Hidden treasury

WW2: ‘Greatest ever hoard’ of Nazi treasure found in tunnels below Germany revealed

On March 22, 1945, the US Army crossed the Rhine River, and drove into the heart of Germany, advancing northeast from Frankfurt and pushing on to Gotha. Just before noon on April 4, the village of Merkers fell to the Third Army and soldiers began interrogating locals over rumours of a movement of German Reichsbank gold from Berlin to a potassium mine in Merker. In all of these instances, they quoted rumours, but none stated their own knowledge that gold was present in the mine until two French women admitted they had seen German gold reserves and valuable artworks being deposited into the mine several weeks before.

The Americans entered the mines on April 7, 1945, discovering a hoard of treasure worth more than $250million (£202million) in what was a significant blow to Adolf Hitler’s fascist campaign against Europe.

Professor Timothy Naftali, a leading expert on Nazi plunder returned to the same scene 74 years on during History’s ‘In Search Of’ series.

The narrator said in 2019: “Today, Timothy Naftali’s got a rare opportunity to visit what might be the Nazi’s favourite hiding spot for their secret stolen goods.

“The town of Merkers is still home to a working salt and potassium mine.