by Donald Hunt
On the voyage home, Hanz began to consider the excitement of the Lindbergh attempt. “I have always wanted to fly an airplane,” he confided to Marlene. “What bravado. What courage Lindbergh is showing. Why not go to Paris? He just might make it!” Marlene had a good sense of humor and was spontaneous by nature. She responded with a twinkle in her eye, “Let’s go!”
Anna needed a break from her routine and was thrilled with the idea. The day after the Eichenwalds returned, Hanz had his secretary purchase three train tickets to Paris departing on May 18th.
Their first day in Paris was for sightseeing and relaxation. This was mostly decided upon for Anna’s sake, given her rigorous call schedule. The next day, they had an early breakfast and headed off in a taxi to the airport landing strip at Le Bourget. By 5:00 p.m. there were thousands of Parisians on the grounds waiting. At 6:30, the American Ambassador arrived. By 9:00 p.m. the excitement began to change to apprehension. They didn’t know that at that time, Lindbergh was about to cross the English Channel. Precisely at 10:12 p.m. the faint sound of an engine could be heard. Everyone grew quiet until the lights on the wing tips could be seen. Then 20,000 Frenchmen, along with a few Danes, Swedes, and Germans began cheering wildly. The plane circled once and made a final approach. As it touched down, the crowd swarmed the runway. Lindbergh was hoisted on the shoulders of two men. He made a few remarks to the crowd and then was rescued by the American Ambassador.
A week later, he and his plane were returned to the U.S. on a navy warship. His famous flight had taken 33 hours and 39 minutes. His return trip took approximately ten days. He was given a hero’s welcome with a New York tickertape parade. His place in history was established and the modern aviation industry was launched. The Eichenwalds had been witnesses to one of the most extraordinary events of aviation history.
“I would not trade the excitement of this experience even for a chance to pilot my own plane,” Hanz said to his girls.
* * *
While the Berlin Philharmonic was giving concerts, surgeons were being trained and the world was captivated by the daring of an American aviator, something else was happening, as well. Adolph Hitler was instructing the Nazi faithful, including Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler.
“The receptivity of the masses is very limited, their intelligence is small, but their power of forgetting is enormous. In consequence of these facts, all effective propaganda must be limited to a few essential points. These slogans must be repeated until every last member of the public understands what you want him to understand.”
Hitler had been released from prison in December 1924, having served 10 months for an attempted coup of the local government in Bavaria. For the next two years he was barred from speaking publicly. His immediate problem was a split in the ideology of the Nazi party. The northern segment, run by Gregor Strasser in Berlin, was presenting the party as favoring a socialist agenda. While the mission of the southern segment of the party, based in Munich, seemed to be just the opposite…. to fight against communism.
Anna’s longtime friend and classmate, Uri Avner, had continued his studies at the University of Berlin. He also continued his friendship with Anna, seeing her occasionally on weekends, usually for lunch in the Tiergarten. Still unknown to Anna, Uri was becoming more deeply involved with the Communist Party. Most party meetings were held late at night and were clandestine in nature. After the murders of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, the party was forced to go underground but they continued to aggressively recruit new members. They were well aware of the ideological split in the Nazi party. If the northern segment remained socialist in orientation, in time, they could be a conduit for the communists to dominate Berlin and central Germany.
Uri was involved in a plan to infiltrate the Nazi party in Berlin. Inside information would prove invaluable for the communist cause. The Nazis were still small in number and were delighted to have any university student. Gaining traction with youth was central to their strategy for political success. Uri had become a weekly attendee at Nazi meetings. It was at one of those meetings he first met Joseph Goebbels. Each large city was designated as a ‘Gau’, or district. A Gauleiter (leader) was appointed for each district. Goebbels had been designated the Gauleiter for Berlin.
Joseph Goebbels was a 29-year old follower of Hitler. He stood only five feet tall and limped badly because of a withered leg from childhood polio. He had graduated from the University of Heidelberg in 1921 with an ambition to become a writer. Raised in a lower-class family as a Catholic, his mother longed for him to become a priest. At the university his advisor in literature was a Jewish professor named Friedrich Gundolf, who was not fond of Goebbels. The goal of young writers was to gain access to the inner circle of established writers. Goebbels attempted to do this with the noted poet, Stefan George. When he failed, he blamed Gundolf.
One evening after a Nazi Party meeting, Goebbels asked Uri to join him at a nearby pub. This was a unique opportunity for the communist sympathizer to get to know Herr Goebbels. The pub was a five-block walk from the warehouse where the meetings were held. Because of Goebbels polio disability, they took a taxi. Goebbels was clearly anxious to know more about Uri.
“Tell me about your studies. What’s your major?”
“I am most interested in political science and will earn a minor in history.” Goebbels looked at him quizzically. “You aren’t native to Germany, are you?”
“No, I was born in Egypt. My father is a career diplomat with the Egyptian embassy. We came to Germany when I was 12 and I have decided I want to live in Germany and work in politics.”
“Very interesting. The party is looking for students to help us organize student groups.”
As they reached the pub, Goebbels paid the fare and gathered his coat and briefcase. Once settled inside, he spoke again. “I had a dream of being a writer. In fact I wrote a novel called Michael. It was, in effect, the diary of a heroic soldier. It was rejected for publication by a Jewish company, Ullstien and Mosse, the bastards.”
Uri could hear the bitterness in Goebbels’ voice and did not pursue the issue. He was becoming more aware of the hatred of Jews, especially in the Nazi party. Goebbels continued. “I have now dedicated myself to the Party.”
He explained that he had written many articles for the Berliner Arbeiter Zeitung (Berlin Workers Newspaper) attacking the capitalist system. Uri also knew that he was becoming noted as a speaker for the Nazi cause. Their conversation continued late into the night. Uri came to see that Goebbels was not only a tireless worker; his intention was to become a leader of the highest order in the party.
The following month Hitler called for a debate of the differing viewpoints of the party. The meeting was to be in the Bavarian city of Bamberg. It was planned in the middle of the week so that a limited number of members from Berlin could attend. In fact, Gregor Strasser and Goebbels were the only representatives. Hitler dominated the meeting. The two men from Berlin were intimidated, then humiliated. Later in the day, in private, Hitler confided to Goebbels.
“I want you in my ‘confident group’ in the Party.” Goebbels was overwhelmed and later wrote in his diary:
‘April 13, 1926…Hitler speaks for three hours…brilliant…we are moving closer. We ask…he replies. I love him…I am reassured all round…I bow to his greatness, his political genius!’
Gregor Strassor felt betrayed. He was stunned by the turn of events. An obvious outsider now, he returned to Berlin and is reported to have said: “My heart aches. I can no longer believe in Hitler absolutely.”
The Bamberg meeting was a defining moment for the Nazis. Strassor could no longer stand up to Hitler. The Party could now show its true malevolence. The brown- shirted street thugs called the Sturmabteilung or SA, were gaining strength under the direction of their leader, Ernst Rohm. They were now involved in the dirty work in the streets for the party. As the communist party became stronger, they u
sually supplied the opposition for street violence.
When Uri went to the next Nazi Party meeting he saw the dramatic changes. Over the next two months he gradually dropped from attending and eventually stopped going at all.
At this time, the SS or Schutz Staffel was formed. This was the personal protection squad for Adolph Hitler. Headed by Heinrich Himmler, it eventually grew to be an army within an army, with multiple branches and even some business enterprises. Ten years hence, the SS would be charged with the organization and management of the ‘Race and Resettlement Office’ of the Nazi Reich. Himmler would go on to mastermind the organization that created the concentration and death camps, stamping Nazi Germany in infamy.
Chapter 7
Lise Meitner
In many ways, the past 25 years had been a magical time for Lise Meitner. The Austrian born physicist was drawn to Berlin in 1907 to continue her post-doctoral studies with the eminent physicist, Max Planck. She was only the second woman to earn a Ph.D from the University of Vienna and had already published outstanding work on alpha and beta radiation. She was petite, with beautiful dark features. Given the aggressive environment of physics, she remained remarkably shy.
Once established as a research fellow, Lise was befriended by the prominent radio-chemist, Otto Hahn. He had moved to Berlin a year earlier after a year of study in Canada. He had come to work with another distinguished chemist, Emil Fisher. Hahn admired attractive women, but soon found that Lise had great intellect to go along with her beauty. He and Lise each needed a collaborator, so the physicist and radio-chemist made a natural team. Her beauty notwithstanding, their relationship was totally professional. They did not eat lunch together or even go on walks; yet they became very close friends.
The Kaiser Wilhelm Institute had opened in 1912, and offered a place for research and study for a large number of world-class scientists. The main buildings were located in Dahlem, a beautiful section of Berlin somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. The setting was pastoral. But in time, it would produce monumental advances in science and technology.
Lise lived in an apartment at the Institute. She loved music and enjoyed the symphony as well as the theater. But for the most part, her life was the world of physics where she could, in her own words, “pursue truth.” She was indefatigable at the task.
Although the KWI, as it was known, was the epicenter of much of what was going on in the world of science, another world class institute was being established in Denmark. Niels Bohr, a Danish atomic physicist, had opened his own Institute for Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen in 1921. The following year he was awarded the Nobel Prize for his explanation of the structure of the atom. The term ‘atom’ was derived from a Greek word meaning ‘indivisible.’ For centuries the atom was thought to be the smallest unit of matter. Now, with the work of Ernest Rutherford in England and Bohr in Denmark, the structure of the atom, its central nucleus and orbiting electrons, was all coming into focus.
Lise Meitner had enduring relationships with many of the world’s leading physicists, including Hanz Eichenwald and Albert Einstein, who often referred to her as ‘Germany’s Madam Curie.’ Each of these relationships was important to Lise, but none more than her friendship with Niels Bohr and his wife Margrethe. Lise was Jewish by birth. But in early childhood her family had become Christian and she had been baptized. She remained single and kept close ties to her family in Austria and her sister, a concert pianist. Even so, she occasionally opted to spend the Christmas holidays with the Bohr family in Copenhagen. The Christmas of 1932 was one such occasion.
Lise boarded the train at Central Station on the evening of December 21st. It was a gray, overcast season. Christmas tradition in Germany was an important time of celebration. Even with the pressure of inflation, many were doing their last minute shopping and traveling, crowding the train station to greet and send off loved ones. The station’s central area hosted a 50 foot Yule tree, the boughs of which could barely be seen behind hundreds of balls and crystals glittering as the light bounced around their bright red and green splendor. It was a fresh tree and Lise could smell a scent of pine as she passed by. By nature, she was a caring, thoughtful person and had spent the previous two days scurrying around for presents for the Bohr’s five sons. Her train arrived only a half-hour late. There on the platform to meet her, was Margrethe Bohr and her 17-year old son, Christian. She could not walk fast enough to greet them.
Lise Meitner, distinguished scientist, was also a loyal friend with maternal instincts. She and Margrethe had become extremely close and Lise cherished the times she could abandon scientific pursuits in favor of those more feminine. She had made this trip to forget the world of atoms, neutrons and protons. She wanted, if only for a few days, to twirl in front of full length mirrors, feel the smooth, elastic texture of bread dough between her fingers, and spend hours at the kitchen table with Margrethe, clad in house coats and poring over this carefree time.
Once they arrived at the Bohrs’ home, Lise spent a few minutes freshening up, then joined Margrethe for afternoon tea in the sitting room. This was their time to catch- up on their separate worlds. Margrethe was an outstanding cook and served pastries filled with candied fruits and warm buns with frosting, all made fresh that day. But despite the pleasure and anticipation of this visit, Lise could not hide her concern about the events taking place in her homeland. Margrethe could sense that her friend was troubled.
“Tell me of your work at the Kaiser. How are things in Berlin?”
Lise said nothing at first. She looked across the tea set directly into Margrethe’s eyes. It took Margrethe a moment for the sadness to register.
“Please,” she said softly.
“The work is fine. Germany is not.” “Talk to me,” Margrethe persisted.
“I will,” Lise replied, nodding. “But it is complex. I think we should talk about it later. It’s Christmas. I want to feel the joy of it…”
She sipped her tea and forced a smile. “Later, we will talk,” she said.
The next morning Margrethe took Lise on a tour of their new home. “At least it is new to us,” she laughed.
Her husband was now considered a Danish national hero. His 1913 publication “On the constitution of atoms and molecules” made him a Nobel laureate. In the summer of 1932, the Danish Academy had bestowed on him lifetime occupancy of the Danish House of Honor. Now he and his family were living in a palatial estate originally built for the founder of Carlsberg Breweries and subsequently reserved for Denmark’s most distinguished citizen. The main house was built of native granite. The home had 24 rooms and 20-foot ceilings. The estate was built on 20 acres of land with tall pines and evergreens. It was a haven for raising five sons.
After touring the house and the grounds, the two returned to the kitchen. “I know you want to
spend some time with Neils,” said Margrethe. “Let’s make some tea. I have a few things I need
to take care of for the boys and this will give you two a little time to catch up.”
Niels was a physically imposing man. He was tall for his generation, with a large head and hands. He also was a marvelous athlete, enjoyed sailing and skiing and routinely took the stairs two at a time. Parenthetically, he spoke with a soft voice, not much above a whisper. He had met Lise several years earlier at the annual Solvay conference in Brussels. For some reason he had felt a responsibility to look after her. She had seemed fragile and alone, as one of only two women in the physics ‘club.’
Over tea, he asked about his friends Einstein, Eichenwald and Planck, and inquired about Lise’s associate, Otto Hahn. For three hours they were lost in the question about whether the liberation of energy from the atomic nucleus was achievable in the next ten years. Finally, they relived events of the 1927 Solvay conference where Bohr and Einstein were “in the thick of it.” The issue central to the discussion was the recently formulated ‘uncertainty p
rinciple’ that stated the velocity and location of an electron could not be measured simultaneously. One measurement always made the other measurement uncertain. Einstein refused to accept this idea repeating his famous quote, “God does not play dice.” Lise and Bohr laughed as they recalled that at breakfast every morning, Einstein would make up a challenging theoretical problem to try to disprove the uncertainty principle, only to have Neils solve it by dinnertime.
“I had finally heard enough of the dice business and told Albert that he could not decide for God how to run the world,” Neils laughed.
The Institute’s annual Christmas party was held that evening in an enormous basement room. Inside, was an old, dry well originally intended to house spectrograph equipment. The well was covered with a large metal lid which served as a platform for the Christmas tree that had been decorated by the wives of the staff. The room was filled with scientists and their families as well as the staff of the Institute. The gathering was made up of an exceptional group of physicists, several of whom would go on to become Nobel winners.
After refreshments of roast turkey and beer, Neils’ oldest son Christian entered the room dressed as St. Nicholas and bearing gifts for all the children. Finally, Niels got up to review the accomplishments of the past year and to thank everyone for their hard work. Lise was lifted up in the joy of Christmas, at least for this one evening. She was happy to be away from the miasma that was Germany, and happier still to be with her dear friends.
Late Christmas Eve, Niels and Margrethe were able to be alone with Lise. Neils had avuncular warmth toward his colleagues and especially toward Lise. The three enjoyed after dinner cider and basked in the warmth of the fireplace. Lise sighed and looked around the room. She realized that she envied Margrethe and the life she enjoyed with her family in Denmark. Niels broke her reverie.