The Day The Soviets Nearly Captured Hitler

Hitler flew frequently in 1942 and 1943 due to intense fighting on the Eastern Front. Hitler had a special squadron of transport aircraft used to transport himself and his entourage around his empire safely and comfortably in 1942. Hitler's aircraft type was the Fockevolf 200 Condor A. large bomber-type maritime patrol aircraft and civil aircraft specially converted for use the condor

hitler

's personal was armored to protect against attacks and fighters very comfortable the main cabins lined with polished wood with carpets and plush seats and the service on board

hitler

had a special armchair equipped with a parachute that could use to escape from the condor through a special hatch in the floor, two other condors were traveling with Hitler's, both well equipped, one to transport staff and guests with 14 seats and another that carried more luggage and a bodyguard when the condors They were protected in flight. by fighter planes hitler was always piloted by ss gruppenfuhrer hansbauer a former lufthansa captain but with increased allied air activity throughout europe flying was dangerous in 1942 he flew to finland for an important meeting with his ally marshal manheim visited the headquarters of the southern army groups on the eastern front twice, although hitler was on the ground and bower was flying between airfields before picking up hitler, the condor was attacked by soviet fighters just after takeoff, the plane's wings were hit by bullets machine gun, but Bauer managed to get away from The danger gained altitude and engaged the Soviet fighters and they broke contact, but the greatest danger was yet to come.

On February 17, 1943, Hitler flew from the wolf's den to his Eastern Front headquarters in East Prussia (now Poland) to Vinitza, refueled, and then flew to Zaparoche, the headquarters of the Southern Army Group, era A disastrous moment for Hitler, Stalingrad had fallen leaving a gaping hole in the German front lines and he was determined to stop the Soviet counteroffensive and possibly relieve the commander of Army Group South. Field Marshal von Manstein, but Zapparoshe was a dangerous place to visit as the Red Army seemed set to capture the town with some of its forces just 36 miles to the east.

Hitler's three condors landed at 6:00 a.m. on the 17th. February 1943 at the largest airfield east of the city of Zapporoshi Hitler in his entourage, including generals Zeitzler and Yodel, his aides and bodyguards were met by large Mercedes-Benz field vehicles and then driven to the group headquarters of armies south for a series of briefings and meetings at the two huge Zapporoshi airfields filled with German transport planes and fighter units, the three condors were carefully controlled while Hitler was away from Bauer airfield and the other airmen remained nearby. of the machines. Hitler's meetings at headquarters would last three days and Munstein would not be relieved. and bower and the air crew lived in cabins near the airfield during breakfast on the morning of 19 february.

Bauer was informed that Soviet tanks had crossed and were advancing along the road from Nepretrovsk, which would bring them closer to the airfield where Hitler's planes were positioned, the German base commander was seriously alarmed and the Messerschmitt 109 fighters rushed to attack the tank column, but fog and low clouds hampered their efforts and they returned to base without attacking the Soviet T-34s. 200 feet fiesla 156 storch spotter aircraft were sent and then the pilots returned confirming that about 20 t-34s were less than two hours away from the airfield with no German defenses between them and the field Bauer drove to the city to report the situation in One person asked Hitler Bauer for permission to move the planes to other smaller airfields southwest of the city, considered safer for the moment.

Hitler rejected this suggestion. His meetings were over and he would return to the airfield shortly, arriving at the airfield Bauer found. The base commander was trying to organize a hasty defense of the airfield, but lacked anti-tank weapons or even artillery. Shortly afterwards the number of Soviet tanks was confirmed. 22 T-34s were sighted near the airfield and headed to an adjacent bus. The farm was perhaps preparing to launch an assault on the airfield itself, but shortly after the tanks were sighted, Hitler's car convoy also appeared. The Condors' engines were already running when Hitler and his group hurriedly boarded and the planes taxied to the runway and took off as they flew past giant transports arriving and landing at the airfield with anti-tank weapons equipment and more. infantry.

It was later learned that the Soviet tank column had not attacked the airfield because they were short of fuel, giving Hitler the time he needed. Climbing aboard his Condor and flying to safety the Soviets never knew how close they had gotten to Hitler it was the closest Hitler would ever get to the Red Army with the exception of April 1945 when Red Army troops were within reach. 500 meters from Hitler's bunker when he committed suicide, however, if the Soviets had known that Hitler's planes were on the field, it is very likely that they would have continued their assault regardless of the losses when Bauer told Hitler the reason why.

The Soviet tanks had not attacked his fuel situation, Hitler commented. A bit of luck for us, Hitler's almost astonishing luck had seen him dodge multiple assassination attempts that were carried out when his plane later became a target. in 1943. A month after his close encounter with Soviet tanks, he flew to the front again during the stopover at Smolensk. On March 13, 1943, a bomb disguised as a package containing two quantro bottles was smuggled aboard Hitler's Condor for the return flight to the wolf's den. The bomb's British Time pencil fuse activated normally within 30 minutes of flight, but freezing conditions in the aircraft's unheated cargo hold prevented release of the detonator's firing pin and the bomb did not explode.

The bomb was later recovered by the army officers who had planted it and Hitler was unaware. Thanks for watching, please subscribe and share and also visit my audiobook channel. War Stories with Mark Felton. You can also help support both of my channels on PayPal and Patreon. Details in description box below.