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[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
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00:00:02,500 --> 00:00:05,667
Narrator: A PECULIAR MIX
OF STRUCTURES LEFT DERELICT
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00:00:05,733 --> 00:00:07,500
IN A PARISIAN PARK...
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00:00:07,567 --> 00:00:09,767
Auerbach: THERE SEEMS TO BE
NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT.
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00:00:09,833 --> 00:00:12,333
IT'S ALL JUST SMASHED TOGETHER
IN THE SAME SPOT,
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00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:15,133
AND THAT'S PART OF THE WONDER
AND MYSTERY OF THIS PLACE.
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00:00:16,967 --> 00:00:20,500
Narrator: ...A WATERY GRAVEYARD
FORGOTTEN BY TIME,
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00:00:20,567 --> 00:00:23,900
THE SILENT PROTECTOR
OF AN ENGLISH VILLAGE...
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THIS ISN'T JUST ONE OLD
ROWING BOAT TOSSED ASIDE.
10
00:00:27,067 --> 00:00:30,000
THESE THINGS DOMINATE
THE LANDSCAPE.
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00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:30,767
THESE THINGS DOMINATE
THE LANDSCAPE.
12
00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:33,900
Narrator:
A NETWORK OF STRUCTURES
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00:00:33,967 --> 00:00:37,833
FORGED THROUGH DECEPTION
ON A GRAND SCALE...
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00:00:37,900 --> 00:00:40,100
Auerbach:
AUDACIOUS DOESN'T COVER IT.
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00:00:40,167 --> 00:00:43,367
YOU HAD A TEAM OF 1,000
OVERSEERS WATCHING,
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00:00:43,433 --> 00:00:45,333
AND IF THEY WERE CAUGHT
BREAKING THOSE RULES,
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00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:47,800
IT COULD HAVE STARTED
ANOTHER WAR.
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Narrator: ...AND A SITE
ON AMERICA'S EAST COAST
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HARBORING VAST SECRETS.
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00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:59,833
Bell: INSIDE, YOU'RE PRESENTED
WITH THIS LARGE, CAVERNOUS VOID,
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00:00:59,900 --> 00:01:00,000
AND THEN, AS YOU VENTURE DEEPER,
YOU SEE THESE RUSTING ELEMENTS
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00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,000
AND THEN, AS YOU VENTURE DEEPER,
YOU SEE THESE RUSTING ELEMENTS
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00:01:04,067 --> 00:01:07,433
THAT SUGGEST THAT SOMETHING
HEFTY WAS BEING HOISTED
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00:01:07,500 --> 00:01:09,800
OR LIFTED UP AND DOWN HERE.
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*
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Narrator: DECAYING RELICS,
RUINS OF LOST WORLDS
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FORGED THROUGH YEARS OF TOIL,
NOW HAUNTED BY THE PAST,
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THEIR SECRETS WAITING
TO BE REVEALED.
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THEIR SECRETS WAITING
TO BE REVEALED.
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-- Captions by VITAC --
www.vitac.com
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CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
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*
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*
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Narrator: PARIS, FRANCE --
THE CITY OF LIGHT.
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GAY PARIS --
IT'S A PROPER METROPOLIS,
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GAY PARIS --
IT'S A PROPER METROPOLIS,
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A REAL MELTING POT
FOR CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD.
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Mitchell: LIBERTY, EQUALITY,
AND BROTHERHOOD.
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IT'S REALLY A PARTICULAR
VISION OF HUMAN DEMOCRACY,
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OF EQUALITY, THAT REALLY
RESONATES IN FRANCE.
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Narrator:
BUT ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY
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ARE A SERIES
OF CRUMBLING STRUCTURES
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THAT DON'T SEEM TO BELONG
ANYMORE.
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Mitchell:
YOU HAVE THIS PARK
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THAT COMBINES SOME FEATURES
OF SEEMINGLY FAR-AWAY CULTURES.
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THERE ARE FACETS OF ARCHITECTURE
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THAT LOOK LIKE
THEY'VE BEEN AIRLIFTED
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FROM AROUND THE WORLD --
VIETNAM, TONGA, CHINA.
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00:02:40,267 --> 00:02:43,800
THERE'S A BRIDGE THERE
THAT LOOKS VAGUELY JAPANESE,
50
00:02:43,867 --> 00:02:46,067
APPROPRIATELY SURROUNDED
BY BAMBOO.
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ALONE, EACH OF THESE THINGS
ARE REALLY BEAUTIFUL,
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00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,933
BUT THEY'RE SMASHED TOGETHER
RATHER CURIOUSLY.
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Narrator: THE ITEMS IN THIS
COLLECTION ARE RELICS OF A PAST
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THAT PARISIANS
WOULD RATHER FORGET.
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THAT PARISIANS
WOULD RATHER FORGET.
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00:03:01,933 --> 00:03:06,800
AND AMONG THEM ALL IS A GARDEN
WHICH HAS BEEN LEFT TO OVERGROW.
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00:03:06,867 --> 00:03:09,533
YOU WONDER WHEN THEY'RE BROUGHT
TOGETHER WHAT THEY MEAN,
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WHAT THEY WERE USED FOR,
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AND WHY THEY WERE PLACED
IN JUXTAPOSITION.
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[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
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Narrator: THE STORY BEGINS
AT THE DAWN OF THE 20th CENTURY
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WITH THE OPENING OF A GARDEN.
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CATHERINE HODEIR HAS STUDIED
THE GARDEN'S DARK SECRETS.
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Auerbach: BUT THIS WASN'T
JUST AN ORDINARY GREENHOUSE
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GROWING GARDEN TOMATOES.
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00:03:50,967 --> 00:03:55,067
THIS WAS AN INSTITUTION
OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY.
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AND WHERE ARE ALL THESE PLANTS
COMING FROM?
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THE FRENCH COLONIES.
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Narrator: IN THE 19th CENTURY,
FRANCE HAD AN EMPIRE
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00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,000
Narrator: IN THE 19th CENTURY,
FRANCE HAD AN EMPIRE
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00:04:02,333 --> 00:04:06,567
THAT STRETCHED ACROSS 8%
OF THE WORLD'S SURFACE.
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00:04:06,633 --> 00:04:09,700
Mitchell:
ALONGSIDE ENGLAND AND GERMANY,
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FRANCE HAS COLONIES THAT REALLY
ARE ALL OVER THE GLOBE.
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00:04:15,133 --> 00:04:19,300
YOU HAVE FRENCH COLONIES
IN THE CARIBBEAN,
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00:04:19,367 --> 00:04:22,300
YOU HAVE A FRENCH COLONY
IN SOUTH AMERICA,
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00:04:22,367 --> 00:04:23,833
YOU HAVE THEM IN ASIA
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AND IN AFRICA --
NORTH AFRICA AND WEST AFRICA.
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Narrator:
THE 19th AND 20th CENTURIES
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Narrator:
THE 19th AND 20th CENTURIES
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WERE A TIME OF RAPID DISCOVERY.
81
00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:35,600
AND THE MAJOR GLOBAL POWERS
COMPETED
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00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:38,867
FOR SCIENTIFIC SUPERIORITY.
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00:04:38,933 --> 00:04:40,700
Somara: HISTORY HAS
THESE TIPPING POINTS
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00:04:40,767 --> 00:04:42,433
WHERE A NEW DISCOVERY IS
85
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MADE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING.
THINGS LIKE, WHEAT,
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00:04:45,933 --> 00:04:47,700
POTATOES, AND COTTON.
87
00:04:47,767 --> 00:04:49,567
AND SO THE FRENCH
WERE REALLY KEEN
88
00:04:49,633 --> 00:04:52,767
TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WOULD
GIVE THEM AN EDGE.
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00:04:54,067 --> 00:04:57,633
Auerbach: SO THE WORK THAT THESE
FRENCH EXPERTS WERE DOING HERE
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00:04:57,700 --> 00:04:59,600
HAS REAL POTENTIAL,
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00:04:59,667 --> 00:05:00,000
AND ANY NEW COMMODITIES
THAT THEY DISCOVER
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00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,000
AND ANY NEW COMMODITIES
THAT THEY DISCOVER
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CAN THEN BE PROCESSED AND
REDISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE EMPIRE.
94
00:05:06,533 --> 00:05:09,433
BUT ALL THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN
THESE BUILDINGS.
95
00:05:09,500 --> 00:05:13,200
Narrator: FOR SEVEN YEARS,
FRENCH BOTANISTS STUDIED
96
00:05:13,267 --> 00:05:15,667
THE SAMPLES GATHERED
FROM THE COLONIES.
97
00:05:15,733 --> 00:05:19,567
BUT BY 1906,
THE GARDEN WAS BROKE.
98
00:05:20,967 --> 00:05:22,967
THIS GARDEN NEEDED SOME CASH.
99
00:05:23,067 --> 00:05:26,533
THE ORDINARY FRENCH POPULATION
JUST DIDN'T SEEM THAT INTERESTED
100
00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:27,700
IN THE WORK
THAT WAS BEING DONE HERE,
101
00:05:27,767 --> 00:05:29,700
EVEN THOUGH IT WAS VERY,
VERY IMPORTANT WORK.
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00:05:29,767 --> 00:05:30,000
THEY NEEDED TO GET
THE FRENCH PEOPLE EXCITED
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00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:31,000
THEY NEEDED TO GET
THE FRENCH PEOPLE EXCITED
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00:05:33,067 --> 00:05:35,433
ABOUT THE COLONIES
AND THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN.
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00:05:35,500 --> 00:05:37,933
[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
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00:05:38,067 --> 00:05:39,633
[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]
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Narrator:
TO RAISE CAPITAL FOR THE GARDEN,
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THEY DECIDED TO STAGE
A GRAND EXHIBITION,
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00:05:45,067 --> 00:05:48,200
AND AT ITS CENTER
WERE NEW BUILDINGS
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00:05:48,267 --> 00:05:50,333
INSPIRED BY THE COLONIES.
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00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:54,133
Auerbach: IMAGINE A
TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY DISNEYLAND.
112
00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:56,633
SO YOU WERE GOING TO SEE
"THE ORIENT"
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RIGHT NEXT TO
"THE AFRICAN JUNGLE,"
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00:05:59,700 --> 00:06:00,000
AND IT WAS A HUGE HIT.
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00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:01,000
AND IT WAS A HUGE HIT.
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00:06:01,833 --> 00:06:03,767
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS CAME.
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00:06:03,833 --> 00:06:06,467
AND THEY EVEN GOT THE PRESIDENT
OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
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00:06:06,533 --> 00:06:08,767
TO COME AND CHECK IT OUT.
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00:06:19,333 --> 00:06:20,933
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
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00:06:21,067 --> 00:06:22,500
THE NOISE WOULD HAVE BEEN
INCREDIBLE,
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00:06:22,567 --> 00:06:26,100
FROM MUSIC TO SQUAWKING ANIMALS
AND THE HUBBUB OF PEOPLE.
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00:06:26,167 --> 00:06:29,133
AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN
A COCKTAIL OF RICH ODORS,
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00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,000
FROM SPICES TO CAMEL EXCREMENT.
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00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,000
FROM SPICES TO CAMEL EXCREMENT.
125
00:06:32,567 --> 00:06:34,300
Mitchell: THEY BROUGHT IN
TEN ELEPHANTS, EVEN,
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00:06:34,367 --> 00:06:37,500
THAT ENDED UP ESCAPING
AND GOING ON A RAMPAGE.
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00:06:37,567 --> 00:06:39,200
THAT MUST HAVE BEEN QUITE
THE SCENE.
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00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,367
Auerbach:
THIS WAS QUITE AN EXHIBITION.
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00:06:42,433 --> 00:06:47,433
THE RAREST TREASURES FROM
THE COLONIES WERE ON DISPLAY.
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00:06:47,500 --> 00:06:50,433
THERE WAS NOTHING
YOU COULDN'T SEE HERE,
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INCLUDING HUMAN BEINGS.
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00:06:53,300 --> 00:06:55,700
[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
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00:06:58,467 --> 00:07:00,000
MONGOLIANS, CHINESE, AFRICANS --
THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED
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00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,000
MONGOLIANS, CHINESE, AFRICANS --
THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED
135
00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:05,067
IN WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN
CONSIDERED
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00:07:05,133 --> 00:07:07,067
REPRESENTATIVE INDIGENOUS WEAR,
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00:07:07,067 --> 00:07:10,400
CLOTHING THAT MAY OR MAY NOT
HAVE HAD CEREMONIAL PURPOSES.
138
00:07:10,467 --> 00:07:15,067
BUT THEY WOULD BE PRESENTED
SORT OF AS EXOTICS IN DRESS
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00:07:15,133 --> 00:07:18,067
AND IN SPEECH AND IN BEHAVIOR.
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00:07:18,067 --> 00:07:20,433
IT WAS MEANT TO BE
A CULTURAL EXCHANGE,
141
00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:22,700
BUT THE EXCHANGE WAS
IN ONE DIRECTION,
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00:07:22,767 --> 00:07:25,833
WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE ON DISPLAY
BEING GAWKED AT
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00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:27,667
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN THE ZOO.
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00:07:27,733 --> 00:07:29,933
Narrator:
THE OWNERS OF THE GARDEN
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00:07:30,067 --> 00:07:31,000
HOPED TO MAKE BIG MONEY
FROM THEIR EXHIBITS.
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00:07:32,500 --> 00:07:37,067
HISTORY HAD TAUGHT THEM THAT THE
HUMAN ZOO COULD DRAW A CROWD.
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00:07:37,067 --> 00:07:40,167
THESE TYPE OF COLONIAL
EXHIBITIONS,
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00:07:40,233 --> 00:07:45,733
OR HUMAN ZOOS, IF YOU WILL,
WERE NOT LIMITED TO FRANCE.
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00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:50,267
YOU HAD SIMILAR EXAMPLES
IN TERMS OF ENGLAND,
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00:07:50,333 --> 00:07:52,067
IN TERMS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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00:07:52,133 --> 00:07:55,633
Auerbach:
LONDON, BERLIN, EVEN NEW YORK
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00:07:55,700 --> 00:07:59,067
PUT HUMAN BEINGS ON DISPLAY.
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00:07:59,100 --> 00:08:00,000
HIGH-MINDED SCIENTISTS
WOULD COME AND PERFORM
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00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000
HIGH-MINDED SCIENTISTS
WOULD COME AND PERFORM
155
00:08:02,667 --> 00:08:05,900
A SYSTEMATIC "STUDY"
OF NON-CAUCASIAN PEOPLE
156
00:08:05,967 --> 00:08:08,900
TO TRY TO CLASSIFY
THE DIFFERENCES.
157
00:08:08,967 --> 00:08:11,433
BUT THE CONCLUSIONS
THEY CAME TO --
158
00:08:11,500 --> 00:08:15,500
TODAY THEY WOULD BE CONSIDERED
EXTREMELY RACIST.
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00:08:15,567 --> 00:08:17,667
Narrator: TO RAISE
ENOUGH CAPITAL FOR THE GARDEN,
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00:08:17,733 --> 00:08:20,767
THEY NEEDED
THE MOST EYE-CATCHING DISPLAYS
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00:08:20,833 --> 00:08:23,867
FROM FRANCE'S FURTHEST COLONIES.
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00:08:23,933 --> 00:08:25,867
Auerbach:
THERE WERE ADVENTURERS
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00:08:25,933 --> 00:08:29,467
WHO HAD TRAVELED TO THE FOUR
CORNERS OF THE FRENCH EMPIRE,
164
00:08:29,533 --> 00:08:30,000
AND THEY WOULD OFFER TO PAY
THESE PEOPLE HANDSOMELY
165
00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,000
AND THEY WOULD OFFER TO PAY
THESE PEOPLE HANDSOMELY
166
00:08:33,633 --> 00:08:36,067
IF THEY WOULD COME TO FRANCE
167
00:08:36,067 --> 00:08:39,900
AND TALK TO FRENCH PEOPLE
ABOUT THEIR CULTURE.
168
00:08:39,967 --> 00:08:40,900
Somara:
THE RECRUITERS OFFERED THINGS
169
00:08:40,967 --> 00:08:43,433
LIKE A PERCENTAGE
OF TICKET SALES,
170
00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:45,700
BUT THAT OFTEN
NEVER MATERIALIZED.
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00:08:45,767 --> 00:08:46,867
Auerbach: AND A VAST MAJORITY
OF THESE PEOPLE
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00:08:46,933 --> 00:08:49,133
DIDN'T SPEAK ANY FRENCH,
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00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,767
SO THEY WERE COMPLETELY
AT THE WHIM
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00:08:51,833 --> 00:08:55,800
OF THE ADVENTURERS
THAT HAD BROUGHT THEM THERE.
175
00:08:55,867 --> 00:08:59,200
Narrator:
THE COLONIAL EXHIBITION OF 1907
176
00:08:59,267 --> 00:09:00,000
RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
FOR THE GARDEN,
177
00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,000
RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
FOR THE GARDEN,
178
00:09:02,300 --> 00:09:04,433
ENSURING ITS FUTURE.
179
00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:07,800
BUT A GLOBAL CRISIS
LESS THAN 10 YEARS LATER
180
00:09:07,867 --> 00:09:11,767
WOULD SEE THE GARDEN PUT
TO A DIFFERENT PURPOSE.
181
00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:18,133
[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
182
00:09:21,433 --> 00:09:23,433
Narrator:
IN PARIS, FRANCE,
183
00:09:23,500 --> 00:09:27,467
A SET OF BUILDINGS WHERE
HUMAN BEINGS WERE PUT ON DISPLAY
184
00:09:27,533 --> 00:09:29,733
WERE ABOUT TO BE PUT
TO A DIFFERENT USE
185
00:09:29,733 --> 00:09:32,200
UPON THE OUTBREAK OF WAR.
186
00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,067
Auerbach:
FRANCE'S COLONIAL SUBJECTS
187
00:09:49,100 --> 00:09:51,567
WERE RECRUITED
BY THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
188
00:09:51,633 --> 00:09:56,600
TO FIGHT ON THE SIDE
OF THEIR OWN COLONIZERS.
189
00:09:56,667 --> 00:10:00,500
Somara: BUILDINGS THAT
USED TO BE EXHIBITION SPACES
190
00:10:00,567 --> 00:10:03,467
OR TICKET HALLS
WERE NOW THINGS LIKE SURGERIES
191
00:10:03,533 --> 00:10:06,600
FOR FRANCE'S FOREIGN
AND NATIVE SOLDIERS.
192
00:10:06,667 --> 00:10:09,400
THEY EVEN BUILT
PARIS' FIRST MOSQUE
193
00:10:09,467 --> 00:10:11,600
FOR MUSLIM COLONIAL TROOPS.
194
00:10:12,833 --> 00:10:13,719
Auerbach: AND YOU'D THINK
THAT THIS WOULD BE
195
00:10:13,719 --> 00:10:14,000
Auerbach: AND YOU'D THINK
THAT THIS WOULD BE
196
00:10:15,233 --> 00:10:17,167
SOME TYPE OF WATERSHED MOMENT --
197
00:10:17,233 --> 00:10:20,267
NOW THAT THESE PEOPLE HAD FOUGHT
FOR FRANCE,
198
00:10:20,333 --> 00:10:23,267
THAT THEY'D GET RECOGNITION,
IF NOT AS EQUALS
199
00:10:23,333 --> 00:10:26,200
THEN AT LEAST MORE RESPECT
THAN BEING PUT ON DISPLAY.
200
00:10:26,267 --> 00:10:27,533
BUT YOU'D BE WRONG.
201
00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:29,767
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
202
00:10:29,833 --> 00:10:31,567
Narrator:
OVER A DECADE AFTER FRENCH
203
00:10:31,633 --> 00:10:35,033
AND COLONIAL SOLDIERS FOUGHT
AS BROTHERS-IN-ARMS,
204
00:10:35,100 --> 00:10:39,733
FRANCE THREW THEIR BIGGEST
COLONIAL EXHIBITION EVER.
205
00:10:39,733 --> 00:10:42,600
FOR THIS 1931 EXHIBITION,
THERE ARE SOME
206
00:10:42,667 --> 00:10:43,719
32 MILLION TICKETS
SOLD OVER SIX MONTHS.
207
00:10:43,719 --> 00:10:44,000
32 MILLION TICKETS
SOLD OVER SIX MONTHS.
208
00:10:45,933 --> 00:10:48,733
THERE WAS EVEN AN ENTIRE
NOMADIC TRIBE OF PEOPLE
209
00:10:48,733 --> 00:10:49,767
FROM SENEGAL,
210
00:10:49,767 --> 00:10:51,467
AND THAT'S REALLY
QUITE REMARKABLE
211
00:10:51,533 --> 00:10:54,133
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT
AS BEING AS LATE AS 1931.
212
00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:55,933
YOU HAVE TO WONDER HOW
THEY WERE CONVINCED
213
00:10:56,033 --> 00:10:57,000
TO PARTICIPATE.
214
00:11:00,767 --> 00:11:02,367
Narrator:
THIS WOULD BE THE LAST TIME
215
00:11:02,433 --> 00:11:05,167
THIS KIND OF DISPLAY WAS SEEN
IN FRANCE.
216
00:11:05,233 --> 00:11:08,500
THE COLONIAL EXHIBITIONS
SOON WENT OUT OF FASHION.
217
00:11:08,567 --> 00:11:11,100
THE PARK WAS AGAIN CLOSED
TO THE PUBLIC
218
00:11:11,167 --> 00:11:13,719
AND THE BUILDINGS LEFT TO ROT
IN THIS QUIET CORNER OF PARIS.
219
00:11:13,719 --> 00:11:14,000
AND THE BUILDINGS LEFT TO ROT
IN THIS QUIET CORNER OF PARIS.
220
00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,300
[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
221
00:11:19,367 --> 00:11:23,367
TODAY, HISTORIANS LIKE CATHERINE
DEDICATE THEIR WORK
222
00:11:23,433 --> 00:11:26,533
TO RECORDING THE HISTORY
OF THE COLONIAL ERA.
223
00:11:41,067 --> 00:11:42,833
Auerbach:
ALTHOUGH THESE EXHIBITIONS
224
00:11:42,900 --> 00:11:43,719
AND THE LEGACIES OF COLONIALISM
HAS A VERY, VERY LONG AFTERLIFE,
225
00:11:43,719 --> 00:11:44,000
AND THE LEGACIES OF COLONIALISM
HAS A VERY, VERY LONG AFTERLIFE,
226
00:11:48,900 --> 00:11:54,333
BUT THAT IDEA SOMEHOW,
THAT ALLURE, THAT EXOTICISM,
227
00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,200
STILL PERSISTS.
228
00:11:56,267 --> 00:11:58,333
AND WE SHOULD BLAME
AT LEAST PART OF THAT
229
00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:03,700
ON THE HISTORY
OF PUTTING PEOPLE ON DISPLAY.
230
00:12:06,167 --> 00:12:08,067
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
231
00:12:08,067 --> 00:12:11,600
Narrator: STANDING IN THE WATERS
OFF THE NEW JERSEY COASTLINE
232
00:12:11,667 --> 00:12:13,600
IS SANDY HOOK,
233
00:12:13,667 --> 00:12:13,719
A SAND BAR LITTERED
WITH THE REMNANTS OF WAR.
234
00:12:13,719 --> 00:12:14,000
A SAND BAR LITTERED
WITH THE REMNANTS OF WAR.
235
00:12:17,933 --> 00:12:22,433
*
236
00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:25,200
Wawro:
LOOKING AROUND SANDY HOOK TODAY,
237
00:12:25,267 --> 00:12:29,933
IT'S LIKE A KIND OF A YARD SALE
OF MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.
238
00:12:30,067 --> 00:12:32,433
Bell:
SOME LOOK LIKE VERY TYPICAL
239
00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:34,433
COLD WAR-ERA INSTALLATIONS.
240
00:12:34,500 --> 00:12:39,500
OTHERS LOOK AS THOUGH THEY DATE
BACK AS FAR AS THE CIVIL WAR.
241
00:12:39,567 --> 00:12:41,600
THE ASSORTMENT OF STRUCTURES
242
00:12:41,667 --> 00:12:43,719
AND WEAPONS ON SHOW HERE
MAKES YOU WONDER --
243
00:12:43,719 --> 00:12:44,000
AND WEAPONS ON SHOW HERE
MAKES YOU WONDER --
244
00:12:45,133 --> 00:12:47,633
IS THIS YOUR TYPICAL
MILITARY BASE
245
00:12:47,700 --> 00:12:50,500
OR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT?
246
00:12:51,467 --> 00:12:52,567
Narrator:
THE SITE'S POSITION
247
00:12:52,633 --> 00:12:57,367
SEEMS TO OFFER THE FIRST CLUE
AS TO ITS PURPOSE.
248
00:12:57,433 --> 00:13:01,067
THIS LONG, NARROW PENINSULA
POINTS LIKE A DAGGER
249
00:13:01,067 --> 00:13:02,533
RIGHT AT NEW YORK HARBOR,
250
00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,667
AND THIS HINTS
AT ITS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE,
251
00:13:05,733 --> 00:13:09,600
BECAUSE ANY DEEP-DRAFT VESSEL
APPROACHING NEW YORK HARBOR
252
00:13:09,667 --> 00:13:12,567
IS GONNA HAVE TO SWING
RIGHT BY THIS PENINSULA.
253
00:13:13,567 --> 00:13:13,719
Narrator: YET THIS WASN'T A
PLACE WITH JUST ONE ROLE TO PLAY
254
00:13:13,719 --> 00:13:14,000
Narrator: YET THIS WASN'T A
PLACE WITH JUST ONE ROLE TO PLAY
255
00:13:18,467 --> 00:13:22,200
OR ONE STORY TO TELL.
256
00:13:22,267 --> 00:13:25,100
Nusbacher:
I SEE CONSTRUCTION FROM TIMES
257
00:13:25,167 --> 00:13:29,500
WHEN AMERICA WAS
JUST ANOTHER COLONY,
258
00:13:29,567 --> 00:13:35,933
PARTS THAT SHOW AMERICA'S RISE
TO MILITARY SUPERIORITY.
259
00:13:36,067 --> 00:13:38,867
I SEE EVIDENCE OF THE MOMENT
260
00:13:38,933 --> 00:13:43,719
WHEN THE UNITED STATES STOPPED
BEING JUST ANOTHER COUNTRY
261
00:13:43,719 --> 00:13:44,000
WHEN THE UNITED STATES STOPPED
BEING JUST ANOTHER COUNTRY
262
00:13:45,100 --> 00:13:49,633
AND BECAME THE MILITARY COLOSSUS
IT IS.
263
00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:53,767
HERE IT IS, ON THIS LITTLE
SANDY BIT OF GROUND.
264
00:13:53,767 --> 00:13:57,167
[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]
265
00:13:57,233 --> 00:14:00,333
[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
266
00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,600
Narrator: TOWARDS THE END
OF THE PENINSULA,
267
00:14:03,667 --> 00:14:06,633
AN OLD LIGHTHOUSE PROVIDES
A COMMANDING VIEW
268
00:14:06,700 --> 00:14:12,067
ACROSS THIS BAFFLING COMPLEX
AND HINTS AT ITS BEGINNINGS.
269
00:14:12,100 --> 00:14:13,719
Wawro: THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THIS LIGHTHOUSE
270
00:14:13,719 --> 00:14:14,000
Wawro: THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THIS LIGHTHOUSE
271
00:14:14,533 --> 00:14:16,433
POINTS TO SANDY HOOK'S
SIGNIFICANCE
272
00:14:16,500 --> 00:14:17,800
IN AMERICAN HISTORY,
273
00:14:17,867 --> 00:14:20,900
DATING ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE MID-1700s.
274
00:14:21,067 --> 00:14:26,400
Narrator: ITS NEED WAS DRIVEN
BY NEW YORK'S MERCHANT TRAFFIC.
275
00:14:26,467 --> 00:14:30,267
THIS IS A HARBOR THAT HAS BEEN
STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT
276
00:14:30,333 --> 00:14:33,133
TO ANYONE TRYING TO HOLD
THE NORTH ATLANTIC.
277
00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:38,233
IT WAS AN IMPORTANT DUTCH,
ENGLISH, AND AMERICAN HARBOR.
278
00:14:38,300 --> 00:14:40,733
AND WHEN YOU LOOK
AT THAT LIGHTHOUSE,
279
00:14:40,733 --> 00:14:43,719
IT SHOWS HOW LONG PEOPLE
HAVE NEEDED TO NAVIGATE SAFELY
280
00:14:43,719 --> 00:14:44,000
IT SHOWS HOW LONG PEOPLE
HAVE NEEDED TO NAVIGATE SAFELY
281
00:14:45,767 --> 00:14:48,533
IN AND OUT OF NEW YORK.
282
00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:52,333
Narrator:
PARK RANGER TOM HOFFMAN
283
00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:56,267
KNOWS THE DANGER OF THESE SHORES
BETTER THAN MOST.
284
00:14:56,333 --> 00:14:59,600
Hoffman: EVEN ON A CLEAR DAY,
SANDY HOOK IS SO LOW AND FLAT,
285
00:14:59,667 --> 00:15:01,833
IT BLENDS IN
WITH THE OCEAN WATER.
286
00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:03,900
AND IMAGINE --
THAT'S THE DAYTIME.
287
00:15:04,067 --> 00:15:06,467
AND AT NIGHTTIME,
YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING.
288
00:15:06,533 --> 00:15:08,733
THE NIGHT THEY LIGHTED IT
FOR THE FIRST TIME
289
00:15:08,733 --> 00:15:11,367
WAS JUNE 11, 1764,
290
00:15:11,433 --> 00:15:13,719
AND IT'S BEEN STANDING HERE
ON THIS LOCATION EVER SINCE.
291
00:15:13,719 --> 00:15:14,000
AND IT'S BEEN STANDING HERE
ON THIS LOCATION EVER SINCE.
292
00:15:15,533 --> 00:15:16,933
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
293
00:15:17,067 --> 00:15:20,333
Narrator: BUT THESE RUINS SHOW
THE TREACHEROUS COASTLINE
294
00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:22,800
WASN'T THE ONLY DANGER HERE.
295
00:15:22,867 --> 00:15:25,833
THE STORY OF WAR
WRITTEN ACROSS THIS PLACE
296
00:15:25,900 --> 00:15:28,367
ACTUALLY BEGAN
AT THE LIGHTHOUSE,
297
00:15:28,433 --> 00:15:32,567
WHEN THE BRITISH HOPED TO DEFEND
THIS VITAL NAVIGATIONAL AID
298
00:15:32,633 --> 00:15:34,867
DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
299
00:15:34,933 --> 00:15:37,633
Hoffman: THE BRITISH DISPATCHED
TWO FRIGATES
300
00:15:37,700 --> 00:15:40,433
AND ANCHORED THEM RIGHT OUT HERE
AND HAD AN ARMED GUARD HERE.
301
00:15:40,500 --> 00:15:42,100
AND SURE ENOUGH, WHO SHOWS UP
302
00:15:42,167 --> 00:15:43,719
BUT 200 AMERICAN SOLDIERS
WITH TWO CANNON.
303
00:15:43,719 --> 00:15:44,000
BUT 200 AMERICAN SOLDIERS
WITH TWO CANNON.
304
00:15:46,933 --> 00:15:50,900
IN 1776,
THEY'RE SNEAKING UP THE HOOK.
305
00:15:51,067 --> 00:15:53,467
THE COMMANDING OFFICER
ORDERED THE CANNONS
306
00:15:53,533 --> 00:15:55,133
TO FIRE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE.
307
00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:57,467
BUT AS HE PUT IT IN A REPORT,
308
00:15:57,533 --> 00:15:59,767
"WE BOMBARDED THE TOWER
FOR OVER AN HOUR
309
00:15:59,833 --> 00:16:02,467
BUT COULD MAKE NO IMPRESSION."
310
00:16:02,533 --> 00:16:06,167
Narrator: CONTINUING TO SHINE
FOR CENTURIES TO COME,
311
00:16:06,233 --> 00:16:09,533
THE LIGHTHOUSE WOULD OVERSEE
A DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION
312
00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:11,167
OF THIS LAND.
313
00:16:11,233 --> 00:16:13,719
WAR WOULD RETURN
TO THESE SHORES,
314
00:16:13,719 --> 00:16:14,000
WAR WOULD RETURN
TO THESE SHORES,
315
00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:17,800
BUT THIS TIME, AMERICANS
WOULD BE THE DEFENDERS,
316
00:16:17,867 --> 00:16:20,567
NOT THE ATTACKERS.
317
00:16:23,233 --> 00:16:25,733
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
318
00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:32,500
Narrator:
IN 1874,
319
00:16:32,567 --> 00:16:35,833
NEARLY A DECADE
AFTER THE CIVIL WAR ENDED,
320
00:16:35,900 --> 00:16:40,067
THUNDEROUS SHOTS RANG OUT
OVER SANDY HOOK, NEW JERSEY,
321
00:16:40,100 --> 00:16:43,600
FIRED FROM THIS
NOW-SILENT PLATFORM.
322
00:16:43,667 --> 00:16:47,367
WITH THE COUNTRY UNITED
AND WARY OF EXTERNAL THREATS,
323
00:16:47,433 --> 00:16:49,800
THIS EMPTY LANDSCAPE HAD BECOME
324
00:16:49,867 --> 00:16:51,981
THE U.S. ARMY'S
FIRST PROVING GROUND.
325
00:16:51,981 --> 00:16:52,000
THE U.S. ARMY'S
FIRST PROVING GROUND.
326
00:16:52,467 --> 00:16:56,733
A PROVING GROUND IS A PLACE
WHERE YOU CAN TAKE A NEW DESIGN
327
00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:58,700
AND WHERE YOU CAN TAKE SAMPLES
328
00:16:58,767 --> 00:17:01,367
OF ALL OF YOUR
MILITARY PRODUCTION
329
00:17:01,433 --> 00:17:02,833
AND YOU CAN PROVE THEM.
330
00:17:02,900 --> 00:17:05,167
Wawro: THEY WOULD CHECK TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE ROUNDS WORKED,
331
00:17:05,233 --> 00:17:07,133
THAT THE FUSES WORKED,
332
00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,433
THE RANGE ACCURACY,
THE DETONATION, THE EXPLOSION.
333
00:17:10,500 --> 00:17:13,633
THEY WOULD TEST EVERY ASPECT
OF THE PROJECTILE
334
00:17:13,700 --> 00:17:15,067
AND THE GUN FIRING IT.
335
00:17:15,067 --> 00:17:17,667
AND SO YOU NEEDED A PLACE
WHERE YOU COULD FIRE FREELY
336
00:17:17,733 --> 00:17:21,600
WITHOUT RISK TO,
YOU KNOW, CIVILIAN LIFE.
337
00:17:22,567 --> 00:17:24,600
Narrator:
OVER THE COMING HALF-CENTURY,
338
00:17:24,667 --> 00:17:27,633
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ROUNDS
WOULD BE FIRED
339
00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:29,633
FROM THE SANDY HOOK
PROVING GROUND,
340
00:17:29,700 --> 00:17:34,367
AND SOME OF THE LARGEST, MOST
AMBITIOUS WEAPONS EVER CREATED
341
00:17:34,433 --> 00:17:35,567
WERE TESTED HERE.
342
00:17:35,633 --> 00:17:39,433
YET, AS SOME OF THE STRUCTURES
HERE TESTIFY,
343
00:17:39,500 --> 00:17:43,067
THIS SITE WAS ABOUT MORE
THAN SIMPLY TESTING WEAPONS
344
00:17:43,133 --> 00:17:45,967
OR HELPING SHIPS NAVIGATE
THESE WATERS.
345
00:17:46,067 --> 00:17:51,333
WHAT IF THE FIGHT CAME TO SANDY
HOOK AND AMERICA'S OWN SHORES?
346
00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:51,981
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
TWO BIG STORIES OF SANDY HOOK,
347
00:17:51,981 --> 00:17:52,000
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
TWO BIG STORIES OF SANDY HOOK,
348
00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,367
ONE'S THE LIGHTHOUSE,
349
00:17:56,433 --> 00:18:00,300
AND THAT WILL GUIDE ANY SHIP
FROM AROUND THE WORLD
350
00:18:00,367 --> 00:18:02,133
INTO NEW YORK HARBOR.
351
00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:06,233
BUT IN TIMES OF WAR, YOU HAVE TO
HAVE SOME KIND OF DEFENSE
352
00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:10,533
TO STOP ENEMY WARSHIPS
FROM COMING IN.
353
00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:12,667
Narrator:
IN THE MID-1890s,
354
00:18:12,733 --> 00:18:15,800
WAR WITH SPAIN
APPEARED INEVITABLE.
355
00:18:15,867 --> 00:18:20,433
SO MORE EMPHASIS WAS PUT
ON NEARBY DEFENSIVE STRUCTURES,
356
00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:21,981
LIKE FORT HANCOCK.
357
00:18:21,981 --> 00:18:22,000
LIKE FORT HANCOCK.
358
00:18:23,367 --> 00:18:26,800
THE U.S. DID NOT HAVE
THE CAPACITY
359
00:18:26,867 --> 00:18:31,400
AT THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY
TO BUILD A BIG ENOUGH NAVY.
360
00:18:31,467 --> 00:18:35,067
SO INSTEAD OF BUILDING
A LOT OF SHIPS,
361
00:18:35,100 --> 00:18:38,733
THE UNITED STATES BUILDS
A LOT OF BATTERIES OF GUNS
362
00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:42,733
TO DEFEND
ALL OF ITS MAJOR HARBORS.
363
00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:47,900
WHAT YOU HAD HERE WERE FOUR
12-INCH-CALIBER MORTARS.
364
00:18:47,967 --> 00:18:51,333
AND YOU CAN SEE THEIR BASES
HAD BEEN CIRCULAR.
365
00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:51,981
THAT'S BECAUSE A MORTAR FIRES
PROJECTILES HIGH UP
366
00:18:51,981 --> 00:18:52,000
THAT'S BECAUSE A MORTAR FIRES
PROJECTILES HIGH UP
367
00:18:55,067 --> 00:18:57,333
TO COME BACK DOWN
ON YOUR ENEMY'S SHIPS.
368
00:18:59,233 --> 00:19:00,900
Narrator: AS A PROVING GROUND
FOR THE MILITARY
369
00:19:00,967 --> 00:19:03,300
AND WITH ACCESS
TO THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY,
370
00:19:03,367 --> 00:19:06,833
SANDY HOOK WAS SET AS
AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW.
371
00:19:06,900 --> 00:19:09,933
Wawro: THE DECISION IS TAKEN
IN THE UNITED STATES TO PROTECT
372
00:19:10,067 --> 00:19:11,733
EVERY VALUABLE HARBOR
373
00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:15,400
WITH THESE SHORE BATTERIES
AND SO BREECH LOADING 8-, 10-,
374
00:19:15,467 --> 00:19:20,200
AND 12-INCH NAVAL GUNS ARE
DELIVERED TO FORTS LIKE HANCOCK
375
00:19:20,267 --> 00:19:21,981
STARTING IN 1895 TO DEFEND
AMERICA'S HARBORS.
376
00:19:21,981 --> 00:19:22,000
STARTING IN 1895 TO DEFEND
AMERICA'S HARBORS.
377
00:19:25,733 --> 00:19:28,800
Narrator: WHILE THE SPANISH
NEVER CAME WITHIN RANGE,
378
00:19:28,867 --> 00:19:31,967
OTHER ENEMIES WOULD SOON
THREATEN THESE SHORES.
379
00:19:32,067 --> 00:19:35,133
AND WHILE THE U.S. HAD ALWAYS
TRAILED THE EUROPEAN POWERS
380
00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:36,667
IN MILITARY MIGHT,
381
00:19:36,733 --> 00:19:40,067
HERE AT FORT HANCOCK,
THAT OLD DYNAMIC WAS SHIFTING.
382
00:19:40,100 --> 00:19:45,533
EUROPEAN GUNMAKERS ARE
DEVELOPING ARTILLERY PIECES
383
00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:50,067
THAT CAN SHOOT SMOKELESS POWDER,
FIRE QUICKLY, DISAPPEAR.
384
00:19:50,133 --> 00:19:51,981
AND SANDY HOOK IS WHERE THE
AMERICAN VERSIONS OF THESE GUNS
385
00:19:51,981 --> 00:19:52,000
AND SANDY HOOK IS WHERE THE
AMERICAN VERSIONS OF THESE GUNS
386
00:19:55,967 --> 00:19:57,233
ARE BEING DEVELOPED.
387
00:19:57,300 --> 00:20:02,067
HERE IS WHERE AMERICAN
TECHNOLOGY IS KEEPING UP
388
00:20:02,133 --> 00:20:05,000
THANKS TO U.S. GOVERNMENT
RESEARCH.
389
00:20:05,067 --> 00:20:08,167
THIS IS THE VERY FIRST
390
00:20:08,233 --> 00:20:12,833
AND ONLY STEAM-POWERED
DISAPPEARING GUN BATTERY.
391
00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:15,467
SO, YOU LOAD THE GUNS
WHILE INSIDE,
392
00:20:15,533 --> 00:20:18,500
THEN IT LIFTED UP
THROUGH OPENINGS IN THE ROOF
393
00:20:18,567 --> 00:20:20,767
TO FIRE AT ENEMY SHIPS
OUT IN THE OCEAN.
394
00:20:20,833 --> 00:20:21,981
AND, OF COURSE, ONCE YOU FIRE,
NOW YOU GOT TO RELOAD.
395
00:20:21,981 --> 00:20:22,000
AND, OF COURSE, ONCE YOU FIRE,
NOW YOU GOT TO RELOAD.
396
00:20:24,733 --> 00:20:28,200
SO THE GUN COMES BACK DOWN
ON THE ELEVATOR,
397
00:20:28,267 --> 00:20:30,833
AND IT'S A DISAPPEARING GUN.
398
00:20:31,933 --> 00:20:34,633
Narrator: WITHIN A FEW YEARS
OF BEING COMPLETED, HOWEVER,
399
00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:38,100
THIS BATTERY WAS ALREADY
OUTDATED.
400
00:20:38,167 --> 00:20:41,167
THE RACE TO KEEP AHEAD,
THOUGH, WAS STILL ON.
401
00:20:41,233 --> 00:20:48,200
IN 1918, A U-BOAT REPORTEDLY
FIRED 16 SHOTS AT FORT HANCOCK,
402
00:20:48,267 --> 00:20:51,300
AND THE GUNS THAT STOOD HERE
RESPONDED IN KIND.
403
00:20:51,367 --> 00:20:51,981
THE GERMAN SUBMARINES WERE
A SIGN
404
00:20:51,981 --> 00:20:52,000
THE GERMAN SUBMARINES WERE
A SIGN
405
00:20:53,733 --> 00:20:56,467
THAT THE TIMES WERE A-CHANGIN'.
406
00:20:56,533 --> 00:21:01,733
THE TWO BIG THREATS TO
AMERICAN PORTS IN WORLD WAR II
407
00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:05,433
WERE ENEMY BOMBERS
AND ENEMY SUBMARINES.
408
00:21:05,500 --> 00:21:08,967
AND THOSE BIG COASTAL
GUN EMPLACEMENTS
409
00:21:09,067 --> 00:21:12,600
DESIGNED TO DEFEND
AMERICAN PORT FACILITIES
410
00:21:12,667 --> 00:21:15,333
WERE NO LONGER AS IMPORTANT.
411
00:21:17,367 --> 00:21:19,633
Narrator:
WHAT REMAINS IS A LEGACY
412
00:21:19,700 --> 00:21:21,981
OF BOTH THE HISTORY OF THIS SITE
413
00:21:21,981 --> 00:21:22,000
OF BOTH THE HISTORY OF THIS SITE
414
00:21:22,367 --> 00:21:25,700
AND THE ROUTE AMERICA TOOK ON
ITS JOURNEY TO THE MODERN ERA.
415
00:21:27,167 --> 00:21:29,500
Wawro: SO WALKING AROUND
SANDY HOOK TODAY,
416
00:21:29,567 --> 00:21:32,800
YOU'RE BASICALLY WALKING
THROUGH THE HISTORY OF
417
00:21:32,867 --> 00:21:34,233
AMERICAN WARFARE.
418
00:21:34,300 --> 00:21:36,067
EVERYTHING IS ON DISPLAY HERE,
419
00:21:36,100 --> 00:21:40,200
FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
PERIOD TO THE COLD WAR.
420
00:21:40,267 --> 00:21:42,800
Narrator: STANDING APART
FROM THE OLD CONCRETE BUNKERS
421
00:21:42,867 --> 00:21:44,133
OF YESTERYEAR
422
00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:47,433
ARE REMNANTS OF THE FINAL
CHAPTER OF THIS SITE'S
423
00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:48,700
LIFE IN SERVICE.
424
00:21:50,067 --> 00:21:51,981
Hoffman: WE'RE WALKING
IN THE LAST DEFENSE SYSTEM
425
00:21:51,981 --> 00:21:52,000
Hoffman: WE'RE WALKING
IN THE LAST DEFENSE SYSTEM
426
00:21:52,467 --> 00:21:55,633
USED BY THE U.S. ARMY
HERE AT FORT HANCOCK,
427
00:21:55,700 --> 00:21:59,067
THE NIKE AIR DEFENSE RADAR SITE,
428
00:21:59,067 --> 00:22:02,067
DESIGNED TO SHOOT DOWN
RUSSIAN BOMBERS
429
00:22:02,067 --> 00:22:05,067
IF THE COLD WAR WENT HOT.
430
00:22:05,067 --> 00:22:09,067
Nusbacher: ONCE RUSSIANS HAVE
ATOMIC WEAPONS,
431
00:22:09,100 --> 00:22:13,433
THEN EVERYONE IN AMERICA
INSTANTLY UNDERSTANDS
432
00:22:13,500 --> 00:22:18,100
THAT AMERICAN CITIES
ARE IMMENSELY VULNERABLE
433
00:22:18,167 --> 00:22:21,267
TO RUSSIAN ATTACK.
434
00:22:21,333 --> 00:22:21,981
Narrator:
AFTER MORE THEN A CENTURY
435
00:22:21,981 --> 00:22:22,000
Narrator:
AFTER MORE THEN A CENTURY
436
00:22:24,100 --> 00:22:26,367
DEFENDING NEW YORK FROM THE SEA,
437
00:22:26,433 --> 00:22:28,967
ATTENTION NOW SHIFTED
TO THE SKIES
438
00:22:29,067 --> 00:22:33,100
AND THE GRAVEST THREAT
THE U.S. EVER FACED.
439
00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:39,867
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
440
00:22:42,133 --> 00:22:42,967
Narrator:
FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS,
441
00:22:43,067 --> 00:22:45,467
SANDY HOOK'S
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
442
00:22:45,533 --> 00:22:48,633
HAD HELPED PROTECT THE WATERS
AROUND NEW YORK.
443
00:22:48,700 --> 00:22:54,967
BY THE 1950s, IT WAS ALSO
DEFENDING THE CITY FROM THE AIR.
444
00:22:55,067 --> 00:22:56,467
Bell:
NIKE BATTERIES WERE PART
445
00:22:56,533 --> 00:22:59,833
OF THE U.S. ARMY
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND.
446
00:22:59,900 --> 00:23:03,952
THESE WERE PLACED STRATEGICALLY
NEAR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
447
00:23:03,952 --> 00:23:04,000
THESE WERE PLACED STRATEGICALLY
NEAR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
448
00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:06,800
TO PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION
OF THE CENTERS
449
00:23:06,867 --> 00:23:11,767
OF AMERICA'S GREAT RETALIATORY
AND PRODUCTIVE MIGHT.
450
00:23:11,833 --> 00:23:15,267
Nusbacher: THE NIKE POSITIONS
AROUND NEW YORK CITY
451
00:23:15,333 --> 00:23:20,467
ARE DESIGNED TO STOP ANOTHER
PEARL HARBOR-STYLE SNEAK ATTACK.
452
00:23:20,533 --> 00:23:25,367
Hoffman: SO, WE JUST WENT UNDER
ONE OF THE PLATFORMS
453
00:23:25,433 --> 00:23:28,233
THAT HELD THE MISSILE-TRACKING
RADAR.
454
00:23:28,300 --> 00:23:31,133
BECAUSE THE MISSILES
WERE A MILE SOUTH OF US,
455
00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:33,333
AND ONCE YOU LAUNCHED
THE MISSILE,
456
00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:33,952
THE RADAR HERE GUIDED
THE MISSILE UP TO THE TARGET.
457
00:23:33,952 --> 00:23:34,000
THE RADAR HERE GUIDED
THE MISSILE UP TO THE TARGET.
458
00:23:36,867 --> 00:23:40,133
AND THEN ANOTHER RADAR,
THE TARGET-TRACKING RADAR,
459
00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:43,200
WAS TRACKING THE TARGET
AND THROUGH A COMPUTER SYSTEM
460
00:23:43,267 --> 00:23:46,067
BROUGHT THE TWO TOGETHER
AND GUARANTEED A HIT.
461
00:23:46,100 --> 00:23:48,100
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
462
00:23:48,167 --> 00:23:50,167
Narrator:
YET, LIKE ALL THE WEAPONS
463
00:23:50,233 --> 00:23:52,500
AND DEFENSE SYSTEMS
ON SHOW HERE,
464
00:23:52,567 --> 00:23:54,933
ITS LIFE-SPAN WAS SHORT.
465
00:23:55,067 --> 00:23:59,067
IN 1974, WITH THE NIKE
MISSILE PROGRAM OUTDATED,
466
00:23:59,067 --> 00:24:02,233
THE LAST OF THE EQUIPMENT
AND MILITARY PERSONNEL
467
00:24:02,300 --> 00:24:03,952
LEFT THE PENINSULA.
468
00:24:03,952 --> 00:24:04,000
LEFT THE PENINSULA.
469
00:24:07,733 --> 00:24:10,933
LEFT TO THE ELEMENTS
ON THIS WINDSWEPT COASTLINE,
470
00:24:11,067 --> 00:24:13,067
WHAT REMAINS HERE
PAINTS A PICTURE
471
00:24:13,133 --> 00:24:15,633
NOT JUST OF THE STORY
OF THIS SITE
472
00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:19,833
BUT OF THE BIRTH
AND HISTORY OF A NATION.
473
00:24:19,900 --> 00:24:22,400
Wawro: ALL OF THESE ARTIFACTS
TAKEN TOGETHER
474
00:24:22,467 --> 00:24:25,500
REFLECT AMERICA'S RISE
TO WORLD POWER,
475
00:24:25,567 --> 00:24:28,867
FROM THIS VULNERABLE COLONY
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
476
00:24:28,933 --> 00:24:32,467
TO A NATION
THAT THEN PROJECTS POWER
477
00:24:32,533 --> 00:24:33,952
AND THEN HAS THE LATEST
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
478
00:24:33,952 --> 00:24:34,000
AND THEN HAS THE LATEST
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
479
00:24:35,133 --> 00:24:38,200
TO DEFEND THE FREE WORLD
AGAINST A COMMUNIST THREAT.
480
00:24:38,267 --> 00:24:40,333
IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE
ON SANDY HOOK.
481
00:24:42,500 --> 00:24:45,833
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
482
00:24:45,900 --> 00:24:50,067
Narrator: SOUTHERN ENGLAND,
IN A VILLAGE CALLED PURTON --
483
00:24:50,133 --> 00:24:55,133
HERE LIES A MIGHTY RIVER AND
BESIDE IT A FLEET OF THE DEAD.
484
00:25:00,233 --> 00:25:01,567
Somara:
THEY CERTAINLY LOOK LIKE BOATS,
485
00:25:01,633 --> 00:25:03,952
BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE MADE
OF STONE.
486
00:25:03,952 --> 00:25:04,000
BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE MADE
OF STONE.
487
00:25:05,067 --> 00:25:08,333
CAN YOU MAKE BOATS OF STONE?
ARE THEY STATUES?
488
00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:12,267
Narrator: THESE MARINE MONOLITHS
STAND HALF SUBMERGED
489
00:25:12,333 --> 00:25:15,533
IN BRITAIN'S LONGEST RIVER,
THE RIVER SEVERN.
490
00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:18,833
SOME OF THESE BOATS,
YOU CAN ONLY SEE THE VERY TIP
491
00:25:18,900 --> 00:25:23,133
OF THEIR ROTTING BOW
JUST POKING OUT FROM THE GROUND.
492
00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:26,267
Narrator: THESE ROTTING REMAINS
DRAW A LINE
493
00:25:26,333 --> 00:25:28,800
ONE AND A HALF MILES
ALONG THE SHORELINE.
494
00:25:28,867 --> 00:25:30,267
THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM,
495
00:25:30,333 --> 00:25:33,952
BUT THEY DEFINITELY ALL SEEM
TO HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE.
496
00:25:33,952 --> 00:25:34,000
BUT THEY DEFINITELY ALL SEEM
TO HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE.
497
00:25:35,067 --> 00:25:37,533
IT'S ALMOST AS IF THEY'VE BEEN
PUT HERE FOR A PURPOSE,
498
00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:39,067
AS IF IT'S BEEN DESIGNED.
499
00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:43,067
BUT YET THEY'RE COMPLETELY
ENVELOPED BY THE LAND.
500
00:25:43,133 --> 00:25:45,067
Narrator:
BESIDE THE MIGHTY RIVER
501
00:25:45,133 --> 00:25:47,733
IS A MUCH CALMER BODY OF WATER.
502
00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:50,300
BOTH CONNECT THE SMALL VILLAGE
OF PURTON
503
00:25:50,367 --> 00:25:52,667
TO THE REST OF ENGLAND.
504
00:25:52,733 --> 00:25:55,767
Somara: YOU HAVE A MAJOR RIVER
RIGHT NEXT TO THE CANAL.
505
00:25:55,833 --> 00:25:57,333
I MEAN, TALK ABOUT BELT
AND BRACES.
506
00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:59,600
WHY WOULD YOU NEED BOTH?
507
00:26:00,933 --> 00:26:03,067
[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
508
00:26:03,100 --> 00:26:03,952
Narrator: NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO,
A YOUNG BOY AND HIS FAMILY
509
00:26:03,952 --> 00:26:04,000
Narrator: NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO,
A YOUNG BOY AND HIS FAMILY
510
00:26:07,067 --> 00:26:09,733
CAME TO A RIVERBANK
IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND.
511
00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:13,067
WHEN I CAME HERE AS A CHILD,
THIS WAS A GREAT PLACE TO PLAY.
512
00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:16,067
Narrator:
PAUL BARNETT AND HIS FATHER
513
00:26:16,100 --> 00:26:19,700
FOUND STRANGE SHAPES
STICKING OUT OF THE MUD.
514
00:26:19,767 --> 00:26:23,067
BUT THEY HAD NO IDEA
WHAT THEY WERE.
515
00:26:23,133 --> 00:26:24,900
Barnett:
MY FATHER BEING AN EX-SAILOR,
516
00:26:24,967 --> 00:26:27,367
HE HAD HIS OWN CURIOUS
SORT OF OBSERVATIONS
517
00:26:27,433 --> 00:26:30,067
AS TO WHAT THIS MAY BE,
AND HE JUST NATURALLY ASSUMED
518
00:26:30,100 --> 00:26:32,500
IT WAS JUST A GREAT AND EASY
PLACE TO GET RID OF VESSELS.
519
00:26:32,567 --> 00:26:33,952
WE DIDN'T KNOW.
WE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW.
520
00:26:33,952 --> 00:26:34,000
WE DIDN'T KNOW.
WE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW.
521
00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,767
Narrator: THE SECRETS OF THE
SITE AND ITS BOATS MADE OF STONE
522
00:26:39,833 --> 00:26:41,800
WOULD REMAIN BURIED
523
00:26:41,867 --> 00:26:46,633
UNTIL PAUL RETURNED TO SOLVE
THE MYSTERY 20 YEARS LATER.
524
00:26:46,700 --> 00:26:48,433
WELL, THE FIRST THING
THAT I CHOSE TO DO
525
00:26:48,500 --> 00:26:52,200
WAS TO CARRY OUT A RESEARCH
PROJECT AT THE LOCAL ARCHIVE.
526
00:26:52,267 --> 00:26:54,500
THE INFORMATION HELD THEREIN
WAS VERY SPARSE.
527
00:26:54,567 --> 00:26:57,767
I WAS ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED
BY THE LACK OF INFORMATION.
528
00:26:57,833 --> 00:27:01,100
Selwood: THESE THINGS DOMINATE
THE LANDSCAPE.
529
00:27:01,167 --> 00:27:02,400
YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT
530
00:27:02,467 --> 00:27:03,952
THAT IF THEY HAD BEEN PUT HERE
FOR A REASON
531
00:27:03,952 --> 00:27:04,000
THAT IF THEY HAD BEEN PUT HERE
FOR A REASON
532
00:27:05,067 --> 00:27:08,167
THAT THERE WOULD BE
AN OFFICIAL RECORD.
533
00:27:08,233 --> 00:27:11,067
Narrator:
YET THE ARCHIVES WERE EMPTY.
534
00:27:11,100 --> 00:27:15,233
PAUL'S INVESTIGATION
HAD HIT A WALL.
535
00:27:15,300 --> 00:27:19,733
BUT A CLUE WOULD BE FOUND IN
THE RIVER SEVERN'S STORIED PAST.
536
00:27:20,933 --> 00:27:22,800
ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT LOOK IT,
537
00:27:22,867 --> 00:27:25,067
THIS IS AN IMMENSELY
DANGEROUS AREA.
538
00:27:25,100 --> 00:27:27,567
Barnett: NOBODY WOULD VENTURE
OUT INTO THE RIVER SEVERN.
539
00:27:27,633 --> 00:27:29,200
IT'S INCREDIBLY TREACHEROUS.
540
00:27:29,267 --> 00:27:32,833
THE TIDE ITSELF ACTUALLY RUNS IN
AT ABOUT 13 KNOTS.
541
00:27:34,100 --> 00:27:36,567
Narrator:
THE RIVER SEVERN IS DEADLY.
542
00:27:36,633 --> 00:27:40,667
BUT NEXT DOOR
IS A MORE PLACID BODY OF WATER.
543
00:27:40,733 --> 00:27:44,433
Selwood: DIRECTLY NEXT DOOR TO
THIS POWERFUL RIVER IS A CANAL.
544
00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:47,600
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO,
CANALS LIKE THESE
545
00:27:47,667 --> 00:27:50,800
WERE THE MAIN WAYS OF MOVING
FREIGHT AROUND BRITAIN.
546
00:27:50,867 --> 00:27:53,333
AND PEOPLE CAME TO RELY
ON THESE.
547
00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:57,067
THESE CANALS WERE THE ARTERIES
FOR MOVING GOODS AROUND BRITAIN,
548
00:27:57,067 --> 00:27:58,967
INCLUDING HERE AT PURTON.
549
00:28:00,100 --> 00:28:03,952
Narrator: THE SHARPNESS CANAL
OPENED IN 1827.
550
00:28:03,952 --> 00:28:04,000
Narrator: THE SHARPNESS CANAL
OPENED IN 1827.
551
00:28:04,300 --> 00:28:06,367
THE PEOPLE OF PURTON
WERE NOW CONNECTED
552
00:28:06,433 --> 00:28:08,933
TO THE REST OF ENGLAND.
553
00:28:09,867 --> 00:28:11,800
BUT LESS THAN 100 YEARS LATER,
554
00:28:11,867 --> 00:28:14,767
THE CANAL'S EXISTENCE
WAS UNDER THREAT.
555
00:28:15,933 --> 00:28:20,133
THE CANAL, A MAJOR PIECE
OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TRADE,
556
00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:22,533
IS PROTECTED FROM THIS
VERY DANGEROUS RIVER
557
00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:26,633
BY A VERY NARROW MOUND OF DIRT.
558
00:28:26,700 --> 00:28:30,800
Narrator: THAT MOUND, IN SOME
PLACES JUST 20 FEET THICK,
559
00:28:30,867 --> 00:28:33,952
IS ALL THAT KEEPS THESE
TWO BODIES OF WATER SEPARATE.
560
00:28:33,952 --> 00:28:34,000
IS ALL THAT KEEPS THESE
TWO BODIES OF WATER SEPARATE.
561
00:28:35,333 --> 00:28:37,500
Barnett: WITH THE FULL FORCE
OF THE RIVER COMING IN,
562
00:28:37,567 --> 00:28:38,833
IT WAS HITTING THE BANK.
563
00:28:38,900 --> 00:28:41,300
AND AS A RESULT OF WHICH
IT WAS NOW PRONE TO EROSION,
564
00:28:41,367 --> 00:28:43,967
WHICH WAS HAPPENING
ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS.
565
00:28:44,067 --> 00:28:48,300
Selwood: THE RIVERBANK LITERALLY
HOLDS BACK THE TIDE.
566
00:28:48,367 --> 00:28:51,233
WITHOUT IT, THE RIVER
WOULD CONSUME THE CANAL.
567
00:28:52,467 --> 00:28:55,833
Narrator: FOR NEARLY A CENTURY,
THE CANAL AND THE RIVERBANK
568
00:28:55,900 --> 00:28:57,767
COEXISTED IN HARMONY.
569
00:28:57,833 --> 00:29:02,067
BUT IN 1909,
THAT HARMONY WAS SHATTERED.
570
00:29:02,067 --> 00:29:03,700
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
571
00:29:03,767 --> 00:29:03,952
Somara: A MASSIVE STORM
HIT THE SOUTHWEST OF ENGLAND.
572
00:29:03,952 --> 00:29:04,000
Somara: A MASSIVE STORM
HIT THE SOUTHWEST OF ENGLAND.
573
00:29:07,500 --> 00:29:09,967
AND THE RIVER SEVERN BEGAN
TO OVERFLOW
574
00:29:10,067 --> 00:29:12,500
AND SPILL OVER INTO THE CANAL.
575
00:29:12,567 --> 00:29:14,833
Barnett: THE FULL FORCE OF
THAT STORM CAME INTO THE BANK.
576
00:29:14,900 --> 00:29:17,433
APPROXIMATELY 60 METERS OF IT
WAS REMOVED.
577
00:29:17,500 --> 00:29:20,667
ONE HIT, AND IT WAS SWEPT AWAY
BY THE RIVER SEVERN
578
00:29:20,733 --> 00:29:22,700
AND ITS FAST-FLOWING WATERS.
579
00:29:22,767 --> 00:29:24,900
Selwood:
TONS AND TONS OF DIRT AND SILT
580
00:29:24,967 --> 00:29:27,933
WERE CARRIED AWAY DOWNSTREAM.
581
00:29:28,067 --> 00:29:32,067
Narrator: NEARLY 200 FEET
OF THE BANK WAS ERODED AWAY.
582
00:29:32,067 --> 00:29:33,952
THE CANAL WAS NOW IN REAL DANGER
OF BREACHING.
583
00:29:33,952 --> 00:29:34,000
THE CANAL WAS NOW IN REAL DANGER
OF BREACHING.
584
00:29:35,167 --> 00:29:37,567
SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE.
585
00:29:39,500 --> 00:29:43,067
Narrator: THE STORM ALMOST
OBLITERATED THE RIVERBANK,
586
00:29:43,067 --> 00:29:47,800
BUT A FLEET MADE OF STONE
WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE IT FOREVER.
587
00:29:50,300 --> 00:29:53,233
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
588
00:29:57,367 --> 00:30:00,533
Narrator: IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND,
THE VILLAGE OF PURTON
589
00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:03,833
WAS UNDER THREAT
FROM A FAILING RIVERBANK.
590
00:30:03,900 --> 00:30:07,500
THEY HAD NO MONEY
FOR BIG RESTORATION PROJECTS.
591
00:30:07,567 --> 00:30:09,500
THIS WAS A VERY SMALL PART
OF BRITAIN
592
00:30:09,567 --> 00:30:12,633
THAT HAD VERY LIMITED MEANS
AND VERY LITTLE TIME.
593
00:30:13,700 --> 00:30:18,000
BUT THE CHIEF ENGINEER FOR
THE CANAL HAD A RADICAL PLAN.
594
00:30:18,067 --> 00:30:19,187
THE ENGINEER FOR THE
DOCK COMPANY MADE A REQUEST --
595
00:30:19,187 --> 00:30:20,000
THE ENGINEER FOR THE
DOCK COMPANY MADE A REQUEST --
596
00:30:20,300 --> 00:30:23,667
ARE THERE ANY BARGES THAT
COULD BE BROUGHT TO THIS POINT,
597
00:30:23,733 --> 00:30:25,967
RUN OUT TO THE FORESHORE,
AND ADD THEIR STRENGTH
598
00:30:26,033 --> 00:30:27,700
IN ORDER TO PROTECT
THAT WATERWAY?
599
00:30:27,767 --> 00:30:32,767
Bell: FOR THE PLAN TO WORK, THEY
NEEDED A WHOLE FLEET OF BOATS.
600
00:30:32,833 --> 00:30:36,267
SO THEY ASKED THE LOCALS
TO VOLUNTEER THEIR OLD TUGS,
601
00:30:36,333 --> 00:30:38,467
AND THEY RALLIED TO THE CAUSE.
602
00:30:39,933 --> 00:30:46,233
Narrator: IN TOTAL, 15 WOODEN
VESSELS WERE BROUGHT TO PURTON.
603
00:30:46,300 --> 00:30:47,800
THIS WAS ACTUALLY
ONE OF THE FIRST VESSELS --
604
00:30:47,867 --> 00:30:49,187
IN ACTUAL FACT, THE
FIRST VESSEL TO BE BEACHEDHERE.
605
00:30:49,187 --> 00:30:50,000
IN ACTUAL FACT, THE
FIRST VESSEL TO BE BEACHEDHERE.
606
00:30:51,067 --> 00:30:53,233
TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE HIGH TIDE,
THE VESSEL,
607
00:30:53,300 --> 00:30:56,733
WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM, WOULD
COME THUNDERING INTO THE BANK.
608
00:30:56,800 --> 00:30:59,200
Selwood: THE PLAN
WAS TO THEN DRILL HOLES IN THEM
609
00:30:59,267 --> 00:31:00,700
TO LET WATER IN.
610
00:31:00,767 --> 00:31:05,267
THIS WOULD ALLOW SILT AND MUD
FROM UPSTREAM TO COME DOWN,
611
00:31:05,333 --> 00:31:08,633
THEN FILL INTO THE BOATS
AND AROUND THE BOATS
612
00:31:08,700 --> 00:31:11,900
AND EFFECTIVELY REBUILD
THE RIVERBANK.
613
00:31:11,967 --> 00:31:14,567
Narrator: THE BARGES
WERE BEACHED ONTO THE RIVERBANK,
614
00:31:14,633 --> 00:31:17,500
PROTECTING THE CANAL
FROM THE SEVERN.
615
00:31:17,567 --> 00:31:19,187
THEY BECAME KNOWN
AS THE PURTON HULKS.
616
00:31:19,187 --> 00:31:20,000
THEY BECAME KNOWN
AS THE PURTON HULKS.
617
00:31:22,467 --> 00:31:25,400
IT APPEARED THE CANAL
HAD BEEN SAVED.
618
00:31:25,467 --> 00:31:29,567
BUT THE CELEBRATIONS
WERE SHORT-LIVED.
619
00:31:29,633 --> 00:31:34,067
THE ONE THING ABOUT WOOD
IS THAT IT ROTS.
620
00:31:34,133 --> 00:31:37,200
Barnett: WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS
THE TIMBER LOADERS WERE ROTTING.
621
00:31:37,267 --> 00:31:39,767
AND AS A RESULT, ONCE AGAIN
THE CANAL WAS IN DANGER.
622
00:31:39,833 --> 00:31:45,667
Bell: SO WOODEN BOATS ROT
AND METAL BOATS RUST.
623
00:31:45,733 --> 00:31:49,187
FORTUNATELY, HISTORY PROVIDED
THE ANSWER.
624
00:31:49,187 --> 00:31:49,200
FORTUNATELY, HISTORY PROVIDED
THE ANSWER.
625
00:31:49,267 --> 00:31:50,000
Narrator:
IN THE YEARS AFTER WORLD WAR I,
626
00:31:51,667 --> 00:31:54,900
THE PRICE OF TIMBER AND IRON
ROSE SHARPLY.
627
00:31:54,967 --> 00:31:58,633
IT BECAME TOO EXPENSIVE
TO MAKE RIVERBOATS.
628
00:31:58,700 --> 00:32:01,800
SO BOATMAKERS TURNED TO
AN UNLIKELY MATERIAL.
629
00:32:01,867 --> 00:32:06,367
THE CONCRETE BOATS COULD BE MADE
REALLY FAST AND REALLY CHEAP,
630
00:32:06,433 --> 00:32:09,700
BUT APPARENTLY THEY WERE
A NIGHTMARE TO DRIVE.
631
00:32:11,067 --> 00:32:13,300
Narrator: OLD CONCRETE BARGES
WERE THE SOLUTION
632
00:32:13,367 --> 00:32:16,067
TO PROTECTING THE RIVERBANK
PERMANENTLY.
633
00:32:16,133 --> 00:32:19,187
IN THE 1960s,
EIGHT WERE BROUGHT TO PURTON,
634
00:32:19,187 --> 00:32:19,433
IN THE 1960s,
EIGHT WERE BROUGHT TO PURTON,
635
00:32:19,500 --> 00:32:20,000
THE FINAL PURTON HULKS.
636
00:32:22,067 --> 00:32:25,600
SIXTY YEARS LATER, THE BANK'S
THICKNESS HAS DOUBLED.
637
00:32:25,667 --> 00:32:28,733
THE CANAL WAS SAVED.
638
00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:31,233
Barnett: KNOWING HOW
YOU CAN WORK WITH THE SEA,
639
00:32:31,300 --> 00:32:33,367
YOU CAN'T WORK AGAINST HER,
640
00:32:33,433 --> 00:32:36,800
ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED
BY THE REAL SEAMANSHIP
641
00:32:36,867 --> 00:32:38,767
THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN
TO GET THESE VESSELS IN HERE.
642
00:32:38,833 --> 00:32:42,833
AND YET THEY CONTINUE TO DO
THE JOB THAT THEY WERE PUT HERE
643
00:32:42,900 --> 00:32:44,933
TO DO,
TO PROTECT THE BANK,
644
00:32:45,067 --> 00:32:47,067
TO PROTECT CANAL,
AND TO ALLOW
645
00:32:47,100 --> 00:32:49,187
THE RIVER SEVERN TO CONTINUE
FLOWING GENTLY BY.
646
00:32:49,187 --> 00:32:50,000
THE RIVER SEVERN TO CONTINUE
FLOWING GENTLY BY.
647
00:32:55,467 --> 00:32:56,967
Narrator:
THE PURTON HULKS,
648
00:32:57,067 --> 00:33:00,733
SILENT GUARDIANS OF WOOD
AND STONE.
649
00:33:00,800 --> 00:33:04,067
Bell: FOR THE LAST 60 YEARS,
THEY'VE BEEN THERE,
650
00:33:04,100 --> 00:33:07,467
PROTECTING THE CANAL
FROM THE POWERFUL RIVER SEVERN,
651
00:33:07,533 --> 00:33:11,167
A TESTAMENT TO ENGINEERING
BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS.
652
00:33:15,333 --> 00:33:16,367
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
653
00:33:21,167 --> 00:33:23,467
Narrator: IN A REMOTE REGION
OF WESTERN POLAND
654
00:33:23,533 --> 00:33:27,600
IS AN ENGINEERING GIANT
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
655
00:33:27,667 --> 00:33:31,067
[ MUSIC CONTINUES ]
656
00:33:31,133 --> 00:33:33,067
Auerbach:
WHEN YOU APPROACH THIS SITE,
657
00:33:33,133 --> 00:33:35,133
IT REALLY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE
MUCH.
658
00:33:35,200 --> 00:33:36,967
AND THEN, AS YOU GET CLOSER,
659
00:33:37,067 --> 00:33:42,067
YOU SEE THAT THERE ARE PILLBOXES
DOTTED AROUND THE LANDSCAPE.
660
00:33:42,067 --> 00:33:45,300
Selwood: ONCE YOU'VE SPOTTED
ONE, YOU THEN SEE ANOTHER.
661
00:33:45,367 --> 00:33:46,900
AND AS YOUR EYE CARRIES ON,
662
00:33:46,967 --> 00:33:49,187
YOU REALIZE THIS LINE GOES ON
ALMOST FOREVER.
663
00:33:49,187 --> 00:33:49,567
YOU REALIZE THIS LINE GOES ON
ALMOST FOREVER.
664
00:33:49,633 --> 00:33:50,000
THIS IS A REALLY MAJOR PIECE
OF ENGINEERING.
665
00:33:54,667 --> 00:33:57,267
Wawro: IT REMINDS ME
OF THE MAGINOT LINE IN FRANCE.
666
00:33:57,333 --> 00:34:00,633
BUT WE'RE NOT IN FRANCE,
SO IT COULDN'T BE THAT.
667
00:34:00,700 --> 00:34:02,767
Narrator:
THESE PILLBOXES DRAW AN OUTLINE
668
00:34:02,833 --> 00:34:06,800
OF A FORTRESS BURIED
UNDERGROUND.
669
00:34:06,867 --> 00:34:08,733
THERE IS AN IMMENSE NETWORK
OF TUNNELS
670
00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:11,400
THAT SEEMS TO GO ON
JUST FOREVER.
671
00:34:11,467 --> 00:34:14,233
AND IN ONE OF THEM,
THERE'S A RAILWAY LINE.
672
00:34:14,300 --> 00:34:18,300
Auerbach: PEOPLE WORKED HERE,
AND THEN THEY LEFT.
673
00:34:18,367 --> 00:34:19,187
BUT THEY LEFT SOME CLUES AS TO
WHAT THEY WERE DOING DOWN THERE.
674
00:34:19,187 --> 00:34:20,000
BUT THEY LEFT SOME CLUES AS TO
WHAT THEY WERE DOING DOWN THERE.
675
00:34:22,100 --> 00:34:25,133
A ROOM WITH A SIGN ABOVE IT
THAT SAYS "MASCHINENRAUM" --
676
00:34:25,200 --> 00:34:27,700
"MACHINE ROOM."
677
00:34:27,767 --> 00:34:30,067
Selwood:
THIS IS A PLACE WHERE CLEARLY
678
00:34:30,100 --> 00:34:32,767
AN IMMENSE ENGINEERING EFFORT
WENT IN
679
00:34:32,833 --> 00:34:35,233
BUT ULTIMATELY
IT CAME TO NAUGHT.
680
00:34:36,900 --> 00:34:38,967
Narrator:
ALMOST 22 MILES OF TUNNELS
681
00:34:39,067 --> 00:34:41,567
ARE BURIED
IN THE POLISH COUNTRYSIDE.
682
00:34:41,633 --> 00:34:46,200
BUT A CLUE ON THE SURFACE WILL
UNLOCK THE MYSTERY OF THE SITE
683
00:34:46,267 --> 00:34:48,800
AND UNRAVEL A TISSUE OF LIES.
684
00:34:48,867 --> 00:34:49,187
Auerbach: THERE'S THIS ONE
ABOVEGROUND FEATURE --
685
00:34:49,187 --> 00:34:50,000
Auerbach: THERE'S THIS ONE
ABOVEGROUND FEATURE --
686
00:34:51,467 --> 00:34:53,933
THIS ODD BRIDGE.
687
00:34:54,067 --> 00:34:56,067
THAT'S THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING
THE STRUCTURE.
688
00:34:56,133 --> 00:34:58,767
Narrator:
A MAMMOTH ENGINEERING PROJECT
689
00:34:58,833 --> 00:35:00,433
SPANNING NEARLY 40 MILES.
690
00:35:00,500 --> 00:35:01,700
WHY WAS IT PUT HERE?
691
00:35:01,767 --> 00:35:07,200
AND WHAT SECRETS ARE BURIED
BENEATH THE SURFACE?
692
00:35:09,600 --> 00:35:13,833
BURIED IN THE POLISH COUNTRYSIDE
IS A WARTIME SECRET.
693
00:35:13,900 --> 00:35:15,567
Auerbach: MOST OF THIS SITE
IS UNDERGROUND --
694
00:35:15,633 --> 00:35:18,567
THESE MILES AND MILES
OF TUNNEL, THE TRAIN TRACKS.
695
00:35:18,633 --> 00:35:19,187
BUT THE CLUE TO WHAT THE SITE
IS ABOUT
696
00:35:19,187 --> 00:35:20,000
BUT THE CLUE TO WHAT THE SITE
IS ABOUT
697
00:35:22,100 --> 00:35:25,633
IS RIGHT HERE IN THIS ONE
ABOVEGROUND PART OF IT --
698
00:35:25,700 --> 00:35:29,433
THE BRIDGE, A BRIDGE
WITH AN ODD HINGE ON IT.
699
00:35:29,500 --> 00:35:31,433
[ DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
700
00:35:31,500 --> 00:35:34,267
Narrator: HISTORIAN
AND ARCHITECT ROBERT JURGA
701
00:35:34,333 --> 00:35:35,700
HAS SPENT HIS CAREER
702
00:35:35,767 --> 00:35:40,300
EXPLORING ONE OF POLAND'S MOST
OVERLOOKED HISTORICAL SITES.
703
00:35:40,367 --> 00:35:41,633
Jurga:
[ SPEAKING POLISH ]
704
00:35:41,700 --> 00:35:43,667
Interpreter:
THE PLAN OF THIS BRIDGE
705
00:35:43,733 --> 00:35:46,433
IS STILL PROTECTED BY THE PATENT
THAT'S KEPT IN BERLIN.
706
00:35:46,500 --> 00:35:49,187
THE LEVEL OF SECURITY
WAS SO HIGH
707
00:35:49,187 --> 00:35:49,533
THE LEVEL OF SECURITY
WAS SO HIGH
708
00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:50,000
THAT THE OPERATORS CONSISTED
709
00:35:51,467 --> 00:35:54,100
OF A SPECIALLY TRAINED GROUP
OF SOLDIERS.
710
00:35:54,167 --> 00:35:57,200
Narrator: SWING BRIDGES
ARE COMMON ON MAJOR RIVERS
711
00:35:57,267 --> 00:35:59,867
TO LET LARGE SHIPS PASS THROUGH.
712
00:36:00,067 --> 00:36:03,600
BUT THE WATER HERE
IS PRACTICALLY A TRICKLE.
713
00:36:03,667 --> 00:36:05,400
Auerbach:
THE SWING BRIDGE IS HERE
714
00:36:05,467 --> 00:36:08,733
BECAUSE THIS ENTIRE SET
OF FORTIFICATIONS
715
00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:10,833
IS ACTUALLY ILLEGAL.
716
00:36:10,900 --> 00:36:12,333
[ MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
717
00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:16,300
Narrator: THE STORY BEGINS AFTER
THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR,
718
00:36:16,367 --> 00:36:19,187
WHEN THIS PART OF POLAND
BELONGED TO GERMANY.
719
00:36:19,187 --> 00:36:19,400
WHEN THIS PART OF POLAND
BELONGED TO GERMANY.
720
00:36:19,467 --> 00:36:20,000
THINK BACK TO WHAT HAPPENED
TO GERMANY
721
00:36:21,600 --> 00:36:23,200
AT THE END OF WORLD WAR I.
722
00:36:23,267 --> 00:36:26,600
THEY WERE DEFEATED
BY A BIG ALLIED COALITION.
723
00:36:26,667 --> 00:36:29,233
THEY WERE DISARMED.
THEY LOST TERRITORY.
724
00:36:29,300 --> 00:36:33,700
THEY LOST CITIZENS
TO THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES.
725
00:36:33,767 --> 00:36:36,500
Auerbach: THE TREATY WAS
PUNISHING TO GERMANY.
726
00:36:36,567 --> 00:36:39,567
THEY HAD TO GIVE UP
THEIR ENTIRE EMPIRE,
727
00:36:39,633 --> 00:36:41,567
THEY HAD TO ALLOW THE ALLIES
728
00:36:41,633 --> 00:36:44,967
TO OCCUPY PART
OF THEIR INDUSTRIAL HEARTLAND,
729
00:36:45,067 --> 00:36:48,533
AND THEY ALSO HAD TO LIMIT
THEIR ARMY TO 100,000 MEN.
730
00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:49,187
Narrator:
GERMANY WAS ALSO FORBIDDEN
731
00:36:49,187 --> 00:36:50,000
Narrator:
GERMANY WAS ALSO FORBIDDEN
732
00:36:50,433 --> 00:36:53,900
FROM BUILDING ANY NEW
FORTIFICATIONS ALONG ITS BORDER,
733
00:36:53,967 --> 00:36:58,167
LEAVING THE COUNTRY
VIRTUALLY DEFENSELESS.
734
00:36:58,233 --> 00:37:01,067
Selwood: THE GERMANS FELT
A GREAT SENSE OF VULNERABILITY
735
00:37:01,133 --> 00:37:03,467
ABOUT THEIR BORDER
BECAUSE AFTER WORLD WAR I,
736
00:37:03,533 --> 00:37:06,200
THEY WERE A UNIVERSALLY LOATHED
NATION.
737
00:37:06,267 --> 00:37:08,967
BUT THEY HAD ENEMIES
ON THEIR RIGHT.
738
00:37:09,067 --> 00:37:10,333
THERE WAS POLAND,
739
00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:12,833
AND BEHIND POLAND, OF COURSE,
THE SOVIET UNION.
740
00:37:15,067 --> 00:37:17,767
Narrator: WITH LIMITED DEFENSES,
THE GERMAN CAPITAL
741
00:37:17,833 --> 00:37:19,187
WAS VULNERABLE TO INVASION
FROM THE EAST.
742
00:37:19,187 --> 00:37:20,000
WAS VULNERABLE TO INVASION
FROM THE EAST.
743
00:37:20,733 --> 00:37:23,067
ITS BIGGEST WEAKNESS
WAS A STRETCH OF LAND
744
00:37:23,133 --> 00:37:25,367
SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO RIVERS.
745
00:37:25,433 --> 00:37:29,400
THIS REGION WAS FLAT
AND HAD NO NATURAL BARRIERS.
746
00:37:29,467 --> 00:37:32,933
IT WAS A HIGHWAY THAT LED
STRAIGHT TO BERLIN.
747
00:37:33,067 --> 00:37:36,767
IF THE POLES OR THE SOVIETS
WANTED TO INVADE GERMANY,
748
00:37:36,833 --> 00:37:38,600
THAT WAS A PERFECT ROUTE
'CAUSE IT GAVE THEM
749
00:37:38,667 --> 00:37:41,567
A DIRECT PATH TO BERLIN,
THE CAPITAL.
750
00:37:41,633 --> 00:37:44,467
THIS WAS A HUGE HOLE
IN GERMANY'S DEFENSES,
751
00:37:44,533 --> 00:37:46,433
AND THEY WANTED TO PLUG IT.
752
00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:49,187
Narrator: BUT WITH THE TREATY
MAKING NEW DEFENSES ILLEGAL,
753
00:37:49,187 --> 00:37:50,000
Narrator: BUT WITH THE TREATY
MAKING NEW DEFENSES ILLEGAL,
754
00:37:51,733 --> 00:37:55,733
THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT CONCOCTED
A RUSE.
755
00:37:57,333 --> 00:37:58,000
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
756
00:38:04,733 --> 00:38:07,067
Narrator:
IN A FORMER GERMAN TERRITORY
757
00:38:07,067 --> 00:38:10,433
IS A BORDER WALL
THAT BEGAN WITH A DEVIOUS PLOY.
758
00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:14,767
Auerbach: THE RULES
OF THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES
759
00:38:14,833 --> 00:38:17,900
LIMITED GERMANY'S SPENDING
ON THE MILITARY
760
00:38:17,967 --> 00:38:19,567
AND ON FORTIFICATIONS.
761
00:38:19,633 --> 00:38:23,067
BUT IT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING
ABOUT WATER MANAGEMENT.
762
00:38:23,100 --> 00:38:24,933
SO THEY BROUGHT IN ENGINEERS
763
00:38:25,067 --> 00:38:27,208
AND DUG UP HUNDREDS
AND HUNDREDS OF TONS OF EARTH,
764
00:38:27,208 --> 00:38:28,000
AND DUG UP HUNDREDS
AND HUNDREDS OF TONS OF EARTH,
765
00:38:28,400 --> 00:38:30,467
REDIRECTED RIVERS,
766
00:38:30,533 --> 00:38:33,400
AND ESSENTIALLY CREATED
A NEW NATURAL BARRIER.
767
00:38:33,467 --> 00:38:36,067
Jurga:
[ SPEAKING POLISH ]
768
00:38:36,067 --> 00:38:39,567
Interpreter: THE MAIN TOOL
AGAINST THE TANKS WAS WATER.
769
00:38:39,633 --> 00:38:41,633
MANY TACTICAL CANALS WERE BUILT,
770
00:38:41,700 --> 00:38:44,767
AND THEY BECAME THE MAIN BARRIER
AGAINST THE ENEMY'S TANKS.
771
00:38:44,833 --> 00:38:49,067
ON THOSE CHANNELS, THEY BUILT
A LINE OF TACTICAL BRIDGES.
772
00:38:49,067 --> 00:38:51,567
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
773
00:38:51,633 --> 00:38:54,867
Narrator: A SERIES OF BRIDGES
ACROSS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERWAY,
774
00:38:54,933 --> 00:38:57,208
EACH WITH A MECHANISM
TO STOP AN ENEMY ADVANCE.
775
00:38:57,208 --> 00:38:58,000
EACH WITH A MECHANISM
TO STOP AN ENEMY ADVANCE.
776
00:39:00,533 --> 00:39:02,933
Interpreter:
THOSE BRIDGES WERE CLOSED
777
00:39:03,067 --> 00:39:05,267
IN CASE OF THE ARRIVAL
OF THE ENEMY
778
00:39:05,333 --> 00:39:08,400
AND IN NORMAL TIMES WERE USED
BY THE CIVILIANS.
779
00:39:10,233 --> 00:39:12,967
Narrator:
OVER FIVE YEARS, A LINE IS DRAWN
780
00:39:13,067 --> 00:39:16,867
BETWEEN THE WARTA
AND ODER RIVERS.
781
00:39:16,933 --> 00:39:21,400
THIS IS THE BEGINNING
OF THE OSTWALL.
782
00:39:21,467 --> 00:39:23,900
"AUDACIOUS" DOESN'T COVER IT.
783
00:39:23,967 --> 00:39:26,733
YOU HAD A TEAM
OF 1,000 OVERSEERS
784
00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:27,208
WATCHING TO MAKE SURE
GERMANY ADHERED TO THE RULES.
785
00:39:27,208 --> 00:39:28,000
WATCHING TO MAKE SURE
GERMANY ADHERED TO THE RULES.
786
00:39:29,767 --> 00:39:31,867
AND IF THEY WERE CAUGHT
BREAKING THOSE RULES,
787
00:39:31,933 --> 00:39:34,533
IT COULD HAVE STARTED
ANOTHER WAR.
788
00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:38,300
Narrator:
AN EMBOLDENED GERMAN GOVERNMENT
789
00:39:38,367 --> 00:39:41,600
ADDS TUNNELS AND BUNKERS,
MAKING THE OSTWALL
790
00:39:41,667 --> 00:39:44,667
A STATE-OF-THE-ART
BATTLE FORTRESS.
791
00:39:44,733 --> 00:39:49,433
DESCENDING BENEATH
THE SURFACE, WE FIND MILE UPON
792
00:39:49,500 --> 00:39:51,800
MILE OF CONCRETE TUNNELS,
793
00:39:51,867 --> 00:39:54,700
LINKING TOGETHER THESE FORTS
THAT ARE -- YOU COULD
794
00:39:54,767 --> 00:39:56,267
BARELY GLIMPSE ABOVE GROUND.
795
00:39:56,333 --> 00:39:57,208
THERE'S EVEN
A SMALL LIGHT RAILWAY
796
00:39:57,208 --> 00:39:58,000
THERE'S EVEN
A SMALL LIGHT RAILWAY
797
00:39:59,067 --> 00:40:00,700
INSTALLED IN SOME OF
THESE TUNNELS.
798
00:40:02,733 --> 00:40:04,567
Jurga: [ SPEAKING POLISH ]
799
00:40:04,633 --> 00:40:06,800
Interpreter: THE MAIN ROAD IS
12 KILOMETERS LONG,
800
00:40:06,867 --> 00:40:09,367
AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM,
WITH CORRIDORS LEADING TO
801
00:40:09,433 --> 00:40:12,033
THE BUNKERS IS MORE THAN
32 KILOMETERS LONG.
802
00:40:14,967 --> 00:40:17,867
IT WAS TOO BIG A DISTANCE
FOR THE SOLDIERS TO MARCH.
803
00:40:17,933 --> 00:40:19,933
THAT'S WHY THEY USED
TRAIN TRACKS LIKE THIS
804
00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:21,233
FOR TRANSPORTATION.
805
00:40:24,133 --> 00:40:26,733
Narrator: THE ABILITY
TO MOVE ALMOST 20 MILES
806
00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:27,208
UNSEEN BY THE ENEMY
807
00:40:27,208 --> 00:40:28,000
UNSEEN BY THE ENEMY
808
00:40:28,267 --> 00:40:29,267
WOULD GIVE THE GERMANS
809
00:40:29,333 --> 00:40:31,433
A HUGE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE.
810
00:40:31,500 --> 00:40:33,133
SO THE MEN CAN RACE BETWEEN
811
00:40:33,200 --> 00:40:35,800
THE VARIOUS POSITIONS TO MEET
VARIOUS DIFFERENT THREATS.
812
00:40:36,867 --> 00:40:39,200
Narrator: THE OSTWALL WAS
DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE
813
00:40:39,267 --> 00:40:40,967
THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS.
814
00:40:42,400 --> 00:40:43,500
Jurga: [ SPEAKING POLISH ]
815
00:40:43,567 --> 00:40:45,200
Interpreter: WE ARE CURRENTLY
16 METERS BELOW
816
00:40:45,267 --> 00:40:48,100
THE SURFACE
IN THE UNDERGROUND SYSTEM.
817
00:40:48,167 --> 00:40:49,467
THIS IS THE DORMITORY.
818
00:40:49,533 --> 00:40:52,033
THEY ATTACHED BUNKS
TO THESE BRACKETS HERE.
819
00:40:52,100 --> 00:40:54,300
THREE SOLDIERS
WOULD SLEEP ON ONE SIDE
820
00:40:54,367 --> 00:40:56,000
AND TWO
ON THE OTHER SIDE.
821
00:40:56,067 --> 00:40:57,208
THEY DIDN'T SHARE BUNKS.
822
00:40:57,208 --> 00:40:57,867
THEY DIDN'T SHARE BUNKS.
823
00:40:57,933 --> 00:40:58,000
WHEN THEY WERE DOWN HERE,
824
00:40:59,367 --> 00:41:01,967
THEY PROBABLY LISTENED
TO THE RADIO, PLAYED CARDS,
825
00:41:02,067 --> 00:41:04,500
DRANK WINE,
AND READ THE NEWSPAPERS.
826
00:41:04,567 --> 00:41:07,300
THERE WERE PROPAGANDA BANNERS
HANGING ON THE WALLS THERE.
827
00:41:09,333 --> 00:41:10,333
Narrator: TO BEGIN WITH,
828
00:41:10,400 --> 00:41:12,400
THEY LIVED IN RELATIVE COMFORT.
829
00:41:12,467 --> 00:41:14,067
Jurga: [ SPEAKING POLISH ]
830
00:41:14,100 --> 00:41:15,867
Interpreter:
UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES,
831
00:41:15,933 --> 00:41:17,867
WHEN THE BUNKER WAS
WORKING PROPERLY,
832
00:41:17,933 --> 00:41:20,267
ELECTRIC HEATING WAS SUPPLIED
FROM THE MACHINE ROOM.
833
00:41:22,967 --> 00:41:25,167
THIS WASHROOM WAS FOR
ALL THE SOLDIERS FROM
834
00:41:25,233 --> 00:41:27,208
THE TWO BUNKERS IN THIS PART
OF THE UNDERGROUND SYSTEM.
835
00:41:27,208 --> 00:41:27,767
THE TWO BUNKERS IN THIS PART
OF THE UNDERGROUND SYSTEM.
836
00:41:29,900 --> 00:41:32,933
BOTH THOSE FIGHTING
AND THE SPARE UNITS USED
837
00:41:33,067 --> 00:41:34,333
THIS WASHROOM.
838
00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:37,467
IN TOTAL, ABOUT 60 TO 70
PEOPLE HAD TO USE
839
00:41:37,533 --> 00:41:38,633
THIS SMALL WASHROOM.
840
00:41:42,367 --> 00:41:46,067
Narrator: IN 1938, GERMANY'S
FUHRER CAME TO INSPECT,
841
00:41:46,133 --> 00:41:48,200
AND HE WAS NOT HAPPY.
842
00:41:48,267 --> 00:41:51,600
WHEN HITLER VISITS
THE OSTWALL IN 1938,
843
00:41:51,667 --> 00:41:54,667
HE IS DEFINITELY UNDERWHELMED.
844
00:41:54,733 --> 00:41:57,100
HITLER IS SOMEBODY
WHO WANTS TO SEE, YOU KNOW,
845
00:41:57,167 --> 00:41:57,208
PARADES OF PANZERS
IN THE STREET,
846
00:41:57,208 --> 00:41:58,000
PARADES OF PANZERS
IN THE STREET,
847
00:41:59,333 --> 00:42:02,133
FLYOVERS BY LUFTWAFFE BOMBERS,
DIVE BOMBERS,
848
00:42:02,200 --> 00:42:05,067
AND FIGHTER PLANES,
GOOSESTEPPING INFANTRY.
849
00:42:05,100 --> 00:42:08,367
HE DOES NOT WANT TO SEE
THESE SUBTERRANEAN FORTRESSES
850
00:42:08,433 --> 00:42:10,067
WITH JUST A LITTLE
MACHINE-GUN TURRET
851
00:42:10,133 --> 00:42:12,067
POKING OUT OF THE PINE TREES.
852
00:42:13,767 --> 00:42:17,267
HE CALLS IT A WORTHLESS
SET OF MOUSETRAPS,
853
00:42:17,333 --> 00:42:19,367
AND HE'S ALSO VERY UPSET
THAT MOST
854
00:42:19,433 --> 00:42:22,433
OF THE SOLDIERS ARE GOING
TO BE UNDERGROUND.
855
00:42:22,500 --> 00:42:25,867
Narrator: THE OSTWALL FAILED
ITS INSPECTION,
856
00:42:25,933 --> 00:42:27,208
AND ITS CONSTRUCTION
IS PUT ON HOLD.
857
00:42:27,208 --> 00:42:28,000
AND ITS CONSTRUCTION
IS PUT ON HOLD.
858
00:42:29,400 --> 00:42:31,533
THE FOLLOWING YEAR,
859
00:42:31,600 --> 00:42:35,533
HITLER MARCHED THE TROOPS
PAST THE WALL AND INTO POLAND.
860
00:42:35,600 --> 00:42:36,667
[ GUNFIRE ]
861
00:42:36,733 --> 00:42:39,133
ONCE GERMANY HAD CONQUERED
POLAND,
862
00:42:39,200 --> 00:42:41,133
THIS FORTIFICATION LAY
IN THE MIDDLE
863
00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:44,367
OF GERMAN-CONTROLLED TERRITORY,
SO IT WAS MILITARILY USELESS.
864
00:42:44,433 --> 00:42:47,933
AFTER A DECADE OF POURING
SO MUCH EFFORT AND MONEY
865
00:42:48,067 --> 00:42:51,567
INTO THIS LINE,
IT WAS LEFT AS A LAME DUCK.
866
00:42:52,733 --> 00:42:54,900
Wawro: THIS SPEAKS TO HITLER'S
CONCEPTION OF WARFARE.
867
00:42:54,967 --> 00:42:56,600
THE GERMAN ARMY
HAD TO BE ON THE MOVE.
868
00:42:56,667 --> 00:42:57,208
IT HAD TO BE ATTACKING,
AND THAT
869
00:42:57,208 --> 00:42:58,000
IT HAD TO BE ATTACKING,
AND THAT
870
00:42:58,233 --> 00:43:03,067
IT WAS NOT GOING TO SIT
PASSIVELY BEHIND FORTIFICATIONS.
871
00:43:03,067 --> 00:43:04,600
Narrator:
WITH THE OSTWALL CANCELED,
872
00:43:04,667 --> 00:43:08,933
THE TUNNELS WERE LEFT EMPTY
UNTIL THE FUHRER FOUND A NEW USE
873
00:43:09,067 --> 00:43:12,067
FOR HIS EMPTY
UNDERGROUND BUNKER.
874
00:43:12,067 --> 00:43:15,733
AFTER HITLER STOPPED
CONSTRUCTION ON THE OSTWALL,
875
00:43:15,800 --> 00:43:17,467
IT WAS LARGELY UNUSED.
876
00:43:17,533 --> 00:43:21,600
BUT WHEN THE ALLIES BEGIN THEIR
STRATEGIC BOMBING OF GERMANY,
877
00:43:21,667 --> 00:43:23,733
IT FINDS A NEW PURPOSE.
878
00:43:23,800 --> 00:43:27,208
THEY MOVE MACHINERY DOWN HERE
TO BUILD AIRCRAFT ENGINES.
879
00:43:27,208 --> 00:43:28,000
THEY MOVE MACHINERY DOWN HERE
TO BUILD AIRCRAFT ENGINES.
880
00:43:28,200 --> 00:43:29,333
Jurga: [ SPEAKING POLISH ]
881
00:43:29,400 --> 00:43:30,600
Interpreter: WHEN THE FACTORIES
WERE UP AND RUNNING,
882
00:43:30,667 --> 00:43:32,733
THE TRAIN TRACK WAS
CONSTANTLY USED,
883
00:43:32,800 --> 00:43:34,400
BUT NOT TO
TRANSPORT AMMUNITION
884
00:43:34,467 --> 00:43:37,133
OR SOLDIERS -- IT ONLY
TRANSPORTED PARTS OF
885
00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:38,200
AIRCRAFT ENGINES.
886
00:43:41,833 --> 00:43:43,767
Narrator:
WITH MOST ABLE-BODIED SOLDIERS
887
00:43:43,833 --> 00:43:46,533
FIGHTING ON THE FRONTLINES,
888
00:43:46,600 --> 00:43:50,767
ONLY A SMALL REGIMENT WAS LEFT
TO DEFEND THE WALL.
889
00:43:50,833 --> 00:43:52,667
Auerbach: REGULAR TROOPS
WEREN'T STATIONED THERE.
890
00:43:52,733 --> 00:43:53,867
YOU JUST HAD MILITIA,
891
00:43:53,933 --> 00:43:56,633
WHICH WERE MOSTLY POORLY TRAINED
HITLER YOUTH
892
00:43:56,700 --> 00:43:57,208
AND MEN TOO OLD TO BE SENT
TO THE FRONTLINES.
893
00:43:57,208 --> 00:43:58,000
AND MEN TOO OLD TO BE SENT
TO THE FRONTLINES.
894
00:43:59,300 --> 00:44:01,067
Selwood:
CONDITIONS WERE DREADFUL.
895
00:44:01,067 --> 00:44:03,067
IT WAS DANK.
IT WAS DARK.
896
00:44:03,133 --> 00:44:06,067
IT WAS UNDERFUNDED.
THERE WERE NO RESOURCES.
897
00:44:06,100 --> 00:44:10,067
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE
REALLY HAD BEEN FORGOTTEN ABOUT.
898
00:44:10,100 --> 00:44:13,233
REMEMBER THE FRONTLINE
WAS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY --
899
00:44:13,300 --> 00:44:14,767
UNTIL EVERYTHING CHANGED.
900
00:44:14,833 --> 00:44:15,833
[ MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS ]
901
00:44:15,900 --> 00:44:18,767
Narrator:
BY THE END OF 1944,
902
00:44:18,833 --> 00:44:21,133
THE GERMANS WERE BEING
PUSHED BACK,
903
00:44:21,200 --> 00:44:24,067
AND THE SOVIETS WERE CREEPING
CLOSER TO BERLIN.
904
00:44:24,067 --> 00:44:27,208
THE FORGOTTEN OSTWALL
WAS ABOUT TO JOIN THE WAR.
905
00:44:27,208 --> 00:44:28,000
THE FORGOTTEN OSTWALL
WAS ABOUT TO JOIN THE WAR.
906
00:44:29,400 --> 00:44:31,800
Auerbach: SO HITLER WAS NOT,
BY ANY
907
00:44:31,867 --> 00:44:33,900
STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION,
A MILITARY GENIUS,
908
00:44:33,967 --> 00:44:38,267
AND HE INSISTED ON THIS TACTIC
OF NO RETREAT.
909
00:44:38,333 --> 00:44:41,767
AND WHAT HAPPENS IS HUNDREDS
OF THOUSANDS OF GERMAN TROOPS
910
00:44:41,833 --> 00:44:46,600
ARE SURROUNDED AND CAPTURED
BY THE RED ARMY UNTIL
911
00:44:46,667 --> 00:44:50,200
ONE OF THE LAST THINGS IN
BETWEEN THE SOVIET WAR MACHINE
912
00:44:50,267 --> 00:44:53,833
AND BERLIN IS THIS ONE BIT
OF FORTIFICATION.
913
00:44:54,933 --> 00:44:57,208
Narrator: REINFORCEMENTS WERE
RUSHED IN TO DEFEND THE WALL,
914
00:44:57,208 --> 00:44:57,900
Narrator: REINFORCEMENTS WERE
RUSHED IN TO DEFEND THE WALL,
915
00:44:57,967 --> 00:44:58,000
BUT THEY WERE POORLY TRAINED
AND ILL-EQUIPPED.
916
00:45:02,067 --> 00:45:03,067
Jurga: [ SPEAKING POLISH ]
917
00:45:03,067 --> 00:45:04,933
Interpreter: THE VOLKSSTURM
SOLDIERS WHO WERE
918
00:45:05,067 --> 00:45:07,233
SENT HERE DIDN'T
HAVE ENOUGH WEAPONS.
919
00:45:07,300 --> 00:45:09,067
WHEN THEY ARRIVED
AT THE TRAIN STATION,
920
00:45:09,100 --> 00:45:12,067
THEY WERE GIVEN TWO OR THREE
GUNS FOR THE ENTIRE GROUP.
921
00:45:13,233 --> 00:45:15,067
WHEN THEY ASKED
WHERE THE WEAPONS WERE,
922
00:45:15,100 --> 00:45:17,800
THEY WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD
FIND THEM INSIDE THE BUNKERS,
923
00:45:17,867 --> 00:45:18,767
BUT THERE WERE NONE.
924
00:45:20,767 --> 00:45:24,067
THE OSTWALL WAS SERIOUSLY
UNDER SUPPLIED,
925
00:45:24,067 --> 00:45:26,133
AND ONE GENERAL, KUCHLER,
926
00:45:26,200 --> 00:45:27,208
EVEN REFUSED TO CALL IT
THE EAST WALL, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T
927
00:45:27,208 --> 00:45:28,000
EVEN REFUSED TO CALL IT
THE EAST WALL, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T
928
00:45:29,733 --> 00:45:31,433
THINK IT HAD ANY REAL
STRATEGIC VALUE.
929
00:45:32,700 --> 00:45:35,267
Narrator: AND YET THE OSTWALL
AND THOSE DEFENDING IT
930
00:45:35,333 --> 00:45:36,900
IT WERE ABOUT TO BE PUT TO
THE TEST.
931
00:45:36,967 --> 00:45:39,067
Jurga: [ SPEAKING POLISH ]
932
00:45:39,067 --> 00:45:40,733
Interpreter: ENEMY WAS
APPROACHING FROM THAT SIDE --
933
00:45:40,800 --> 00:45:42,400
APPROACHING SLOWLY.
934
00:45:42,467 --> 00:45:46,867
FIRSTLY, HE HAD TO OVERPASS THE
ANTITANK BARRIER ON THE ROAD.
935
00:45:46,933 --> 00:45:50,833
SO THESE HITLER YOUTH AND THESE
OLD GUYS IN THE MILITIA,
936
00:45:50,900 --> 00:45:52,967
THEY STAND NO CHANCE
AGAINST THE SOVIET ARMY.
937
00:45:53,067 --> 00:45:54,333
BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP 'EM.
938
00:45:54,400 --> 00:45:56,567
THEY PUT UP RESISTANCE,
AND THEY WERE DETERMINED
939
00:45:56,633 --> 00:45:57,208
TO DEFEND THE BORDER
AND DEFEND THIS FORTIFICATION.
940
00:45:57,208 --> 00:45:58,000
TO DEFEND THE BORDER
AND DEFEND THIS FORTIFICATION.
941
00:46:01,800 --> 00:46:04,300
Selwood: THE SOVIET ATTACK HERE
WAS RELENTLESS.
942
00:46:04,367 --> 00:46:06,133
YOU CAN STILL SEE
THE HUNDREDS OF
943
00:46:06,200 --> 00:46:08,400
BULLET HOLES AND IMPACT MARKS
FROM ARTILLERY.
944
00:46:08,467 --> 00:46:10,433
FOR THOSE INSIDE
MANNING THE LINE,
945
00:46:10,500 --> 00:46:12,067
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
UTTERLY TERRIFYING.
946
00:46:13,400 --> 00:46:16,067
Narrator: IN JUST DAYS,
THE WALL WAS BREACHED
947
00:46:16,100 --> 00:46:19,333
AND THE RED ARMY ROLLED
TOWARDS BERLIN.
948
00:46:19,400 --> 00:46:22,233
THE OSTWALL HAD FAILED.
949
00:46:23,167 --> 00:46:26,067
THE SLIGHTLY PATHETIC THING
ABOUT THE LINE, REALLY,
950
00:46:26,067 --> 00:46:27,208
IS THAT AFTER SO MUCH
DEVIOUSNESS, SO MUCH PLANNING,
951
00:46:27,208 --> 00:46:28,000
IS THAT AFTER SO MUCH
DEVIOUSNESS, SO MUCH PLANNING,
952
00:46:29,367 --> 00:46:33,067
SO MUCH HOPES FOR IT,
WHEN THE TIME ACTUALLY CAME,
953
00:46:33,100 --> 00:46:35,233
THEY WEREN'T PREPARED TO PUT
THE MANPOWER
954
00:46:35,300 --> 00:46:36,800
OR THE RESOURCES INTO USING IT,
955
00:46:36,867 --> 00:46:39,533
AND THE LAME DUCK BECAME
A DAMP SQUIB.
956
00:46:41,333 --> 00:46:42,433
Jurga:
[ SPEAKING POLISH ]
957
00:46:42,500 --> 00:46:44,667
Interpreter: HAD THIS
FORTIFICATION BEEN COMPLETED
958
00:46:44,733 --> 00:46:47,700
THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED,
MOST LIKELY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
959
00:46:47,767 --> 00:46:50,067
VERY PRECIOUS
TO THE GERMAN ARMY.
960
00:46:50,133 --> 00:46:55,467
UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM,
THEY COMPLETED IT ONLY TO 30%.
961
00:46:55,533 --> 00:46:57,208
AND WITHOUT ANTITANK WEAPONRY,
962
00:46:57,208 --> 00:46:57,467
AND WITHOUT ANTITANK WEAPONRY,
963
00:46:57,533 --> 00:46:58,000
THE SOLDIERS DIDN'T HAVE
A CHANCE
964
00:46:59,467 --> 00:47:01,667
AGAINST THE POWER
OF THE SOVIET ARMY.
965
00:47:01,733 --> 00:47:04,300
WHEN THE WAR ENDED
AND THE TREATIES ARE SIGNED,
966
00:47:04,367 --> 00:47:06,300
THE BORDERS ARE REDRAWN.
967
00:47:06,367 --> 00:47:10,100
AND THIS AREA ENDS UP
INSIDE POLAND,
968
00:47:10,167 --> 00:47:14,067
THE VERY NATION IT WAS BUILT
TO KEEP OUT.
969
00:47:19,633 --> 00:47:22,500
NOW THE CAVERNOUS OSTWALL
LIES EMPTY,
970
00:47:22,567 --> 00:47:26,133
AND ANYTHING VALUABLE THAT
REMAINED INSIDE HAS LONG SINCE
971
00:47:26,200 --> 00:47:27,167
BEEN STRIPPED AWAY.
972
00:47:28,867 --> 00:47:30,133
Jurga: [ SPEAKING POLISH ]
973
00:47:30,200 --> 00:47:33,200
Interpreter: THE RUSSIAN ARMY
SENT SPECIAL TROPHY BATTALIONS
974
00:47:33,267 --> 00:47:35,067
WHO WERE NOT ONLY INTERESTED
IN GOLD,
975
00:47:35,133 --> 00:47:38,700
SILVER, OR MUSEUM ARTIFACTS
BUT ALSO IN MACHINERY,
976
00:47:38,767 --> 00:47:40,167
AND TOOLS.
977
00:47:40,233 --> 00:47:42,267
ALL OF IT WAS TAKEN OUTSIDE,
978
00:47:42,333 --> 00:47:45,900
PACKED INSIDE THE WAGONS,
AND SENT TO THE EAST.
979
00:47:48,567 --> 00:47:50,600
Narrator: RUMORS SPEAK OF
NAZI TREASURES
980
00:47:50,667 --> 00:47:52,467
STILL HIDDEN IN THE WALLS,
981
00:47:52,533 --> 00:47:56,733
BUT ALL THAT FILLS THE DARK
CORRIDORS TODAY ARE SOME
982
00:47:56,800 --> 00:47:57,208
35,000 PROTECTED BATS.
983
00:47:57,208 --> 00:47:58,000
35,000 PROTECTED BATS.
80222
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