226 FBI File No. 61-222. MCG. Statement of Carl Zimmerman to FBI, May 27, 1948, p. 2.
227 Ibid., p. 5.
228 Survivors of the Invasion Front broadcast, August 22, 1944, NARA. Zimmerman did not recall Gillars identifying herself in his statements to the FBI; however, it is clear from the broadcast that he calls her “Midge.”
229 FBI File No. 61-222. MCG. Statement of Carl Zimmerman to FBI, May 27, 1948, p. 4.
230 Survivors of the Invasion Front broadcast, August 22, 1944, NARA.
231 FBI File No. 61-35. FBI Interview with Seaborn Warren. College Park MD, NARA, p. 4.
232 FBI File No. 61-63. FBI Interview with Paul Kestel, April 22, 1948, p. 6.
233 Bergmeier and Lotz (1997), p. 58.
234 John Carver Edwards, Berlin Calling, p. 97.
235 Washington Post, March 1, 1949.
236 Ibid.
237 Edwards, op cit., p. 98.
238 Ibid.
239 Ibid.
8. Alone
240 Ibid., p. 61.
241 Cpl. Edward Van Dyne, “There’s No Gal Like Axis Sal,” Saturday Evening Post, January 15, 1944.
242 Anonymous (2005) A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City. New York: Metropolitan Books, p. 2.
243 Edward Davidson and Dale Manning (1999) Chronology of World War Two, London: Cassell, p. 219.
244 Research notes for The Trials of Axis Sally, condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript. John Bartlow Martin Papers, Washington DC: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, pp. 104–5.
245 Ibid.
246 Ibid.
247 Bergmeier and Lotz (1997), op cit., p. 80.
248 Washington Post, February 27, 1949.
249 Ibid.
250 Ibid.
251 Ibid.
252 Research notes for The Trials of Axis Sally, condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript, op. cit., pp. 73–4.
253 Ibid. p. 12.
254 “Chancellor Hitler’s Orders for a Last Stand in the East,” New York Times, April 16, 1945.
255 Statement of Walter Leschetizky to US Military Interrogators. College Park, MD: National Archives and Research Administration (NARA).
256 Statement of WAC Catherine Samaha to FBI, College Park MD: National Archives and Research Administration (NARA).
257 Oral History Interview of Oscar R. Ewing, April 30, 1969. Independence MO: Truman Presidential Library.
258 Ibid.
259 Gregor Dallas (2005) 1945: The War That Never Ended. New Haven: Yale University Press, p. 7.
260 A Woman in Berlin, op. cit. (Foreword by Antony Beevor), p. xx.
261 Antony Beevor (2002) The Fall of Berlin—1945. New York: Penguin, p. 282.
262 John Bartlow Martin (1949) “The Trials of Axis Sally,” McCall’s, June, p. 114
263 “Hunt 22 Americans for Aiding the Foe,” New York Times, February 20, 1946, p. 6.
264 Counterintelligence Corps Memorandum from John P. Hogan to Special Agent Thomas McCabe, June 14, 1944. College Park MD: US Military Records Collection, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
265 Interrogation of Rita Luisa Zucca, CIC Rome Detachment, Zone 5, July 5, 1945. College Park MD: US Military Records Collection, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
266 Washington Times-Herald, Washington DC, June 4, 1945.
267 Ibid.
268 Interrogation of Rita Luisa Zucca. op. cit.
269 Bergmier and Lotz, op. cit., p. 129 (quoted from Der Spiegel, September 1949, Seltsamer Haufe).
270 “Americans Seize Axis Sally in Italy; Fascist Broadcaster Born Here,” New York Times, June 8, 1945.
271 Washington Times-Herald, Washington DC, June 4, 1945.
272 FBI Memorandum from J Edgar Hoover to Assistant Attorney General Criminal Division July 3, 1945, p 2 (NARA).
273 Letter of Raymond W. Kurtz to the Commanding Officer of the 50th Troop Carrier Group, August 20, 1945, College Park, MD: Military Records Division, National Archives and Records Administration.
274 FBI Memorandum from Alexander M. Campbell, Asst. Attorney General, Criminal Division to J. Edgar Hoover dated October 6, 1948. College Park, MD: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
275 “The Mildred Gillars Case,” Synopsis of Case Against Mildred Gillars, dated
March 11, 1948. US Counter-Intelligence Corps papers, College Park MD: US Military Records, National Archives and Records Administration.
276 Ibid.
277 Research notes for “The Trials of Axis Sally,” condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript, op. cit., p. 75.
278 Ibid. p. 76.
279 Ibid.
280 “The Mildred Gillars Case,” Synopsis of Case Against Mildred Gillars, dated March 11, 1948. US Counter Intelligence Corps papers, op. cit.
281 “Axis Sally Admits Guilt; Ready for Consequences,” United Press wire story datelined March 22, 1946, unidentified newspaper. Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) files. College Park, MD: US Military Records Division, National Archives and Records Administration.
282 “Axis Sally to Face Treason Trial in the US,” New York Times, March 22, 1946.
283 Ibid.
284 Research notes for “The Trials of Axis Sally,” condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript, op. cit., p. 77.
285 Ibid.
286 Counter Intelligence Corps Interrogation of Mildred Gillars, Berlin, April 2, 1946, p. 2. College Park MD: Military Records Division, National Archives and Records Administration.
287 Ibid.
288 Ibid.
289 Research notes for “The Trials of Axis Sally,” condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript, op. cit., p. 76.
290 “Axis Sally is Recalled at OWU,” Associated Press report in the Times-Recorder, Zanesville, Ohio, March 28, 1946.
291 Research notes for “The Trials of Axis Sally,” condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript, op. cit., p. 78.
292 Ibid.
293 Ibid.
294 Ibid. p. 79.
295 “Axis Sally Calls Art Her Motive”, New York Herald-Tribune, December 26, 1946.
296 “Axis Sally Tells Why She Broadcast,” New York Times, December 26, 1946.
297 “Axis Sally Still on German Soil,” Associated Press report, Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, January 18, 1947.
298 Referral Memorandum to President Truman on Letter to the President, December 30, 1946. Independence MO: Truman Presidential Library.
299 Referral Memorandum to President on Letter to the President from Joseph Filner of Pittsburgh PA, January 5, 1947. Independence MO: Truman Presidential Library.
300 FBI Memo from K.C. Howe to D.M. Ladd, January 13, 1947. College Park, MD: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
301 Ibid.
302 Research notes for “The Trials of Axis Sally,” condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript, op. cit., p. 79.
303 “Axis Sally Seized in Germany,” New York Times, January 23, 1947.
9. The Stage is Set
304 “Pro-German Attitude Grows as US Troops Fraternize—Survey Shows Many GIs Have Less Regard for Allies than for Former Enemies—One Major Doubts Dachau Crimes,” New York Times, September 29, 1945.
305 The Fresno Bee, Fresno, CA, August 20, 1948 p. 7.
306 Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, August 20, 1948, p. D3.
307 Oscar R. Ewing Oral History Interview, April 30, 1969. Independence, Missouri: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library (NARA) pp. 156–8. The statute, enacted on April 30, 1790, stated that “The trial of all offenses committed on the high seas or elsewhere, out of the jurisdiction of any particular State of district, shall be in the district where the offender is found, or into which he is first brought.” (Quoted from Chandler v. United States of America, United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit, December 3, 1948, p. 8.)
308 Chandler v. United States of America, United States Court of Appea
ls, First Circuit decision, December 3, 1948, p. 4.
309 Oscar R. Ewing Oral History Interview, April 30, 1969. Independence, Missouri: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library (NARA), op. cit.
310 Memorandum from SA Guy Hottel FBI File 61–116, undated, August 19, 1948.
311 Ibid.
312 Ibid.
313 Memorandum to J. Edgar Hoover from Special Agent Guy Hottel on Interview of Warrant Officer Catherine Samaha, August 23, 1948. College Park MD: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). p. 4.
314 Ibid.
315 Ibid.
There is no corresponding documentation or trial testimony supporting Samaha’s assertion that Mildred visited Algiers during the Nazi occupation of North Africa. Allied forces liberated Algiers in June of 1943. Gillars neither had a German passport at the time (she did not receive one until 1944 after an appeal by Koischwitz to Horst Cleinow) nor a sponsor to accompany her for such a long period to North Africa. It is indeed possible that Samaha mistakenly referred to her travels to Algiers in 1933–34 as part of Mildred’s wartime exploits.
316 Ibid.
317 Ibid.
318 Edwards, John Carver (1991) Berlin Calling, p. 5.
319 Memorandum to J. Edgar Hoover from Special Agent Guy Hottel on Interview of Warrant Officer Catherine Samaha, op. cit. p. 3.
320 Ibid.
321 Ibid.
322 The New York Times, August 22, 1948, p. 16.
323 Oakland Tribune, Oakland CA, August 22, 1948, p. 1.
324 The Fresno Bee, Fresno CA, August 24, 1948, p. 6.
325 Ibid.
326 Oakland Tribune, Oakland CA, August 22, 1948, p. 1.
327 Ibid.
328 The Fresno Bee Fresno CA, op. cit.
329 District of Columbia Jail Commitment Card #78526, August 21, 1948 (NARA).
330 The Fresno Bee Fresno CA op. cit.
331 Handwritten note from Edna Mae Herrick to J. Edgar Hoover, FBI HQ files, College Park MD: National Archives.
332 Star-Beacon, Ashtabula Ohio, November 24, 1995.
333 Interrogation of Mildred Gillars at the office US Counterintelligence Corps in Berlin, April 2, 1946, p. 1, US Army Records, Archives II, College Park MD.
334 District of Columbia Jail Commitment Card #78526, op. cit.
335 FBI File Boston Field Office 61–222. Report of Interview with Joseph and William Hewitson, August 19, 1948, p. 3 (NARA).
336 Photocopy of article in the New York Daily Mirror, July 16, 1961, Drew Pearson Papers, Austin TX: Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library (NARA).
337 FBI File #62-31615-568—photocopy of Walter Winchell column in the New York Daily Mirror, April 23, 1947, p. 6 (NARA).
338 Letter from Albert J. Lawlor to Drew Pearson, February 2, 1947. Drew Pearson Papers, Austin TX: Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library (NARA).
339 The Daily Register, Harrisburg, Illinois, June 6, 1947. Pearson was not as sure about the Federal case against Iva Toguri D’Aquino (Tokyo Rose). Although the columnist was aware that there were two Axis Sallys; he noted that Tokyo Rose’s case was substantially different: “There were four different Tokyo Roses, all broadcasting at various intervals to American troops in the Pacific.… We had no witnesses who saw any of the four Tokyo Roses broadcast. No Americans were in Japanese broadcasting stations where they could witness Jap radio. Furthermore, Tokyo Rose did not visit prisoner-of-war camps in Japan, as did Axis Sally in Germany.” Nevertheless, Iva Toguri D’Aquino was convicted of treason on September 29, 1949. She was released on parole in January 1956. President Gerald R. Ford pardoned her in 1977.
340 Drew Pearson Broadcast Script, undated. Drew Pearson Papers, Austin, TX: Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library (NARA).
341 Ibid.
342 FBI File 61-39 FBI Interview with Homer Charles McNamara (NARA) August 23, 1948, p. 9.
343 FBI File Philadelphia Field Office #61-180 Statement of John Patrick Butler August 24, 1948, pp. 5–6.
344 FBI Internal Memorandum f from Special Agent in Charge Philadelphia to Special Agent in Charge Savannah October 26, 1948 (NARA).
345 Ibid.
346 Memorandum from Assistant Attorney General Alexander Campbell to FBI Director Hoover, December 20, 1948 (NARA).
347 Memorandum from Acting Assistant Attorney General Alexander Campbell to FBI Director Hoover, August 9, 1948, p. 3 (NARA).
348 Ibid.
349 Ibid.
350 FBI File 61-39 FBI Interview with Homer Charles McNamara (NARA) op cit p. 7.
351 Memorandum from Acting Assistant Attorney General Alexander Campbell to FBI Director Hoover, August 9, 1948, op. cit.
352 FBI Internal Memorandum, F. J. Baumgardner to H. B. Fletcher, undated (NARA).
353 Ibid.
354 7970th CIC Group, Region VI, Sub-Region Passau Summary of Information, January 12, 1949. US Military Records, College Park MD: NARA.
355 FBI Internal Memorandum, F. J. Baumgardner to H. B. Fletcher, undated (NARA). op. cit.
356 “Big Bad Bear,” Time, January 11, 1932.
357 Glacier Bay Administrative History (US National Park Service website—www.nps.gov).
358 “No Sale,” Time, September 22, 1947.
359 The New York Times, August 25, 1948.
360 Conneaut News-Herald, Conneaut, OH August 30, 1948.
361 Memorandum from SAC Guy Hottel to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, August 31, 1948, p. 1.
362 Conneaut News-Herald, Conneaut, OH. September 7, 1948.
363 Handwritten note of Mildred Gillars, August 24, 1948, DC District Jail records (NARA).
364 Letter from Mildred Gillars to Chief Justice of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, August 26, 1948 (NARA).
365 Star-Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio, November 24, 1995.
366 Trial’s End, Time, December 11, 1944.
367 Letter from Mildred Gillars to Judge Richmond B. Keech, August 30, 1948, FBI Files (NARA).
368 Letter from Mildred Gillars to John Holzworth, August 30, 1948, FBI Files (NARA).
369 Conneaut News-Herald, Conneaut, OH August 31, 1948.
370 Ibid.
371 Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, Ohio September 7, 1948, p 10.
372 Ibid.
373 Ibid.
* The symbiotic relationship between Hoover and Winchell is well documented in hundreds of declassified FBI files containing correspondence between the two men. The FBI Director regularly leaked information to Winchell, who in turn lionized Hoover in his columns and radio broadcasts and even floated the Director’s name for the Presidency.
10. Destiny
374 Ibid.
375 Burlington Daily Telegraph, Burlington NC, February 7, 1949, p. 4.
376 Notes from Washington by Richard H. Rovere The New Yorker, February 26, 1949, pp. 80-81.
377 Andrew Tully, “Static Axis Sally of Nazi Radio Waves is Quiet Now,” El Paso Herald-Post, El Paso TX, January 26, 1949, p. 3.
378 John Bartlow Martin, “The Trials of Axis Sally,” McCall’s, June 1949, p. 24.
379 Ibid.
380 The New York Times, January 25, 1949.
381 Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, IL January 25, 1949, p. 9.
382 “The Trials of Axis Sally,” op. cit., p. 24.
383 Ibid., p. 114.
384 Lima News, Lima, OH, January 25, 1949.
385 Lowell Sun, Lowell, MA, January 25, 1949.
386 Schofield, William G., Treason Trail, Chicago: Rand McNally & Co. 1964, pp. 149–50.
387 Ibid.
388 Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago IL January 26, 1949.
389 The Evening Star, Washington DC, January 26, 1949, p. A5.
390 The Evening Star, Washington DC, January 26, 1949, p. A5.
391 The Evening Star, Washington DC, January 26, 1949, p. A5.
392 Schofield, op. cit., p. 155.
393 The Evening Star, Washington DC, January 31, 1949, p. A1.
394 The New York Times, February 1, 1949.
395 Big
Role, Time, February 7, 1949.
396 Gillars v. United States, US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, October Term, 1949, No. 10.187, pp. 11–13.
397 The Stars and Stripes, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany, January 29, 1949, pp. 11.
398 Written transcription of Federal Communication Commission Acetate Recordings made at Silver Hill, MD, on July 27, 1944. Washington DC: Manuscript Division, Library of Congress.
399 The Evening Star, Washington DC, January 28, 1949, p. A5.
400 The Evening Star, Washington DC, February 9, 1949, p. B1.
401 Ibid.
402 The Evening Star, Washington DC, February 11, 1949, p. B1.
403 Edwards, John Carver. Berlin Calling, New York: Praeger, 1991, p. 94.
404 United States Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit—Gillars v. United States, 182 F. 2d 962, Washington DC: NARA.
405 Ibid. p. 95
406 Ibid.
407 Schofield, op. cit., p. 154.
408 Ibid.
409 Cumberland Evening Times, Cumberland, MD, February 9, 1949.
410 The Evening Star, Washington DC, February 1, 1949, p. A1.
411 The Evening Star, Washington DC, February 1, 1949, p. A1.
412 Research notes for The Trials of Axis Sally, condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript. John Bartlow Martin Papers, Washington DC: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, pp. 12-2.
413 Research notes for The Trials of Axis Sally, condensation of US v. Gillars (Sisk) trial transcript pp. 15-2—16-2.
414 Ibid. pp 17-2
415 Ibid., pp. 22-2—23-2. Ruth S. Montgomery achieved notoriety in 1965 as the best selling author of A Gift of Prophecy, the story of psychic Jeanne Dixon.
416 Ibid.
417 New York Daily News, New York, NY, February 9, 1949.
When the trials were not in session, the US government advised witnesses to find employment or face repatriation to Germany after the completion of their testimony. If the Justice Department required their services in a future trial, they would be brought back to the United States at government expense. For instance, Inga Doman found work as a governess in South Carolina and Adelbert Houben, who testified in the Chandler and Best trials as well, worked in a factory.
418 Ibid.
419 Mansfield News Journal, Mansfield OH, January 28, 1949, p. 12.
420 Mansfield News Journal, Mansfield OH, January 31, 1949.
Axis Sally: The American Voice of Nazi Germany Page 33