the 7th army and he drove a half track, an M3 I believe. I heard after his death he was only a day or two behind the main force at inchun (spelling?) and chosin reservoir but I believe his records were lost in the fire so I’m not sure how to find out.
If you read through all the Easy company books, there are pictures of them at the Eagles nest
liberated a cellar full of wine!! LOL I love this
Massive war and huge destruction but still can obstruct allies in the name of glory
I think I’d be a little upset if I risked getting a souvenir and then had a higher up order it away just to cut it up and given to his buddies.
Great show!!!😎👍
Many thanks for watching!
The easy company soldier from Indiana that had Hitler's personal photo ablums? Duh
Thank you.
So Beautiful!!
If the 101st said they did it, that's good enough for me.
Dear Mark: I sure enjoy your information, you seem to ask the same Questions I ask. May we ALL learn from History and your work! I wish we could go to lunch sometime I’d get a kick out of it...THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOUR RESEARCHED QUEST.
LR Childs USA😀
LynnRC1957 We will never learn from our past. We are indeed repeat it over and over again. Eccl. 1:9.
I think the importance of Eagle's Nest (the Obersalzberg tea house on top of the mountain) is greatly exaggerated. Hitler has visited it a total of 3-4 times. It had no strategic value. And capturing Hitler's house has had a much bigger psychological value than Eagle's Nest.
I’ve stayed in Berchtesgaden many times! Such a beautiful place! I’ve even stayed in the Hotel Gen Walker, Platterhof Hotel during Nazi times....
Lots of bunkers....the Tea House has a majestic view of the area.....scariest road/drive up there is! Bus drivers drive crazily up the one lane road! Beware!😳😳😎😎
it was not his "hideout" Everyone knew it was there..NOT a secret ..but it was REMOTE and HARD to get to...
I remember this map from battlefield 1942 secret weapons of ww2 expasion pack. Ahh the memories
This is the only channel I like that uses iMovie
To be allied soldier at the eagles nest and sit at the large red fire place,,to relax for several minutes,,to wonder about,,, enjoy the moment,,,then move on,,,,,and remember the fallen,,,
Kehlsteinhaus! I was there in 2015.
Who knew before this video which unit won this "everlasting fame?"
The 506th parachute infantry regiment is who captured the Eagle's Nest.
I'm afraid you've been watching too much Band of Brothers - they were 3rd on the scene. My research suggests it was Spanish soldiers in the French 2nd Armored who actually first climbed up to the Eagle's Nest, or Diplomatic Reception House to give it its Nazi title.
this story was so freakin' cool.....
General Rosson (1918-2004) was in the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at this time. He shared with me that they were the first to take the Eagle's Nest. This is the final word in this matter.
Those SS men and that single armored car lol was extremely brave
Looks like it was a race for artifacts and so on...
the blauprintsdravings of the house are in museum in us,,of this house
De Gaulle ordered Gen. Lattre de Tassigny to ignore orders from Gen Jacob Devers if they conflicted with French 'national honor".
i stayed at the platterhoff known as the general walker hotel
Spanish troops? Were they Mercenaries? Spain was neutral during the war. Spain was also a German ally.
There were alot of Spanish volunteers in the French Army, those spanish volunteers fled spain after the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 (In Which the Pro Fascist forces won)
If you watch the series ' BAND OF BROTHERS ' you will find it was the 506- 101st Airborne division that got to the eagles nest first.
And we all know that films and TV are completely historically accurate - oh, wait...
Another fine video. Excellent work sir.
Very difficult to imagine any "Spanish" soldiers being on hand here at this time.
Most likely ex-republican forces who fled Spain after the civil war, it's not like they could return home and probably wanted revenge for Hitler's support of Franco.
FRITZ!! You alvays waz mein leest favorite nephew!
great video
How could such a monster have such exquisite taste?
@6:58 "after a bit of light looting"....
It's a real shame honestly this place was so utterly destroyed. It was gorgeous.
So were the Allied troops that were closing in on the Eagles nest coming from the west, (the troops that had formed in France after D-Day) or from the south, (the troops that had worked their way up through Italy after the Salerno and Anzio invasions)???
Imagine living the town and your the first to loot his house. I hope i own a truck so i can beat everyone else.
7:33 That implied that the men from the 101st made it after everyone else. I read that they made it there 1st.
It’s a shame, it was beautiful.
It was totally evil.
@@richardlawson4317 it would have made a really cool museum tho