Unsolved Mysteries of World War II Season 1 Episode 3 Hitler's Secret Weapons

In this episode of Unsolved Mysteries of World War II, viewers are taken on a journey through the secrets of Hitler's rumored secret weapons and technology. As the war escalated, Germany's technological advancements became increasingly important to their strategy — so much so that they reportedly had weapons of mass destruction that could have turned the tide in their favor.

The episode begins by examining the early stages of Hitler's plans and the secrecy surrounding his research and development of these weapons. We see images of scientists working on concepts such as the V1 flying bomb, which was a pilotless, explosive-filled aircraft that was launched from the west coast of France. Experts and historians discuss the powerful impact this weapon had on the war, not just militarily but also psychologically.

The episode moves on to more advanced weapons, such as the V2 rocket, which was an even more devastating weapon that embodied rapid development and created fear in both Allied and Axis forces. The V2 rocket essentially marked the first time humans had utilized a rocket for warfare, and so the effort put into its creation was immense. Some of the still images of the weapons used in this episode are visually stunning in terms of engineering and design, and the relics that remain from these devices are frightening to behold in their preservation.

As we learn more about Hitler's pursuit of secret weapons, we come across other areas of interest — for example, the unique technology that Germany possessed that allowed them to create depth charges that were difficult for allied forces to detect. Another notable weapon included an early form of stealth technology called the Ho229, which was a bated-wing airplane that was developed and tested but never saw actual combat because of its timbre and limited supplies.

The episode concludes by exploring the possibility of how Hitler's weapons could have changed the outcome of WWII if they had advanced far enough. Experts note that weapons such as the atom bomb and hydrogen bomb were never officially pursued by the Nazis, in part because their resources and focus were scattered by many different technological advancements. However, the fear of Hitler possessing such advanced weapons is what pushed the US and other Allies to advance their research into these atomic bombs.

Overall, the episode offers a glimpse into the dark past of World War II, and the lengths to which countries would go to gain a leg up in warfare. The footage of the weapons and technology is both curious and chilling, and viewers will leave with an appreciation for the incredible amount of work that went into developing these secret weapons, even if it ultimately left a terrible toll.