Category — Britain
Hess meeting focused on race
January, 1932. I met with Rudolph Hess this afternoon at my apartment. We had a wide-ranging discussion. Today, Hess wanted to steer most of the conversation toward diffusing the ‘misunderstood’ racial policies of the Nazis. He said to pay little attention to what Hitler says on the subject, but I countered with the many hateful Jewish references in Mein Kampf, which I just finished reading. Hess tended to shrug off the statements, suggesting that Hitler was trying to satisfy a certain small segment of the Nazi party and other ultra-nationalists who need to hear such things in order to win votes. Hess tried to assure me that the vocal racists were not the majority in his party. Certainly Germans could see that.
I reminded Hess that I myself am one quarter Jewish on my mother’s side.
“You see! I am a Nazi and I am happily consorting with you, my good Albrecht! Plus you know I love your father, my favorite professor.”
But as we wrapped up our discussions, I was not sure who was trying to influence whom in our relationship. Hess is a big fan of the British (he abhors the Russians and French, as do I) and is convinced we will never go to war with England again. He knows I have many friends in Britain. Perhaps he is is trying to shape my view of the Nazis, knowing I will pass along neutral tidbits to my British contacts.
I myself, on the other hand, want to know more about the inner workings of the National Socialists with the hope I can help keep them from seizing power from Hindenburg.
I did get one bit of useful information from Hess. He indicated that Hitler is preparing one of the most modern presidential elections ever. Hitler plans to fly across all of Germany, using air transport as a means to visit several distant cities in one day. A brilliant idea I must confess, unfortunately, considering old man Hindenburg will not likely move an inch from his estate in Prussia during the election. He’ll try to run everything from his palace and rely heavily on his stature of “Hero of Tannenberg.”
We ended our meeting in our usual way by comparing horoscopes and downing some schnapps. Hess made a a point of letting me see his new Mercedes, a gift from Hitler.
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November 7, 2009 No Comments
A visit in the night – friend or foe?
January 1932. I was getting ready for bed this evening when I received a call from a fellow named Clyde Menzies. He spoke German well, but betrayed a slight British accent and seemed more than a bit anxious on the phone. He wanted to meet me immediately at a local cafe. I told him I was indisposed, but he was insistent and mentioned that he was an acquaintance of my English friend the Duke of Hamilton. This immediately got my attention and I agreed to meet him at a small cafe on Unter Linden.
It turns out that Menzies is a British agent. Or so he says. Why he would tell me this is a bit of a mystery, but he indicated that, like me, Englishmen in high places are concerned about the rise of Hitler and that I have been identified as a bone fide source of intelligence. No doubt they are aware of at least some of my contacts.
Menzies wants to set up several drop off spots in the Tiergarten whereby I can pass along information that I deem important enough to share with Lord Hamilton and his political friends. Menzies did not go into much detail, he seemed distracted, but instead left me a sheaf of papers to read regarding simple techniques for leaving documents in safe places in the gardens. I am to burn these papers within 24 hours. I must memorize three drop off points and the matching methods of indicating to Menzies I have something valuable to share.
Before departing company, I was suddenly seized with the terror that Menzies was actually a Nazi, perhaps an emissary of Himmler or Goring, trying to infiltrate my contacts. I therefore asked him several pointed questions regarding our supposed common acquaintance, the Duke. These questions were as mundane as the squadron of aeroplanes Hamilton commanded (602 Glasgow), his favorite dish when in London (lamb with red currant jelly), and whether Hamilton had ever been to Vienna and when (yes, 1928). I was satisfied with his answers.
At least for now.
I am truly now in the middle, caught between my Western friends and Nazi fanatics who seem hell bent on taking over my country. I must be extra careful if I work with the British. I am concerned for my family’s safety, as well as my friends and confidants.
I got home after midnight and could hardly sleep. I am typing this at daybreak, wondering if I have been contacted by friend or foe.
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October 21, 2009 No Comments