The Nazi Connection

by F.W. Winterbotham and Frederick William Winterbotham

Book Overview

The personal story of a top level British agent in pre-war Germany. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060146869
• ISBN13: 9780060146863
• Release Date: January 1978
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Reporting on Nazi Rearmament

Winterbotham was sent to Germany to befriend the Nazi leaders and learn about their plans. He learned about the forthcoming invasion of Russia 5 years before it happened. Later he was in charge of the Enigma code breaking operation - The Ultra Secret. Winterbotham first went to Germany in 1934 as an official who had important connections. Hitler did not want war with England, and would boast of Germany's powers in order to keep England neutral. Winterbotham would gather this information to warn the military and politicians of this future danger. Chapter 1 tells of his experiences as a flyer in the Great War who was shot down, captured, and imprisoned. Chapter 2 tells of his joining the Air Ministry. Winterbotham had a law degree, had been a pilot, spoke good French and reasonable German. In addition to technical details, he had to learn about the political and military intentions of Germany. He visited Berlin in 1934, and wondered about its resurgence (Chapter 3). That resulted from the failure of the Allies to occupy Germany and purge its ruling class, who soon wanted another turn at bat. The German Army, controlled by the aristocracy, acted as a political force that affected the government. In Chapter 4 Winterbotham explained that his friendship with top Nazi leaders gave him influence for meeting with lower ranks (p.63). At one school 12-year olds were taught how to attack on a battlefield (p.75). He explains the theory of the Aryan master race (p.76). Chapter 5 tells of his meeting with top Air Force and Army officers. He learned in 1934 of the plans to attack Russia with lightning speed (p.83). This would require a vast armament program (p.89). In Chapter 6 Winterbotham explains the need to talk to the new pilots (p.93), and for wider contacts (p.94). In WWI the airplane was introduced for reconnaissance, but the Germans would use it for a superior fighting force (p.95). Page 100 explains the technical information that was wanted. He explains the problems with divebombers (pp.103-4). Chapter 7 tells of his visit to the Middle East, where he observed the old irrigation canals in Mesopotamia that were destroyed by the Mongol invasion (p.113). They calculated the number of bombers from the number of air crews (p.119). Big bombs produced shock waves that shattered buildings like a small earthquake. The British depended on their Navy for protection (Chapter 8). Aircraft and tanks were minor details. They were warned about the Hitler menace, but disregarded it (p.127). The failure to contest Hitler's occupation of the Rhineland in 1936 resulted in another war (Chapter 9). Winterbotham returned to Germany to learn more about their aircraft. A successful dictatorship must have both an internal and external enemy (p.140). The British Empire was successful because it mostly did not interfere with the religion and customs of the conquered (?). He learned the most by just listening (p.143). The "vast majority" of Germans supported Hitler and his promi