Operation Paperclip: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Originally called Operation Overcast, Operation Paperclip was the codename for the operation by the US government to extract scientists specialising in rocketry (e.g. V-1, V-2), chemical weapons (e.g. Zyklon-B) and medicine from Germany after the collapse of the Nazi government during World War II.

Scientists were deployed at White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico and Fort Bliss, Texas to work on guided missile and ballistic missile technology, and led to the foundation of NASA and the US ICBM program.

Over 700 members of the Nazi scientific community were brought to the US as a direct result of Operation Paperclip, many of whom were still ardent Nazi supporters.

Although President Harry S. Truman gave explicit orders not to allow any scientists who were thought to have strong Nazi leanings to enter the US under Operation Paperclip, many dossiers were re-written to "clean-up" the histories of many of the scientists involved, to avoid their knowledge falling into the hands of another power.

Much of the information surrounding Operation Paperclip is still classified.

Separate from Paperclip was an even-more-secret effort to capture German nuclear secrets, equipment and personnel. See Operation Alsos.

Key figures:

• Wernher von Braun
• Bernhard Tessmann
• Arthur Rudolph
• Kurt Blome
• Major General Walter Schreiber
• Reinhard Gehlen
• Allen Dulles (Op architect)
• Alexander Lippisch
• Hans von Ohain

Key Locations:

• Nordhausen
• Peenemünde
• White Sands Proving Ground

See also:

• war crimes
• Nazi medical experiments