Ep 5. Nazi Gold

During World War II, the Nazis looted vast amounts of artwork, gold, and other valuables that were scattered across Europe, in what became known as the greatest theft in history. But where did all that wealth end up? Secrets of War season 1 episode 5, titled 'Nazi Gold,' does exactly what it says on the tin. It investigates the sinister activities of the Nazi regime to misappropriate the treasures they collected from conquered territories, using them as an almost bottomless well to fund their war machine.

The episode takes us through a chronological retelling of the Nazi's rise to power and their subsequent plundering of Europe's art and riches. We meet survivors of concentration camps who give moving testimonies of the terrible impact of the looting. We also hear from historians and investigators who have pieced together the complex story of the Nazi's gold hoard. This episode is an exploration of the broader themes of Nazi ideology and the lengths it would go to secure the wealth it needed to sustain its war effort.

The Nazi regime began their infamous looting campaign in 1939 after the invasion of Poland, which set off a domino effect on the occupation of other countries in Europe. The victory of the Nazis meant the wiping-out of the art world in occupied territories, as thousands of irreplaceable works of art were destroyed, stolen, or hidden away. The episode showcases video footage of the Nazis raiding homes, castles, and museums, unscrupulously ransacking for precious items to transport back to Germany.

As the war effort continued, the Nazis stumbled upon a vast network of underground tunnels and caves, which they used to store the valuables collected from across Europe. These mine complexes became the Nazi's secret vault, housing immense amounts of gold, priceless paintings, and billions in stolen currency. The show details the dramatic late-war effort by the Allies to uncover the location of these underground storehouses and keep the Nazi gold away from the bulk of the wounded Nazi hierarchy.

The episode also journeys through the lives of a few individuals who played crucial roles in the looting and eventually led investigations into it. One story sheds light on the saga of an Amsterdam banker who had hired the Nazis to collect his fortune and how he managed to survive the war and bring the Nazis to justice for having looted his treasure. The story of Hungarian art collector Ferenc Batthyany also features prominently. He was forced to part with his priceless collection of art, which included masterpieces by famous artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer, and eventually exiled to Switzerland. The show interviews Batthyany's son, who eventually discovers the extent of the looted art and makes a case for its return to its rightful owner.

In conclusion, the Secrets of War season 1 episode 5 titled 'Nazi Gold' is a thoroughly engaging exploration of the ruthless methods employed by the Nazi regime to propel its war machine and the living memory of countless lives that were impacted by it. The show paints a picture of the lengths the Nazis went to when it came to looting, effectively tracing the journey of plundered assets from across occupied territories to their final destination in underground mines in Germany. This episode will be valuable for anyone interested in the history of the Second World War and the devious machinations that the Nazis relied on to achieve their ambitious goals.