Five human skeletons have been unearthed at the Wolfsschanze – “Wolf’s Lair,” in English – in Poland. The human remains, found without their hands and feet, were discovered beneath the former residence of the Reichmarschall and are believed to be that of a family.
Located in the Masurian woods, the Wolf’s Lair served as the first Eastern Front military headquarters for the Germans during World War II. Today, the site has been largely taken over by nature, but much of the brick structure still remains standing. The home where the Reichmarschall lived burned down in 1945.
A recent dig by Fundacja Latebra, one of the few organizations with permission to excavate the site, uncovered the five skeletons. According to a video uploaded to YouTube, they were located approximately 10 cm underground and were found while the team was looking for wooden flooring.
A human skull was the first part to be unearthed, with subsequent excavations uncovering the rest of the remains.
Much is still unknown regarding the skeletons, including their identities and the circumstances of their deaths and burial. What is known, however, is they belonged to three adults, a baby and a teenager. As well, it’s believed they may have been buried after the house was constructed, given the skeletons were found beneath pipes.
There’s also a question as to whether the Reichmarschall knew the family was buried on the premises, along with speculation regarding whether their extremities decomposed or were removed before they were buried. As no personal effects or clothing were found, it’s likely they were stripped before being put in their final resting places.
According to Piotrek Banaskiewicz, one of the individuals involved in the excavation, the first skeleton had several deformities, including a displaced jaw, a curved spine and a disfigured skull that didn’t have a visible eye socket, indicating whoever it was suffered from health issues.
The Guardian reports that Polish prosecutors are currently investigating the discovery, with a hope of determining if the deaths were the result of German action or if the quintet were the victims of another mass killing.
The Wolf’s Lair was from where the German military launched Operation Barbarossa, its invasion of the Soviet Union. It was also the site of the 20 July Plot, one of the many assassination attempts on the Führer‘s life.
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During World War II, the headquarters featured a railroad station; 50 bunkers, including private living spaces for those higher-up in the governmental hierarchy; two airfields; and 70 barracks. Today, the site has become a morbid tourist attraction, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
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