Wernher von Braun’s Journey to the United States: Operation Paperclip and Its Implications

During World War II, Operation Paperclip played a pivotal role in the recruitment of Nazi scientists and engineers, including rocket pioneers like Wernher von Braun. This operation had profound implications for post-war technology and the space race. Here, we explore the context and details of von Braun’s journey to America and the broader implications of Operation Paperclip.

Operation Paperclip: Context and Background

At the end of World War II, Operation Paperclip saw the United States gather Nazi scientists and engineers for the purpose of contributing to American war efforts, including in the critical area of rocket technology. This operation began with the American Army’s Project Overcast in July 1945, naming it after the cold German prison camp where the scientists were held. The name was later changed to Operation Paperclip in November 1945, with the idea being that valuable scientists would be identified by a paperclip being attached to their file—meaning that any war crimes they may have committed could be overlooked.

Truman formally approved this operation on September 3, 1946. The Soviets also had their own operation, Operation Osoaviakhim, which quickly recruited over 6,000 German scientists, engineers, and their families in October 1946. However, Operation Paperclip focused on scientists who were cleared by the Nazis for ideological and DNA issues, notably excluding Jewish individuals.

The Identification and Recruitment of Werner von Braun

The specific means by which von Braun was identified and brought to the United States began with the notorious Osenberg List. This list named 4,000 trained scientists, physicists, and technologists who were recalled from active military service to work on the Peenemünde rocket programme, after being cleared of ideological and genetic issues.

In early 1945, a Polish scientist discovered part of the Osenberg List, which he conveyed to British intelligence. Major Robert Staver, an Army Ordnance Jet Propulsion Research specialist, then edited the Osenberg names into a “Get These Guys” list. The first name on this list was Werner von Braun.

Despite being identified for recruitment, von Braun was not “recruited” in the traditional sense. The first German rocket scientist to be “recruited” by the Americans was Herbert Wagner, who invented the cruise missile in March 1945. Wagner was taken to Long Island and worked on developing weapons even before the war ended. However, von Braun’s journey was significantly longer and more complex.

Lie and Falsified Accounts: von Braun’s Untold Story

Wernher von Braun’s entry into Operation Paperclip was not without controversy. He was a known Nazi and lied about his involvement. In 1947, von Braun falsely claimed that he “joined” the Nazi Party in 1939 under duress, but in fact, he had applied voluntarily in 1937. Furthermore, he joined an SS horseback riding school in 1933 and later claimed he had stopped participating in 1934. However, documents later revealed that he joined the SS in 1940 and was promoted three times within the organisation over the next few years.

Von Braun’s affiliations and the exact nature of his involvement with the Nazi regime raise significant questions about the moral considerations behind Operation Paperclip. Despite these issues, the rocket programme he led for the Americans proved invaluable in the early post-war years, contributing to the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles and the space race.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Operation Paperclip

Wernher von Braun’s journey to the United States exemplifies the complex ethical issues surrounding Operation Paperclip. While the operation brought valuable scientific talent to the United States, it also involved the recruitment of individuals with questionable moral credentials. The legacy of these actions has continued to be a subject of debate, particularly regarding the moral implications of using the talents of those involved in the war effort for further technological and scientific advancements.

Keywords: Operation Paperclip, Wernher von Braun, Nazi scientists