Inside Hitler's Eagle's Nest - Then & Now
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 гру 2023
- In Episode 2, we examine the interior of Hitler's Kehlsteinhaus to discover how much of the original fittings and fixtures survive today.
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
Help support my channel:
www.paypal.me/markfeltonprodu...
/ markfeltonproductions
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: The National Archives; Library of Congress; Centurion Firearms & Wartime Memorabilia
Primary Source: Third Reich in Ruins by Geoff Walden, www.thirdreichruins.com
Never thought I'd get to correct something in one of these videos.
As a blacksmith I can almost guarantee that the fireplace doors are not wrought iron, but cast iron.
Wrought iron being a type of iron that seized production around 1900. Before the 1700 all European iron produced was wrought iron, but when modern steel production methods were invented in the 1700 hundreds, it diminished in use gradually, and seized completely around 1900.
Today wrought iron is a a very sought after type of iron by blacksmiths for it's malleability and unique wood grain type structure, which can result in beautiful lines in the iron, of which pattern welded steel (called damascus by people who don't care about history) derives part of its popularity from (The other being Wootz steel, or "crucible steel" that was made in Pakistan/India and imported to Europe through Damascus through the middle ages (Thus the name of the modern imitation)) .
The wood grain structure of wrought iron comes from the way it was produced - also the reason for its name "wrought iron". Wrought iron was produced by compressing a bloom of semi molten iron at high heat (But never quite smelted, as furnaces couldn't reach high enough temperatures), cutting, folding, and forge welding it back together in order to push out slag and create a more homogeneous iron. It was very labour intensive and expensive to produce.
The invention of more powerful furnaces in the 1700, allowed for the iron to melt completely, simplifying the production process as slag separates easily from molten iron.
Japanese steel and wrought iron was layered many more times than European equivalents, not because it make it stronger than alternatives, but because Japanese ore was of such poor quality that it was the only way to make it functional - It needed much more work done to it to get it to a comparable standard. And thus comes the myth of legendary katana steel. It's simply because Japan has some of the worst ore in the world and a proud conservative historically (And some bad American made "documentaries").
Cast iron on the other hand came to popularity during the industrial revolution when casting steel and iron became widespread. Cast iron having a higher carbon content lowers it's melting point, making it cheaper to cast than regular steel. Cast iron having 2-3% carbon content and steels having between 0.4 and 1.2% carbon. Mild steel having less than 0.3% carbon content means it can not harden, yet it is still much harder to work than wrought iron, which contains almost no carbon at all (Also called "pure iron" for that reason, even though it's very impure)
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
I hope Mark gets to see this comment - Not often there is expert knowledge here of so deep quality as this, well done.
Bonus fun fact: Cast iron skillets are the cheap mass produced alternative that became available to the masses during the industrial revolution. They were heavier but cheaper than the copper/tinned pots and pans, or steel skillets that had to be forged out. It's interesting that today, cast iron skillets are considered a higher quality product, even when they're often worse quality today than they were when they first came into popularity as a cheap alternative. Or so I've been told.
I know little or nothing on the topic but really appreciate your knowledge and comment. Thank you.
Fascinating information, MartilloWorkshop.
Thank you very much.
A very interesting read, thank you!
I had the pleasure of visiting the Kehlsteinhaus with some WWII veterans in 2004. It looks exactly the same. One interesting fact that we were told about was that the large ornate polished brass lift is powered by a WWII submarine engine adopted for use at this house. It was still in operation when we visited. This place is truly worth the visit. History abounds..
I checked and those furnishings and furniture may have not left the area, as that material was used in the "General Walker Hotel" used by the US Military along with Speer's studio until 1996. Apparently, the hotel was razed but not after the locals stole the furnishings!
Scary..never ever I would visit and have a meal. Sickening
@@marioborkowski5894Calm yourself.
rode the elevator as a U.S. Army kid, early 1970s -- the green sofa benches still in it
@@markrossow6303 Outstanding!
Hope you feel better Mark. I went here in the 80s and again in the 90s while stationed in Germany. The scenery is amazingly beautiful. Perhaps that's why I choose Truckee in the Sierras😊
Haven’t been to Eagle’s Nest but have been to Truckee!! You never forget a handle like that 😂
Truckee is too cold and gets too much snow ❄️ for gracious west coast lifestyles.
Is Joanie’s Diner still around?Enjoyed her banana cream pie back in 1972.
Have you built your own Kehlsteinhaus? Trucker is fantastic with great views and the railroad. Cheers from the flatlands - Texas.
I was stationed in Baumholder 17 years ago.
It is never lost on me how "men of the common people" absolutely love and require luxury. Sidebar...a case of the lurgy? I hope that it's not similar to what my grandma called "the creeping no good". As always, great episode Dr. Felton, well done. Cheers from the States.
It was said Hitler didn't like the place very much and didn't visit too often; 14 times I think.
@@1940limited Only an inveterate drug addict would dislike such a place. Now, it is a tourist attraction. I'm not sure that I like this.
"Men of the common people" may or may not love luxury, but they definitely require it: only a man who is smart would have the ability to rise from the common people to the heights of luxury (with the help of his benefactors and the state treasury).
Just like how many a firebrand socialist politician or activist ends up very rich or in cushy high paying jobs in government/cultural institutions or even corporate board members. It would appear that once you get a taste of the good life it's like that saying that once you go black you never go back.
To be fair, and not to defend a man like Hitler, it was said that he lived very spartan like, ate basic foods (vegetarian, although he did so due to his health beliefs), and things like the Eagle's nest was actually gifted to him. The only place he seemed to be very concerned about was the new Reich chancellery, but that was state business and not necessarily so personal like a summer house. Hitler seemed to have been basically the opposite of how someone like Goring was, who enjoyed luxury etc. Again, I'm not in any way trying to excuse, defend or promote Hitler in any way, but I've read a lot about him from testimonies like Speer and Eva Braun, you start getting a picture of how Hitler was personally behind the image of the Fuhrer of Germany.
This is a place im desperate to visit, as my great uncle, Richard Winters, was here at the end of the war
He should get the Medal of Honor!
Your grandfather was Major Winters?
@@wally9935 great uncle, and yes he was
Richard… as in Dick Winters? Band of Brothers Dick Winters?
That’s awesome.
I found visiting the Eagle’s Nest really interesting. You can view the model farm location that they were going to deploy after the war from there. Also, I was told that the elevator was actually a double decker so that they could bring up supplies. A must visit if you are traveling in the area!!
I checked and those furnishings and furniture may have not left the area, as that material was used in the "General Walker Hotel" used by the US Military along with Speer's studio until 1996. Apparently, the hotel was razed but not after the locals stole the furnishings!
Use a different adjective to replace “interesting.” College professor would demand another word as interesting doesn’t really describe much of the feeling.
Up until 1995 I think the area was controlled by the US Army. I have seen video of some GI's kid looking into the Berhof's garage in 1988... And another building behind the "General Walker Hotel" at the time, was still vacant from WWII and shuttered up. Essentially unchanged.
Thanks for a nice brief overview of the Eagles Nest! I just visited there October 16, 2023 and really enjoyed it!
Oct. 16. An interesting date to visit the Eagle's nest
@@8gomerpyle22why?
I was up there one summer with my father, a WW2 vet who hadn't been back to Europe since the war. It's interesting to see and the area is beautiful. My mother was in the Red Cross and met my father in London during the Blitz. When the war ended they volunteered to stay and were based in Paris where my father was responsible for finding the bodies of the missing airmen shot down in Europe. He had the logs of the surviving flight crews to go by and he ran teams indigenous to each area. Amazingly, hey found almost all of them. They also found some death camps. He had shocking pictures.
Did your father ever live near Clacton on Sea? I had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman who explained how he worked with a team after the war recovering airmen & investigated rumour's of allied servicemen being executed in mass graves. He did actually find some of the rumour's were true and he and his team recovered the allied servicemen, many of them with their hands tied behind their backs.
I lost a relative, who was a pilot flying bombers over Germany he and his crew were all lost over sarbrucken thats all we know still to this day.
They weren`t "death camps".
Mass grave, "a site area containing a multitude (more than one) of buried, submerged or surface scattered human remains". The team were recovering allied servicemen from mass war crime graves. @@bigbelly5098
what? Explain your self @@bigbelly5098
I love the sarcastic humour in putting a beer hall on the place - contrary to stereotypes, Germans really do have a sense of humour 😂❤
Perhaps they liked the symmetry? Beer halls appear to form book ends to Hitler's career with the Beer Hall Putsch at the other end. Lots of horrid commotion in between; then back to a relaxing stein.
@@DeclanMBrennan I suspect that was what he was intimating.
Well, Rammstein has a sense of humor. Not everyone gets it though. Which I guess is the essence of German humor. Not everyone gets it.
We also serve Sauerkraut there 🇩🇪
We don't have a sense of humor 🇩🇪
Its against the rules
Thank you for bringing back the memory of visiting the Eagle's Nest. It was a fascinating visit and not to be missed when in the area.
I remember when I went to Paris a few (20) years ago, I worked out where Hilter stood in the famous picture of him with the Eiffel tower behind him. It was a really odd feeling - to think that one of history's most infamous people had stood there, 60 years or so before, was very strange. I can therefore imagine how strange it must have felt touring that house today.
I will be returning to Kelsteinhaus in the fall of next year and quite look forward to hiking it from the base. Though it is eerie to visit from a historical standpoint, one cannot argue the absolute beauty and wonder of such building.
I was there. Fascinating object and view of the mountains.
My uncle was a U.S. Army Ranger Pathfinder with the 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that parachuted into France
11 hours ahead of H-Hour on D-Day. They actually landed over seven miles off course at Ste Mere Eglise and just six miles inland from Utah Beach. In the dark, the scattered soldiers couldn't find their own company.
My uncle ran across a General, his adjutant, a sergeant and another GI private like himself. The General proclaimed, "well boys, the war starts right here for us." They met up with other troops that mounted the battle to take the critical town of Ste Mere Eglise.
Fighting their way across France, the 506th reassembled to jump during Operation Market-Garden in Holland to seize key bridges.
From there, they marched back towards Paris where they expected to be relieved for 2 weeks with R&R in London. They had no winter clothes, no ammunition supplies, and very little food or other supplies. They were diverted to Bastogne to cut off a vital road objective that the Germans wanted for their advance to Antwerp.
He remembered being trapped at Bastogne as being the “toughest, coldest, wettest, hungriest, and the meanest battle of them all”.
His unit crossed the Rhine River and eventually captured Hitler‛s “Eagle‛s Nest. He drank Hitler's liquor at the Eagle's nest on V-E Day. He was able to obtain some of Hitler‛s personal stationery and used it to write a letter back home to my grandparents. My cousin has the original letter framed and it sits on his office credenza at his home.
The 506th “liberated” Goering’s wine cellar as well as the stack of bottles from other Nazi notables. My uncle was in the area until about the end of July before being moved out. He mustered out of the Army in December 1945.
Salute.
So he was in the unit band of brothers was about?
I hope he did not have the misfortune to have been the guy who dangled for several hours from his parachute off the spire of the church at St. Mere Eglise! They have a model of that poor soul there to this day 😄
@@goldenfiberwheat238yeah, he said his grandfather was in the 101st, BoB is about the 101st as well
@@goldenfiberwheat238
The 506th was a regiment with 3 batallions and 3 infantry companies per batallion. So he could have been in any one of the 9 infantry companies.
I always really enjoy these informative windows into bits of history I never really knew a lot about, always a relaxing and interesting experience. Thank you Mark for your consistently fascinating videos, hope you feel better soon!
Fascinating! As an aside, a child of Brits, Lergy is a term not heard in 50 years! Keep it up, Dr. Felton!
The term is still used all the time in english speaking Australian homes.
@hakimcameldriver going to tell the boss I've got the lurgy and sneak off the pub for a morning pint 🇦🇺
Didn't it originate on the Goon Show?
Yes. It was dreamed up by them as a fictitious disease called 'the dreaded lurgy' for their radio show in 1954. @@ronboot2578
Brit aged 34, I use the term Lergy and have heard fifteen year olds use it .
It's still a term alive and well in the UK
"The Eagle's Nest was a surprise birthday present for Hitler built with Nazi Party money. A mountaintop stone retreat 8,000 feet up accessible by a gold-plated elevator. It was one of the crown jewels of his empire... And the man was afraid of heights..."
-Major Dick Winters, Band of Brothers
Maybe that's why Hitler didn't visit the place too often.
With our peoples money🇩🇪
The Natjies can only steal not create
Maybe he was even more afraid of the forest he needed to cross to get there (ambush possible).
I suspect the reasons Hitler didn't go to the Eagle's Nest all that often were:
1) It was inconvenient. It's four miles away from the Berghof and a steep and winding road has to be taken to get there.
2) It's just an elaborate scenic overlook with no provision for overnight stays.
3) He never asked for it to be built in the first place!
By the way, a portion of the 1980s TV mini-series "War and Remembrance" was shot at the Eagle's Nest. The sequence is an imagined post-Normandy invasion conference between Hitler and his top brass. It gets your attention right away if you know what you're looking at!
It’s also been said Hitler was paranoid about the elevator, that he was afraid it would fail and he’d be trapped in it.
Thank you for your excellent and well documented work once again. It is always difficult to stay objective and true when referring to historical events. Congrats
Thank you. I was at Kehlstein in 2022, but your straight ahead elaboration on the details is most informative and welcomed.
My understanding has been that Mussolini simply gifted the raw marble to be used in the building, and the fireplace was constructed on site by craftsmen.
And several died constructing it!
Thanks for all your hard work Mark❤
Mark really does dig out the finest of details regarding everything WWII and especially Germany.
My grandfather was in the 101st Airborne Division during WW2 & participated in several battles including the Battle of Bulge, he was actually at Hitlers Eagles Nest back in 1945 - He passed away on August 4th, 2016 - (One month & 23 Days shy of his 91st Birthday).
I was able to visit Kehlsteinhaus in 1999 while serving in Europe. I'm glad they tried to preserve history. It was nice to see it on a sunny day since it was neblig and eerie when I was there, although I remember being allowed in the kitchen area for some reason (probably accidental).
My European tour in 2011 was going to the Eagles nest, but it snowed the day before we were scheduled to go there, and they shut down the mountain and I was not able to see it. I can see that I really missed a great view. Thank You Mark for taking me there.
Sorry to hear about the lurgy. Hope you get better. Thank you for still making these. I appreciate your efforts.
Fantastic video as always, it was great to see the historical compare and contrast. I would've never seen the Eagle's nest otherwise.
Hey Mark im a former member of the Canadian army. Canadas contribution to wars is often overlooked. I was wondering if you could do a video about the medak pocket. Where Canadian troops were outnumbered and held back the serbs in 9 - 17 September 1993. This is a story that was fallen through the cracks of history and needs to be told. Thank you
Wtf does that have to do with this?
@@elspoocho4637 The guy makes videos about this history. He liked this video and hopes the man will make another. None of that was hard to understand, wtf is wrong with you?
Mark absolutely love your videos. Its like having history class in my living room 😊. Hope your voice gets well soon 🙏👍. Frank from Tennessee.
I'd love to visit this place someday! Its so wonderful that famous buildings like this still exist and can be visited and enjoyed by history lovers!
Excellent video, as always! I'm planning a trip next year (May-June) to visit all these historical places at Berchtesgaden (The Berghof, Eagle Nest, the new museum and tunnels, etc.). These videos are an excellent source of information to be prepared and know what to see, understanding the story and details behind these places and areas. Thank you for the time spent creating this content!
The Berghof was bombed by the Allies shortly after the end of World War II. There’s nothing left of it. Just the Eagle‘s Nest is left.
Great video! I don't blame the G.I.'s for taking souvenirs, they went through the gates of hell to reach the end of WW2. Thank you for your work!
in a way it's understandable, but also not. Some of the stuff they took is weird and it's hard to understand why it was allowed. I get it's been a tradition for centuries - we have numerous castles that sit empty because past foreign armies stripped them completely - but war is no justification for vandalism and theft, no matter what side you're on
@@thesteelrodent1796 Officers were involved in the looting too so that's really why it was allowed, like Ronald Spiers looting a whole bunch of silver, so I'm sure they got first dibs at the good stuff and then whatever was left the regular infantry got.
The main thing I find funny with looting is when the Soviets do it in Germany its "ransacking" and "looting" but when the Americans do it, it's "liberating" and "requisitioning".
@@thesteelrodent1796yes it is, if I were there and wanted a new, free chandelier for my home back in the US, I will take it. It’s not theft it’s repossession, we are talking about a vile dictator
@thesteelrodent1796 laying your life on the line in a war, is the ultimate sacrifice a man or woman can make. All those things taken, are just things. Objects. This isn't a home invasion. It's a war.
What the US Soldiers did is a Far Far Far Cry compared to the Nazis who ransacked all the Art, Statues, Painting's throughout Europe for the Fuhrer's Museum. And thank you to "The Monuments Men" who took it back.
If you wonder how U.S.Army troops managed to ship those candelabras home, one possible explanation is that Officers’ belongs labeled “personal effects” are not searched. Also, high ranking officers could have simply decided they would look good in regimental headquarters.
Thieves...
I'm sure many soldiers wished they could ship home that red marble fireplace...🔥
Absolutely magnificent.
Thank you Dr Felton.
My Dad, an American Naval officer, told me of an Admiral who attempted to "ship home" a yacht from Japan that he had "purchased" after the Korean conflict. The Admiral must have been aware that it was against Naval regulations but still ordered the Commanding Officer of a U.S warship to load his yacht on board. Several officers on the ship "anonymously" reported this to the proper authorities and consequently the Admiral was court martialed. 😂
@johnvsymons Reminds me of that scene from Kelly's Heroes when the captain was heading back to the rear with a yacht in tow. 😅 His father was a General?? I forget... well, time to watch it again!
@@jerryjeromehawkins1712His uncle😊
He had a gorgeous view! Eagles Nest was a fitting name.
The view from the terrace is truly amazing.
Dr. Felton, you are unrivaled. The videos and content are Always top marks. So very fascinating to be able to experience some of these places in real life. Cheers!
I rarely comment, but this is another superb video. I thank you for your prolific output on really interesting subjects that are always well presented and attention holding.
It's a place I would like to see in reality.
That, and the Hotel Zum Türken !
Thanks for this Mark, I was hoping there would be a follow up to the first video. Very well done as usual.
One of my husband's uncles brought back three chunks of the red marble from the fireplace.
A vandal and a thief...
A small price for Germany to pay for them trying to kill you many times over.
My buddies and I walked all the way from Berchtesgaden to the top of Eagle's nest just to find out that there was still snow and we couldn't get all the way to the top. The view was still impeccable.
Holly crap ! I just gave the first thumbs up. Dr Felton videos are always quick to receive lots of thumbs up. Love these videos , they are top shelf .
You win!! Not even being sarcastic 😂
@@TreatzTMAfunny thing is many times I've received notice of his videos I'd click on it and 100+ thumbs up within the first minute. Love these videos.
I visited the Eagles nest in 1990 when I was stationed in Germany with the Canadian Armed Forces during the latter part of the cold war. There was no restaurant and it was pretty much an open exhibit at that time. Thank yoiu for a great video that gets me up-to-date.
Mark Felton's disdain for the Americans who fought in WWII is clearly evident in this history lesson. Thanks Mark.
Unbelievable! I wanted to thank @MarkFeltonProductions for inspiring me to pursue this field. Like my father, you have guided me with studies and information that I'm one step closer to obtaining my doctorate in European History.
Simply stunning! it's certainly on my bucket list! Feel better Mark!
I visited Eagle's Nest in the mid 90's, I don't remember the restaurant or bar being there at the time but, oh my goodness, the view was amazing! The fireplace is gorgeous, we were told it was a gift from Mussolini, made from Italian red marble. Eagle's Nest is definitely worth a visit if you get the opportunity.
Thank you for the newest history lesson Professor Felton.
Merry Christmas 🎄 & Happy New Year 🎆🎊
I love the recreation of H's main house in the movie "Valkyrie", with Tom Cruise.
I'd like to thank you for your time and effort involved to make these wonderful, historical videos.... Absolutely fascinating. Cheers, from upstate New York.
Your timing is impeccable Mr Felton.
I've been there. It was one mf my most memorable visits in Germany. Brought back memories. Thanks.
Sorry to hear you have the Lurgy hope your better soon. Many thanks for your excellent and informative video on the Eagles Nest. Much appreciated.
Thank you very much Mr. Mark for today's video❤
We visited the Eagles Nest in May, and wow, it was amazing
True….but only for the highly privileged at that time….obscene situation….mental illness allowed it to happen
I visited in 1972 age 10- I’ve never forgotten the brass lift. The day we went, the mountain was covered in mist obscuring the views. A fascinating place and great to see it again.
Fascinating, as always Mark! BTW: "Stolen by US GIs" seems a bit harsh, my dad who served in the ETO in WW2 preferred the term "liberated". 😇
"liberated" only fits if it was stolen in the first place
I can't help but see it as "lost to history" - which is a great shame.
The days when Mark Felton uploads are always good days
Love coming back from the pub after work and seeing a Mark Felton upload
I know an uncle who had a piece of Mussolini's mantle you showed us and now I know where it came from. I remember it looking like a chunk of Mom's marble table.
It's funny because Mom's table was made in Italy.
Man that’d be so cool to be standing in history like that. I am VERY thankful for all the USGI’s fighting for souvenirs bringing them home to the US for me and my friends to collect! 😂😂
Fun Fact:
Mark took all the photos and videos. Past and Present.
Si Mark Felton sube un video, entonces va a ser un buen día.
My dad visited the Eagles Nest just after liberation. He said it was very fancy and that Hitler didn't spare any expense. He also said it was pretty much torn apart after his visit.
2:37 Hey Mark, Great work as always! I have a question. So is that area all a modern addition? Because that area looks very different in Eva Brauns film reels. I went to the Eagles nest a few months ago. Absolutely beautiful!
I believe Eva filmed at Berghof. A different place than Kehlsteinhaus.
@@sosclay6655 She filmed in a bunch of places. One of the places she filmed in was at the Eagles nest which looks different in her films than today. Especially the walking path on the Eagles nest leading outside of the Beer Garden @2:37. Check out Eva Braun's reel 1. That outside bit of the Eagles nest @2:37 looks different than in the reels.
Sometimes I wonder who were the biggest looters........
Dr. Felton, another one of your fantastic videos. Thank you for posting. It allows us all to better understand and appreciate history. Cheers from Texas.
"to prevent the entire interior of the building being carried back to the US by GI's" had me on the floor. 🤣🤣🤣
When I was stationed in West Germany there were other venues I prioritized.... basically, everything else!
I would love to visit it but I'm terrified of hights. Thank goodness for Dr. Felton and his videos. lol
Fear of heights...? But you won't fear anything there!
@@PauloPereira-jj4jv I might have to keep my eyes shut during the trip up. lol
I would love to visit but not worth a trip from the USA. Heights don't bother me as long as I have something secure to hold onto.
@@1940limited , well, there's plenty of other things to see and do. Visit Mozart's home, take the Sound of Music tour, showing where every scene was filmed, take a salt mine tour, very interesting, visit Tomaselli's, one of the finest coffee cafes in the world, tour original Christian catacombs in the side of a mountain, and just all around enjoy the atmosphere of the German-Austrian Alps. I've been, twice. Worth the trip, for a European summer vacation.
Our Unit had a four day retreat there after Desert Storm!! Was a Blast!! Went there again on a wedding Aniversary!!!
Thank you for sharing your journey; I only wish I could visit the Eagle's Nest one day.
To some, who have taken up arms and answered a call to defend what the believe is right, after the hostilities have ended you reflect on everything you experienced. For some, buildings like this became a focal point to vent their emotions. Taking a piece of property that was your enemy's is a act of trying to take compensation for what you feel you have lost in the battles. It is something soldiers have done throughout time and has nothing to do with them lacking discipline.
Sure, it's easy to simplify it and call it stealing, looting or theft. But to a lot of those soldiers it was retribution as well.
As others mentioned, I was also told by AFRC staff that many pieces of furniture in the former Platerhoff/Gen. Walker were from up there. Likewise the diesel submarine engine that was up there had a "twin" that was in the bunkers below the Platerhoff/Gen. Walker. I had the opportunity to view both in the late early 90's.
Ok looting is normal practice but still i feel its it was poor leadership by American officers to let their troops pilfer such obviously important sights. Remember at the same time the Soviets were taking Berlin and winning the war ? One of the great tradgedies of WW2 condeming millions to servitude.
I believe they salved their consciences by referring to it as "liberating" rather than stealing.
We need Battle of the Bulge videos for anniversary
I visited this for the first time in September. Great experience. Thank you for posting
The view/site is amazing! If you are a WW2 enthousiast this is the one to go to!!
Thank you for sharing
🎅🤶🎄❄️🦌
It parallels Albert Khan who was Jewish designing a good majority of Henry Fords Factories.
Thank you Mark for not adding the tedious music which was used in your video of 5 years ago on the bunker photos. Thank you.
Great tour, Mark! When we were there much of the EN was closed to the public, including the restaurant and balcony
I've often wondered what the modern German citizen thinks of the area turning into a tourist attraction
Wonderbar.
most probably do not care, it's a fairly rural area, it's used more as a restaurant than a place of history
If it brings money into the region then why not?
There's no changing their past no matter how much they may ignore or deny.
as a modern german citizen, most people do not care tbh. Only people interested in history know about it at all, or at least the details about its history. Its just one of these typical tourist atractions, that especially americans visit. Just another place in the typical Bavaria, Munich, Schloss Neuschwanenstein, Königssee, program. There are far more controversial places, and its not like the Kehlsteinhaus is denying its past, there are plenty of info plaques around the place, acknowledging the more sinister aspects
that would be an ideal place for some cold beers in summer
Imangine you could rent out the entire space for one day and invite all your buddies and arrange a huge meal to be made etc would be so fun
My family and I visited the Eagles Nest in June of this year. To have pre-visited a Mark Felton video location is an exciting first for me!
The view is absolutely stunning! I've been to Germany 3 times but have never visited - maybe if I make it a fourth sometime, this should be on my list of places to visit!
Mark Felton I hope your voice comes back soon.
Me too!
@@MarkFeltonProductionsthis whole *"1936 Berlin Olympics"* as a coming out Party not just for World War 2 Full Frontal but right now today "World War 3: Soccer Stadium in Kaliningrad/Koenigsberg" very much has my attention. I don't really know what made the formalized realization of World War 2 1941-1945 "The Good War" but most certainly there is a Book by that name that preserves an absolutely epic amount of taped material from the War Fighter upon in about all "this" almost none of which would survive as relates to the War in the Pacific. Of this I have no doubt this time now is most definitely World War 3 and a rather strange echo of this rather peculiar ... is it sincerity? certainly belief that one way or another the War to end all Wars would go out with the biggest War ever conceived of, imagined...then executed upon. Imagine see these pictures in Color by way of example...via "closed circuit television" no less.
I think using the word “stolen” in regards to US troops “collecting” items is a bit harsh. Yes, technically they were stolen, but it was a different time. What those soldiers had been through, we can’t imagine.
So, stealing some things from a home for a madman, is part of the price paid.
True!
But then that material is lost to history.
Why it's harsh to mention the facts? Those items were stolen by the 'liberators', right? Why inventing other words for it to make it sounds different and kind of 'justified'? Which other crimes will be framed more soft then and justified?
Another Felton jewel. Thank you for the time you spend to create these videos. I have a question, what is the reason for the square ceiling features? I see this often in German archival films.
Historically Germany was somewhat less economically developed than most Western European countries, so their decor was relatively plain. I'm not a geology scholar but someone told me they're surrounded by a mountain range which inhibits international trade. Hitler may well have been the richest man to date in German history. I don't know. Just guessing.
I’m a simple man..I see mark Felton uploaded and I happily oblige.
Fantastic, thank you for all your hard work and great contact Mark.
The US Soldiers didn't steal those items, they liberated them. Many thanks for posting, Dr. Felton.
Sir, please take care of your health, both the world and myself need your historical information especially in these days. Thanks for the information you continuously put out for us and hopefully, the younger generation which seems to not realize the threats out there if we fail to learn from history.👍👍
I was there in 1963...I was stationed in Berlin in MI SPO outfit. I have been in most countries in Europe but nothing as beautiful as the Eagles Nest.
My dad served with USAREUR in the 1970s and we came to Berchtesgaden for a AFRC vacation and I was lucky to see the General Walker hotel, the tunnels, the foundations of Hitler's house and the Eagle's Nest as a kid. I returned to Germany thirty years later and revisited Berchtesgaden but a lot had been torn down by then, though I went up to the Eagle's Nest again, now with my wife. I also visited the old American housing area (wonder if it is still there?) and thought that Berchtesgaden must have been a great posting for a US service family.
I sadly get the impression this is now just a massive tourist attraction. Like so many historic attractions, when there are so many tourists and likely souvenir shops, it's impossible to silently try to envision and feel the true history. Always a shame !!
You need private time in a NSDAP landmark?
Yep, typical exit through the gift shop type of place, shame.
Imagine being able to rent this entire space for an entire day where you can bring all your friends and arrange the dinner, etc
@@Jdsofarfeels like "man in the high castle" sta
Why? Can you imagine what it might cost to maintain an 85 year old building at the top of a mountain? The tourist trade pays for upkeep that enables visitors to relive and, hopefully, understand history. The USS Arizona memorial is exactly the same.
Dr Felton I like how you said “stolen by the GI’s and not taken lol you are real ❤
Ya can't steal from a political party that has ceased to be a party. Claimed, is a better fitting word.
I would have said paid for in blood. But stolen? Most expensive theft in history, 400,000 usa dead...in Europe not America to liberate europe..not America
My wife and I visited here several times in the late 1980s while we were both soldiers with the US Army; we have many pictures from those visits. We stayed at what was called the General Walker Hotel, former lodging for visiting dignitaries, in Obersalzberg, from where our excursions to the tea house initiated. The SS motor pool and bus garage was visible nearby.
While Dr. Felton uses the words "modern" and "now" (used in the title) with little clarification of exactly when he is referring to, I can attest to the fact that the "glazed in" terrace was not enclosed in 1986...access to it was restricted only during inclement weather. Also, there were trails that some people would use to hike up to and down from the Kehlsteinhaus from the hotel; we never opted to do so.
The staff informed us that Hitler was claustrophobic and that the polished brass (mirror-like) panels lining the elevator walls made it seem much bigger to ease his unrest at being so enclosed.
I am told the General Walker hotel is no longer there, nor is the SS garage. But while staying there, we took the tour through the underground tunnels that connected the hotel, the Berghof, Bormann's house, and Goering's house. A secret descending stairway in the basement of the hotel led to the tunnels. There were offices, sleeping quarters, and even a large generator powered by a U-boat engine.
Great video! I'd never have seen this any other way. Thank you Dr. Felton!
How much did these American forces steal from the eagle's nest?
Some say they should have taken every piece of the thing.
Nice but I think I'll stay away from all those tourists
Surprised to see eagles nest, Hitler house. Even after 90+ years this building is really very good condition. Instead of destroying people kept the house in good condition, including the furniture. Thanks to Mark Felton for sharing this wonderful article.
"Stolen" is a strong word, haha. Great video as always Mark
Just as an aside, US troops did not "steal" anything from the Eagle's Nest. Its owner ceased to exist, as did the country that previously held the land-deed. They also did not take the furniture, as they had no method for shipping it home. And it was the US that chose to not dynamite the structure. Be grateful. Russia would have leveled it.
Well said!