- Wehrwolf
Führerhauptquartier Wehrwolf was the
codename used for one ofAdolf Hitler 'sWorld War II Eastern Frontmilitary headquarters between1942 and1943 . It was one of many otherFührer Headquarters throughout Europe.Naming
The name is derived from "Werwolf", which is German for
werewolf , but by order of Hitler was spelled like in "Wehr", which is German for defense (as in Wehrmacht or Feuerwehr), a spelling that had already been used byHermann Löns in 1910 for his bookDer Wehrwolf that describes resistance in theThirty Years' War .The Nazis also used the term "
Werwolf " as a codename for clandestine resistance groups which would carry out guerrilla attacks against the occupying forces towards the end of World War II.The headquarters
The complex was located in a pine forest about 15 km north of
Vinnytsia inUkraine . The complex consisted of about 20 wooden cottages and barracks and up to three "B" class bunkers, surrounded by ring ofbarbed wire and ground defensive positions connected by underground tunnels. A couple of observation points were set up on platforms in the oak trees surrounding the pine forest.A tea house, a barber shop, a bathhouse, a sauna, a cinema theater and even an open swimming pool were on quarters for habitants' use.
The bunkers were constructed by
Organisation Todt and local Ukrainian workers. The complex was served by an airfield in nearby Kalinowka.Adolf Hitler lived mainly at FHQ
Wolfsschanze ; he stayed at FHQ Wehrwolf only three times;
* 16 July to 30 October1942
* 19 February to 13 March1943
* 27 August1943 On the occasion of his departure in March 1943, a bomb was planted on his plane, which failed to go off. See
The aeroplane assassination attempt of theGerman resistance .ee also
*
Führer Headquarters Bibliography
* Zeidler, Zeigert, "Die Führerhauptquartiere".
*Christa Schroeder , "Er war mein Chef".External links
* [http://www.portal.vin.com.ua/comm/indexen.htm Vinnytsia web]
* [http://uatoday.net/rus/article/history/47324 The secrets of FHQ Wehrwolf (rus.)]
* [http://flickr.com/photos/gelezny/page2/ Pictures galery]
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