Operation Condor

Th e requirements of the invasions were so vast that the planes on hand couldn’t keep up to the demand. Al was having trouble getting more transport planes. Th e one he wanted was the old workhorse of aviation the JU 52 tri-motor; it was the best suited for the type of jobs they were doing. Th ere was one hitch in trying to get this airplane--it was also in demand by the Army and by Goering as a paratrooper plane. When Al complained to Hitler about his problem, he was surprised at Hitler’s solution. Hitler made Al a General, giving Al more power to be able to order the planes he needed. As well as a General he was still the Minister in charge of Air Transport, giving him two swords to fi ght with, a very powerful position. He continued to make direct reports to Hitler. Frieda, being one of the Lufthansa pilots, was transferred to the ATM. Th e demand for pilots was as critical as the aircraft shortage. When making one of his reports to Hitler, Al suggested that women be recruited and trained as transport and ferrying pilots to fi ll in the need for pilots. Again, Hitler second guessed Al. He said, “Th at is an excellent suggestion and to make it work properly make Frieda the head of the training program. I’ll make her a Colonel in charge of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She’ll be in charge of all female pilot training and it is to be under your command.” Al got Peter to give him a hand in helping Frieda prepare a training program for women pilots. Th ey used one that was similar to the one used by the Berlin Flying Club, that is, starting with gliders then gradually working up to transports and military aircraft. At one of the report meetings with Hitler, Al suggested maybe they should use the Condor that was stored at the Flying Club as part of the Air Transport usage. Actually he was testing Hitler Operation Condor 65 to see what he would say. Hitler’s face showed concern and he rejected the idea without giving a reason why. Evidently, the suggestion to use the stored Condor started Hitler thinking about that plane because several times during later meetings between them, Hitler would quiz Al about the condition of the Condor. One time he asked what colour was the plane? Al said it was natural aluminum like all the other planes in the Lufthansa fl eet. Th en Hitler did something unusual: he switched off the radio, then in a normal voice as if Al had just come into his offi ce, he said, “Th at Condor plane that is stored at the Flying Club. I’m going to have it painted white and put a big red cross on it. When the right time comes I’ll use it to bomb New York, USA, if they come into a war against Germany. It will reach New York nonstop from Germany, won’t it?” “Yes, no problem, it can reach New York easily and especially disguised as a Red Cross Plane.” Al thought, that ought to throw whoever is enquiring about the Condor off the scent. It had certainly thrown him off its intended use, but he still had a feeling about where he and Frieda fi t into Hitler’s plan. In September 1939 Germany invaded Poland. Th is was against the agreement Hitler had made with France and Britain assuring them that he would not do so. Th e United Kingdom and France declared war against Germany immediately. It was too late. Germany had been building a Navy, Army and Air Force for several years right under their noses. Hitler had gained control over half of Europe. In a very short time he utilized the Blitzkrieg method of warfare, working his way through France, Denmark and Norway. Al was busier than a one-armed paper hanger trying to keep up to the demand for air transport. Th ere were supplies, equipment, personnel and wounded to be hauled by air. Th is was a far cry from the scheduled fl ight days