GERMAN INTEREST
As
Colonel Lindbergh spent more time in Europe he became increasingly
interested in Germany and especially their
airpower. Lindbergh never met Hitler and contrary to some people’s beliefs did
not sympathize with National Socialist policies. What he did admire about Germany was their efficiency,
spirit, scientific and technological accomplishments.Lindbergh
believed that Germany’s strength in aviation was quickly causing them to become
the leader of
Europe. Lindbergh believed that Germany’s advancing air power was going to
cause the other nations of Europe, as well as the United States, to adjust their own
aviation programs if they cared to compete. Lindbergh was first invited to Germany by the United States
Military attaché in Berlin, Major Truman Smith. Smith
was not well versed in aviation and wanted Lindbergh to help obtain information
about German air power that would be useful to the United States. The visit proved to be
very successful for American intelligence and further strengthened Lindbergh’s
own interest in Germany. After his second visit to Germany in November of 1937,
Lindbergh compiled a report for Smith detailing his observations on German air
power. Lindbergh said that German aviation was by far superior to that of Britain or France. Lindbergh believed that
Hitler’s fanaticism was sometimes a necessary factor in regaining control of a
nation like Germany that had experienced chaos
after WWI. Lindbergh supported the spirit of the German people in following
their leader. His failure to recognize Hitler’s evils would leave him open to
scathing criticisms in years to come. Lindbergh’s past trips to the United States had not generated much
interest until his visit in 1938. Lindbergh was presented with the Service
Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with a star by Hermann Goering. The
medal was a huge honor for civilians and was presented to Lindbergh by one of
the major figures in the Nazi party. This became extremely controversial and
Lindbergh began to become increasingly more criticized by the American press.
Despite the criticism, Lindbergh remained adamant in his beliefs that war was
not the answer.
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