Ep 1. The Hunt for Nazi Scientists

The Hunt for Nazi Scientists, the first episode of the fifth season of Secrets of the Dead, delves into the dark history of World War II and the Allies' efforts to track down and recruit Nazi scientists for their own purposes after Germany's surrender. With access to previously unseen documents and footage, as well as interviews with historians and scientists, this episode sheds light on a little-known chapter of the post-war era.

Beginning with the fall of Berlin in 1945, the episode recounts how the Allies scrambled to locate and apprehend the top scientists who had aided Hitler's war machine, including those who had worked on the V-2 rocket program and the development of nerve gas. These individuals were seen as valuable assets, with knowledge and skills that could be put to use in the ongoing Cold War against the Soviet Union. But the search was not an easy one, as many of these scientists had gone underground or fled the country entirely, and some were even protected by sympathetic members of the German public.

Through interviews with historians and archival footage, viewers learn about the intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to recruit these Nazi scientists, with the race often coming down to who could offer the most money, privileges, and protection. The episode also explores the ethical implications of this recruitment, raising difficult questions about whether it was acceptable to offer amnesty and rewards to individuals who had contributed to war crimes and atrocities.

One of the key figures in this story is Wernher von Braun, the rocket scientist who played a central role in both the Nazi V-2 program and the American space program. The Hunt for Nazi Scientists takes a closer look at von Braun's trajectory, from his early days in Germany to his recruitment by the United States Army and eventual role in NASA. Along the way, viewers learn about von Braun's close relationship with Hitler and his complicity in slave labor, as well as the controversies and criticisms that surrounded his post-war career.

Another significant figure in the episode is Arthur Rudolph, another rocket scientist who worked on the V-2 program. After initially being recruited by the United States, Rudolph moved to NASA and worked on the Saturn V rocket that launched the Apollo missions. However, his past caught up with him in the 1980s when he was deported from the United States due to allegations that he had been complicit in war crimes. The Hunt for Nazi Scientists delves into Rudolph's backstory and the ethical debates that surrounded his involvement in the space program.

Ultimately, The Hunt for Nazi Scientists offers a compelling look at a little-explored facet of post-war history. Through its use of archival materials, expert interviews, and historical analysis, the episode sheds light on the complex moral dilemmas that arose as the Allies attempted to come to terms with the legacy of Nazi science. Viewers are left with a deeper understanding of the challenges and controversies that accompanied the search for Nazi scientists, as well as the ways in which this pursuit shaped the course of scientific progress in the post-war era.