Connection to Curriculum:
History: WWI, WWII
Social Studies: History vs. Archeology, Rules of War
Empathy

Overview:
In May of 1914, the German Light Cruiser “Dresden” was trapped and sunk by British destroyers. She had been at anchor at Robinson Crusoe Island, 400 miles off the coast of Santiago Chile. Many of her crew was killed and the remainders were placed in a Chilean prison. One of those captured was Wilhelm Canaris. He later escaped Chile by horseback, entered Argentina, and with the help of German sympathizers returned to Germany near the end of the war. Canaris stayed in the German Navy and rose through the ranks until he became Admiral. On New Year’s Day of 1935, Canaris was named as head of the German Abwehr, the Military Intelligence Service. He served as its chief for the next 9 years and in that time assisted with efforts to overthrow Hitler as well as provide the allies with important information on German troop movements. Eventually, Canaris was hung, at Hitler’s orders in the last two weeks of the war.