A Chilling Tale: Horses Flash Frozen in a WWII Lake
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The Strange Nature of War
Warfare often brings forth unusual narratives. The unpredictable dynamics of conflict, coupled with countless intertwining events, can lead to some truly peculiar outcomes. One such tale transcends the realms of artillery, firearms, or human folly; it solely revolves around the forces of nature, intensified by environmental conditions during World War II.
In the 1940s, disillusioned Italian journalist Curzio Malaparte found himself on the Eastern Front, reporting on the war for Italy. Initially a fervent supporter of Italian fascism, Malaparte became increasingly disenchanted with the movement and its inherent violence. His experiences culminated in the 1944 publication of his book Kaputt, which blends factual accounts with fictional elements. It is from this work that we glean a captivating story about a herd of horses that were said to have flash-frozen in Lake Ladoga during one of the war's relentless winters.
The Winter's Fire and Ice
According to Malaparte, while stationed in a particularly brutal winter, he witnessed a forest fire ignite along the banks of Lake Ladoga—a significant location that separates Finland from Russia and was the site of the notorious Siege of Leningrad. As the flames grew fiercer, a large group of horses reportedly bolted from the woods and plunged into the frigid waters of the lake. In a remarkable twist, these horses froze instantly, becoming trapped in the ice.
Malaparte vividly describes “hundreds upon hundreds” of horses, their heads rising above the water while their bodies remained encased in ice below. These spectral figures were said to endure the entire winter, remaining frozen and eerily still until the lake finally thawed in the spring.
While this account appears to veer into absurdity, is it grounded in truth? Many scholars and scientists lean toward skepticism regarding its authenticity. However, they cautiously acknowledge that such an event is within the realm of possibility under the right conditions.
The Science Behind Flash Freezing
Most people understand that water freezes at 32°F (0°C), but the science is a bit more complex. Pure water, devoid of impurities, won’t freeze at this temperature. Instead, it can be cooled below freezing without forming ice—a phenomenon known as supercooling. For water to freeze, it requires a small amount of matter to initiate the crystallization process.
As explained by How Stuff Works, pure water needs some assistance to transform into ice; it can’t crystallize easily on its own. An impurity or shock is necessary to prompt this rapid change. Thus, theoretically, if a herd of horses were to plunge into a sufficiently pure Russian lake, flash freezing could occur.
Critics argue that the water in Lake Ladoga during this time was likely not pure enough for such a phenomenon to happen. However, it is conceivable that if the lake had remained still and cold for an extended period, sediment and impurities might have settled at the bottom, creating a purer layer on top. The sudden entry of the horses could have provided the necessary disturbance to trigger a flash freeze.
If the horses indeed froze solid as described, they would have remained encased in ice like frozen statues throughout the winter.
A Question of Reality
Whether Malaparte had an exceptionally vivid imagination or genuinely witnessed this event (or something akin to it, perhaps just a single horse) remains an intriguing question. It seems unlikely that he would concoct such a story without a real basis, given the scientific principles at play.
The Role of Horses in WWII
Many people overlook the significant presence of horses during World War II, often fixating on tanks and mechanized units. However, numerous armies relied heavily on horses, utilizing them for logistics and transportation. For instance, Germany employed horses to move artillery and supplies, while the Japanese used them to transport aircraft from factories to airfields. The plausibility of horses around Lake Ladoga is reinforced by the fact that millions were used throughout the conflict. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of horses lost their lives during WWII, and the true toll remains uncertain, especially considering the devastation of horse populations from both World Wars.
