America First 1940-41
International Aviator Phenomenon
Charles Lindbergh was the most highly regarded aviator of his time. Many nations and government officials hoped to gain his insight, including Germany. They would show him aircraft, factories, designs, and even let him fly the planes that they created. When Lindbergh was asked to come to Germany by the highest ranking members of the government, Truman Smith did not pass this up.
Lindbergh and Truman Smith
The American attaché in Berlin was having problems with getting intelligence about the organization, tactics, numbers, and total strength of the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, in 1935. Major Truman Smith desired to build up Captain Koenig’s and his own prestige within the Luftwaffe and German aeronautical world in order to gather as much information as they could. He wished to have Major Charles Lindbergh and Koenig see and many factories, airfields, and other air establishments as possible on every short visit that Lindbergh took. Many in the international aviation community had already heard the many accomplishments of Lindbergh. He wished to bring Lindbergh together with the elite of Germany’s aeronautical leaders and to have Koenig and the other military attachés always at Lindbergh’s side during these meetings. He desired Lindbergh’s considered opinion on the quality of the German air rearmament.
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