The Masurian forest near the village of Gierłoż hides one of the most secret wartime headquarters of Adolf Hitler. This fortified bunker town impresses with its size and terrifies with the traces of its past.
Hiter began the construction of the Wolf’s Lair (Wilczy Szaniec in Polish) in 1940, 8 km (5 mi) from the town of Kętrzyn. From here, he commanded the Reich for 800 days. The camouflaged forest town had 200 buildings, bunkers, barracks, two airfields, a train station, a water supply system, a thermal power station or even a cinema, sauna, tea room and canteen. The Wolf’s Lair had a sophisticated inner security system; its several-storey underground system and tunnels ensured communications with the neighbouring bunkers. In 1944, more than 2000 people were stationed in the complex. Today, the bunkers are still impressive with their size, even in ruins – especially their walls of 6 to 8 m (20 to 26 ft) of reinforced concrete.
In July 1944, the Wolf’s Lair was the site of the most famous attempt to assassinate the Nazi leader. Hiter did not die, but all members of the plot and their families were murdered.
Wolf’s Lair, Warmińsko-Mazurskie Province, Kętrzyn District,
www.wolfsschanze.pl /English, Deutsch/
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