Polish explorer claims to have discovered secret Nazi tunnel complex

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/11/polish-explorer-nazi-underground-tunnels

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A Polish explorer has claimed to have discovered a massive subterranean complex in the south-east of the country, which he says was built by the Nazis to protect Hitler’s inner circle in the event of a nuclear war.

Krzysztof Szpakowski said the tunnels and a subterranean complex were part of a known network of secret underground passages code-named Riese (Giant).

Related: Men tell Polish TV they have 'irrefutable proof' Nazi gold train exists

The Polish city of Walbrzych has been in the global spotlight for weeks after two men – Piotr Koper from Poland and German Andreas Richter – claimed to have found an armoured railway carriage there from the second world war that is allegedly filled with treasures.

The train’s existence has yet to be proven, though a deputy culture minister said last month he was “more than 99% sure” it was true, adding that he had seen a ground-penetrating radar image of the carriage.

At a press conference on Friday, Szpakowski said that his discovery was based on evidence that he has gathered for decades, including witness statements, old documents and an examination of the area by ground-penetrating radar and by dowsers.

“The Nazis built a whole underground city in this region with an area of 200 hectares (500 acres) ... that was supposed to allow Hitler’s inner circle to survive for a couple of years in case of an atomic attack,” Szpakowski told reporters.

He said reports of the Nazi gold train “had sped up my decision to inform the Walbrzych authorities”.

To back up his claim Szpakowski showed reporters ground-penetrating images of the two tunnels and subterranean complex.

“There could be anything there, but especially military equipment and construction material,” he said, adding that it would be “irresponsible” to suggest the contents include treasure.

Historians say there are dozens of kilometers of tunnels and only 10% of them have been uncovered. No documents have been found to indicate their overall purpose, but they have attracted explorers and inspired legends of a hidden Nazi train laden with gold.

The region was in Germany until the war’s end and then became part of Poland. The Red Army resided in the area for some 18 months after the war before handing it over to the Poles.