Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Recalls conversation with [Hermann] Goering; soon after arrival in Berlin became acquainted with [Erhard] Milch, then head of Deutsche Lufthansa, German air transport line, and recognized as a great administrator and pioneer in international air transport; when Nazis came into power, Goering believed first thing Germany had to do was to develop an air force superior to that of all other powers; although a flyer himself, he knew nothing of technical or operational ends of air transportation business or of airplane industry production, and got in touch with Milch, offering to make him a general and put him in charge of the Nazi Air Force directly under Goering; Milch had been strongly anti-Nazi, but he fell into the snare and accepted the offer; Milch was soon appalled over what he saw happening and in long conversation with Messersmith expressed his fears; he called a few days later and told Messersmith Goering wished to talk with him; told Milch if Goering had anything important to discuss he would do better to arrange appointment with U.S. Ambassador; Milch insistent; finally agreed to go see Goering, with stipulation that conversation would be unofficial, and any views expressed would be personal ones; was received affably by Goering, who asked Milch to remain; he started conversation by saying, "Whenever you have a change of government in the U.S. you change all your Ambassadors and Ministers"; explained to him that U.S. did not change governments, only change of administrations after free elections, and that while the President and Secretary of State can appoint an Ambassador or Minister with approval of Senate, most of the people in U.S. Foreign Service, even Ambassadors and Ministers, were career men who had been in the service for years; Goering then spoke of this "bloodless" revolution; told him that was not the opinion of people who saw what was happening, that the cruel and bloody methods regime was using were creating difficulty for Germany internally and with rest of the world; Goering remarked that when U.S. entered First World War about 300 Germans living in Philadelphia had been put to death in front of Independence Hall; told him no such incident had taken place and that he was apparently very badly informed about what took place in other countries; saw no point in continuing conversation, and left; Milch said later Messersmith had destroyed Goering's favorite dream, that of being Foreign Minister.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.