THE NAZI CONNECTION

THE NAZI CONNECTION 
By Frederick William Winterbotham CBE.

First published in 1978, F.W. Winterbotham's story begins as a  first world war pilot in the Royal Flying Corps where he was shot down and became a prisoner of war. Whilst a POW, he learnt to speak some German which would prove most useful over a decade later when in 1929 he joined MI6.

As we know the 1930's saw the focus very much on Germany and the rise of the Third Reich. 
Now Chief of the Air Section of the the British Secret Service, Winterbotham realised that Germany was building up its armed forces in total defiance to the Treaty of Versailles. Unfortunately, in Winterbotham's own words, the British government seemed to be ignorant to what was going on. Winterbotham decided to get the evidence needed to get the government to act.

So a plan was formed. Winterbotham created a persona of having Nazi sympathies and that in his new official role as a Liason Officer, his written reports would be read by all at the top of the British Foreign Office. He befriended the head of Nazi Foreign Affairs who not only invited him to Germany, but on his first visit to Berlin had arranged for Winterbotham to meet Hitler himself.
Over the coming years there were regular visits to Germany. Winterbotham would not only be given the VIP treatment, touring the country, meeting Nazi dignitaries for meetings and luncheons, he would even meet Hitler again on several occasions. 
All the time Winterbotham was gathering intelligence from what he saw and heard. Carefully asking questions, but doing so in a way so as not to draw suspicion.

Winterbotham's narrative goes into more detail about these many occasions and the conversations he had with Hitler and Hess, as well as many leading Army and Air Force commanders.
How they were so willing to drop their guard and openly discuss their plans provides a remarkable insight to their mindset.
Surely Winterbotham's reports of Germany's training and build-up of armed forces. The tactics they would use and the German's hope that Britain would 'keep its nose out' would surely set government wheels in motion?

The whole story and the reasons why the Germans were so welcoming to their new 'English friend' makes for fascinating reading. Learning more about 1930's Germany and its people through an English spy's eyes only added to the interest.
But Winterbotham's wartime work didn't end there. He was also a key figure at the start of  photographic reconnaissance by air and followed this by working at Bletchley on the 'Ultra' intelligence. A remarkable man.

The republishing of this book will make it more readily available for new readers to enjoy. I've certainly enjoyed discovering Winterbotham's story. It is certainly deserving of a return to print.

The hardback edition will be published in April by Frontline Books, an imprint of Pen and Sword Books. 
I thank P&S for this review copy. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MITCHELL

Image
MITCHELL: Father of the Spitfire  By Paul Beaver. The majority of readers will have heard the name R.J. Mitchell and certainly his most famous aircraft design, the beloved Spitfire. Yet many, myself included, might not have known that his career began in railway engineering. This and so much more is revealed by author , Paul Beaver, who shares the full story of this remarkable man who became Supermarine's chief designer at the age of just 24. Alongside Reginald's career, we also learn how the Supermarine company was founded and then grew during the decades between the two world wars.  Mitchell's answering of Supermarine's job advertisement  would prove to be the beginning of a remarkable legacy. Importantly, o ne the author also states came about with the brains and skills of a talented group of people who have been too often overlooked. This legacy is of course far more than just the Spitfire. Many other types of aircraft especially flying boats were also d...
Read more

ROYAL NAVY FORCE H: 1940-42

Image
ROYAL NAVY FORCE H 1940-42 This is book 14 in Osprey's 'Fleet' series and is written by naval historian, Angus Konstam. If you have read any second world war books on the Mediterranean war and/or Malta, then it is highly likely that Force H and its well respected commander, V.Adm. Sir James Somerville, is mentioned. Based at Gibraltar, Force H patrolled both the Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean often escorting vital convoys to Malta. It was Somerville who led the fleet in the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir and they would also be later involved in the hunt for the Bismarck.  As well as describing the fleet's ships, its commander and their wartime endeavors, the role and defences of Gibraltar is also covered. This is an added bonus as most books generally only give Gibraltar a passing mention. With a fascinating narrative, aided with many useful maps, charts and original artwork, it is a book I have certainly enjoyed and would definitely rec...
Read more

THE DUMMY DRONE

Image
THE DUMMY DRONE BY Rob More. Away from the Battle of Britain in the skies over the English Channel and Southern counties, or the devastating blitz bombing of London and other major cities, surely  the far North of Scotland would hardly be effected by the second world war?  Well the opposite was true. In this fabulous new book, local author and resident, Rob More reveals how the county of Caithness was a scene of great change from the coastline and beaches to the farmland, hills and villages. Not forgetting all those who lived and worked there.  With the area hosting a range of wartime installations and airfields it received many visits from the Luftwaffe. As we learn in the book, civilians and their properties would also be caught up in these raids. From the radar stations searching for enemy aircraft, to those recruited for the local Home Guard and the lesser known Auxiliary Units. Communities the length of Britain prepared for an expected German invasion. Ro...
Read more