The Undercover Nazi Hunter: Exposing Subterfuge and Unmasking Evil in Post-War Germany

by Wolfe Frank

Overview

Wolfe Frank was Chief Interpreter at the Nuremberg Trials where he was dubbed ‘The Voice of Doom.’ A playboy turned resistance worker he had fled Germany for England in 1937 having been branded an ‘enemy of the state – to be shot on sight.’ Initially interned as an ‘enemy alien,’ he was later released and allowed to join the British Army – where he rose to the rank of Captain. Unable to speak English when he arrived by the time of the trials he was considered to be the finest interpreter in the world.

In the months following his service at Nuremberg, Frank became increasingly alarmed at the misinformation coming out of Germany so in 1949, backed by the New York Herald Tribune, he risked his life again by returning to the country of his birth to make an ‘undercover’ survey of the main facets of postwar German life and viewpoints. During his enterprise he worked as a German alongside Germans in factories, on the docks, in a refugee camp and elsewhere. Equipped with false papers he sought objective answers to many questions including: refugees, anti-Semitism, morality, de-Nazification, religion, and nationalism.

The NYHT said at the time: ‘A fresh appraisal of the German question could only be obtained by a German and Mr Frank had all the exceptional qualifications necessary. We believe the result of his “undercover" work told in human, factual terms, is an important contribution to one of the great key problems of the postwar world … and incidentally it contains some unexpected revelations and dramatic surprises.’ The greatest of those surprises was Frank single-handedly tracking down and arresting the SS General ranked ‘fourth’ on the allies ‘most wanted’ list – and personally taking and transcribing the Nazi’s confession.

The Undercover Nazi Hunter not only reproduces Frank’s series of articles (as he wrote them) and a translation of the confession, which, until now, has never been seen in the public domain, it also reveals the fascinating behind-the-scenes story of a great American newspaper agonizing over how best to deal with this unique opportunity and these important exposés.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526738738
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	05/23/2019
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Born on St Valentine’s Day 1913 and a strikingly handsome man, Wolfe Frank was irresistible to women. Married five times he had a multitude of affairs many of which he graphically describes in his candid autobiography "Nuremberg’s Voice of Doom" (published by Frontline Books). In a packed lifetime other than being a gifted linguist he was also, at various times, a businessman, racing driver, skier, theater impresario, actor, television and radio presenter, journalist, salesman, financier, restaurateur, and property developer.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Selected Quotations viii

Preface 2019 xiii

Draft Preface 1949 xix

Prologue xxii

Part 1 Preparation

Chapter 1 The Idea of Uncovering the Truth About Post-War Germany 1

Chapter 2 The Proposal 4

Chapter 3 The Deliberations 13

Chapter 4 Approval and Agreement 29

Chapter 5 Preparation and Itinerary 37

Chapter 6 Transcribing, Editing and Marketing 48

Part 2 The 'Hangover After Hitler' Series of Articles

Chapter 7 The NYHT Introduction to the Series 53

Chapter 8 Hangover After Hitler Series: Introduction 57

Chapter 9 What Happened to the Nazis? 62

Chapter 10 Hitler, Goering Live in German Memory 69

Chapter 11 Nazis Keep Up Morale in Prison 78

Chapter 12 Breakdown of German Morals 86

Chapter 13 The Best-Run Zone in Germany 94

Chapter 14 Nino Million Without a Future 101

Chapter 15 Life in a German Refugee Camp 107

Chapter 16 Fugitives From Uranium Mines 113

Chapter 17 Investigating the Volkswagen Plant 119

Chapter 18 A Democracy That is Built on Sand 127

Chapter 19 Poverty and Luxury in Germany 134

Chapter 20 Anti-Semitism in Germany 139

Chapter 21 Tearing Down German Factories 143

Chapter 22 The Germans and the Conquerors 149

Chapter 23 Berlin: A Ruined and Divided City 153

Chapter 24 A High Nazi Officer is Run to Earth 158

Chapter 25 Regarding the Capture of a Wanted SS General 165

Part 3 The Confession of SS SS-Gruppenführer Waldemar Wappenhans

Chapter 26 The Testimony (Confession) of Waldemar Wappenhans 175

Part 4 Aftermath

Chapter 27 The Revealing of the Nazi General's True Identity 275

Chapter 28 What Happened Next 280

Chapter 29 Irony 282

Chapter 30 A Happy Conclusion to the Hangover After Hitler Series 287

Chapter 31 Was Frank Working for British Intelligence? 289

Chapter 32 Epilogue 294

Appendix A Final Conundrum - 'Fake or Fortune?' 299

Acknowledgements 303

Glossary & Abbreviations 305

Bibliography 309

Index 311