All language subtitles for Dictators.Hideouts.S01E03.Hoxhas.Bunker.Madness.1080p.NOW.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-RAWR_track3_[eng]

NARRATOR: Across Albania's
mountainous landscape

lie entry points to countless
underground bunkers,

a reminder of its dark past.

a reminder of its dark past.

- Albania was a nation held
completely captive

by fear and by paranoia.

by fear and by paranoia.

NARRATOR: The country
had become increasingly isolated.

- And at the heart of it all is
just one man,

Enver Hoxha.

Enver Hoxha.

- Hoxha's regime is actually
marked with him cutting ties

with just everybody.

with just everybody.

He had absolutely no allies left.

NARRATOR: This devolved into a
maniacal obsession with defence.

- Hoxha built over 170,000 bunkers.

It was unique in world history.

NARRATOR: The elusive dictator built
secret, private bunkers,

hidden from the world
and his people.

hidden from the world
and his people.

- Deep in the mountains
and kilometres of tunnels

and situation rooms and conference
rooms

and bedrooms and everything else.

- They're supposed to be the
cutting edge of technology

- They're supposed to be the
cutting edge of technology

as bunkers, and they're meant
to protect Hoxha and all his cronies

in the event of some nuclear strike.

in the event of some nuclear strike.

NARRATOR: Was there truly a credible
external threat to Albania,

NARRATOR: Was there truly a credible
external threat to Albania,

or were the bunkers merely the
result of a paranoid mind run amok?

Even then, would the bunkers
manage to protect Hoxha

Even then, would the bunkers
manage to protect Hoxha

in the event of a major attack?

Underground tunnels.

Nuclear bunkers.

Nuclear bunkers.

Architectural madness.

Lavish headquarters.

For dictators,

the cost did not matter,

only their desires,

power and security.

power and security.

What secrets hide
in these grand structures?

Dictator's Hideouts.

Dictator's Hideouts.

Shadows of the past loom
over the Albanian hills,

where concrete guardians
gaze back through time.

where concrete guardians
gaze back through time.

Yet within the seclusion of
the communist dictator,

Enver Hoxha's opulent villa,
one question arises,

Enver Hoxha's opulent villa,
one question arises,

how could a man surrounded by luxury

harbour such deep-seated paranoia?

Could the grand halls
and velvet drapes

Could the grand halls
and velvet drapes

conceal the unease of a ruler?

What secrets does the opulence hide,

What secrets does the opulence hide,

alienating him to a world of
concrete complexes?

Hoxha's bunkers casts new light
on this complicated despot,

as we peel back
the layers of history.

as we peel back
the layers of history.

From luxurious villas
to secret hideouts,

in search of the man who ruled
Albania with an iron fist

for more than four decades.

for more than four decades.

Located in Europe's south,
among the Baltic States,

Albania is a small country with a
population of around three million.

Albania is a small country with a
population of around three million.

It features stunning
coastal beaches,

a rich, diverse culture,

a rich, diverse culture,

and sophisticated architecture.

Yet beneath this tranquil facade,

lies a history steeped
in blood and mystery,

lies a history steeped
in blood and mystery,

courtesy of the nightmarish
reign of a cruel tyrant,

Enver Hoxha.

Enver Hoxha.

- Hoxha was an interesting character
because he was brought up

and educated in Albania,
but he did spend some time abroad.

He spent time in France,
spoke French.

He spent time in France,
spoke French.

- (speaking Albanian)

RICHIE: During the war,
he became the eventual head

of the Communist Party in Albania.

And so, when the Germans
were pushed out of Albania,

he was a natural selection

to be the leader of the country.

- Hoxha was a firm believer

- Hoxha was a firm believer

in the perpetual revolution,

with him leading the dictatorship
of the proletariat.

NARRATOR: Despite
his unassuming nature,

Hoxha was devious
and power-hungry,

with his uncompromising
brand of Marxism

with his uncompromising
brand of Marxism

bringing Albania to the brink of
economic and political collapse.

He would need a luxurious residence
to match his ego

and he'd find it among
the network of streets

in Tirana, Albania's capital.

in Tirana, Albania's capital.

How he came to own the property
typified his gangster regime.

- In November 1944, when
the Communist government

- In November 1944, when
the Communist government

found that in the area of the new
Tirana built by the Italians

there were three or four
beautiful houses.

And they found that a villa built by
an Italian architect engineer

Bellotti, it was the largest house
in Albania at the time.

Bellotti, it was the largest house
in Albania at the time.

NARRATOR: Inside, the villa hid
splendour and opulence

unimaginable to Albanians
living in Europe's poorest country.

FEVZIU: Villa seems to be something
like 2,400 square metres.

NARRATOR: Comprising three floors
and a basement,

NARRATOR: Comprising three floors
and a basement,

the villa included
six small apartments,

each featuring bedrooms
and bathrooms.

Its interior holds a private cinema,

Its interior holds a private cinema,

while the exterior includes
a swimming pool.

Blloku, the Villa's neighbourhood
in central Tirana,

Blloku, the Villa's neighbourhood
in central Tirana,

is geographically modest,

but held great significance as the
district housing Albania's elite.

Under Hoxha, the enclave
would come to represent

Under Hoxha, the enclave
would come to represent

the dictator's power,
as well as his isolation.

- Now, in The Block, Hoxha
and his cronies and his acolytes,

- Now, in The Block, Hoxha
and his cronies and his acolytes,

they've got all the best
stuff from the West.

They've got great medicine,

they got great food, they've got
great tech, you name it.

they got great food, they've got
great tech, you name it.

They can have whatever they want.

And of course, when you put yourself
into a block like that

And of course, when you put yourself
into a block like that

and you enclose yourself
from the rest of the population,

what's going to happen?

You're going to get
more and more paranoid.

You're going to get
more and more paranoid.

NARRATOR: Hoxha claimed he wanted
to strike international partnerships

to help Albania grow and flourish
in the post-war era.

to help Albania grow and flourish
in the post-war era.

Instead, he led the country
even further into isolation.

First, by cutting ties
with the West.

First, by cutting ties
with the West.

RICHIE: Saying anything about
a Western newspaper

or some sort of western news
was enough to get you killed.

Even having relatives
in the West was enough.

Even having relatives
in the West was enough.

This man was cruel,
vindictive and horrifying.

NARRATOR: Unnerved
by Hoxha's ruthlessness,

the West sprung into action.

American and British intelligence
agents were airdropped into Albania

American and British intelligence
agents were airdropped into Albania

to support anti-communist opposition

and undermine Enver Hoxha's regime.

and undermine Enver Hoxha's regime.

The operation failed

and is widely considered
the juncture that catalysed

and is widely considered
the juncture that catalysed

Hoxha's tailspin into
paranoia and seclusion.

NARRATOR: Following the West's
failed coup attempt in Albania

in the late 1940s, early 1950s,

Enver Hoxha began
to fortify his villa.

Enver Hoxha began
to fortify his villa.

- There were a number
of attempts to kill Hoxha.

Nevertheless, by the end
of his rule there were

a few known attempts on his life,

a few known attempts on his life,

but one of the reasons for this
was that he guarded himself so well

and he'd killed off so many
opponents that it was very difficult

for anybody to actually mount any
kind of insurrection against him.

- He had some rings of security.

They put it a second
security checkpoint,

something like 50 metres
from the villa.

something like 50 metres
from the villa.

Then, at the end,
they circulated an area

of some hectares to protect
the villa of the Hoxha,

of some hectares to protect
the villa of the Hoxha,

which was on the centre.

For four years, never a man of
Politburo, or the government,

For four years, never a man of
Politburo, or the government,

passed in the front of
the Hoxha's villa.

For the protection of Blloku,

it was a group of 5,000 armed men,

it was a group of 5,000 armed men,

with ten tanks.

They were in the basement of
Central Committee.

And also some anti-rocket batteries,

not very modern and sophisticated.

First of all, it was the security.

Villa had inside 12 people,
for the security.

It was one, let's say,
bodyguard for every place,

including the bedroom.

including the bedroom.

In the front of the bedroom is a
small kind of garderoba,

where a guy was standing
24 hours a day there,

where a guy was standing
24 hours a day there,

changed every three hours.

It was one of the personnels
and more trusted bodyguards.

It was one of the personnels
and more trusted bodyguards.

NARRATOR: For Hoxha,
this was insufficient.

He required contingencies
for every potential threat.

He required contingencies
for every potential threat.

The ultimate solution was a
clandestine, subterranean hideout.

- Then there were a system
of bunkers under the house.

- Then there were a system
of bunkers under the house.

Some bunkers connect
the house of Hoxha

with the house of Mehmet Shehu,
the Prime Minister.

They both connected the houses
with the Central Committee

They both connected the houses
with the Central Committee

and with the government building.

And from there, there is a
third tunnel going now

at the extent Rogner Hotel

at the extent Rogner Hotel

and from there to
the Royal Palace in order.

NARRATOR: With access to an ever
expanding network of tunnels,

Hoxha was well prepared
for any lethal threats

requiring immediate
evacuation or disappearance.

requiring immediate
evacuation or disappearance.

The underground structures
remain a testament

to his meticulous planning.

As Albania continued to decline,

As Albania continued to decline,

the world watched
the escalating delusions

of a dictator desperate
for security.

- (speaking Albanian)

- (speaking Albanian)

- Dictators suffer from
a number of illusions...

- Dictators suffer from
a number of illusions...

..so they have this extreme
conspiratorial mindset

that leads them to see
danger at every corner

that leads them to see
danger at every corner

and to isolate themselves
in their defence.

NARRATOR: Terrified by
the prospect of Albania

NARRATOR: Terrified by
the prospect of Albania

becoming absorbed
by Tito's Yugoslavia,

Hoxha cut ties with his neighbour.

- He always had that idea,
the party will be consolidated,

killing the others.

If you don't have an enemy,
you create an enemy.

If you don't have an enemy,
you create an enemy.

You kill him and
the other will be afraid.

NARRATOR: This paranoia culminated
in the severance of relations

with the Soviet Union itself.

Whereas Hoxha regarded Stalin
as a fellow Marxist ideologue,

Whereas Hoxha regarded Stalin
as a fellow Marxist ideologue,

he derided Khrushchev
as a charlatan.

On November 7th, 1961,

On November 7th, 1961,

Hoxha made a speech denouncing
Khruschev as a revolutionist,

an anti-Marxist and a defeatist.

- Hoxha is a complete extremist.

- Hoxha is a complete extremist.

He is like the super,
uber communist.

He is more of a communist
even than Joseph Stalin.

He is more of a communist
even than Joseph Stalin.

That is saying something.

Hoxha is more of a communist
than anybody who's ever lived.

NARRATOR: Following the severance
of relations with the USSR,

NARRATOR: Following the severance
of relations with the USSR,

Hoxha received a message...

..that an attack was
being prepared against him.

..that an attack was
being prepared against him.

- He cut the borders, so that
nobody could get in or out.

And he was convinced that there
were enemies everywhere,

that Albania was going
to be attacked.

that Albania was going
to be attacked.

- Hoxha is completely terrified
of losing power

and he's also projecting
that terror,

and he's also projecting
that terror,

of losing power,
onto his own people.

He starts creating what
is known as 'bunkerization'.

He starts creating what
is known as 'bunkerization'.

NARRATOR: Bunkerization
of this scale

was the most significant
in world history.

was the most significant
in world history.

The idea of a country
so small and impoverished

undertaking such a task
was incomprehensible.

- Dictators have a tendency
to create

very large scale projects.

Monuments. Buildings.

Monuments. Buildings.

Underground bunkers.

And these great projects are a
reflection of their own importance.

And these great projects are a
reflection of their own importance.

- Hoxha got the idea of the
bunkerization of Albania

- Hoxha got the idea of the
bunkerization of Albania

from his own paranoia,
this idea that this was the way

to protect individuals
and to protect himself.

NARRATOR: In 1971,

the twelfth plenum of the ALP's
Central Committee,

the twelfth plenum of the ALP's
Central Committee,

led by Enver Hoxha,

enacted the process
of Albania's bunkerization.

The strategy would be implemented
from 1975 until 1983.

The strategy would be implemented
from 1975 until 1983.

During this time,

173,371 bunkers were constructed

throughout the country.

throughout the country.

Varying in size, some were small,
designed for civilians.

Others were large,
concealing cannons and tanks.

Others were large,
concealing cannons and tanks.

The plan was to have one bunker
for every eleven inhabitants.

-They were in towns
and cities and villages.

-They were in towns
and cities and villages.

In playgrounds, in schools,

in hospitals, back gardens.
It was unbelievable.

The number of bunkers
spread all over the country

The number of bunkers
spread all over the country

was astronomical.

WALTERS: The idea of creating
bunkers for basically everybody

WALTERS: The idea of creating
bunkers for basically everybody

is an expression, surely,
of total paranoia.

Hoxha is making out
to the Albanian people,

Hoxha is making out
to the Albanian people,

that you could be invaded
at any time.

"You've got to protect yourself
at all costs."

This is insanity.

NARRATOR: This rampant
paranoia brought Albania

NARRATOR: This rampant
paranoia brought Albania

to the brink of financial collapse,

but it served Hoxha's purpose
of keeping his population

firmly under his control.

firmly under his control.

DERVISHI:

DERVISHI:

FEVZIU: Albanians spent,
at the time, 28% of the GDP.

NARRATOR: As the deluge
of capital flowed to turn

NARRATOR: As the deluge
of capital flowed to turn

Hoxha's vision into a reality,

ordinary citizens were inundated
by unrivalled poverty.

ordinary citizens were inundated
by unrivalled poverty.

Their needs overshadowed
by their leader's grandiose

and misguided vision.

- Albania becomes the third poorest
country in the world.

- Albania becomes the third poorest
country in the world.

Not just Europe, the world,

because the average wage
is something like

15 US dollars a month.

15 US dollars a month.

The country is made bankrupt
by building all these bunkers.

So, you've got the irony
that these bunkers

So, you've got the irony
that these bunkers

that are meant to protect Albania

end up being its biggest threat.

NARRATOR: While Albania faced
financial and societal collapse,

NARRATOR: While Albania faced
financial and societal collapse,

Hoxha's paranoia continued
to dictate policy.

In 1978, having already distanced
himself from the Soviet Union,

In 1978, having already distanced
himself from the Soviet Union,

he cut ties with Communist China,

his last remaining ally.

MOGHADDAM: Hoxha turned away from
both the Soviet Union and China

MOGHADDAM: Hoxha turned away from
both the Soviet Union and China

because he believed
that both of those systems

had turned away from

had turned away from

strict Marxist Leninism
and Stalinist line.

NARRATOR: With his allies gone,
Hoxha began to prepare Albania

NARRATOR: With his allies gone,
Hoxha began to prepare Albania

for the war he believed
would certainly come.

This would coincide with the
construction of his most clandestine

and secure base yet, in
the southern stronghold of Corovode.

and secure base yet, in
the southern stronghold of Corovode.

- Hoxha had the idea that the war
was going to come in two phases.

First phase would be a, kind of,
conventional war

First phase would be a, kind of,
conventional war

and so for that you needed
conventional defence system,

including mortars, rockets
and all the other things.

And then the second phase
was going to be a guerrilla war

And then the second phase
was going to be a guerrilla war

that was going to be perpetrated
by the enemies from outside.

RICHIE: Corovode,
which was huge complex,

which was dug into the mountains,

it was going to have about
100,000 spaces for people.

it was going to have about
100,000 spaces for people.

- What this was going to be was the
ultimate place of safety, you know?

- What this was going to be was the
ultimate place of safety, you know?

It was the ultimate hideout
for Hoxha,

and it was known as
The Capital of War.

and it was known as
The Capital of War.

NARRATOR: Albania's
so-called 'Capital of War'

was constructed in the city
of Corovode.

was constructed in the city
of Corovode.

Here, Hoxha made preparations
for a final reckoning

between the last bastion
of Marxist-Leninism

and his mounting enemies
in the East and the West.

and his mounting enemies
in the East and the West.

But how did the largest
and most highly classified project

of Hoxha's regime
maintain its secrecy?

of Hoxha's regime
maintain its secrecy?

NARRATOR: Bardhyl Kalemi
bore witness

as Enver Hoxha's
imposing underground fortress

as Enver Hoxha's
imposing underground fortress

took shape in Corovode.

Kalemi saw, first-hand,
the juxtaposition

of the nation's aspirations
and its haunting reality.

of the nation's aspirations
and its haunting reality.

NARRATOR: The sheer audacity of
constructing a structure this vast,

NARRATOR: The sheer audacity of
constructing a structure this vast,

under the nose
of an unsuspecting populace,

shows the iron grip Hoxha
had over Albania.

shows the iron grip Hoxha
had over Albania.

The project required
not only total secrecy,

but also abundant resources.

- During the Cold War
there were, of course,

- During the Cold War
there were, of course,

more scared of nuclear attacks.

The best way to protect a bunker
for a nuclear attack,

make it as strong as possible.

make it as strong as possible.

Use the high quality materials,

multiple layers
of the best concrete.

The concrete that protects
you already from the radiation.

The concrete that protects
you already from the radiation.

Dig it into a mountain,
deep underground.

NARRATOR: One labourer,
managing to load 11 wagons,

meeting the standard requirement,

meeting the standard requirement,

would receive a wage of 166 lek.

At the exchange rate of that time,

this amounted to approximately
two and a half dollars per day.

this amounted to approximately
two and a half dollars per day.

The Capital of War is the name
attributed to the bunker network

scattered across
the city of Corovode.

In the event of war,

everything would be moved
to this one vast labyrinth.

- All the gold from the Albanian
bank would be housed there,

in a secret tunnel.

There were already these massive,
huge, underground ovens

that would be able to bake bread
for thousands of people.

that would be able to bake bread
for thousands of people.

Also there would be
the state archives,

the press and, of course,

the press and, of course,

what all dictators need in
their hideouts is a lot of weapons.

Now, on top of this,
high in the mountains,

Now, on top of this,
high in the mountains,

the dictator installed
his command post.

NARRATOR: What secrets lurk deep
within his personal hideout?

Amidst the sprawling labyrinth
of tunnels and bunkers

stands a unique two-story edifice.

Here, the nation's supreme leader

would be able to
rest and rejuvenate,

before leading his forces
below ground.

Ferdinand Dervishi is an
investigative journalist

who had chronicled Albania's
bunkerization for years.

who had chronicled Albania's
bunkerization for years.

Through his tenacious commitment,

Dervishi has become a leading voice

on the intricate mysteries
surrounding Albania's

on the intricate mysteries
surrounding Albania's

extensive bunker network.

NARRATOR: Ascending to the
building's second floor,

we find the intended quarters
for Hoxha and his family.

A sanctuary for resting,
meals and daily life.

A sanctuary for resting,
meals and daily life.

With the rest of the structure
housing conference rooms

and offices, this level was
designed for moments of repose.

Beneath this building's edifice,
a nuclear bunker was concealed,

Beneath this building's edifice,
a nuclear bunker was concealed,

between 20 and 80 metres
underground.

This was the most secure place in
the entirety of the Capital of War,

This was the most secure place in
the entirety of the Capital of War,

with walls 2.5 metres thick.

- It was a complex system
of engineering,

- It was a complex system
of engineering,

as well as anything else,

and Hoxha thought that if you had
a bunch of concrete above you,

that this would be enough
to protect you.

- There were several tunnels dug

- There were several tunnels dug

and they were about
200 or 300m long,

but they were in a U shape.

Now, the U shape is related
to the ventilation system

Now, the U shape is related
to the ventilation system

because you have
one generator sucking in air

and the other one
pulling it out through.

NARRATOR: The decontamination room
was the final line of defence

against nuclear annihilation.

Without it, even the bunker's thick
walls would serve no quarter.

A slow, agonizing death
would await those inside,

A slow, agonizing death
would await those inside,

including the dictator himself.

The decontamination room
featured six heavy armoured doors

The decontamination room
featured six heavy armoured doors

lined in a row, creating
a formidable barrier

against any potential hazards.

WALTERS: Inside, you have
rooms almost like

really quite nice apartments
for Hoxha

really quite nice apartments
for Hoxha

and his family and his staff.

And there were living rooms
and bedrooms and bathrooms.

NARRATOR: Hoxha allocated
a suite of rooms for himself,

NARRATOR: Hoxha allocated
a suite of rooms for himself,

a bedroom, a rest area
and a bathroom.

Although the complex was completed,

only some of the rooms
were furnished,

only some of the rooms
were furnished,

while others remained untouched.

For example, the main tunnel,
which was meant to house Hoxha,

For example, the main tunnel,
which was meant to house Hoxha,

would have also served
as a hospital.

NARRATOR: Within
the bunker's confines,

NARRATOR: Within
the bunker's confines,

a staggering arsenal emerged.

Thousands of weapons were stored,

with thousands
of soldiers stationed,

ever vigilant and at the ready.

It seemed that the Capital of War
was Hoxha's ultimate hideout,

but would it be enough
to guarantee his safety?

In any event, Enver Hoxha never had
to resort to the Capital of War.

In any event, Enver Hoxha never had
to resort to the Capital of War.

Though he was convinced
that an attack would come,

he remained at his private villa
in Tirana,

he remained at his private villa
in Tirana,

beneath which he had also
made extensive preparations

for an enemy attack.

In the depths of the capital,
he cunningly hid the largest

In the depths of the capital,
he cunningly hid the largest

and most technologically
sophisticated

of his underground facilities.

- Hoxha's secret facility in Tirana
was known as Bunk'Art 2.

- Hoxha's secret facility in Tirana
was known as Bunk'Art 2.

This was a massive nuclear bunker
in the very centre of Tirana.

It was undetectable because
it was hidden

It was undetectable because
it was hidden

within the fabric
of the city itself.

It was hidden in plain
sight, as it were.

NARRATOR: Beneath this unassuming,
small structure, in the city centre,

NARRATOR: Beneath this unassuming,
small structure, in the city centre,

lies a colossal secret.

From 1981 to 1986,

From 1981 to 1986,

under the guise of the Ministry
of Internal Affairs building,

a clandestine bunker was constructed

for the highest dignitaries
of the Albanian security forces.

for the highest dignitaries
of the Albanian security forces.

This fortress, shrouded in secrecy,

marked the last grand
edifice of the regime.

- Whole system of tunnels
and other connected buildings,

is that it's almost inaccessible,
or at least large parts of it are,

and so it's impossible to know,
really, what's down there.

and so it's impossible to know,
really, what's down there.

There have been lots of
speculations, lots of urban myths,

lots of ideas as to what
was built there.

If Bunk'Art 2 exists,

should there not also be Bunk'Art 1?

WALTERS: Albania had a war doctrine

WALTERS: Albania had a war doctrine

and in case of open war,

Albania would start to fight,
kind of guerrilla style,

in the mountains.

in the mountains.

But, in case of a sudden
external attack,

Hoxha would hide in Object 0774.

- Very close to Tirana,
just minutes away,

- Very close to Tirana,
just minutes away,

is another secret bunker
that Hoxha built.

- It was not discovered
until the late 1990s.

- It was not discovered
until the late 1990s.

You can be very, very comfortable
when you describe

what was found there
as being completely insane.

- There are no traces
of the existence of the bunker.

It's just too hard to get the idea.

Once you get to the doors,
only in that moment,

Once you get to the doors,
only in that moment,

you can realise
that you are in front of a bunker.

Official information is like
2,685 metres square.

Official information is like
2,685 metres square.

Is five floors, with 106 rooms.

The structure itself
contains a lot of steel.

The walls deep inside, under earth,

start by one metre,
up to ten, eleven metres

start by one metre,
up to ten, eleven metres

in the most external parts
of the bunker.

So, as more exposed it is
to the open air,

more volume of concrete
we have thrown over there.

more volume of concrete
we have thrown over there.

Each tunnel has a wall
shielding the doors

Each tunnel has a wall
shielding the doors

by any strong mean of explosion,

like missiles or rockets.

It is a wall of concrete
of six metres per two metres.

It is a wall of concrete
of six metres per two metres.

- What they're supposed to be
is the cutting edge of technology

- What they're supposed to be
is the cutting edge of technology

as bunkers and they're meant to
protect Hoxha and all his cronies,

in the event of some
anticipated nuclear strike.

in the event of some
anticipated nuclear strike.

NANAJ: The doors were built on place

because they were too heavy
and they could not transport.

because they were too heavy
and they could not transport.

All are standard 16 centimetres
width, armoured with steel inside,

very dense and heavy stuff,
like four tons.

very dense and heavy stuff,
like four tons.

NARRATOR: But even the most
formidable nuclear-proof doors

NARRATOR: But even the most
formidable nuclear-proof doors

offer minimal defence against
chemical and biological weapons.

Here, the solution lies
beyond the door system,

Here, the solution lies
beyond the door system,

in a small room
with an essential purpose.

ANGELIER: Then you have
the decontamination room.

That is basically
the specific closed area.

That is basically
the specific closed area.

You get showers,
your clothes are taken off.

You're cleaned up and then you get
into a second section,

You're cleaned up and then you get
into a second section,

where they put up new clothing
and then you enter,

finally, into the bunker.

To prevent chemicals going
into your bunker

and biological, you need to have
a proper NBC filter.

NARRATOR: There were multiple
methods of communication,

NARRATOR: There were multiple
methods of communication,

telephony, telegraphy, radio and
German manufactured computers,

all alongside technology
which was powered

all alongside technology
which was powered

by energy generated
within the bunker itself.

The bunkers had a three phase
system for providing energy,

The bunkers had a three phase
system for providing energy,

an external network,
an internal generator

and batteries in the event
of a total blackout.

Besides the task of preparing
the bunker for security,

Besides the task of preparing
the bunker for security,

Hoxha pursued the creation
of an underground villa.

A self-contained city
where one could live,

A self-contained city
where one could live,

oblivious to the outside world.

NANAJ: They had the concept
that with no communication,

there is no command,
and with no command,

there is no command,
and with no command,

there is no victory in the front.

- You could have a building
that can house up to 250 people,

including the country's
general staff.

There was enough food, water, fuel,

There was enough food, water, fuel,

to keep hundreds of people
locked up there for a whole year.

- In general terms, there were
dormitories, or barracks,

rooms where the personnel,
the staff, has to sleep.

rooms where the personnel,
the staff, has to sleep.

Besides the sleeping rooms,
you have the offices.

- Obviously all dictators
need a luxury bed

- Obviously all dictators
need a luxury bed

and then an office
for his secretaries

and a bathroom with a shower.

And he, you know, it's a measure
of Hoxha's ego and vanity that,

you know, even in his bunker
he wants to show

how important he is by having his
apartment really nicely designed.

how important he is by having his
apartment really nicely designed.

And, you know, we have,
in Hoxha's apartment,

we have metal covering the wall,

we have metal covering the wall,

so it's much more secure.

While for the general staff, their
bedrooms are just made from wood.

- It was insane.

They were preparing themselves
for some kind of apocalypse.

This complex is vast.

If the West or East had conquered,

Object 0774 would have been
this very active place,

Object 0774 would have been
this very active place,

you know, because the entire
defence of the country

could be organized from here.

could be organized from here.

NARRATOR: But in the event
of an all-out nuclear war,

NARRATOR: But in the event
of an all-out nuclear war,

was Bunk'Art 1 Hoxha's
ultimate hideout?

Or would the Capital of War serve
as the superior fortress?

Or would the Capital of War serve
as the superior fortress?

NARRATOR: Paranoid Albanian
strongman, Enver Hoxha,

had built numerous hideouts
throughout the country

during his 40 year reign.

His main bunkers were
his villa in Tirana's centre,

His main bunkers were
his villa in Tirana's centre,

Object 0774 on its outskirts

and the Capital of War in Corovode.

and the Capital of War in Corovode.

Which of these structures
was the most sophisticated

for the insecure ruler?

Even the most fortified
bunkers have weaknesses.

Even the most fortified
bunkers have weaknesses.

How could Hoxha's super bunker
be made vulnerable?

And could he have successfully
withstood a full frontal assault

And could he have successfully
withstood a full frontal assault

from a powerful enemy,
either from the east or the west?

To find out, former British Army
Intelligence Corps officer,

Andrian Weale,
will put them to the test.

- In the 1970s and 1980s
there's a kind of revolution

in military technology
and it really comes from

miniaturization of electronics,

miniaturization of electronics,

transistors and things like that,
which became-

came into common use in military
equipment, in those times.

Consequently, the Yugoslavians
were able to build

effective modern equipment,

fighter jets, tanks and so on

fighter jets, tanks and so on

to supplement the basic small arms,

rifles, artillery, which remain,
more or less, the same technically.

There is this change
and it means that

the United States, the Soviet Union,

are all in competition with each
other, with peer or near-peer levels

are all in competition with each
other, with peer or near-peer levels

of military technology,

which hadn't necessarily
been the case before.

NARRATOR: If the USA
were to attack Albania,

Hoxha, according to his escape plan,

would move from his luxurious
villa to Bunk'Art 1.

would move from his luxurious
villa to Bunk'Art 1.

In order to kill Hohxa
while hidden there,

they would need to mount a surgical
attack directly on the bunker.

they would need to mount a surgical
attack directly on the bunker.

- The first stage
of any aviation attack

is the suppression
of enemy air defence.

Take out the radars,
you take out the missile systems.

Take out the radars,
you take out the missile systems.

You then send in the attack
helicopters, the Apaches.

They use their heavy
weapons, cannons,

air to ground rockets,

air to ground guided missiles,

to hit other targets which are going
to offer you resistance.

to hit other targets which are going
to offer you resistance.

Once those targets are suppressed,

helicopters continue to orbit around

making sure that nobody
else pops up to open fire.

making sure that nobody
else pops up to open fire.

That's when you bring
in the transport helicopters,

Chinooks, which can carry up
to about 60 troops.

Chinooks, which can carry up
to about 60 troops.

Blackhawks, which carry up
to about 12, at any one time,

they bring the infantry in.

The targets will not have been
destroyed at this point,

but once you've eliminated
the defences around the targets,

but once you've eliminated
the defences around the targets,

effectively they're sitting ducks.

Hopefully then you'd catch your
target within the bunker.

If he's got away, he's going to go
to The Capital of War,

in the mountains.
Then you've got a different problem.

in the mountains.
Then you've got a different problem.

NARRATOR: The attack
would need to be swift,

as otherwise Hoxha could escape

through one of Bunk'Art's
five emergency exits,

through one of Bunk'Art's
five emergency exits,

attempting to flee to Corovode.

Once among the mountainous terrain,

an attack would be difficult,

preventing superiority from armoured
weapons and heavy artillery.

preventing superiority from armoured
weapons and heavy artillery.

The countless Albanian bunkers
and minefields

would need to be identified,

would need to be identified,

then targeted by planes
and artillery,

resulting in losses that no army
could bear,

with some estimates claiming losses

with some estimates claiming losses

of hundreds of thousands
dead and wounded.

- The only way you're going
to get him out of there,

because it's a big structure,
is to use a big weapon...

..in this case,
a thermonuclear device.

So that's a megaton bomb,

So that's a megaton bomb,

or a multiple of megatons.

And that is- that's really capable
of removing mountains

and that's what it's going to do.

and that's what it's going to do.

And you can use that
in the mountains

because it's not close
to centres of population

and though there
will be collateral damage.

NARRATOR: Should the Soviet Union
have decided to attack,

they could, as a last resort,

have deployed a tactical nuclear
device against Hoxha.

have deployed a tactical nuclear
device against Hoxha.

- The R-12 Dvina rocket, which was
the most common, if you like,

- The R-12 Dvina rocket, which was
the most common, if you like,

rocket and warhead combination
with the Soviet forces,

would certainly be able to strike
anywhere in Albania.

ANGELIER: The structure there,
and the secret city

ANGELIER: The structure there,
and the secret city

built inside the mountain,

it doesn't give
any significant protection,

if you look at the construction
in general.

if you look at the construction
in general.

What we found was they
had poor constructional design

and poor material because it
needed to be cheap.

- The other problem
with these big complexes was

it was really pointless because
people might die immediately

in this mysterious bomb blast that
was going to happen,

in this mysterious bomb blast that
was going to happen,

but otherwise they would die
in two weeks anyway,

locked in, underground, in
the most horrible conditions.

So, the whole thing was a fantasy.

So, the whole thing was a fantasy.

FEVZIU: The idea that he was always
a target of attack from outside,

FEVZIU: The idea that he was always
a target of attack from outside,

it was a stupid idea.

It was a stupid idea because
he made the fortification

of the country at the time when
Hoxha was nothing for Italians,

of the country at the time when
Hoxha was nothing for Italians,

nothing for Greeks
and nothing for Yugoslavs.

It was not the beginning.

The beginning I understand,
because it was still the Cold War,

The beginning I understand,
because it was still the Cold War,

but in the beginning of 80s,

when we completed fortification
of a country,

when we completed fortification
of a country,

Albania had been
isolated from the world,

but absolutely even the world
forgot Albania.

but absolutely even the world
forgot Albania.

He was just a corner of the world,

with a stupid man and with a
crazy people staying there.

- Hoxha died of a heart attack
in his villa,

all by himself, in 1985.

all by himself, in 1985.

After 41 years of rule.

- If it hadn't been for 41 years

- If it hadn't been for 41 years

of dictatorial rule by Hoxha...

..the country would have
been very, very different

and much better probably.

NARRATOR: Despite his fate,

Albanians endure the scars
of Hoxha's rule to this day.

Albanians endure the scars
of Hoxha's rule to this day.

He effectively sealed the entire
country in a timewarp,

isolated from
the technological, economic

and cultural advances of much
of the rest of Europe.

Had he ruled much longer,

Had he ruled much longer,

there might have been
no hope for Albania.

As it stands,
it is now rebuilding itself

as a vibrant, modern economy,

as a vibrant, modern economy,

connected to partners in
the east and the west,

as it consigns the 40 years
of Hoxha's reign

as it consigns the 40 years
of Hoxha's reign

to the dustbin of history.

Subtitles by Sky Access Services

Subtitles by Sky Access Services