World War II Mysteries That Continue To Defy Explanation

Written by Jesse Beckett and Clare Fitzgerald

Globally, the appeal of mysteries captures the interest of many, and World War II was rife with them. The substantial nature of the conflict and its brutal tactics resulted in disappearances, lost technologies, and other puzzling occurrences. Many individuals who possessed insights into these mysteries carried their secrets to their graves, fueling ongoing investigations to uncover the truth long after the war ended.

Below are some of the most intriguing mysteries from 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 captivated enthusiasts of the unexplained for many years, and World War II was no different, with numerous reports of unusual aerial sightings. Pilots during the war came across flying objects of various shapes, sizes, and colors, which were collectively referred to as " foo fighters ."

At first, US military officials attributed these sightings to combat fatigue, exhaustion, or atmospheric phenomena. Yet, as more reports surfaced, an official investigation was initiated to uncover their origins. While there were concerns that these objects might be advanced enemy technology, their seemingly non-threatening behavior made this theory less convincing. Despite thorough investigations, no conclusive explanations emerged, leaving the mystery of the foo fighters unsolved .

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

Who turned in Anne Frank and her family?

During World War II, a persistent mystery surrounds the revelation that led the German Army in the Netherlands to uncover the hiding spot of the Frank family. Their story gained global fame following the release of the diary of 15-year-old Anne Frank, whose writings have become essential in classrooms worldwide.

The Franks were apprehended, and Otto Frank emerged as the lone survivor of their wartime ordeal. Despite the passing of nearly eight decades, the identity of the individual who told their whereabouts remains a mystery. In 2022, a book titled The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation claimed to unveil the betrayer, only to be withdrawn by its publisher after facing debunking from historians and researchers.

Columbus Globe for State and Industry Leaders

The German leader had a penchant for grandeur, shown by the tanks he sanctioned in the latter stages of World War II. However, none are as mysterious as the Columbus Globe made for State and Industry Leaders. Crafted by a Berlin-based company in the 1930s, it came to symbolize his authoritarian ambitions.

Following the war, the globe's location became uncertain. While similar globes were produced at the time and others have appeared for sale over the years, none can definitively be linked to the leader. It might have been destroyed during the chaotic final days of the war or taken by a soldier who has since kept it hidden.

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.