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A TOP secret Nazi base in the depths of the Arctic has been found by Russian scientists after more than 70 years.

The mysterious site is located on a remote island in Russian territory – more than 600 miles from the North Pole.

Rusted shells were among 500 objects found at the deserted outpost
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Rusted shells were among 500 objects found at the deserted outpostCredit: Ruptly
Remarkably well-preserved documents were also found at the site
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Remarkably well-preserved documents were also found at the siteCredit: Ruptly

Set up in 1942, a year after Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, the military outpost on Alexandra land was christened “Schatzgraber” or “Treasure Hunter”.

The island was strategically vital to both sides during the Second World War because of its value in producing weather reports, according to the .

The information that it produced was crucial for the movement of troops and equipment in the frozen north of the USSR.

This was especially true as the brutal Russian winter set in that year, causing the relentless German advance to grind to a halt in the snow.

And the island was all the more important because most of the other potential sites capable of producing polar weather reports in the region were held by the Allies.

But the name given to the base suggests the Nazis may have had another, more secret, mission – possibly searching for a mythical treasure trove or ancient artefacts.

The base was set up in 1942, apparently with the aim of gathering weather reports
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The base was set up in 1942, apparently with the aim of gathering weather reportsCredit: Ruptly
A scientist holds a rusted WWII bullet found on the frozen rocky ground
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A scientist holds a rusted WWII bullet found on the frozen rocky groundCredit: Ruptly
The base was abandoned by its crew when they fell ill after eating polar bear meat
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The base was abandoned by its crew when they fell ill after eating polar bear meatCredit: Ruptly

A detachment of soldiers was dropped off on the island that year, establishing a base on the barren, rocky isle.

The men were re-supplied by air drops until the base was suddenly evacuated in 1944.

All of the outpost’s inhabitants were poisoned that year after eating polar bear meat contaminated with roundworms.

Alexandra Land is located more than 600 miles from the North Pole, in one of the least hospitable parts of the world
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Alexandra Land is located more than 600 miles from the North Pole, in one of the least hospitable parts of the world

The survivors were rescued by a German U-boat and the base abandoned.

Since then, there was no fixed presence on the island until 1990, after the fall of the Soviet Union.

And now, more than 70 years later, the location of the Nazi base has finally been discovered by Russian scientists.

Images showed rusted bullets, shells, and patrol cans scattered across the rocky, frozen ground.

The soldiers and scientists manning the base were rescued by a U-boat in 1944
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The soldiers and scientists manning the base were rescued by a U-boat in 1944Credit: Ruptly
One of the Russians who discovered the abandoned base holds a boot found there
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One of the Russians who discovered the abandoned base holds a boot found thereCredit: Ruptly
The base has been lost for more than 70 years before it was finally located
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The base has been lost for more than 70 years before it was finally locatedCredit: Ruptly

The team also found the remnants of bunkers and even 70-year-old papers, all remarkably well preserved by the intense cold.

In total, more than 500 objects were recovered from the site.

Russia is now establishing its own military base on Alexandra Land.

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