1 00:00:01,435 --> 00:00:03,836 [josh] right now on expedition unknown, 2 00:00:03,904 --> 00:00:08,207 My dark journey into buried nazi secrets continues. 3 00:00:08,209 --> 00:00:10,109 You get a lot of landmines left in this country? 4 00:00:10,111 --> 00:00:11,710 Um, plenty. 5 00:00:11,712 --> 00:00:13,612 [josh] as I prepare to set sail 6 00:00:13,614 --> 00:00:16,949 Through an unexplored and flooded maze of tunnels 7 00:00:17,051 --> 00:00:18,317 Guys, I got something here. 8 00:00:18,319 --> 00:00:19,718 What the hell is that? 9 00:00:20,921 --> 00:00:24,023 Then, a mysterious diary may hold the key 10 00:00:24,025 --> 00:00:26,258 To finding billions in plunder. 11 00:00:26,327 --> 00:00:29,561 I'm sorry, did you say 100 to 300 tonnes of gold? 12 00:00:29,630 --> 00:00:32,398 Finally, in the ruins of an abandoned city 13 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:34,600 - Wiped off the map by the red army. -[man] oh! 14 00:00:34,602 --> 00:00:38,237 [josh] we find an entrance to the buried chambers of the third reich. 15 00:00:38,305 --> 00:00:40,205 Oh, my word. 16 00:00:40,207 --> 00:00:42,508 -These were used with enigma machines. -[man] mmm. 17 00:00:42,510 --> 00:00:46,712 [josh] and decrypt secrets from the final days of world war ii. 18 00:00:46,714 --> 00:00:49,048 Oh, oh, oh, oh, no. There's writing on this. 19 00:00:51,052 --> 00:00:52,451 -[man] yeah, yeah. Good. -Stop, stop, stop. 20 00:00:52,553 --> 00:00:54,119 Actually, there is something glinting in here. Come here. 21 00:00:54,121 --> 00:00:55,120 Back up! Back up! 22 00:00:58,426 --> 00:01:00,159 My name is josh gates. 23 00:01:00,227 --> 00:01:01,193 Hello! 24 00:01:01,195 --> 00:01:02,261 Explorer, 25 00:01:03,330 --> 00:01:04,763 Adventurer... 26 00:01:04,865 --> 00:01:05,531 Amazing. 27 00:01:05,533 --> 00:01:06,999 Help! 28 00:01:07,001 --> 00:01:09,635 ...And a guy who ends up in some very strange situations. 29 00:01:09,703 --> 00:01:11,503 [bleep] whoo! That was exciting. 30 00:01:11,505 --> 00:01:15,107 With a degree in archaeology and a passio for the unexplained... 31 00:01:15,109 --> 00:01:16,141 Yeah! 32 00:01:16,143 --> 00:01:17,743 ...I travel to the ends of the earth 33 00:01:17,812 --> 00:01:20,946 Investigating the greatest legends in history. 34 00:01:20,948 --> 00:01:22,214 Yeah, let's punch it. 35 00:01:22,216 --> 00:01:24,550 This is expedition unkno. 36 00:01:27,621 --> 00:01:30,622 [josh] September 1, 1939. 37 00:01:30,624 --> 00:01:33,859 Germany, under the control of chancellor adolf hitler, 38 00:01:33,927 --> 00:01:36,795 Begins its military campaig to conquer europe 39 00:01:36,797 --> 00:01:39,665 By invading its neighbor to the east, poland. 40 00:01:41,836 --> 00:01:46,338 The next five and a half yea see poland turned into a house of horrors. 41 00:01:46,407 --> 00:01:50,209 Amidst the incalculable human loss are other crimes 42 00:01:52,813 --> 00:01:56,115 The theft and plunder of wealth and cultural treasures 43 00:01:56,117 --> 00:01:57,783 From across the continent, 44 00:01:57,785 --> 00:02:01,954 Along with the scientific development of so-called wunderwaffe. 45 00:02:01,989 --> 00:02:04,923 Weapons that were hitler's last desperate chance 46 00:02:04,925 --> 00:02:07,559 To turn the tide of the war in his favor. 47 00:02:09,130 --> 00:02:13,198 These secrets were hidden from allied eyes in massive tunnel systems 48 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:15,200 And subterranean structures 49 00:02:15,202 --> 00:02:17,736 That the nazis drilled into the polish countryside 50 00:02:18,906 --> 00:02:21,740 My investigation began in the town of luban, 51 00:02:21,842 --> 00:02:25,043 Where a group of researcher uncovered a nazi map 52 00:02:25,112 --> 00:02:27,112 That revealed a network of tunnels 53 00:02:27,114 --> 00:02:29,815 Carved through the heart of an extinct volcano. 54 00:02:29,817 --> 00:02:31,216 Are you kidding me? 55 00:02:33,354 --> 00:02:35,454 We ventured into the darknes 56 00:02:35,489 --> 00:02:38,157 What is behind this wall? 57 00:02:38,258 --> 00:02:42,694 [josh] where we discovered perfectly preserved world war ii era artifacts. 58 00:02:42,696 --> 00:02:46,899 All of this looks like they were just in the middle of construction. 59 00:02:46,901 --> 00:02:51,503 And explored a realm that no one has set foot in for almost 80 years. 60 00:02:51,505 --> 00:02:53,939 Looks like they literally just were here 61 00:02:54,041 --> 00:02:56,041 And then just said, "okay, that's it. We're leaving." 62 00:02:59,146 --> 00:03:02,414 Then, I travel to the royal castle in warsa 63 00:03:02,416 --> 00:03:06,118 Where I met with robert edse of the monuments men foundation. 64 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:07,586 [robert] when the monuments men arrived in europe, 65 00:03:07,588 --> 00:03:09,120 The works of art are missing 66 00:03:09,122 --> 00:03:12,558 And that, of course, led to the greatest treasure hunt in history. 67 00:03:12,626 --> 00:03:16,028 [josh] he revealed to me nazi documents describing a location 68 00:03:16,030 --> 00:03:19,798 Where underground chambers were used to hide stolen art. 69 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,402 This is about five hours west of warsaw in the german border. 70 00:03:23,404 --> 00:03:25,204 You have to track down every lead, 71 00:03:25,206 --> 00:03:26,605 You have to talk to people. 72 00:03:26,607 --> 00:03:29,107 [josh] to see if treasures could still be hidden there 73 00:03:29,109 --> 00:03:34,112 I drove east and joined up with local investigators pawel piatkiewicz 74 00:03:34,114 --> 00:03:35,714 And robert kubiszewski 75 00:03:35,716 --> 00:03:38,350 At a series of battered gun emplacements. 76 00:03:38,452 --> 00:03:40,552 It's a german heavy machine gun position. 77 00:03:40,621 --> 00:03:44,256 [josh] the mrus are a defensive network of nazi tunnels 78 00:03:44,358 --> 00:03:50,128 Along the edge of germany and poland, that span more than 25 miles underground. 79 00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:52,197 Documents show that the nazis hid 80 00:03:52,199 --> 00:03:54,433 Four chambers of stolen art here. 81 00:03:54,501 --> 00:03:57,936 But when the soviets arrived they could only locate two. 82 00:03:57,938 --> 00:04:00,639 Okay, into the darkness. 83 00:04:00,741 --> 00:04:03,709 We descend into the long, abandoned maze. 84 00:04:03,711 --> 00:04:05,944 I've never seen anything like this. 85 00:04:06,013 --> 00:04:08,714 Our target is a series of distant tunnels 86 00:04:08,716 --> 00:04:10,816 That have been flooded since the war. 87 00:04:10,818 --> 00:04:14,753 But now, due to construction above, the water is draining. 88 00:04:14,822 --> 00:04:17,489 Imagine that both tunnels were completely flooded. 89 00:04:17,491 --> 00:04:19,324 -All the way to the roof? -Up to the roof. 90 00:04:19,326 --> 00:04:22,060 [josh] this is the edge of known history. 91 00:04:22,129 --> 00:04:25,030 What lies ahead is a true unknown. 92 00:04:25,032 --> 00:04:26,498 So how are we exploring this? 93 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:27,833 We'll jump. 94 00:04:30,104 --> 00:04:31,136 The what? 95 00:04:32,406 --> 00:04:33,905 [groans] okay. 96 00:04:33,907 --> 00:04:36,708 For sane people, this would be the end of the line. 97 00:04:36,710 --> 00:04:39,111 But pawel has been waiting years for this momen 98 00:04:40,714 --> 00:04:41,913 Okay, good. 99 00:04:41,915 --> 00:04:44,049 We inflate our raft 100 00:04:44,151 --> 00:04:45,617 And carefully climb aboard. 101 00:04:49,223 --> 00:04:50,155 Okay, I'm in. 102 00:04:53,227 --> 00:04:54,226 Okay, guys. 103 00:04:54,795 --> 00:04:55,827 Here we go. 104 00:04:57,264 --> 00:04:58,730 We paddle into the void. 105 00:04:59,833 --> 00:05:02,301 Soon, a sense of trepidation sets in. 106 00:05:03,137 --> 00:05:04,603 Okay, slow, slow, slow. 107 00:05:04,605 --> 00:05:06,705 What you are seeing right no 108 00:05:06,707 --> 00:05:09,608 No one has seen this in nearly 80 years. 109 00:05:10,244 --> 00:05:12,411 Everything here is a hazard 110 00:05:12,413 --> 00:05:16,415 The walls are covered in rusted and razor sharp metal. 111 00:05:16,417 --> 00:05:19,418 If our raft so much as touches them, we're sunk 112 00:05:19,420 --> 00:05:20,885 We've got all this sharp stuff. 113 00:05:20,887 --> 00:05:23,255 [robert] yes, we've got a lot of sharp objects on both sides. 114 00:05:23,323 --> 00:05:27,492 [josh] the water beneath us is both frigid and toxic with chemical run off 115 00:05:27,494 --> 00:05:30,228 That seems to glow with a yellow haze. 116 00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:33,432 Let's just say this is not a good place to take a bath. 117 00:05:34,535 --> 00:05:36,702 But with no visitors here in decades, 118 00:05:36,704 --> 00:05:39,237 The sediment is entirely settled on the bottom. 119 00:05:41,141 --> 00:05:43,508 First of all, the water is crystal clear. 120 00:05:45,412 --> 00:05:47,946 -[robert] it's just like venice. -[josh] yeah, sort of. 121 00:05:56,857 --> 00:05:58,423 Can I see the big light? 122 00:05:58,425 --> 00:06:00,625 Let's see what's going on underwater here. 123 00:06:03,864 --> 00:06:06,064 Looks like a can of some kind. 124 00:06:10,404 --> 00:06:12,637 Looks like some wiring. 125 00:06:12,739 --> 00:06:13,871 A piece of wire. 126 00:06:14,908 --> 00:06:17,442 Pawel's ingenuity has gotten us this far, 127 00:06:17,544 --> 00:06:20,445 But it appears the water may yet win in the end. 128 00:06:25,919 --> 00:06:29,254 I can't help but notice that we're getting closer to the ceiling. 129 00:06:29,923 --> 00:06:31,256 [pawel] yeah. 130 00:06:31,258 --> 00:06:34,526 [josh] because the tunnel must be sloping down as you said. 131 00:06:34,528 --> 00:06:36,762 It's getting really tiny here and cramped. 132 00:06:36,797 --> 00:06:38,663 We're gonna run out of head room here. 133 00:06:42,302 --> 00:06:44,035 What do you think is down there? 134 00:06:44,137 --> 00:06:45,937 You think there are additional rooms there? 135 00:06:46,006 --> 00:06:47,139 [robert] nobody knows 136 00:06:47,207 --> 00:06:48,507 -What's in the... -Nobody knows what's there. 137 00:06:48,509 --> 00:06:49,541 Yeah. 138 00:06:51,044 --> 00:06:53,211 The mystery is still in front of us [laughs]. 139 00:06:54,047 --> 00:06:55,247 Right in front of us. 140 00:06:55,348 --> 00:06:56,815 [robert] sometimes you have to back off. 141 00:06:56,817 --> 00:06:59,851 It's one of the hardest lessons to learn when exploring, 142 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:03,121 But sometimes you do have to back off. 143 00:07:04,124 --> 00:07:05,891 [exhales] it's a heartbreaker. 144 00:07:07,428 --> 00:07:09,594 We carefully reverse course 145 00:07:09,596 --> 00:07:12,063 To begin moving back to shallower water. 146 00:07:15,402 --> 00:07:18,103 And then, the game abruptly changes. 147 00:07:20,340 --> 00:07:22,707 Oh! Hey, guys. I got something here. 148 00:07:22,709 --> 00:07:23,442 Do you see it? 149 00:07:26,113 --> 00:07:28,346 Is that a picture frame? 150 00:07:28,448 --> 00:07:31,817 It certainly looks very old. It's covered in silt. 151 00:07:31,819 --> 00:07:36,421 [robert] if it is a picture frame, it would be a quite amazing discovery. 152 00:07:36,423 --> 00:07:37,956 [josh] should we try to hook it? 153 00:07:37,958 --> 00:07:39,458 -[robert] yeah. -Okay. 154 00:07:39,526 --> 00:07:40,859 Here, let me get that pole. 155 00:07:40,961 --> 00:07:43,428 Whatever this is appears to have been 156 00:07:43,430 --> 00:07:46,364 Remarkably well preserved in the cold water. 157 00:07:46,433 --> 00:07:47,799 I'm hesitant to touch it 158 00:07:47,801 --> 00:07:50,502 And bring it to the surface as carefully as possible. 159 00:07:53,140 --> 00:07:54,339 It's wood. 160 00:07:54,441 --> 00:07:56,608 -[pawel] wood? -It's wood for sure. 161 00:07:56,610 --> 00:07:58,143 [pawel] it's a picture frame? 162 00:07:58,212 --> 00:07:59,311 [josh] it's a picture frame. 163 00:08:00,047 --> 00:08:01,046 [josh grunting] 164 00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:03,815 Look at this. 165 00:08:04,451 --> 00:08:05,517 [josh laughs] 166 00:08:06,420 --> 00:08:08,353 -Are you kidding me? -[pawel] in shock? 167 00:08:08,455 --> 00:08:09,955 -Yes! -Yes. 168 00:08:10,023 --> 00:08:12,757 You're damn right. I'm in shock too. 169 00:08:12,859 --> 00:08:16,461 It's period. I mean, this looks like it's been down here for 80 years 170 00:08:16,530 --> 00:08:20,398 And what would this be doing if not holding a piece of art? 171 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:23,802 The possibilities here boggle the imagination. 172 00:08:23,804 --> 00:08:26,705 If this is world war ii peri or older, 173 00:08:26,707 --> 00:08:30,208 It could be connected to a piece of stolen art. 174 00:08:30,210 --> 00:08:32,544 -Any markings at all? -[pawel] no, no. 175 00:08:32,646 --> 00:08:35,814 [josh] I think this has been down here for a long time, don't you? 176 00:08:35,816 --> 00:08:37,582 Since the war probably. 177 00:08:37,584 --> 00:08:40,752 [robert] might be possibility that when the russians were taking the things away, 178 00:08:40,821 --> 00:08:44,656 They just took the canvas and left the frame here. 179 00:08:44,758 --> 00:08:46,224 -[josh] exactly. -[pawel] yeah. 180 00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:49,060 The glass could certainly be tested, the wood can be analyzed. 181 00:08:49,162 --> 00:08:50,862 -[pawel] mmm-hmm. -I think we should certainly try to haul this 182 00:08:50,931 --> 00:08:52,531 Back to the surface, don't you? 183 00:08:52,533 --> 00:08:55,433 The specialists should have a look at it, definitely. 184 00:08:58,405 --> 00:08:59,838 -Yes. -[pawel] yes, that's right. 185 00:08:59,907 --> 00:09:01,706 There may be more here for sure. 186 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:05,010 Hopefully, the water gets even lower in the near future. 187 00:09:05,012 --> 00:09:07,012 Forget that, let's swim. 188 00:09:07,014 --> 00:09:09,514 -Can we swim? -[explorers laughing] 189 00:09:09,516 --> 00:09:11,116 -[pawel] yes. -Could be a rembrandt down there. 190 00:09:11,118 --> 00:09:12,217 -[robert] yes. Yes. -Yeah, that's right. 191 00:09:12,219 --> 00:09:13,818 Yes, that's right. 192 00:09:13,820 --> 00:09:15,320 -[josh] amazing. -[robert] amazing, yes. 193 00:09:15,322 --> 00:09:16,655 -[josh] amazing. -[robert] yes. 194 00:09:17,724 --> 00:09:19,257 [josh] ah! 195 00:09:19,359 --> 00:09:20,959 With our delicate prize in hand, 196 00:09:21,027 --> 00:09:24,029 We carefully make the long trek back to the surface. 197 00:09:24,031 --> 00:09:25,896 The discovery of the picture frame 198 00:09:25,898 --> 00:09:30,435 Has pawel and robert now planning a further excavation of the mru tunnel 199 00:09:31,438 --> 00:09:33,305 The frame will be taken to warsaw, 200 00:09:33,307 --> 00:09:37,609 So art historians can estima its age and possible content 201 00:09:37,611 --> 00:09:39,544 And chemical composition testing 202 00:09:39,646 --> 00:09:43,214 Could tell us even more of the frame's story. 203 00:09:43,216 --> 00:09:46,718 While we wait for results, other researchers here in poland 204 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,854 Are chasing even more explosive secrets. 205 00:09:49,923 --> 00:09:54,559 Including one that could rewrite history books and bank books everywhere. 206 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,834 To learn more, I drive 170 miles east 207 00:10:02,903 --> 00:10:06,404 To a land of misty forests and forbidden castles. 208 00:10:06,406 --> 00:10:08,039 And I am headed to such a place. 209 00:10:08,108 --> 00:10:11,743 It's known as izbicko palace, a grand estate, 210 00:10:11,812 --> 00:10:15,547 Where a recently resurfaced document may be a game changer 211 00:10:15,649 --> 00:10:18,049 In the hunt for nazi looted treasure. 212 00:10:23,657 --> 00:10:25,423 Oh, wow. 213 00:10:29,930 --> 00:10:31,529 Unbelievable. 214 00:10:35,936 --> 00:10:38,236 The custodians of this mysterious document 215 00:10:38,338 --> 00:10:41,139 Wait for me inside the imposing palace. 216 00:10:41,208 --> 00:10:44,109 This is roman frumaniak and bart zelaytys 217 00:10:44,111 --> 00:10:46,044 Of the silesian bridge foundation. 218 00:10:46,113 --> 00:10:48,713 A group dedicated to strengthening the relationship 219 00:10:48,715 --> 00:10:50,515 Between germany and poland. 220 00:10:50,517 --> 00:10:53,251 So can we talk about how amazing this building is? 221 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,354 [bart] absolutely, it's a la 17th century palace 222 00:10:56,423 --> 00:10:59,290 That has been restored to this beautiful condition you see here now. 223 00:10:59,292 --> 00:11:00,392 [josh] it's awesome. 224 00:11:00,394 --> 00:11:02,661 [translator] it's nice to have you here. 225 00:11:02,729 --> 00:11:04,663 [josh] and I understand you have something very special 226 00:11:04,764 --> 00:11:07,065 In this palace, a document of some kind? 227 00:11:07,133 --> 00:11:08,933 That's correct. It's a war diary. 228 00:11:08,935 --> 00:11:11,736 -Okay. -[bart] it has been written at the end of the world war ii, 229 00:11:11,838 --> 00:11:16,808 That points 11 locations where nazi gold has been hidden. 230 00:11:16,810 --> 00:11:17,909 And we're talking about anywhere 231 00:11:17,911 --> 00:11:19,678 Between 100 to 300 tonnes of gold. 232 00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:22,947 I'm sorry, did you say 100 to 300 tonnes of gold? 233 00:11:22,949 --> 00:11:24,315 -That's correct. -Yes. 234 00:11:24,317 --> 00:11:26,317 Okay. 235 00:11:26,319 --> 00:11:28,820 I thought a rafting trip through a flooded nazi tunne 236 00:11:28,822 --> 00:11:31,256 Would be the wildest story I'd face this week, 237 00:11:31,357 --> 00:11:35,694 But a war journal that may point at 300 tonne of plundered gold 238 00:11:35,696 --> 00:11:38,530 Raises the bar to a new leve 239 00:11:38,532 --> 00:11:41,399 Any chance it tells you right where it's buried? 240 00:11:41,401 --> 00:11:43,134 In a way, yes. 241 00:11:43,236 --> 00:11:44,736 Can I see this document? 242 00:11:44,838 --> 00:11:45,804 Please. 243 00:11:46,206 --> 00:11:47,205 Lead on. 244 00:11:57,050 --> 00:11:58,416 Oh, wow. 245 00:11:58,418 --> 00:11:59,818 Unbelievable. 246 00:12:05,625 --> 00:12:07,726 Wow. This is amazing. 247 00:12:07,728 --> 00:12:11,663 This moldering journal from world war ii may contain the location 248 00:12:11,765 --> 00:12:14,499 Of hundreds of tonnes of stolen gold. 249 00:12:14,501 --> 00:12:16,835 So this whole thing is the diary down here. 250 00:12:16,903 --> 00:12:17,702 [bart] that's correct. 251 00:12:17,704 --> 00:12:18,703 -Yep. -Okay. 252 00:12:18,705 --> 00:12:20,205 I have a million questions. 253 00:12:20,207 --> 00:12:22,307 To start with, who wrote this? 254 00:12:30,617 --> 00:12:35,520 [josh] the schutzstaffel or were the paramilitary wing of the nazi party 255 00:12:35,522 --> 00:12:40,058 Led by heinrich himmler, one of the chief architects of the holocaust. 256 00:12:40,060 --> 00:12:43,728 The ss was part combat brigade, part state police. 257 00:12:43,730 --> 00:12:46,698 A cadre of true nazi believe who enforced 258 00:12:46,700 --> 00:12:51,002 The genocidal policies of hitler and himmler with religious fervor. 259 00:12:51,004 --> 00:12:54,639 If this diary was written by a high ranking ss officer 260 00:12:54,741 --> 00:12:58,543 He may well have had intimate knowledge of nazi secrets 261 00:12:58,645 --> 00:13:00,812 And the fate of plundered treasures. 262 00:13:02,282 --> 00:13:04,716 [bart] he describes a completion of a mission 263 00:13:04,718 --> 00:13:06,785 Where they hide nazi gold, 264 00:13:06,787 --> 00:13:09,521 Artifacts, archival stuff. 265 00:13:09,523 --> 00:13:12,957 Any doubts about the authenticity of the diary? 266 00:13:13,059 --> 00:13:14,826 We're 100% certain it's authentic. 267 00:13:15,962 --> 00:13:17,829 [josh] according to roman, the journal's age 268 00:13:17,831 --> 00:13:20,698 Has been confirmed as authentic by a german lab. 269 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:23,935 However, many notable documents from the era, 270 00:13:24,004 --> 00:13:27,438 Like the announcement of hitler's diaries in the early 1980s, 271 00:13:27,507 --> 00:13:30,208 Have proven to be elaborate forgeries. 272 00:13:30,210 --> 00:13:32,143 As to the contents of the diary, 273 00:13:32,245 --> 00:13:34,646 Which was donated to the silesian bridge foundation 274 00:13:34,714 --> 00:13:38,349 By a german cultural society the jury is out. 275 00:13:38,418 --> 00:13:41,452 The only way to be sure is to keep investigating. 276 00:13:41,521 --> 00:13:43,955 So this high ranking nazi officer, 277 00:13:44,024 --> 00:13:46,124 Is he writing this diary as a personal diary? 278 00:13:46,126 --> 00:13:51,029 So this is an official document of establishing a new nation. 279 00:13:51,731 --> 00:13:52,831 Fourth reich. 280 00:13:52,833 --> 00:13:53,665 Fourth reich. 281 00:13:53,733 --> 00:13:55,366 Correct. 282 00:13:55,368 --> 00:13:57,635 [josh] so the nazis know that the walls are closing in on them 283 00:13:57,737 --> 00:13:59,704 And this is kind of an emergency measure 284 00:13:59,706 --> 00:14:01,206 To say we're gonna hide all this stuff, 285 00:14:01,208 --> 00:14:03,808 So that we can come back for it later. 286 00:14:03,810 --> 00:14:04,909 [bart] absolutely. 287 00:14:04,911 --> 00:14:06,544 [josh] bart offers me a translation 288 00:14:06,613 --> 00:14:08,947 Of a particularly revealing entry. 289 00:14:08,949 --> 00:14:12,283 So the author says, 290 00:14:12,285 --> 00:14:14,719 "we are grateful that providence appointed u 291 00:14:14,721 --> 00:14:18,623 To safeguard the part of germany's cultural and national heritage." 292 00:14:19,192 --> 00:14:21,226 Correct. 293 00:14:21,228 --> 00:14:24,863 [josh] according to roman, the diary mentions 11 different places 294 00:14:24,964 --> 00:14:28,099 Where the nazis were "safeguarding" works of art 295 00:14:28,101 --> 00:14:30,401 Plundered from across the continent. 296 00:14:30,403 --> 00:14:32,704 Looted religious and occult objects 297 00:14:32,706 --> 00:14:36,941 And in this area, a huge stockpile of stolen gold. 298 00:14:37,043 --> 00:14:39,811 Okay, where? 299 00:14:39,813 --> 00:14:42,313 So for that, we have to look in the diary. 300 00:14:42,315 --> 00:14:43,815 We can actually look inside of it? 301 00:14:43,817 --> 00:14:45,083 Yeah. 302 00:14:52,292 --> 00:14:54,726 [josh] to read firsthand from this dark tome, 303 00:14:54,728 --> 00:14:58,363 Roman and bart bring the diary to the palace's ornate ballroom. 304 00:15:04,938 --> 00:15:07,505 Oh, my word. Look at that. It is all handwritten. 305 00:15:07,507 --> 00:15:09,540 [bart] and all in pencil. 306 00:15:09,609 --> 00:15:11,409 -So it's very fragile. -[josh] yeah. 307 00:15:11,411 --> 00:15:13,211 So what do we see on this page? 308 00:15:13,213 --> 00:15:15,313 This is a english translation. 309 00:15:15,315 --> 00:15:16,781 Okay. 310 00:15:16,783 --> 00:15:21,352 So it says, "transports to the estates of von stein and seydlitz." 311 00:15:21,421 --> 00:15:23,321 So who is seydlitz? 312 00:15:23,323 --> 00:15:26,758 [translator] seydlitz was a 19th century german general 313 00:15:26,826 --> 00:15:29,294 Who built a pile of estates nearby. 314 00:15:29,296 --> 00:15:31,129 And the village was named after him. 315 00:15:31,131 --> 00:15:33,665 And today, that village is called minkowskie 316 00:15:33,733 --> 00:15:35,600 And it's 40 kilometers north from here. 317 00:15:35,602 --> 00:15:39,304 [josh] and then, it also says the estate of von stein. So who's that? 318 00:15:39,306 --> 00:15:43,508 Correct, he was the last inhabitant of the palace 319 00:15:43,510 --> 00:15:45,510 And he was also an ss officer. 320 00:15:45,512 --> 00:15:49,314 Seydlitz or minkowskie today, are there many palaces there? 321 00:15:49,316 --> 00:15:51,249 Just one. 322 00:15:51,351 --> 00:15:54,953 [josh] von stein, though, wasn't living at minkowskie by himself. 323 00:15:55,054 --> 00:15:57,622 According to roman, the ss used the palace 324 00:15:57,624 --> 00:16:00,024 As a kind of brothel away from home. 325 00:16:00,026 --> 00:16:03,428 Von stein, it appears, got himself a girlfriend. 326 00:16:03,430 --> 00:16:07,799 Because we have a letter from von stein, the last inhabitant of the palace, 327 00:16:07,801 --> 00:16:10,401 To inga, his mistress. 328 00:16:10,403 --> 00:16:13,037 [josh] long after von stein had been erased from history 329 00:16:13,106 --> 00:16:16,107 His mistress remained at minkowskie palace 330 00:16:16,109 --> 00:16:20,611 And for over 40 years, she held onto a remarkable piece of evidence. 331 00:16:21,614 --> 00:16:23,414 [bart] and the letter is right here. 332 00:16:23,416 --> 00:16:25,850 So this is the letter and a translation. 333 00:16:25,919 --> 00:16:28,519 This is from von stein. 334 00:16:28,521 --> 00:16:31,155 So he writes, "my dear inga. 335 00:16:31,224 --> 00:16:34,225 Some transports were successful. 336 00:16:34,227 --> 00:16:38,763 The remaining 48 heavy reichsbank's chests..." 337 00:16:38,865 --> 00:16:41,599 Meaning chests of gold from the reichsbank? 338 00:16:42,102 --> 00:16:43,901 Very likely, yes. 339 00:16:43,903 --> 00:16:46,037 -Forty eight chests. -[bart] correct. 340 00:16:46,106 --> 00:16:49,440 [josh] as the war turned increasingly against the nazis, 341 00:16:49,542 --> 00:16:54,145 The reichsbank hid the country's gold reserves in a salt mine inside german 342 00:16:54,214 --> 00:16:56,214 To keep it safe from the allies. 343 00:16:56,216 --> 00:16:58,850 Roman and bart don't believe that was all of it. 344 00:16:58,918 --> 00:16:59,884 Not nearly. 345 00:16:59,886 --> 00:17:01,953 "only you know where they're located. 346 00:17:01,955 --> 00:17:05,823 May god help you and help me fulfill my assignment. 347 00:17:05,825 --> 00:17:09,127 Von stein. February, 1945." 348 00:17:09,129 --> 00:17:12,096 You've got an authentic 349 00:17:12,098 --> 00:17:15,600 World war ii diary written by a high ranking ss officer. 350 00:17:15,602 --> 00:17:20,938 You've got a real location and you've got a corroborative letter. 351 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:22,707 Well, what else can one want? 352 00:17:22,709 --> 00:17:24,409 Proof that it's all true. 353 00:17:24,411 --> 00:17:26,411 That's exactly what we're going to find. 354 00:17:30,116 --> 00:17:33,951 [josh] we pile into the car and take the short ride to minkowskie. 355 00:17:36,756 --> 00:17:38,222 Take a right right here. 356 00:17:38,224 --> 00:17:39,657 [josh] okay. 357 00:17:39,726 --> 00:17:41,526 And this is the place. 358 00:17:42,228 --> 00:17:43,728 Oh, hell yeah it is. 359 00:17:44,898 --> 00:17:46,230 Whoa. 360 00:17:46,232 --> 00:17:49,534 In contrast to izbicko, minkowskie palace appears 361 00:17:49,602 --> 00:17:51,602 To be dangerously unrestored 362 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:54,739 Yeah, that's a palace. 363 00:18:00,013 --> 00:18:00,945 It's like a ghost. 364 00:18:01,848 --> 00:18:02,814 Absolutely. 365 00:18:02,816 --> 00:18:04,749 I mean, it's really atmospheric. 366 00:18:04,818 --> 00:18:06,050 It's beautiful, though. 367 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,621 Today, minkowskie's empty halls and littered floors 368 00:18:10,623 --> 00:18:13,591 Give this place the feeling of a haunted house. 369 00:18:13,593 --> 00:18:16,327 As if any place in poland needed the help. 370 00:18:16,329 --> 00:18:18,930 So we're in the right place. The diary puts us here. 371 00:18:18,932 --> 00:18:21,032 But this also looks like a huge estate. 372 00:18:21,034 --> 00:18:25,002 We're talking about 48 chests of material. 373 00:18:25,004 --> 00:18:26,904 Where do you think it's deposited? 374 00:18:26,906 --> 00:18:28,372 [speaking in polish] 375 00:18:28,374 --> 00:18:31,609 The diary suggests it was buried under or near the orangery. 376 00:18:31,611 --> 00:18:33,644 An orangery? What's an orangery? 377 00:18:34,247 --> 00:18:36,247 It's a fancy greenhouse... 378 00:18:36,316 --> 00:18:40,651 ...With tropical plants, fountains, benches, walkways 379 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:42,720 It's a very fancy place to hang out. 380 00:18:42,855 --> 00:18:45,356 And tell me this place has an orangery. 381 00:18:45,425 --> 00:18:48,226 It's not standing anymore, however we found it. 382 00:18:48,228 --> 00:18:49,227 You did find it? 383 00:18:49,229 --> 00:18:50,294 Yes. 384 00:18:50,296 --> 00:18:51,695 -[speaking polish] -yes. 385 00:18:53,133 --> 00:18:54,932 [josh gates] we walk around to the back of the palace 386 00:18:54,934 --> 00:18:59,303 To find an active excavation site with heavy drilling equipment. 387 00:18:59,305 --> 00:19:00,438 [josh] ooh, is this the foundation? 388 00:19:00,907 --> 00:19:01,839 Yes. 389 00:19:01,941 --> 00:19:03,307 So the orangery was right here. 390 00:19:03,309 --> 00:19:04,741 Exactly, yeah. 391 00:19:04,743 --> 00:19:07,211 Wow. And all of this was buried? You... You dug all this up? 392 00:19:07,213 --> 00:19:09,814 [bart] that's correct, and there's probably a lot more to be found underneath. 393 00:19:09,816 --> 00:19:11,816 This is insane, wow. 394 00:19:11,818 --> 00:19:15,186 [josh] roman and bart's grou manage to locate and expose 395 00:19:15,188 --> 00:19:17,155 The footprint of the oranger 396 00:19:17,256 --> 00:19:19,157 So that mission is accomplished. 397 00:19:19,258 --> 00:19:21,325 It leaves one important step to go. 398 00:19:21,828 --> 00:19:22,827 Hey, I'm josh. 399 00:19:22,829 --> 00:19:23,828 Mariusz. 400 00:19:23,830 --> 00:19:25,062 Nice to meet you. 401 00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:26,564 What's going on here, are we drilling? 402 00:19:26,633 --> 00:19:27,365 Yeah. 403 00:19:27,433 --> 00:19:28,299 -Yeah. - Tak. 404 00:19:28,301 --> 00:19:30,101 And mariusz is our drilling expert. 405 00:19:30,103 --> 00:19:31,636 So how does this work, mariusz? 406 00:19:32,105 --> 00:19:33,604 [speaking polish] 407 00:19:33,606 --> 00:19:36,607 We've already drilled a hole here, down 25 feet. 408 00:19:36,609 --> 00:19:39,343 And lowered in a metal sleeve to keep it from collapsing. 409 00:19:39,445 --> 00:19:41,913 Now we need to drop the cylinder in. 410 00:19:41,915 --> 00:19:44,248 It'll fill up with material from the bottom, 411 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:46,651 And then we can bring it back up to see what we've got. 412 00:19:46,752 --> 00:19:50,555 Okay, so, what are you hoping ends up inside this cylinder? 413 00:19:50,656 --> 00:19:53,824 We are definitely gonna find something, it's just a matter of time. 414 00:19:53,826 --> 00:19:58,162 It could be a wooden crate, could be a... A jewelry, 415 00:19:58,264 --> 00:19:59,063 It could be a ring. 416 00:19:59,065 --> 00:20:00,565 Just some sign that you've made it 417 00:20:00,666 --> 00:20:02,400 -Into this deposit layer. -Absolutely. 418 00:20:02,402 --> 00:20:05,937 So how deep down do you need to drill do you think? 419 00:20:05,939 --> 00:20:07,438 [bart] take a look at the diary. 420 00:20:07,507 --> 00:20:10,441 So this is another translation page from the diary. 421 00:20:10,543 --> 00:20:11,876 It says... 422 00:20:11,944 --> 00:20:14,912 "48 chests from the reischsbank, in good condition, 423 00:20:14,914 --> 00:20:19,550 Were hidden, very well cover with earth, and greened with still living plants." 424 00:20:19,619 --> 00:20:21,819 So what does very well covered mean? 425 00:20:21,821 --> 00:20:23,354 How... How far down do you think it is? 426 00:20:23,456 --> 00:20:25,089 We don't know the exact depth. 427 00:20:25,091 --> 00:20:27,258 We'll have to do a search for it. 428 00:20:27,360 --> 00:20:29,060 So that's why you're drilling such a big cross-section. 429 00:20:29,529 --> 00:20:30,328 Yes, exactly. 430 00:20:30,330 --> 00:20:31,062 Okay. 431 00:20:31,130 --> 00:20:31,929 So... 432 00:20:31,931 --> 00:20:32,863 Let's go! 433 00:20:32,932 --> 00:20:34,332 Go dodgers, here we go. 434 00:20:36,135 --> 00:20:39,036 We may be digging 30 feet or more into the ground. 435 00:20:39,105 --> 00:20:42,440 So we're using a technique usually employed in mining. 436 00:20:42,541 --> 00:20:45,042 Which, in a way, is exactly what we're doing 437 00:20:45,111 --> 00:20:49,213 The cylinder needs to be carefully lowered into plac so we can extract a sample.. 438 00:20:56,522 --> 00:20:58,456 ...Then we simple reel it back in. 439 00:20:58,958 --> 00:21:00,591 It's comin' up. 440 00:21:02,128 --> 00:21:05,763 The cylinder comes back to us, and we empty it onto our platform 441 00:21:05,798 --> 00:21:08,132 To see if there are any diamonds in this rough. 442 00:21:08,701 --> 00:21:09,700 Here we go! 443 00:21:13,006 --> 00:21:14,005 [josh] it's comin' up. 444 00:21:16,442 --> 00:21:18,209 Here we go! 445 00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:24,315 Historical minkowskie palace occupied by the nazis during world war ii, 446 00:21:24,317 --> 00:21:28,052 Is said to be hiding 300 tons of stolen gold. 447 00:21:28,054 --> 00:21:29,120 And I'm hoping some of it.. 448 00:21:29,822 --> 00:21:31,088 ...Is in this cylinder. 449 00:21:35,128 --> 00:21:37,061 Bart, be careful, I don't want to get those pants dirty. 450 00:21:37,063 --> 00:21:38,062 [laughing] 451 00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:42,400 Okay. 452 00:21:42,402 --> 00:21:44,735 So it's kind of really fine grit... 453 00:21:44,804 --> 00:21:46,304 ...Soil, I mean it's almost sand down there. 454 00:21:47,407 --> 00:21:48,906 About how far down are we now? 455 00:21:48,908 --> 00:21:49,840 [bart] about 27 feet. 456 00:21:50,610 --> 00:21:51,609 Okay. 457 00:21:52,812 --> 00:21:55,012 There wasn't anything at 27 feet. 458 00:21:55,014 --> 00:21:59,617 So we lowered the sleeve past 30 and drop in another cylinder... 459 00:21:59,619 --> 00:22:01,819 ...This one able to collect a bigger sample. 460 00:22:07,026 --> 00:22:07,758 Here we go. 461 00:22:08,127 --> 00:22:09,327 This is the one. 462 00:22:09,329 --> 00:22:11,128 This is it, I can feel it. 463 00:22:11,130 --> 00:22:13,664 Guys, back up, some gold bars are gonna be coming out of here. 464 00:22:24,811 --> 00:22:26,043 [metal clangs] 465 00:22:27,613 --> 00:22:28,612 [josh] 'kay. 466 00:22:29,816 --> 00:22:30,815 Comin' down. 467 00:22:31,918 --> 00:22:33,217 Zloto , look! 468 00:22:33,219 --> 00:22:34,452 -You got something? -Oh, yeah, yeah. 469 00:22:34,553 --> 00:22:35,552 -[man] gold. -Stop, stop, stop. 470 00:22:35,554 --> 00:22:37,154 There is something glinting in here, c'mere. 471 00:22:37,223 --> 00:22:38,422 There... Wait, is that? 472 00:22:39,125 --> 00:22:40,591 Wait a minute, is this? 473 00:22:40,593 --> 00:22:41,659 [man] gold. 474 00:22:42,362 --> 00:22:44,028 -Roman? -Yes, okay! 475 00:22:44,030 --> 00:22:45,529 Get the [bleep] out of here. 476 00:22:47,133 --> 00:22:48,933 You've all heard of fool's gold, 477 00:22:48,935 --> 00:22:51,035 Well in this case, I am that fool. 478 00:22:51,804 --> 00:22:52,937 [sarcastic] yay. 479 00:22:53,005 --> 00:22:54,105 Who put that in the drill? 480 00:22:55,208 --> 00:22:56,507 You guys are jerks you know that? 481 00:22:56,509 --> 00:22:57,508 You guys are jerks. 482 00:22:57,510 --> 00:22:58,743 [laughing] 483 00:22:58,844 --> 00:22:59,776 Horrible. 484 00:22:59,778 --> 00:23:01,011 It's the most exciting moment of my life. 485 00:23:02,315 --> 00:23:03,848 [whispers] ah, these guys. 486 00:23:03,916 --> 00:23:05,516 All right, for real this time, guys. 487 00:23:05,518 --> 00:23:06,617 Here we go. 488 00:23:07,954 --> 00:23:10,154 Putting roman's hilarious joke behind us, 489 00:23:10,223 --> 00:23:12,923 We lower the sleeve to a depth of 40 feet, 490 00:23:12,925 --> 00:23:14,725 And drop it in one more time 491 00:23:30,209 --> 00:23:31,842 Kind of a different layer we're getting into here. 492 00:23:31,944 --> 00:23:33,110 Some stones. 493 00:23:33,112 --> 00:23:34,812 While we seem to be in a new layer, 494 00:23:34,814 --> 00:23:37,148 Our well is still coming up dry. 495 00:23:37,216 --> 00:23:40,117 So while roman and the drill team continue the dig, 496 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:43,521 Bart leads me into the wood behind minkowskie. 497 00:23:43,523 --> 00:23:45,523 Since the diary mentions the orangery, 498 00:23:45,525 --> 00:23:47,758 And the palace's expansive grounds, 499 00:23:47,827 --> 00:23:51,962 We're metal detecting to fin anything that could confirm the diary's story. 500 00:23:52,832 --> 00:23:53,831 [metal detector beeping] 501 00:23:55,802 --> 00:23:57,101 [metal detector alarm] 502 00:23:57,937 --> 00:23:58,936 It's something here. 503 00:23:59,639 --> 00:24:01,172 [metal detector alarm] 504 00:24:04,510 --> 00:24:07,912 We put shovel to dirt, to see what the detector has found. 505 00:24:09,015 --> 00:24:11,715 So you got an old nail tied to something. 506 00:24:11,717 --> 00:24:13,417 You got a lotta land mines left in this country? 507 00:24:13,820 --> 00:24:15,719 Um, plenty. 508 00:24:15,721 --> 00:24:16,954 I'm gonna leave this nail right here. 509 00:24:20,259 --> 00:24:22,359 You can pull it, I'll be out of here. 510 00:24:22,395 --> 00:24:25,930 Safely out of the blast radi that exists only in my head 511 00:24:25,932 --> 00:24:29,200 We start to pick up on a wor path through the woods. 512 00:24:29,202 --> 00:24:31,802 So we have this long trail coming through the woods here. 513 00:24:31,804 --> 00:24:33,404 And what was this down here, a creek? 514 00:24:33,406 --> 00:24:35,306 There was a creek run... Running creek about a couple of months ago, 515 00:24:35,308 --> 00:24:36,707 It's dry now. 516 00:24:36,709 --> 00:24:38,976 And we suspect there was a bridge at some point over the creek. 517 00:24:38,978 --> 00:24:40,210 Okay, got it. 518 00:24:40,212 --> 00:24:42,213 Well let's have a look around here on both sides... 519 00:24:42,215 --> 00:24:43,113 ...See if we get anything. 520 00:24:51,057 --> 00:24:52,823 [metal detector alarm] 521 00:24:57,530 --> 00:24:58,963 It's a really ferrous hit. 522 00:24:59,064 --> 00:25:00,431 Feels like it could be iron or something? 523 00:25:02,835 --> 00:25:04,201 [metal detector beeping] 524 00:25:05,137 --> 00:25:06,303 Pull tab. 525 00:25:06,305 --> 00:25:07,938 I'm the best in the business, bart. 526 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:09,639 I'm not sure if you heard. 527 00:25:09,641 --> 00:25:12,710 But my pull tab was covering something much more interesting. 528 00:25:12,712 --> 00:25:15,279 Looks like brick, that's a good sign. 529 00:25:15,281 --> 00:25:16,846 Some piece of construction here. 530 00:25:16,848 --> 00:25:20,584 As I dig, we're joined by archaeologist pawel roslon... 531 00:25:20,586 --> 00:25:23,120 ...Who's here to help asses anything we find. 532 00:25:23,122 --> 00:25:23,921 Oh, look, down here. 533 00:25:23,923 --> 00:25:24,722 -[roslon] hmm? -See that? 534 00:25:24,724 --> 00:25:26,523 Oh! 535 00:25:26,525 --> 00:25:29,326 [josh] we carefully expose the bricks to get a full sen of the structure. 536 00:25:29,328 --> 00:25:30,628 [speaking in polish] 537 00:25:32,798 --> 00:25:34,131 It's pretty remarkable. 538 00:25:34,133 --> 00:25:36,800 There's just a piece of construction sitting right here. 539 00:25:36,802 --> 00:25:39,203 You've got this old road coming through here. 540 00:25:39,205 --> 00:25:42,039 What do you think, a part of a wall or a gatehouse, maybe? 541 00:25:42,108 --> 00:25:43,040 [roslon speaking] 542 00:25:44,410 --> 00:25:46,110 Finding it is... Is miraculous. 543 00:25:46,112 --> 00:25:47,444 -Yeah. -You did a fantastic job. 544 00:25:47,546 --> 00:25:49,713 Well, a new piece of history, I like that. 545 00:25:50,516 --> 00:25:51,815 All right, let's keep looking. 546 00:25:55,521 --> 00:25:57,621 [josh] we continue scanning the property. 547 00:25:57,623 --> 00:26:00,324 But as the day latens, neither we, nor the drill team, 548 00:26:00,326 --> 00:26:03,160 Has found anything described in the diary. 549 00:26:03,262 --> 00:26:04,628 Bart and I take stock. 550 00:26:06,065 --> 00:26:07,598 This property... 551 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,034 ...Has just such an incredible past. 552 00:26:10,036 --> 00:26:11,035 In terms of the treasure... 553 00:26:11,804 --> 00:26:13,337 ...You feel confident it's here? 554 00:26:13,439 --> 00:26:15,038 Yeah, very confident. 555 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:17,608 So when roman starts screaming from the tent, you're gonna call me, right? 556 00:26:17,610 --> 00:26:19,310 Sure, yeah, on a speed dial. 557 00:26:19,312 --> 00:26:20,811 On a speed dial, I like that. All right, man. 558 00:26:22,081 --> 00:26:23,447 Thanks so much, this was awesome. 559 00:26:23,549 --> 00:26:24,715 Thank you for being a part of it. 560 00:26:24,717 --> 00:26:25,715 Are you kidding, it was amazing. 561 00:26:26,819 --> 00:26:29,119 The story of the ss officer's diary, 562 00:26:29,121 --> 00:26:33,424 Which seemed fantastic to begin with, feels like a longshot. 563 00:26:33,426 --> 00:26:35,225 But hey, you never know. 564 00:26:35,227 --> 00:26:38,829 And by excavating minkowski bart and roman may find something 565 00:26:38,831 --> 00:26:40,965 More nourishing than stolen gold: 566 00:26:41,033 --> 00:26:43,601 A renewed history for this crumbling palace. 567 00:26:45,438 --> 00:26:48,238 As for me, it's time to get back on the road. 568 00:26:48,307 --> 00:26:50,107 Just north of here is another site, 569 00:26:50,209 --> 00:26:54,044 Where new discoveries are changing what we know about the final days 570 00:26:54,113 --> 00:26:55,713 Of world war two. 571 00:26:55,715 --> 00:26:57,948 My next stop is along the oder river, 572 00:26:58,017 --> 00:27:01,518 Which is the modern-day bord between poland and germany. 573 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:02,920 There's a fortress there. 574 00:27:02,922 --> 00:27:06,423 This was a really critical location during world war ii 575 00:27:06,425 --> 00:27:09,526 As the red army was advancin on berlin. 576 00:27:09,528 --> 00:27:13,230 Today, investigators there are sifting through the ruins, 577 00:27:13,232 --> 00:27:16,900 Trying to find secrets that are literally frozen in time. 578 00:27:20,506 --> 00:27:23,140 At the ruined relic of kostrzyn fortress, 579 00:27:23,242 --> 00:27:27,044 I rushed to meet the directo of the excavation, jerek strozniak. 580 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:28,312 Nice to meet you. 581 00:27:28,314 --> 00:27:29,847 [speaking polish] 582 00:27:29,915 --> 00:27:32,116 Beautiful place, this is a... A fortress? 583 00:27:32,118 --> 00:27:36,020 Um... Yes, this was a fortress built during the middle ages. 584 00:27:36,022 --> 00:27:37,087 [josh] why did they build a fortress here? 585 00:27:38,057 --> 00:27:39,623 [jerek] it was strategically placed, 586 00:27:39,625 --> 00:27:41,625 Next to the oder and warta rivers. 587 00:27:41,627 --> 00:27:45,329 It's so strategic that the third reich used it to defend berlin. 588 00:27:46,966 --> 00:27:49,933 [josh] as the war becomes increasingly unwinnable... 589 00:27:50,035 --> 00:27:51,502 ...Hitler is in denial. 590 00:27:51,504 --> 00:27:53,937 He can't imagine losing. 591 00:27:53,939 --> 00:27:58,042 The fuhrer even orders a nazi general to be locked in an insane asylum 592 00:27:58,110 --> 00:28:01,812 For warning him of the advancing soviet army 593 00:28:01,814 --> 00:28:07,551 Hitler orders scattered forc to rally at kostrzyn fortres a 17th century complex 594 00:28:07,653 --> 00:28:11,355 Less than 50 miles from the outskirts of germany's capital 595 00:28:11,424 --> 00:28:13,757 This was berlin's last defense. 596 00:28:15,728 --> 00:28:17,327 So before the end of world war ii. 597 00:28:17,329 --> 00:28:19,663 This fortress is protecting a city of what size? 598 00:28:19,732 --> 00:28:21,799 25,000 people. 599 00:28:21,801 --> 00:28:23,100 Wow. Can we see the city? 600 00:28:23,102 --> 00:28:24,635 Yes, I'll show you. 601 00:28:25,137 --> 00:28:26,203 Please. 602 00:28:29,942 --> 00:28:32,109 We walk and walk. 603 00:28:32,111 --> 00:28:36,880 And soon I realize we're passing through a gri of empty streets. 604 00:28:36,882 --> 00:28:38,415 Jerek, I don't see a city. 605 00:28:38,417 --> 00:28:40,551 Everything is gone. 606 00:28:40,652 --> 00:28:41,518 Everything. 607 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:42,720 All of it. 608 00:28:42,722 --> 00:28:43,821 Did the soviets flatten it? 609 00:28:43,823 --> 00:28:46,557 Yes, soviets destroyed the whole city here. 610 00:28:46,658 --> 00:28:48,759 Literally destroyed everything. 611 00:28:48,828 --> 00:28:52,029 I've never seen this before, the place is completely flat. 612 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:57,201 This was once a thriving cit 613 00:28:57,203 --> 00:29:00,604 Today it's residents are only empty avenues... 614 00:29:00,606 --> 00:29:03,907 ...Basements without houses even a church without walls 615 00:29:04,744 --> 00:29:07,044 There was once a soaring castle here, 616 00:29:07,046 --> 00:29:09,413 Today it is simply a set of stairs. 617 00:29:12,351 --> 00:29:15,052 The town has been called "the polish pompeii", 618 00:29:15,121 --> 00:29:19,423 Because preserved in its ashes is a potential bonanza of artifacts 619 00:29:19,425 --> 00:29:21,558 From the very final days of the war. 620 00:29:23,329 --> 00:29:25,562 Every home, shop, and office here 621 00:29:25,631 --> 00:29:29,199 Was repurposed by the nazis for the defense of berlin. 622 00:29:29,201 --> 00:29:34,905 And now jerek has gotten exclusive access to excavat in the ruins. 623 00:29:34,907 --> 00:29:38,942 This is the first time anyone has excavated this part of the town, 624 00:29:38,944 --> 00:29:41,512 And we, you and I, are here to see it. 625 00:29:43,315 --> 00:29:45,883 Also on site is pawel pietkiewicz, 626 00:29:45,885 --> 00:29:49,052 Fresh from working on the mru tunnels nearby. 627 00:29:49,121 --> 00:29:52,422 He's here to support his friend, jerek, in his own excavations. 628 00:29:52,424 --> 00:29:53,457 Good to see you again. 629 00:29:53,526 --> 00:29:54,825 -Yeah. -How are you? 630 00:29:54,827 --> 00:29:56,660 -[speaking polish] okay. -Good. 631 00:29:56,729 --> 00:29:58,395 So what are we working on here? 632 00:29:58,397 --> 00:29:59,797 [speaking in polish] 633 00:29:59,865 --> 00:30:02,800 There was once a building here but this was the cellar entrance. 634 00:30:02,802 --> 00:30:04,101 Where's the entrance? What do you have? 635 00:30:04,103 --> 00:30:06,303 -[speaking polish] -ah, here. 636 00:30:07,039 --> 00:30:07,738 [josh grunts] 637 00:30:07,807 --> 00:30:08,839 Ah, oh. 638 00:30:10,109 --> 00:30:11,809 Ohoho, my word. 639 00:30:12,945 --> 00:30:14,845 So, what's down here? 640 00:30:14,914 --> 00:30:17,114 We found a few interesting things. 641 00:30:17,650 --> 00:30:18,715 Interesting how? 642 00:30:18,717 --> 00:30:21,418 Items that seemed military issued. 643 00:30:21,420 --> 00:30:24,021 This was a command area? 644 00:30:24,023 --> 00:30:26,523 We think it was a place for high command officers. 645 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:29,960 Can I... Can I see the things that you found? 646 00:30:30,062 --> 00:30:30,727 Tak. 647 00:30:30,729 --> 00:30:31,628 [speaking polish] 648 00:30:31,630 --> 00:30:33,330 -Oh, they're still inside? -Yes. 649 00:30:33,332 --> 00:30:34,331 -[josh] oh. -Josh? 650 00:30:35,601 --> 00:30:36,700 -Me... He first? -Yeah, yes. 651 00:30:36,702 --> 00:30:38,101 Oh, boy. 652 00:30:38,103 --> 00:30:39,937 -[jerek] let's go! -All right, here we go. [whispers] oh, boy. 653 00:30:40,339 --> 00:30:41,338 Come on. 654 00:30:41,841 --> 00:30:43,106 [laughing] 655 00:30:43,108 --> 00:30:44,341 Let's do it. 656 00:30:46,212 --> 00:30:47,211 [whispers] oh, boy. 657 00:30:47,746 --> 00:30:48,812 Oh, there's a lotta... 658 00:30:48,814 --> 00:30:50,514 Lotta spider webs which is good. 659 00:30:50,516 --> 00:30:51,315 [laughs] 660 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:56,720 Yes, feet first. 661 00:30:56,722 --> 00:30:58,055 [jerek and pawel laughing] 662 00:30:58,123 --> 00:30:59,456 [speaking polish] 663 00:31:00,492 --> 00:31:01,358 Very good. 664 00:31:02,828 --> 00:31:03,627 Okay, I'm in! 665 00:31:04,330 --> 00:31:05,963 Where does this go? 666 00:31:05,965 --> 00:31:08,432 [mocks] no spiders. There's a big [bleep] spider right there. 667 00:31:09,735 --> 00:31:11,602 Holy, there's a whole chamber down here! 668 00:31:15,007 --> 00:31:16,072 Okay, I'm in! 669 00:31:17,109 --> 00:31:18,909 [exhales] I don't know what I'm in, but I'm in. 670 00:31:18,911 --> 00:31:21,545 Between the flattened polish city of kostrzyn, 671 00:31:21,614 --> 00:31:24,181 I'm searching through long sealed cellars 672 00:31:24,183 --> 00:31:28,051 That may contain relics from the final days of world war ii. 673 00:31:29,722 --> 00:31:31,054 Oh, my word, look at this. 674 00:31:31,724 --> 00:31:32,723 Oh! 675 00:31:32,725 --> 00:31:34,224 Yo, it goes way down. 676 00:31:34,226 --> 00:31:35,525 There's a whole chamber down here. 677 00:31:36,362 --> 00:31:38,462 Woah. Look at this place. 678 00:31:39,031 --> 00:31:39,963 Oh, hi josh. 679 00:31:41,233 --> 00:31:42,099 Hi. 680 00:31:42,101 --> 00:31:43,300 So, it's huge. 681 00:31:43,302 --> 00:31:44,635 How old are these chambers? 682 00:31:44,703 --> 00:31:47,104 Uh, this is very old. 683 00:31:47,106 --> 00:31:48,705 This was a medieval cellar. 684 00:31:48,707 --> 00:31:50,440 It would've been used to store food, 685 00:31:50,442 --> 00:31:56,046 But when we opened it up there were items to suggest the military was using it. 686 00:31:56,048 --> 00:31:58,515 And there's one more thing in here I really want to show you. 687 00:31:58,517 --> 00:31:59,549 Yeah, what's here? 688 00:32:01,754 --> 00:32:02,753 [sighs] 689 00:32:04,523 --> 00:32:05,622 Is this electrical? 690 00:32:05,624 --> 00:32:08,025 [jarek] there was no power in kostrzyn. 691 00:32:08,027 --> 00:32:11,461 So the germans would connect their important buildings to generators. 692 00:32:11,530 --> 00:32:14,231 We also found things like this with batteries. 693 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:15,933 Woah! 694 00:32:17,836 --> 00:32:20,904 We see volts here and a warning not to throw it... 695 00:32:20,906 --> 00:32:23,206 ...And to keep it away from... From water. 696 00:32:23,208 --> 00:32:25,108 And these are the battery cells here. 697 00:32:25,110 --> 00:32:26,676 Wow. 698 00:32:26,678 --> 00:32:29,746 Would this have powered lights or was this an emergency backup, you think? 699 00:32:29,815 --> 00:32:32,115 We think it powered a radio. 700 00:32:32,117 --> 00:32:34,818 Are there more rooms like this that were used by the nazis? 701 00:32:34,820 --> 00:32:37,321 There are many, but they've been buried as well. 702 00:32:37,323 --> 00:32:39,856 We need to access them from back outside. 703 00:32:39,958 --> 00:32:40,958 Back up top? 704 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:42,259 -Sure, yeah, show me. -Okay. 705 00:32:42,361 --> 00:32:45,796 The ruins of this fortress have only begun to speak. 706 00:32:45,798 --> 00:32:48,498 We climb to the surface and head a few feet away 707 00:32:48,500 --> 00:32:52,302 To a sealed chamber that jerek wants to investigate next. 708 00:32:52,304 --> 00:32:54,638 This is not the same chamber. This is another chamber? 709 00:32:54,740 --> 00:32:57,441 Tak , this is near the chamr we were in, 710 00:32:57,542 --> 00:32:59,042 But we haven't been able to open it yet. 711 00:32:59,611 --> 00:33:01,111 Everything is collapsed. 712 00:33:01,113 --> 00:33:03,513 It has been collapsed since 1945. 713 00:33:03,515 --> 00:33:06,249 This looked blocked though, so how... How do we get in here? 714 00:33:06,351 --> 00:33:08,118 You're going to have to dig. 715 00:33:08,120 --> 00:33:09,052 Dig with what? 716 00:33:09,054 --> 00:33:09,820 Koparka! 717 00:33:09,822 --> 00:33:10,921 What's a koparka? 718 00:33:15,260 --> 00:33:17,327 This is a koparka 719 00:33:17,329 --> 00:33:20,731 Since the soviets burned thi entire town down to rubble, 720 00:33:20,733 --> 00:33:22,699 Shovels aren't going to cut it. 721 00:33:22,701 --> 00:33:26,103 This excavator should be ou ticket into the new chamber 722 00:33:26,105 --> 00:33:28,438 Kaparka. 723 00:33:28,540 --> 00:33:32,042 And it doesn't take long to open a door into the past 724 00:33:32,044 --> 00:33:34,544 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hey! 725 00:33:34,646 --> 00:33:36,013 Whoa, whoa, whoa-y. 726 00:33:36,015 --> 00:33:37,814 [triumphant laugh] look at that. 727 00:33:39,585 --> 00:33:41,551 That's a chamber. 728 00:33:41,620 --> 00:33:45,722 This excavator is pulling up dirt that's fille this cellar for decades 729 00:33:45,724 --> 00:33:49,059 And that dirt may be as valuable as anything inside 730 00:33:51,697 --> 00:33:53,630 [pawel speaking polish] 731 00:34:00,606 --> 00:34:02,506 I thought it was a washer, but it looks stamped. 732 00:34:02,508 --> 00:34:03,507 You see this? 733 00:34:03,575 --> 00:34:05,509 -[pawel] oh, yeah. -[josh] 10g. It's a weight. 734 00:34:05,511 --> 00:34:07,544 As our hole in the ground gets bigger, 735 00:34:07,612 --> 00:34:11,681 Jarek can't wait to start exploring the newly exposed chamber. 736 00:34:11,683 --> 00:34:13,850 -[jarek speaking polish] -got something? 737 00:34:15,587 --> 00:34:17,521 -Let me see? -[jarek speaking polish] 738 00:34:18,724 --> 00:34:23,060 Ornate. This looks like the remains of a tile stove. 739 00:34:23,062 --> 00:34:25,262 This is how they would heat these places back in the day. 740 00:34:28,600 --> 00:34:31,101 Yeah, this is a fired artillery shell. 741 00:34:31,103 --> 00:34:33,437 You can see, this end of it's all deformed. 742 00:34:33,538 --> 00:34:35,038 Holy [bleep]. 743 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:38,041 As the hours pass, our one small excavation 744 00:34:38,043 --> 00:34:41,411 Expands into a massive series of cellars. 745 00:34:41,413 --> 00:34:42,813 -Oh, what is this? -Oh, yes. 746 00:34:44,583 --> 00:34:46,149 -[josh] for switches? -[pawel] yep, yep. 747 00:34:46,218 --> 00:34:47,717 -[josh] this is from a radio, yeah? -[pawel] yes. 748 00:34:47,719 --> 00:34:50,120 -A radio station, station. -A radio station? 749 00:34:50,122 --> 00:34:53,290 The radio part is a good sig that we are in a hub 750 00:34:53,292 --> 00:34:55,659 For the fortress's nazi command. 751 00:34:55,727 --> 00:34:57,427 But that's not all we find. 752 00:34:57,429 --> 00:34:59,429 It's a military desk lamp. 753 00:34:59,431 --> 00:35:01,331 -Part of a lamp? This is great. I love this. -Yes. 754 00:35:01,333 --> 00:35:02,499 "yeah, I love lamp." 755 00:35:02,501 --> 00:35:04,401 Anchorman. 756 00:35:04,403 --> 00:35:05,635 Great find. 757 00:35:07,306 --> 00:35:09,506 Soon, though, the excavator punches through 758 00:35:09,508 --> 00:35:11,641 To a whole new level of excitement. 759 00:35:11,710 --> 00:35:12,742 Got an opening. 760 00:35:16,815 --> 00:35:18,415 It's really strange. It's like... 761 00:35:18,417 --> 00:35:20,417 It's framed off like it's a door. 762 00:35:20,419 --> 00:35:23,220 But then behind it it just kind of narrows out. 763 00:35:23,222 --> 00:35:25,021 We're at the top of the arch, so I think we need to 764 00:35:25,023 --> 00:35:26,289 -Go down more, yeah? -Uh-huh. 765 00:35:27,559 --> 00:35:29,960 [josh] the kaparka keeps digging for victory 766 00:35:29,962 --> 00:35:32,329 While we keep a safe distance away. 767 00:35:38,804 --> 00:35:40,303 Not too safe, though. 768 00:35:40,305 --> 00:35:41,505 Back up, back up! 769 00:35:43,942 --> 00:35:45,308 Good eye. 770 00:35:45,310 --> 00:35:47,511 -[blow raspberry, exclaims] -[josh] you okay? 771 00:35:47,513 --> 00:35:48,612 -Okay. -[josh] okay. 772 00:35:49,548 --> 00:35:52,115 We're way down in the hole, now. 773 00:35:52,117 --> 00:35:55,051 I break out a metal detecto to see what it can see. 774 00:35:55,120 --> 00:35:57,053 [metal detector beeping] 775 00:35:59,858 --> 00:36:01,224 [metal detector changes pitch] 776 00:36:06,899 --> 00:36:08,064 Nail. 777 00:36:09,801 --> 00:36:12,202 Oh, hey, hey, come here! Come here. Look at this. 778 00:36:12,204 --> 00:36:14,204 Come here, come here. Pavel. 779 00:36:14,206 --> 00:36:17,207 -Look, look. Look here. -[pawel] oh, josh. 780 00:36:17,209 --> 00:36:18,441 -[pawel laughs] -[josh] container? 781 00:36:18,543 --> 00:36:19,609 Yeah. Helmet. 782 00:36:19,611 --> 00:36:21,211 [pawel speaking polish] 783 00:36:21,213 --> 00:36:22,312 -Helmet? -[pawel] yeah. 784 00:36:22,314 --> 00:36:23,246 That's a helmet? 785 00:36:26,718 --> 00:36:29,653 Whoa. Whoa. 786 00:36:29,754 --> 00:36:31,755 [all exclaiming] 787 00:36:31,790 --> 00:36:33,957 -Unbelievable. -[laughs] 788 00:36:37,829 --> 00:36:39,629 [josh] the picturesque town of poznan 789 00:36:39,631 --> 00:36:41,932 Is home to a unique polish treat. 790 00:36:42,501 --> 00:36:46,203 [both speaking polish] 791 00:36:48,207 --> 00:36:51,741 [in english] all right, here's the deal. This is a st. Martin's croissant. 792 00:36:51,810 --> 00:36:54,911 This is a government regulated pastry. 793 00:36:54,913 --> 00:36:57,314 First of all, it can only be made here in poznan. 794 00:36:57,316 --> 00:37:00,417 It is protected, under law by the european union. 795 00:37:00,419 --> 00:37:03,486 The recipe must be done to exact specifications. 796 00:37:03,488 --> 00:37:05,722 It has to contain white poppy seeds, 797 00:37:05,724 --> 00:37:10,660 Orange peel, crushed dates or figs, nuts, sugar icing. 798 00:37:10,762 --> 00:37:12,729 It has 81 layers. 799 00:37:12,731 --> 00:37:14,731 Not 80 layers, 81 layers. 800 00:37:14,733 --> 00:37:17,500 And I have never had one until this moment. Here we go. 801 00:37:18,036 --> 00:37:18,735 [blows air] 802 00:37:22,641 --> 00:37:23,506 Ah. 803 00:37:25,611 --> 00:37:27,611 It's great. Yep. 804 00:37:32,584 --> 00:37:36,553 How absolutely chilling is that? 805 00:37:37,422 --> 00:37:38,722 -German helmet. -[pawel] yeah. 806 00:37:38,724 --> 00:37:40,690 [josh] in a destroyed fortress in poland, 807 00:37:40,692 --> 00:37:43,760 I've just found a relic of the nazi occupation here 808 00:37:43,862 --> 00:37:47,230 That was abandoned in the final days of world war ii. 809 00:37:47,232 --> 00:37:48,265 Ugh. 810 00:37:48,333 --> 00:37:49,432 [jarek speaking polish] 811 00:37:49,501 --> 00:37:51,501 This just connects you to this place in such 812 00:37:51,503 --> 00:37:54,404 A primal way, you know? It's like... 813 00:37:54,406 --> 00:37:57,741 A person wore this. A nazi soldier wore this helmet. 814 00:38:02,614 --> 00:38:04,814 It's kind of haunting. 815 00:38:04,816 --> 00:38:06,349 With the red army coming through here, 816 00:38:06,418 --> 00:38:09,119 I can't imagine many germans survived this place. 817 00:38:09,121 --> 00:38:11,855 [pawel] you're holding history in your hands. 818 00:38:11,923 --> 00:38:14,824 Powerful. Powerful stuff. 819 00:38:15,527 --> 00:38:17,894 Okay, here. Keep that safe. 820 00:38:17,896 --> 00:38:19,729 We'll keep looking, see what else is here. 821 00:38:19,731 --> 00:38:21,364 Pawel, this is crazy. 822 00:38:34,713 --> 00:38:36,813 Holy hell. Look at this. 823 00:38:36,815 --> 00:38:38,615 This goes way back. 824 00:38:38,617 --> 00:38:42,686 Okay, so obviously this roof is, uh, no guarantees here, guys. 825 00:38:42,688 --> 00:38:44,321 So, be really, really cautious. 826 00:38:45,924 --> 00:38:47,857 We've got an alcove here on the left. 827 00:38:53,465 --> 00:38:56,633 Oh, my god. We got more chambers down here. 828 00:38:56,735 --> 00:38:58,101 Look at this. 829 00:38:58,103 --> 00:38:59,703 Oh, my god. 830 00:38:59,705 --> 00:39:03,940 We've got bottles, coffee cups, lamps, cooking pots. 831 00:39:04,042 --> 00:39:07,143 You could just imagine a soldier right here. 832 00:39:09,047 --> 00:39:11,214 [jarek] you can see the roof is burned. 833 00:39:11,216 --> 00:39:14,417 [josh] yes. Yeah, you can see burn marks on the ceiling. 834 00:39:14,986 --> 00:39:17,454 Oh, look at this bottle. 835 00:39:17,555 --> 00:39:19,089 [pawel speaking polish] 836 00:39:19,091 --> 00:39:21,524 -[in english] it's vodka. -[josh] brom... Brom-ner-vought? 837 00:39:21,526 --> 00:39:25,729 It sounds like it's a kind of nerve tonic for stress. 838 00:39:25,731 --> 00:39:29,032 Fun fact, brom nervacit was a barbiturate syrup 839 00:39:29,034 --> 00:39:32,235 Prescribed to hitler himsel by his personal physician 840 00:39:32,337 --> 00:39:35,105 To counteract his rampant amphetamine use. 841 00:39:35,107 --> 00:39:36,239 This is still sealed. 842 00:39:37,042 --> 00:39:38,208 [pawel] no, no, drink. 843 00:39:38,210 --> 00:39:39,709 -I'm not going to drink. -[both laugh] 844 00:39:39,711 --> 00:39:41,811 -How crazy do you think I am? -[pawel] josh, no drink. 845 00:39:41,813 --> 00:39:43,646 So far, so amazing. 846 00:39:44,416 --> 00:39:45,648 [pawel] uh, cables. 847 00:39:45,717 --> 00:39:47,217 Uh-huh. 848 00:39:47,219 --> 00:39:48,718 Oh, wow, yes. 849 00:39:48,720 --> 00:39:50,620 What would run off of this high-voltage? 850 00:39:50,622 --> 00:39:52,822 We can't know for sure, 851 00:39:52,824 --> 00:39:55,458 But this would have produced a lot of energy. 852 00:39:55,527 --> 00:39:58,261 Not all rooms had power supplies. 853 00:39:58,363 --> 00:40:00,764 So this room must have been very important. 854 00:40:00,832 --> 00:40:02,699 [josh] but wait, there's mor 855 00:40:02,701 --> 00:40:03,733 Wow, look. Gas mask. 856 00:40:05,804 --> 00:40:07,504 Oh, my god. 857 00:40:07,506 --> 00:40:09,038 We've got a gas mask here 858 00:40:09,107 --> 00:40:12,142 And here's the face piece right here. 859 00:40:12,243 --> 00:40:13,910 [jarek] this is a blue gas mask. 860 00:40:13,912 --> 00:40:16,212 It indicates a non-magnetic mask. 861 00:40:16,214 --> 00:40:19,015 These were issued to people near radio frequencies 862 00:40:19,017 --> 00:40:20,316 As to not interfere. 863 00:40:20,318 --> 00:40:21,651 -Ah, for radio. -Yeah. 864 00:40:21,753 --> 00:40:23,720 You've got high voltage, you've got this. 865 00:40:23,722 --> 00:40:25,622 -Maybe a radio station. -[jarek] yeah. 866 00:40:25,624 --> 00:40:28,792 Yes, it looks like this is the fortresses' radio room. 867 00:40:28,794 --> 00:40:30,326 This would have been one of the most 868 00:40:30,328 --> 00:40:33,430 Crucial places in the whole city to the nazis. 869 00:40:33,432 --> 00:40:35,365 [josh] and it isn't until we explore the back 870 00:40:35,433 --> 00:40:39,202 Of the chamber that we lear exactly how crucial. 871 00:40:39,204 --> 00:40:41,604 [pawel] wow, look over here, josh. 872 00:40:41,606 --> 00:40:43,807 [josh] oh, this is a paper. 873 00:40:43,809 --> 00:40:45,708 All of this is burned, look at this. 874 00:40:45,710 --> 00:40:47,844 So, we've got writing along the top here, 875 00:40:47,913 --> 00:40:50,413 Different columns and rows that are labeled. 876 00:40:50,415 --> 00:40:52,816 What, what is this, exactly? 877 00:40:52,818 --> 00:40:54,818 [jarek] these look like they've been through a decryption. 878 00:40:56,855 --> 00:41:01,324 I'm not 100% sure, but I thi these are from an enigma. 879 00:41:02,828 --> 00:41:04,727 -[josh] enigma? -Yeah. 880 00:41:04,729 --> 00:41:06,863 These were used with enigma machines? 881 00:41:06,965 --> 00:41:08,965 They look to me like they are. 882 00:41:10,435 --> 00:41:13,002 Okay. Wow. 883 00:41:13,004 --> 00:41:15,705 These papers, many now burned and black, 884 00:41:15,707 --> 00:41:17,707 Appear to be products of enigma, 885 00:41:17,709 --> 00:41:21,544 A complex inscription devic used by all branches 886 00:41:21,646 --> 00:41:25,548 Of the german military to se top secret communications. 887 00:41:25,650 --> 00:41:28,318 From the outside, it resembl a humble typewriter, 888 00:41:28,320 --> 00:41:30,220 But looks are deceiving. 889 00:41:31,523 --> 00:41:33,423 Enigma could scramble a message 890 00:41:33,425 --> 00:41:36,459 Into hundreds of millions of possible permutations. 891 00:41:36,528 --> 00:41:38,795 The consequences were catastrophic, 892 00:41:38,797 --> 00:41:42,398 Allowing german forces acros land, sea, and air 893 00:41:42,400 --> 00:41:46,669 To communicate their movemen without fear of compromise. 894 00:41:46,671 --> 00:41:49,706 It was only when british mathematician alan turing 895 00:41:49,708 --> 00:41:53,309 And the team at bletchley park, England cracked the enigma code, 896 00:41:53,311 --> 00:41:57,747 That the tide of the war turned to the side of the allies. 897 00:41:57,849 --> 00:42:01,050 To find out what these communiques were telling the nazis, 898 00:42:01,152 --> 00:42:04,754 I rush back to the surface t find our translator, oliver 899 00:42:04,823 --> 00:42:05,855 What does it say, oliver? 900 00:42:05,957 --> 00:42:07,123 This writing on this, what does it say? 901 00:42:07,125 --> 00:42:10,226 Uh, receiving some devices... 902 00:42:10,996 --> 00:42:12,829 [speaking german] 903 00:42:12,831 --> 00:42:14,664 [in english] at this... At a location. 904 00:42:14,766 --> 00:42:17,033 So they're receiving some sort of devices here? 905 00:42:17,102 --> 00:42:18,301 They should receive some sort of device. 906 00:42:18,303 --> 00:42:20,036 [josh] there's definitely something here, 907 00:42:20,138 --> 00:42:21,704 But it's difficult to make out. 908 00:42:21,706 --> 00:42:24,707 We go to a section of the di shielded from the wind 909 00:42:24,709 --> 00:42:26,509 To try to get a closer look 910 00:42:26,511 --> 00:42:28,011 And here you go. This page. 911 00:42:28,013 --> 00:42:30,446 The pages are frighteningly brittle. 912 00:42:30,548 --> 00:42:31,915 The only way to separate the 913 00:42:31,917 --> 00:42:34,217 Is with a razor sharp edge of a knife. 914 00:42:36,421 --> 00:42:42,225 [oliver] I'm reading "o-k-h. From 14..." 915 00:42:42,227 --> 00:42:46,029 Something on the fourth of... 14th of January 916 00:42:46,731 --> 00:42:49,332 Was coming here. 917 00:42:51,303 --> 00:42:54,437 [speaking german] 918 00:43:01,012 --> 00:43:03,947 [in english] it's about supplies, correspondence about 919 00:43:03,949 --> 00:43:07,317 Prisoners that have been kept here. 920 00:43:07,319 --> 00:43:09,118 You know, I'm reading this on the fly, but 921 00:43:09,120 --> 00:43:14,424 Um, it refers to the "kriegsgefangenenlager stalag alt drewitz." 922 00:43:14,426 --> 00:43:16,392 -A prison camp? -Prison camp. 923 00:43:16,394 --> 00:43:18,628 -At kostrzyn which is close to here. -[josh] here. 924 00:43:18,630 --> 00:43:21,164 -And "okh" is... -Over commander. 925 00:43:21,232 --> 00:43:22,398 Over commander. 926 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:24,334 So, something to do with the high-ranking commander... 927 00:43:24,435 --> 00:43:26,636 -And... -...And this field post which involves 928 00:43:26,738 --> 00:43:28,871 -A prison camp near here. -[oliver] yes. 929 00:43:28,873 --> 00:43:29,939 [josh] whew. 930 00:43:29,941 --> 00:43:32,141 Well, we'll photograph all the pages we can see 931 00:43:32,210 --> 00:43:33,609 And I think we leave the rest aside. 932 00:43:33,611 --> 00:43:36,145 Somebody may be able to carefully separate the pages later. 933 00:43:36,214 --> 00:43:37,613 I don't want to mess them up. 934 00:43:37,615 --> 00:43:40,717 The paperwork, likely a transfer order for prisoners 935 00:43:40,719 --> 00:43:41,951 Would have been encrypted. 936 00:43:41,953 --> 00:43:44,621 Which means enigma was nearb 937 00:43:44,623 --> 00:43:47,957 More importantly, it confirm that this very spot 938 00:43:48,059 --> 00:43:50,627 Is where orders from berlin would be received, 939 00:43:50,629 --> 00:43:53,730 Decoded, and then relayed to commanders above. 940 00:43:54,466 --> 00:43:56,199 We've made a huge discovery 941 00:43:56,201 --> 00:43:59,502 And jarek has only scratche the surface. Literally. 942 00:44:00,505 --> 00:44:03,206 While he continues to dig even deeper, 943 00:44:03,208 --> 00:44:05,541 I have a surprise engagement 944 00:44:05,610 --> 00:44:06,909 I've been summoned to retur 945 00:44:06,911 --> 00:44:08,911 To the national museum in warsaw. 946 00:44:08,913 --> 00:44:11,848 And it's a big enough deal that I'm actually putting on a tie. 947 00:44:16,221 --> 00:44:19,422 Inside, I rejoin historian robert edsel. 948 00:44:19,424 --> 00:44:20,857 -Robert. -Hey, how you doing? 949 00:44:20,925 --> 00:44:22,058 -[josh] great to see you again. -You too. 950 00:44:22,126 --> 00:44:23,426 -You look great. -Hell, you too. 951 00:44:23,428 --> 00:44:24,661 -Everything okay? -Everything's great. 952 00:44:24,762 --> 00:44:26,295 Come on up. This is going to be quite an event. 953 00:44:26,297 --> 00:44:27,764 [josh] that's just amazing. 954 00:44:27,865 --> 00:44:31,134 I learned that here in warsa art historians have confirme 955 00:44:31,202 --> 00:44:34,103 That the frame we recovered from the mru tunnels 956 00:44:34,105 --> 00:44:37,707 Is likely french and from the 19th century. 957 00:44:37,709 --> 00:44:39,742 Its ornate design wasn't carved, 958 00:44:39,844 --> 00:44:42,412 But molded from something called composition, 959 00:44:42,414 --> 00:44:46,649 Calcium carbonate mixed wit linseed oil and glue. 960 00:44:46,718 --> 00:44:50,620 The glass in the frame indicate that it might have housed a work on paper. 961 00:44:50,622 --> 00:44:52,922 A drawing as opposed to an oil painting. 962 00:44:54,592 --> 00:44:55,924 And speaking of drawings, 963 00:44:55,927 --> 00:44:59,295 It turns out robert has an astounding surprise. 964 00:44:59,297 --> 00:45:02,732 The monuments men foundatio is repatriating two importan 965 00:45:02,834 --> 00:45:05,735 Works of art that their tea recently recovered. 966 00:45:05,804 --> 00:45:08,805 And they're about to be give a heroic welcome home. 967 00:45:08,807 --> 00:45:11,074 ...My friend josh gates from the united states. 968 00:45:11,076 --> 00:45:12,942 We're really pleased that you're here. 969 00:45:13,011 --> 00:45:15,511 This is an important day for poland. 970 00:45:16,414 --> 00:45:18,614 And it is also an important day 971 00:45:18,616 --> 00:45:21,951 For the monuments men foundation for the preservation of art. 972 00:45:22,053 --> 00:45:25,621 Our discovery and return of these two drawings 973 00:45:25,623 --> 00:45:29,158 By adolf kozarski to the national museum in warsaw. 974 00:45:29,260 --> 00:45:31,327 And they define the remarkable work 975 00:45:31,329 --> 00:45:34,964 Of the monuments men and women of world war ii. 976 00:45:35,033 --> 00:45:41,037 To the victors, do not belong the spoils of war. 977 00:45:41,139 --> 00:45:44,073 They should be returned to the rightful owners. 978 00:45:44,075 --> 00:45:47,043 [josh] 19th century artist adolf kozarski 979 00:45:47,145 --> 00:45:51,013 Was known for his portrayal architecture and landscapes 980 00:45:51,015 --> 00:45:54,016 The museum in warsaw houses three of his oil paintings 981 00:45:54,018 --> 00:45:55,918 And over a dozen of his drawings, 982 00:45:55,920 --> 00:45:59,055 Including these, which were looted by the nazis. 983 00:45:59,057 --> 00:46:01,224 [robert] they then transferred these objects 984 00:46:01,226 --> 00:46:04,494 And hid them in fischhorn castle in austria. 985 00:46:04,496 --> 00:46:07,463 Residents of s.S. General fegelein, 986 00:46:07,565 --> 00:46:10,199 Brother-in-law to nazi leade adolf hitler. 987 00:46:10,902 --> 00:46:12,935 [josh] in August of 1945, 988 00:46:13,037 --> 00:46:16,205 Monuments man, lieutenant fr hart, reached the castle. 989 00:46:16,207 --> 00:46:18,941 But some of the looted objects had gone missing. 990 00:46:18,943 --> 00:46:21,077 Among them, these two pieces 991 00:46:21,079 --> 00:46:23,613 One in ink and one in graphi 992 00:46:23,615 --> 00:46:26,816 Which showed the villages of lipno and zagorowa. 993 00:46:26,818 --> 00:46:31,420 Irreplaceable depictions of a time that no longer exists 994 00:46:31,422 --> 00:46:35,758 They were located by robert and his team in private hands in america 995 00:46:35,860 --> 00:46:40,129 Today, 77 years after being looted, 996 00:46:40,131 --> 00:46:42,832 These two drawings are now home. 997 00:46:45,003 --> 00:46:47,403 Art connects us to the past 998 00:46:49,207 --> 00:46:51,007 Art lifts our souls. 999 00:46:52,811 --> 00:46:55,411 Art enriches the human spirt 1000 00:47:00,718 --> 00:47:02,752 [josh] during this visit to poland, I've spent 1001 00:47:02,821 --> 00:47:05,454 Long days and nights digging through the earth 1002 00:47:05,523 --> 00:47:08,958 To find artifacts, art, and answers 1003 00:47:09,060 --> 00:47:11,327 About the nazi occupation here. 1004 00:47:11,329 --> 00:47:14,096 What we've uncovered adds to the ongoing story 1005 00:47:14,098 --> 00:47:17,133 And remembrance of world war ii. 1006 00:47:17,235 --> 00:47:20,102 But even though a destroyed poland can be rebuilt, 1007 00:47:20,104 --> 00:47:22,038 The millions of dead remain 1008 00:47:22,139 --> 00:47:24,507 Deeply felt in their absence 1009 00:47:24,509 --> 00:47:26,943 As important works of art are repatriated, 1010 00:47:26,978 --> 00:47:30,713 Some frames remain empty, with countless masterpieces 1011 00:47:30,715 --> 00:47:33,816 Still missing or in disputed hands. 1012 00:47:33,818 --> 00:47:36,519 And even though the original nazis have die 1013 00:47:36,521 --> 00:47:38,321 Or aged into senescence, 1014 00:47:38,323 --> 00:47:40,656 A bold new generation has risen 1015 00:47:40,725 --> 00:47:43,359 To embrace their toxic view of the world 1016 00:47:43,394 --> 00:47:47,496 And so it is essential to continue the fight. 1017 00:47:47,498 --> 00:47:51,200 To try and restore balance in an unbalanced world. 1018 00:47:51,202 --> 00:47:55,104 And to never stop unearthin and learning from the past 1019 00:47:55,106 --> 00:47:59,141 So that we never walk these dark roads again in the future.