Written by Jesse Beckett and Clare Fitzgerald
Across the world, mysteries fascinate all people, and World War II was filled with them. The enormous scope of the conflict and its brutal strategies resulted in disappearances, lost technologies, and other puzzling occurrences. Many who had the answers to these mysteries carried their answers to the grave, sparking ongoing efforts to reveal the truth long after the war’s conclusion.
Here are some of the most captivating unsolved mysteries from the Second World War.
Foo fighters
Unidentified flying objects have captivated enthusiasts of the unexplained for many years, and World War II was no different, with numerous reports of unusual aerial sightings. Pilots during the war came across flying objects of various shapes, sizes, and colors, which were collectively referred to as “foo fighters.”
At first, US military officials attributed these sightings to combat fatigue, exhaustion, or atmospheric phenomena. Yet, as more reports surfaced, an official investigation was initiated to uncover their origins. While there were concerns that these objects might be advanced enemy technology, their seemingly non-threatening behavior made this theory less convincing. Despite thorough investigations, no conclusive explanations emerged, leaving the mystery of the foo fighters unsolved.
We’re not saying it’s aliens, but…
Disappearance of Flight 19
Strange events are known to occur in the Bermuda Triangle, so it’s not surprising that one of the most unusual unsolved mysteries to happen just months after the conclusion of World War II involved the site. On December 5, 1945, the US Navy sent 14 aviators on a navigational training flight. The mission involved them flying through the Bermuda Triangle, an area of the Atlantic Ocean where unexplainable incidents and disappearances occur.
Not long into the flight, all five of the General Motors TBM Avengers lost contact with base. An investigation was launched to try and determine what happened, but while a conclusion was initially agreed upon, it was later retracted. Currently, the case of the missing airmen is listed as having a “cause unknown,” as they’ve never been located.
What’s even eerier is that the aircraft sent in to search for the missing torpedo bombers, a Martin PBM Mariner, also disappeared, leaving the whereabouts and fate of its 13 crewmen unknown to this day… This story makes us never want to set foot in the area.
Columbus Globe for State and Industry Leaders
The Führer was known for his taste for grandeur, a trait evident in the tanks he endorsed during the latter stages of World War II. However, none of his possessions are as enigmatic as the Columbus Globe, created for State and Industry Leaders. Produced by a Berlin-based company in the 1930s, this became a symbol of his authoritarian ambitions.
After the conflict, the globe disappeared. While similar ones were made at the time and others have surfaced for sale over the years, none have been definitively linked to the Führer. It may have been destroyed during the chaotic final days of the war or perhaps taken by a soldier who’s kept it hidden ever since.
Battle of Los Angeles
One of the most unusual incidents of the Second World War was undeniably the so-called Battle of Los Angeles. What makes it so remarkable? Simply put, it never actually took place. At that time, California was consumed by fears of a potential Japanese invasion, further stoked by rumors of their proximity to the US mainland.
The alleged “battle” occurred following the Ellwood bombardment, prompted by a warning from the Office of Naval Intelligence that predicted an imminent attack on California within the next 10 hours.
In the early hours of February 25, 1942, radar systems detected what appeared to be hostile activity 120 miles west of Los Angeles, setting off the air raid sirens. Over the next few hours, the 37th Coastal Artillery Brigade fired 1,400 shells into the sky, while residents reported sightings of Japanese aircraft, paratroopers, and even unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
In the end, the city faced no actual danger, and the US Navy credited the chaos to heightened fears. However, the incident remains wrapped in mystery, with many feeling that no explanation provided so far fully explains the events of that night.
Who turned in Anne Frank and her family?
During World War II, a lasting mystery surrounds the reveal that led the German Army in the Netherlands to discover the hiding place of the Frank family. Their story achieved worldwide recognition following the publication of the diary by 15-year-old Anne Frank, whose writings have become a staple in classrooms around the globe.
The Franks were captured, with Otto Frank being the sole survivor of their wartime ordeal. Despite nearly eighty years having passed, the identity of the person who revealed their location remains unknown. In 2022, a book titled The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation claimed to expose the betrayer but was later retracted by its publisher after being discredited from historians and researchers.
Gold Train
Another German-related topic, the infamous Gold Train is one of the greatest unsolved World War II mysteries of them all. While stories vary, many believe the German Army loaded up a train with gold, art, treasure and other valuables when all hope of winning the war had vanished. The locomotive was then hidden, likely in a sealed-off tunnel, and has never been found. If true, the haul could be worth millions of dollars on its own, before accounting for the incredible history attached to it.
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The story has essentially become an urban legend, but that hasn’t stopped many from taking it seriously. The Polish military hunted for the train following the war, but were unsuccessful. No evidence has been found to suggest it ever existed. However, the hunt was reignited a few years ago by two Polish men who claimed to have received a deathbed confession about its whereabouts.
Once again, no Gold Train was found.