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"The article so specifically stated that he was concerned the Germans would dig up the place" The Nazis would surely dig up his offices, but not Copenhagen. M

"The article so specifically stated that he was concerned the Germans would dig up the place" The Nazis would surely dig up his offices, but not Copenhagen. Moreover, the Nazis didn't even know that those things were there - and they don't really have much value at all to the Nazis. They're a couple of pieces of gold. The Nazis could do whatever they pleased with whomever they wanted - it's ridiculous to think that a couple of tiny pieces of gold would have changed their view on what to do with an acclaimed scientist. It's laughable. They'll capture a Scientist and put him to work on whatever they want, or not. A couple of pieces of gold are totally irrelevant. If this were a bottle of 'heavy water' or some nuclear material, or piece of gear that they knew existed, knew was in his possession and had some strategic value, then they might spend some time looking for it. Otherwise this is not a story.

pmoriarty 10y ago
"it's ridiculous to think that a couple of tiny pieces of gold would have changed their view on what to do with an acclaimed scientist. It's laughable." Many people were killed on a whim by the Nazis, without much if any reason at all. Being a famous scientist wouldn't necessarily save you (and especially not your valuables, which were frequently confiscated). Then there's a good chance that the grunts who searched these people wouldn't know who they were, wouldn't care, or even feel contempt or hatred for them because of who they were or what they said or did, and would in fact value gold far more than their lives.
- edblarney 10y ago
  That's why hammering out the Nobel details and throwing them in the garbage, harbour, garden would have saved them entirely. Random gold found in the harbour does not implicate Bohr.