Unsolved Mysteries of World War II Season 1 Episode 1 The Eagle and the Swastika

Unsolved Mysteries of World War II is a riveting historical investigation series that dives deep into the often unknown and forgotten aspects of the Second World War. In season 1, episode 1, viewers are introduced to the intriguing and puzzling story of The Eagle and the Swastika.

The episode begins by introducing the codebreakers of Bletchley Park. During the war, Bletchley Park was home to thousands of codebreakers who worked tirelessly to decrypt messages that were being sent between the Nazis. One such message was intercepted in 1941, and it read, "The Eagle is in the nest." The codebreakers knew that this was a message of significant importance, and they were determined to decipher its meaning.

The Eagle was the codename for German General Erwin Rommel, who was also known as the Desert Fox. Rommel was one of Hitler's most trusted generals and was responsible for many of the Nazi's most significant military victories. The codebreakers knew that if they could uncover Rommel's plans, they could potentially turn the tide of the war.

The codebreakers worked day and night to decrypt the message, and eventually, they were successful. The message read, "The Swastika flies over Alexandria." This message indicated that Rommel was planning an invasion of Egypt, which would have been a devastating blow to the Allied forces.

The episode then takes a deep dive into the events leading up to the planned invasion. The Germans had established a powerful military presence in North Africa, and Rommel was confident that he could take Alexandria and ultimately conquer Egypt. However, the British were prepared for the German attack and had fortified the area to make it vital for the Germans to take ship supplies.

The episode then delves into the mystery of what happened to the Eagle after the planned invasion was aborted. Many historians believe that Rommel was forced to retreat due to the lack of supply lines and the subsequent loss of momentum. Others believe that Hitler ordered him back to Europe to take part in other campaigns.

Despite the debates, the episode focuses on Rommel's eventual fate. A year after the failed invasion, Rommel was ordered to return to Europe, where he was suspected of being involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler. Fearing that he would be executed following a show trial, Rommel took his own life with a cyanide pill.

The episode then raises the question of whether or not Rommel's death was really a suicide and delves into the theories that suggest that he was assassinated by the Nazis. It is believed that Rommel's popularity among the German public and military had made him a danger to Hitler and the Nazi regime.

The episode wraps up with a discussion of the significance of the Eagle and the Swastika message. It is believed that this message was a turning point in the war, as the Allies were able to anticipate and prepare for the German invasion of Egypt. The episode reinforces the idea that the efforts of codebreakers like those at Bletchley Park were instrumental in winning the war.

Overall, the first episode of Unsolved Mysteries of World War II sets the tone for an intriguing and educational series. With a focus on uncovering the lesser-known aspects of the Second World War, this show is a fascinating exploration of the mysteries and puzzles that remain unsolved to this day.