The Nazis had plans to destroy Warsaw, Poland, as early as 1940, viewing it as the center of the Polish underground and a symbol of Polish culture. The plan, known as the Pabst plan, involved demolishing most of the city and building a transport hub in its place, with Germans living there and Poles being deported to concentration camps or forced labor. During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, the Germans saw an opportunity to implement this plan, destroying a large part of the city, murdering Poles, and stealing valuable items. The destruction was systematic, with German soldiers using flamethrowers and explosives to demolish buildings, including historical monuments. However, some German sappers may have secretly spared certain buildings, such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, out of respect for the enemy. Polish librarians also managed to save some valuable books and manuscripts from destruction, smuggling them out of the city under German supervision. The total damage caused by the Germans in Warsaw is estimated to be around 170 billion zlotys, with the city being destroyed by 84%. The destruction of Warsaw is considered a global phenomenon and a sad reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Germans had a plan to destroy Warsaw and build a transport hub in its place.
2. The plan, known as the "Pabst plan", was created in 1940.
3. The plan involved demolishing most of Warsaw and deporting Poles to concentration camps or forced labor in the Reich.
4. The Germans wanted to build a huge People's Hall on the site of the Royal Castle.
5. The Sigismund Column was to be replaced with a monument to Germania.
6. The Germans planned to build new buildings in a style that would make it seem like Warsaw had always been a German city.
7. The plan was not implemented in 1940, but the Germans still had it in mind.
8. The Warsaw Uprising in 1944 provided the Germans with an opportunity to destroy the city.
9. Hitler ordered the destruction of Warsaw and the murder of its residents.
10. The Germans demolished buildings, including the Royal Castle, and set fire to houses using flamethrowers.
11. German sappers drilled holes in buildings and placed explosives to destroy them.
12. The Germans stole valuables from Warsaw, including machines, stoves, cables, clothes, and musical instruments.
13. At least 45,000 wagons were needed to transport the stolen goods, which is equivalent to at least 1,000 trains.
14. Himmler himself took some of the stolen goods, including watches, clothes, coins, stamps, and musical instruments.
15. The Germans burned libraries and archives, including the Polish Library in Paris.
16. Polish librarians managed to save some valuable books and manuscripts, including Gallus' Chronicle and Norwid's manuscripts.
17. The Germans documented the destruction of Warsaw, including photographs of the city in ruins.
18. Warsaw was destroyed by 84% and the damage was estimated to be worth 170 billion zlotys.
19. There were ideas to move the capital of Poland after the war, but ultimately, the city was rebuilt.
20. The way the Germans treated Warsaw is considered a global phenomenon and a sad example of destruction.