These 6 World War II-Era Mysteries Are Still Waiting To Be Solved

Written by Jesse Beckett and Clare Fitzgerald

People from all over the world are enthralled by mysteries, and World War II was rich with them. The vast scope of the conflict and its ruthless strategies led to vanishings, technological losses, and other puzzling happenings. Many people who possessed knowledge of these mysteries took their secrets to the grave, sparking an ongoing effort to unravel them that has lasted long past the war's end.

Here are a few of the most captivating mysteries of World War II.

Battle of Los Angeles

One of the most peculiar episodes of the Second World War was undoubtedly the so-called Battle of Los Angeles . What makes it so extraordinary? Simply put, it never actually occurred. At the time, California was gripped by concerns of a potential Japanese assault, fueled further by circulating rumors of their proximity to the US mainland.

The purported "battle" unfolded in the wake of the Ellwood bombardment , spurred by a cautionary message from the Office of Naval Intelligence predicting an imminent attack on California within the next 10 hours.

On the morning of February 25, 1942, radar systems detected what seemed to be hostile activity 120 miles west of Los Angeles, triggering the blare of air raid sirens. In the ensuing hours, the 37th Coastal Artillery Brigade unleashed a barrage of 1,400 shells into the sky, while residents reported sightings of Japanese aircraft, paratroopers and even unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

Ultimately, the city faced no real threat, and the US Navy attributed the frenzy to heightened anxieties. Nevertheless, the incident remains shrouded in mystery, with many feeling that no explanation provided thus far fully elucidates the events of that night.

Foo fighters

Unidentified flying objects have long fascinated enthusiasts of unexplained phenomena, and World War II was no exception, with several strange aerial sightings reported. pilots during the conflict encountered flying objects of different shapes, sizes and colors, collectively known as " foo fighters ."

Initially, US military officials attributed these sightings to combat fatigue, exhaustion or atmospheric conditions. However, as more reports emerged, an official investigation was launched to determine their origin. There were concerns that these objects might be secret enemy technology, but their seemingly non-hostile behavior made this theory less plausible. Despite extensive investigations, no definitive explanations were found, leaving the mystery of the foo fighters unsolved .

We're not saying it's aliens, but...

Who turned in Anne Frank and her family?

A longstanding mystery from World War II revolves around the betrayal that led the German Army in the Netherlands to discover the Frank family's hiding place. Their story gained widespread recognition after the publication of the diary of 15-year-old Anne Frank, now a staple in classrooms worldwide.

The Franks were captured, and Otto Frank was the sole survivor of their World War II ordeal. Despite nearly 80 years having passed, the identity of the person who disclosed the family's location remains unknown. In 2022, a book titled The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation claimed to unveil the traitor, but it was later withdrawn by its publisher after being discredited by historians and researchers.

Columbus Globe for State and Industry Leaders

The German Führer had a preference for grandiose things, as evidenced by the tanks he authorized during the latter part of the Second World War. Yet, none are as mysterious as the Columbus Globe for State and Industry Leaders. A Berlin-based company crafted it for him in the 1930s, and it became a representation of his authoritarian goals.

After the war, the globe's whereabouts became uncertain. While similar globes were produced during that era and others have surfaced for sale over the years, none can be definitively linked to the Führer . It could have been destroyed during the tumultuous final days of the conflict or taken by a soldier who has kept it concealed.

Disappearance of Flight 19

Strange events are known to occur in the Bermuda Triangle , so it's not surprising that one of the most unusual unsolved mysteries to happen just months after the conclusion of World War II involved the site. On December 5, 1945, the US Navy sent 14 aviators on a navigational training flight. The mission involved them flying through the Bermuda Triangle, an area of the Atlantic Ocean where unexplainable incidents and disappearances occur.

Not long into the flight, all five of the General Motors TBM Avengers lost contact with base. An investigation was launched to try and determine what happened, but while a conclusion was initially agreed upon, it was later retracted. Currently, the case of the missing airmen is listed as having a " cause unknown ," as they've never been located.

What's even eerier is that the aircraft sent in to search for the missing torpedo bombers, a Martin PBM Mariner , also disappeared, leaving the whereabouts and fate of its 13 crewmen unknown to this day... This story makes us never want to set foot in the area.

Gold Train

Another German-related topic, the infamous Gold Train is one of the greatest unsolved World War II mysteries of them all. While stories vary, many believe the German Army loaded up a train with gold, art, treasure and other valuables when all hope of winning the war had vanished. The locomotive was then hidden, likely in a sealed-off tunnel, and has never been found. If true, the haul could be worth millions of dollars on its own, before accounting for the incredible history attached to it.

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The story has essentially become an urban legend, but that hasn't stopped many from taking it seriously. The Polish military hunted for the train following the war, but were unsuccessful. No evidence has been found to suggest it ever existed. However, the hunt was reignited a few years ago by two Polish men who claimed to have received a deathbed confession about its whereabouts.

Once again, no Gold Train was found.