Vintage Postcard Germany 1934 Pre-War From Berchtesgaden Land Scenic Alps For Sale

History behind the postcard

During World War II, the German government, specifically the Nazi regime, heavily utilized Berchtesgaden and the surrounding Berchtesgadener Land in the Bavarian Alps as a key military and political hub.

1. Obersalzberg and Hitler’s Berghof – Adolf Hitler maintained his mountain retreat, the Berghof, on the Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden. This was one of his primary residences and functioned as a secondary center of Nazi power after Berlin. Many major decisions regarding the war were made here, including aspects of the invasion of Poland and the attack on the Soviet Union.

2. Obersalzberg Military Complex – Over time, Obersalzberg became a fortified Nazi compound. The SS and Nazi elite, including Hermann Göring and Martin Bormann, also had homes and offices in the area.

3. Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) – This mountaintop retreat, built for Hitler’s 50th birthday, was used primarily for meetings and as a showpiece for visiting dignitaries.

4. Underground Bunker System – A vast underground bunker complex was constructed beneath Obersalzberg as a means of defense against Allied attacks.

5. Final Days of the War – As the war neared its end, Nazi leaders considered making Berchtesgaden a last stronghold, but the idea was abandoned. The area was bombed by the Allies in April 1945, and U.S. forces, including the 101st Airborne Division, took control in early May 1945.

6. Post-War Period – After WWII, U.S. forces occupied the region, and many Nazi buildings, including the Berghof, were destroyed to prevent them from becoming neo-Nazi shrines.

Today, Berchtesgaden and the surrounding area serve as a tourist destination, with historical sites and the Dokumentation Obersalzberg Museum, which educates visitors about the area\'s Nazi history.