Cofete, a remote paradise on the coast of Fuerteventura, has long been the scenario of mysteries and legends that have left locals and visitors speechless. Among the most intriguing stories is that this picturesque location was a secret base of German submarines during World War II. But how much is true in this legend? In this article, we will explore the facts and demystify the fascinating history of Cofete.
The legend argues that Cofete was a strategic point for German submarines during World War II. However, when we examine the geography of the place, the idea of a submarine base falls apart. The distance between the coast and Gustav Winter's chalet is approximately 2 km, and the shallow waters make submarine manoeuvres practically impossible.
The videos of the constant swells in Cofete show the sea's fury, even about 400 meters from the shore. These continuous waves make building an underwater tunnel of more than 2 km to the house even more unlikely. In addition, at the beach's east and west ends, large rocks go from being discovered to appearing almost totally buried in a few months. That is, the sand level can vary more than 1.5 meters high from one era to another of the year, which tells us about the millions of cubic meters of sand moved by the enormous sea force on the coast.
It has been speculated that three stores in the house's basement support the theory of a submarine base. However, it is essential to remember that in Germany, it was common for single-family dwellings to have spacious basements at that time. These basements were used to store food, crops, furniture and merchandise in a fresh environment. The construction of warehouses in the basement of the house of Cofete is perfectly adjusted to this architectural practice.
Historical evidence contradicts the idea that Cofete was a Center for Nazi operations during World War II. Gustav Winter, the owner of the house, was not a member of the Nazi party, had not even performed the military service. He left Germany in 1913, a year before World War I broke out.
The “Casawintercofe” site links to letters, photos and other documents, which allow to verify that before 1946 “the house did not exist”, because World War II, began on September 1, 1939 and ended on September 2, 1945, And the more than one hundred links linked allow to determine the construction date of the house, which began in 1946 and ended in 1955.
In addition, the exhaustive investigations carried out by experts in the history of the Canary Islands have confirmed that there is no evidence of the presence of German submarines in the area. Dr. Juan José Díaz Benítez, a professor at the Department of Historical Sciences at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has carefully analyzed this issue and concluded that there was no submarine supply in Fuerteventura during World War II.
In addition, the claims about Gustav Winter, the house's owner, have been subject to controversy. Interviú magazine published an article in 1983 that claimed that Hitler planned to retire in the Canary Islands, but this has been denied by Simon Wiesenthal, the famous Jewish hunter, who declared that the article was nonsense and that his documentation centre had no evidence that Gustav Winter was involved in Nazi activities.
In summary, legends about Nazi submarines and Nazi activities in Cofete lack solid evidence. The area's geography, the lack of resources and the chronology of the events make these theories highly unlikely. Historical research and experts' words confirm that Cofete was not a secret refuge for German submarines.
It is important to remember that the truth behind Cofete is even more fascinating than legends. This beautiful and remote location has long been a refuge for tranquillity and natural beauty, and its real history deserves to be appreciated without myths or exaggerations. Cofete is a place of beauty and serenity that everyone should enjoy for what it is.
Source: Freepik image
