The FBI Files of Werhner Von Braun--Part 2
By Tom Carney
Reprinted with permission of Old Huntsville Magazine
Although many departments of the government were prepared to ignore this fact, and offer contracts of employment, President Roosevelt had earlier squelched the idea.
"I do not believe that we should offer any guarantees of protection. ... I think that any offering of guarantees would be difficult and misunderstood in this country and abroad."
After Roosevelt's death, a plan was developed whereby von Braun would be brought to this country temporarily "under the protective custody of the JIA." (Joint Intelligence Agency)
"We were told," recalled one of the scientists, "that we would enter the country with the knowledge and approval of the President (Truman). We had no legal status, but we came under the auspices of the Army."
In a 1952 interview, however, President Truman stated, "He (von Braun) may have been brought over here by the Army, but I knew nothing about it."
Von Braun and select members of his team were sent to Fort Bliss, Texas where investigators from different government agencies began an endless round of interrogations. The Germans were quizzed relentlessly about their backgrounds, their work, the Nazi party and contacts in the Russian zone. Von Braun answered the questions truthfully; he freely admitted to having joined the Nazi party and the SS. If he had done otherwise it would have been discovered immediately.
The Army had captured all of their records and background information and used it to double-check the scientist's replies. Every time a different, or wrong, answer was given, it would start another round of interrogations.
Although many of the Germans diplomatically described their stay at Fort Bliss as being "prisoners of peace," in reality they had no legal status. They had been brought into this country without visas, confined to a small area under constant surveillance and with their mail and phone calls censored. Von Braun, realizing that their ultimate fate might be determined by their actions, implored his team to observe the regulations.
El Paso Division, FBI
Special Inquiry
Major Hamill advised that Magnus von Braun, the brother of Werhner, sold a bar of platinum for $100. ... He admitted he had brought the bar to the United States in violation of the customs laws. Major Hamill stated that when this matter was brought to the attention of Werhner von Braun ... he administered a severe beating to his brother.
Major Hamill stated that from his conduct he had always thought Werhner von Braun to be very honorable ... and the violation of the trust by his brother and subsequent action strengthened his view.
Part 3--More Files
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