Lost U-Boats of WWII is a new reality show docuseries on The History Channel. What’s it about?
“Hitler knew he was losing the war,” someone tells us in the trailer for Lost U-Boats of WWII. “I believe he smuggled wealth out of Europe on U-Boats. I think I know where they are.”
“The hunt begins to solve one of the last secrets on World War Two” appears as we see people in SCUBA gear swimming underwater toward a submerged vessel.
And then we hear stuff like:
- “What were the Nazis doing in the Caribbean?”
- “Are we looking for treasure or for something more sinister?”
The official description of the new History Channel show notes:
Lost U-Boats of WWII follows treasure hunter Darrell Miklos and his team as they attempt to locate missing Nazi U-boats he believes are holding billions of dollars in stolen gold, jewels and art at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea.
Without knowing much more about Lost U-Boats of WWII, this one feels like a mixture of Geraldo Rivera’s The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults with some Jacques Cousteau elements thrown in.
And, I must admit, the bit about “or is it something more sinister” does give off a little whiff of Ancient Aliens goofery.
But, you know, maybe it’s fun and stuff.
Lost U-Boats of WWII: when and where is it on?
Lost U-Boats of WWII premieres on The History Channel on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 at 10p. The first episode is called “Sunken Nazi Secrets.”
What would you do to find buried Nazi treasures from World War II?
I gave myself a fun little assignment: imagine that there’s buried Nazi treasure on the ocean floor off the coast of my native homeland: Long Island, New York. What are the first things I’d think about in going after that treasure.
- Know your history: I’d delve into the historical context surrounding the treasure’s origins. Understanding the Nazi connection would require extensive research into wartime activities, naval engagements, and any documented instances of Nazi treasures lost at sea.
- Ethics a concern?: The discovery of Nazi treasure would raise significant ethical considerations. I’d consider being mindful of the potential historical and cultural significance of the artifacts uncovered. And I’d need to approach the situation with sensitivity and respect for the memory of those affected by Nazi atrocities. Let’s hope that Lost U-Boats of WWII does the same.
- The legal stuff: Uncovering Nazi treasure could also have legal implications. Depending on the nature of the artifacts and their ownership status, there may be international laws and regulations governing their recovery and repatriation. I’d need to consult with legal experts and authorities – boring but important – to ensure that any actions taken are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, etc.
- To collab or not to collab?: Given the sensitive nature of Nazi-related artifacts, I’d likely collaborate closely with historical authorities, museums, and potentially even government agencies.
- Education: Despite the dark origins of Nazi treasure, its discovery presents valuable educational opportunities. I’d work to ensure that the artifacts recovered are used to educate the public about the history of World War II, the atrocities committed by the Nazis, and the importance of remembering and learning from the past.