Hidden US history: Nazi duke tour across America, darling of the US social set in March-April 1940

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This is part of shocking US history, buried after World War II, that a number of American elites don’t want coming forward. A number of German corporations have supported and provided access to their archives to independent historians, coming to terms with their Nazi-era histories. So too must more of their American counterparts, as well as associated institutions— to regain trust. (Starring Emily Hall Tremaine starting with the later Santa Barbara visit on the Duke’s tour.)

ADC staff
Art Design Publicity at ADC | 27 November 2025 | Updated 27 December 2025


Welcome to the hidden history of pro-Nazi America pertaining to a faction in the social / cultural set and business. For those in the culture sphere, there is nothing shocking here. What’s shocking is how this history got buried after World War II, and our reliance on cultural sector PR forces, complicit media, and perhaps our own limitations and failings within the sector over decades.

The research isn’t shocking when considering international business, American involvement, and cultural ties on the one hand, and German diplomacy via the DC embassy and consulates in cities across the US. These points were centers of note for expatriate Germans, German-Americans, certain trade communications, cultural exchanges, and espionage to some degree, not entirely different than today. (If unfamiliar, for starters, see Peter Hayes’s talk "Profits and Persecution: German Big Business in the Nazi Economy and the Holocaust" (2025); the chapter listings for Antony Sutton’s Wall Street and the rise of Hitler (1976), and Bradley Hart’s talk about German Consul in New Orleans Baron von Spiegel (2025), with reference to his social contact. Also, refer to the list of historical figures in Susan Ronald’s Hitler’s Aristocrats: The Secret Power Players in Britain and America Who Supported the Nazis, 1923–1941 (2023), which include the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Carl Edouard / Carl Eduard / Karl Eduard / Charles Edward) and some familiar historical American names in its shortlist.

In this context, you’ll see questions about the social set in America and their positions on Nazism— and their roles during that wicked time— are completely fair game.



Duke / Hitler ally tour of America, Spring 1940: Nazis, royalty, opportunists, spies, the complicit, the clueless, posh hotels— and fashion




Do get ready for a shock if you don’t know about the British royal / Hitler ally, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. After WWII, some historians associate him with the policy of exterminating the mentally and physically disabled in a eugenics lane. (What was known about that, if anything, during the trip needs research.) The Duke’s propaganda trip that targeted the social set and businessmen gauged appeasement sentiment and took place March-April 1940. An awkward half-hour meeting with President Roosevelt with Charles Edward as the Head of the German Red Cross was a publicity coup for German Nazis, frankly later caused confusion, and noted as such in later captured German intelligence.

The overall goal of the Duke’s trip via the German Nazi government was to build support for US neutrality regarding the European War, a pro-Nazi stance, among US influencers in business and the social set. This is noted in declassified German Nazi documentation.



It is also important to note that the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was a close ally to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Edward and American socialite Wallis Simpson. (The photo above was taken when Duke and Duchess met Hitler in Germany in 1937. To the far right is smiley Fritz Wiedemann, adjutant to Hitler, and later German Consul in San Francisco in 1939-41.)

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The US was still neutral and not to enter WWII until December 1941— with the attack on Pearl Harbor and Hitler’s subsequent declaration of war against the US.

The Duke was put forth into the media as [a] a British royal, grandson of Queen Victoria; then [b] the Head of the German Red Cross, attending the Red Cross convention in Cleveland, and then [c] part of the Nazi regime. The press coverage across America varied, with some not mentioning Nazi at all.

Charles Edward (1884-1954) was sent to Germany in 1900 to take the post of Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the ancestral home of the British royal family. (Their name was officially changed from "Saxe Coburg and Gotha" in 1917 to Windsor, during WWI. Charles Edward’s official role ended after WWI.)

Previously in summer 1934, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha travelled in Canada and across the US. One hostess has been identified as a friend of Wallis Simpson (see Cleveland stop) and some may have met the Duke during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and / or 1937 Coronation in London, in addition to German Consul and German business contacts, etc.


Nazi Germany and American socialites

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Events were held in many posh hotels across America and attended by German officials, a faction of influential businessmen and society types, and some American politicians. The American motives are unclear and likely varied: pro-Nazi supporters, opportunists, and the complicit, as well as curiosity-seekers, spies for US, UK, Germany and others, and informal spies. It is also essential to note: sources like newspapers simply preview or report that persons attended, and there could be errors in the reporting. Further, take into account the limitations of access to media in 1940, that you see below today, and that future events, that we know, weren’t known.

The stops on the Duke’s tour included, traveling from Germany through Russia and via Japan: Honolulu, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, the Los Angeles area, Santa Barbara (click through tweets to articles), San Francisco and Honolulu again. At almost every stop, there were events held in honor of the Duke at leading hotels.


This compilation of documentation is in development (ongoing)






Documentation - 1934 trip

See the articles


Under Construction






Documentation - Pre-trip

See the articles



1940 - telegram - seized intelligence after WWII

(5 January 1940, Berlin). Telegram: State Secretary Weizsäcker to Charge d’Affairs [Hans Thomsen in Washington, DC], (document no. 510 above). In Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, Series D (1937-45), Vol. 8, (The War Years) (September 4, 1939 - March 18, 1940) (Publication 5436) (1954), pp. 619-20. (U. S.) Department of States / United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. (S02204).

1940 - letter - seized intelligence after WWII

(24 January 1940, Berlin). Presumed letter: State Secretary Weizsäcker to Ambassador Ott (Japan) [footnote noting that Heinrich Stahmer will be accompanying the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha from Berlin to Japan], (document no. 567). In Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, Series D (1937-45), Vol. 8, (The War Years) (September 4, 1939 - March 18, 1940) (Publication 5436) (1954), pp. 698-99. (U. S.) Department of States / United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. (S02204).

1940 - memorandum - seized intelligence after WWII

(1 February 1940, Berlin). Memorandum by the Head of Political Division [secret]; Subject: The policy of Japanese Ambassador Kurusu [in point 7 on p. 731, mention that the Duke and Heinrich Stahmer were leaving that evening for Japan], (document no. 590). In Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, Series D (1937-45), Vol. 8, (The War Years) (September 4, 1939 - March 18, 1940) (Publication 5436) (1954), pp. 728-32. (U. S.) Department of States / United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. (S02204).




JAPAN (17 - 23 February 1940)

> Local handler: Presumably Major-Gen. Eugen Ott, German Ambassador to Japan

> Accommodation: Not yet known

See events


Events: "He shunned public functions and declined to be interviewed by the press" [N-CH&SC&CG]

23 February 1940: Departed Yokohama to Hawaii on the Asama Mura; "Major-Gen. Eugen Ott, German Ambassador to Japan, his wife, "as well as many Japanese dignitaries" wished him a bon voyage [N-CH&SC&CG]

Documentation - JP

See the articles


1940 - news brief - Duke in Tokyo

Tokyo, Feb. 23. (24 February 1940). Japan and Germany; Attempt to revive the Anti-Comintern Axis; Mission visits Tokyo. South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), p. 13. (P03234)

"… Charles Edward... arrived here on February 17 from Berlin, and Dr. Emil Helfferich, President of the Hamburg Amerika Line, are in Tokyo on important missions the aim of which is to strengthen once more the anti-Comintern axis by explaining to Japanese leaders why Germany concluded the pact with the Soviet Union, and also to open negotiations for Japanese-German commercial dealings…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - news brief - Duke leaves Japan for Hawaii

Tokyo, Feb. 24. (24 February 1940). Chief of Red Cross. South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), p. 13. (P03235).

"… who has stayed in Tokyo for a week, sailed from Yokohama on Friday afternoon for the United States…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - news brief - Duke leaves Japan for Hawaii

Yokohama, Feb. 24. (28 February 1940). German Red Cross head leaves Japan. North-China Herald and Supreme Court & Consular Gazette, presumably p. 326. (P03236).

"… on his way to the United States today [on the Japanese] Asama Maru…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.



US trip news preview

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - news brief - Duke to visit US

(AP) Washington, Feb. 22. (22 February 1940). German Red Cross. The Progress-Bulletin (Pomona, CA), p. 2. (P01939).

"The German embassy said today it had been told that the president of the German Red Cross, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, was coming to the United States, for consultation in matters concerning the International Red Cross…" (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - photo / caption - Duke to visit US

Unspecified wire photo agency (likely published across the US). (22 February 1940). Photo / caption: German duke. Red Bluff Daily News (Red Bluff, CA), p. 1, above the fold. (P01940).

"Due at San Francisco March 8… bound for Washington, D. C. … Member of the nazi party, he is a cousin of England’s king … and ranks as a Royal Prussian General. Holding not [sic] government post, he will tour the United States on a ’good will mission’… " (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.




HONOLULU (1-? March 1940)

> Local handler: German Consul to Honolulu, Robert F. Lange

> Accommodation: not yet known

See events


DATE: not yet known

Documentation - HON

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - article - Duke on stopover in Hawaii

(2 March 1940). German duke here on way to mainland. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, p. 3. (N00743).

"The halo of mystery surrounding the visit to Honolulu of… Carl Eduard… was exploded today by his private secretary [Fritz von Grolman], who explained the mission is in connection with Red Cross work…. [arrived] Friday afternoon…

The duke would not pose for press photographers nor talk to reporters when he arrived…

His party also included Heinrich George Stahmer, representative of von Robbentrop, minister of foreign affairs, and Rudolf Anhalt, valet.

More talkative was Gerhard Westrick, commercial attache of the German embassy at Washington [who later left the country months later after scandalous newspaper reporting on Westrick’s activity]… The Baroness von Wangenheim was also aboard." (Excerpts from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke on stopover in Hawaii

Gilman, LaSelle. (2 March 1940). Mysterious duke, beautiful baroness give Asama air of European intrigue [with photo of duke with others]. Honolulu Advertiser, p. 1 - presumably p. 2. (N00745).

  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.


SEIZED INTELLIGENCE: 7 MARCH 1940

duke of saxe coburg and gotha seized intelligence

Document no. 659 from Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, Series D (1937-45), Vol. 8, pp. 867-68. See "Documentation - pre-trip" above for more bibliographic details. (S02204). Also see document no. 656 discussing James D. Mooney, Vice President of General Motors Corporation, meeting Hitler on 4 March 1940 and their talking about President Roosevelt and current American politics.



fritz wiedemann duke of saxe coburg and gotha

L to R: Fritz Wiedemann, German Consul to SF, Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, and Red Cross official. See documentation section and March 11, 1940 photo / caption in the Long Beach Press Telegram for more information.

SAN FRANCISCO (7 - c. 10/11 March 1940)

> Local handler: German Consul General in San Francisco, Fritz Wiedemann (former adjutant to Hitler, reputed Nazi spy chief for the West Coast into the interior, South America, and the Pacific, 1939-41)

> Accommodation: presumably stayed at Hotel Mark Hopkins

See events


7 March 1940: Arrival on ship from Honolulu, met by San Francisco mayor Angelo Rossi, Chief of police, and Red Cross representative

> Also a press conference, presumably on this day.

> on unspecified date, an official visit by the mayor to the Duke.
> on unspecified date, meeting of Duke with the chairman of the San Francisco World Exhibition (c. 25 May - 29 September 1940): "for the Reich government, a favorably situated pavilion for the German exhibit [was offered] free of charge."

8 March 1940: Duke with Wiedemann visited interned German sailors at Angel Island.



Documentation - SF

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - travel record - Duke, entourage and Westrick, from Japan to San Francisco

(7 March 1940, arrival). Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and German consul of sorts from Japan, Heinrich Georg Stahmer, two staff members (Anhalt and Von Grolman), also appearing to travel with Stahmer, not in the press was a retired 68 y. o. Victor von Borosini of Pasadena, CA, born in Vienna with German nationality (presumably a retired German diplomat); and commercial attache Gerhard Westrick]. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At San Francisco, California; NAI Number: 4498993; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85. (PJ00468)

  • Online - ancestry.com (paid access database).

1940 - news brief - Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, to visit Roosevelt

(AP) (San Francisco, March 7). (8 March 1940). Nazi duke to pay Roosevelt visit. Los Angeles Times, p. 1, col. 6. (P02033).

"The Duke Karl Eduard of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, only crowned head of prewar Germany to become a high Nazi official, will arrive here today on a mission to Washington…

As head of the German Red Cross, he is to confer with President Roosevelt and with Norman H. Davis, director of the American Red Cross…" (Excerpts from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke in SF

(8 March 1940). Duke of Saxe-Coburg mum on arrival here [with portrait of the Duke with photo caption: “Duke of Saxe-Coburg; He heads Nazi Red Cross”]. San Francisco Chronicle, p. 3. (S02221).

"… He is staying at the Hotel Mark Hopkins." (Excerpt from above; noting the Chronicle reporting has simple errors elsewhere in their coverage.)


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1940 - article - Duke in SF

(8 March 1940). Duke visits Wiedemann [at his home in Hillsborough; with diplomatic intrigue: Hungarian ambassador to US and Archduke Otto, claimant to the thrones to Hungary and Austria]. The Times (San Mateo, CA), p. 14. (P01942).

Click to enlarge:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha san francisco

1940 - article - Duke in SF

(8 March 1940). Key figure of Europe in S. F.; Arrival of Hungarian envoy, Nazi duke stirs diplomatic rumors [with photo of the duke and caption “English born Nazi”]. San Francisco Examiner, p. 5. (P03477).

“Whether by coincidence or design, a cast of characters for what might be an E. Phillips Openheim romance of diplomatic intrigue was assembled in San Francisco yesterday" [re: Hungarian ambassador to U.S. and Duke in SF, and Archduke Otto, recently arrived in New York]. (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in SF

(8 March 1940). Nazi Red Cross head visits bay. Oakland Tribune, p. 25. (P01941).

"… He boasted that Germany has a huge oil reserve and is making gasoline successfully from coal…

Other questions he evaded… In 1933 he became a supporter of Adolph Hitler… He expressed the ‘sincere hope’ that Germany and the United States would re-establish full diplomatic connections." (Excerpts from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke in SF

(9 March 1940). Duke visits sailors; Sees Nazis at Angel Island camp. San Francisco Examiner, p. 3. (P03479).

"… yesterday [the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha] spoke for the scuttled Nazi liner Columbus’ 475 sailors, interned [at Angel Island, with Fritz Wiedemann. He leaves on Monday]." (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - news brief – "Hitler’s spy princess" joins in

United Press (San Francisco, March 9). (10 March 1940). Visit of princess to Bay City nears. San Bernardino County Sun, p. 2. (N00750).

"… Princess Stefanie [von] Hohenlohe… of Hungary… [see book Hitler’s spy princess]… The visit of the princess, possibly today, aroused considerable speculation…" (Excerpts from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - photo / caption - Duke with Wiedemann and Red Cross official in SF

Associated Press Photo (likely also published in other American newspapers). (11 March 1940). Photo / caption: Nazi Red Cross chief in U. S. Long Beach Press Telegram, p. A-2. Spotlighted above. (P01943).

"The Duke (center) is shown as he was greeted aboard the Japanese liner Asama Maru by the German Consul General Fritz Wiedemann (left) and Alfred Schafer (right), manager of the Red Cross for 11 western states." (Excerpt from above.)




1940 - scathing opinion piece on the Duke tour

(11 March 1940). The German Red Cross. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas), p. 6. (N00751).

"… The other incongruity is the presence of Duke Karl Eduard of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in a subaltern position of a humanitarian service in the Nazi government of Adolph Hitler. The Nazi government is no place for a Saxe-Coburg and Gotha cousin [sic] of the late Queen Victoria. The Red Cross is no place for a Nazi, native or renegade." (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.



1940 - seized intelligence - mention of SF experience (spotlighted below under Washington, DC)

(18 March 1940, Washington). Telegram: Charge d’Affairs in the United States [Hans Thomsen in Washington, DC] to the Foreign Ministry [presumably State Secretary Weizsäcker], (document no. 683). In Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, Series D (1937-45), Vol. 8, (The War Years) (September 4, 1939 - March 18, 1940) (Publication 5436) (1954), pp. 933-35. (U. S.) Department of States / United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. (S02204).




CHICAGO (13 March 1940)

> Local handler: Dr. E. L. Baer, German Consul General in Chicago

> Accommodation: if he stayed the night is not yet known

See events


DATE: Event

None, if any, known at this juncture.



Documentation - CHI

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - news brief – Duke in Chicago

(14 March 1940). Germany’s Red Cross chief in city en route to visit U. S. leader. Chicago Daily Tribune, p. 4. (P03239).

"... yesterday stopped in Chicago en route to Washington, DC... The Duke is a member of the Nazi party in Germany and a close friend of Adolph Hitler..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.
George von Schnitzler MoMA patron

(Right) "Lelo" von Schnitzler-Scholz, wife of Herbert Scholz, German Consul in Boston, once darlings in the Washington, DC society pages until the breakout of war in September 1939, was announced to be attending a reception for the Duke in DC in The Washington Post with no mention of Nazi. (Above right she was spotlighted here in The Washington Herald on December 23, 1937.) The Scholz’s recently moved to Boston; before Herbert Scholz, the man thought to be the head of the German Gestapo in the US, worked out of the German Embassy in DC. Apparently it was Hitler that brought the couple together; a society journalist later said that Lelo championed the Führer. Both charming, stylish and attractive, Lelo and Herbert were thought to be recruiting for the Nazi cause in DC. (Click through tweet to article.) (Left) Georg von Schnitzler, Lelo’s father, with at least 1932 ties to the Museum of Modern Art, was later convicted of Nazi war crimes in the I. G. Farben trial, part of the Nuremberg Trials after WWII. I. G. Farben had extensive business tie-ups with American industry. Lelo’s mother was a notable, stylish art collector, Lily von Schnitzler.

Like the feature article on her ends, "Here is Lelo."


WASHINGTON, DC (14-18 March 1940)

> Local handler: Hans Thomsen, Charge d’affaires, German Embassy (interim ambassador; the US recalled its ambassador after Kristallnacht and DE followed suit)

> Accommodation: Mayflower Hotel

See events


14 March 1940: Arrival from Chicago, morning, Duke and entourage (Stahmer, Tannenberg, von Grolman) met at Union Station by Hans Thomsen, and Ernest Swift, vice chairman of the Red Cross; and a squad of uniformed police and two headquarters detectives escorting him to the hotel

15 March 1940:
> 11:00 - Noon - Meeting with Norman Davis, Head of American Red Cross, at Red Cross HQ in DC
> Noon+ - Reception by President Roosevelt (cancelled due to "illness")
> Afternoon - Luncheon with "many influential newspapermen" (wrote Thomsen)
> 20:00+ - Dinner in honor of the Duke by Hans Thomsen, with several members of the State Department, the Diplomatic Corps, the American Red Cross and other governmental departments at the Mayflower Hotel (and Army and Navy, "100 prominent personaliities", said Thomsen; Washington Post said 67 guests.)

16 March 1940:
> Morning - Duke will visit Mount Vernon
> Afternoon - Luncheon at the the home of Norman Davis, with guests: Hans Thomsen and wife; former US Ambassador to Germany and Mrs. Hugh Wilson; Assistant Secretary of State and Mrs. Breckinridge Long; Miss Mabel T. Boardman; James Clement Dunn; Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Edwin Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Eliot Wadsworth; Mrs. Mary Beard and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Swift
> 17:00-19:00 - Evening reception given by German Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires (interim head; US first, then German ambassadors recalled after Kristallnacht) Hans Thomsen and his wife, at the Shoreham Hotel; guests reported to include: Baroness von Below; Miss Mabel Boardman; Swedish Minister and Mme. Bostrom ("the Duke is the father of the Crown Prince of Sweden"); Swiss Minister and Mme. Bruggmann; Mr. Thomas A. Burke; Minister of Honduras, Senor Dr. Don Julian R. Caceres; Mrs. Emlen Davies, and sister; Donna Elly Colonna, wife of the Italian Ambassador; Argentine Ambassador and Senora de Espil; Mrs. Jacob Leander Loose; Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Morris; Mme. Munilla, wife of the Cuban military attache; Mrs. Henry Mustin; Peruvian Ambassador Senor Don Freyre; Bulgarian Minister and Mme. Naoumoff; the former Austrian Minister and Mme. Prochnik; German Consul General in Boston Herbert Scholz (reputed Gestapo head in US, formerly at the German Embassy) and his wife Lelo; Mrs. Arthur Tirrell and her daughter, Miss Dorothy Tirrell; Mrs. Millard E. Tydings, wife of Senator Tydings, with her mother; Mrs. Aldace Walker; also senators’ wives (not senators and not the cabinet or their wives), the Soviet ambassador, representative of Austria, and DC social leaders. (almost 1000 persons, said Thomsen and Washington Post; Evening Star: "almost every Embassy and Legation, except for those at war with Germany, was represented by either the Ambassador or Minister or members of their staffs, while the entire German Embassy staff was present").
For an amusing, alternative account of the event, see Igor Cassini’s column on 27 March 1940 in documentation section
> Afterwards, buffet supper for 30 at the home of Herr and Frau Thomsen on Colorado avenue (Evening Star reports this took place at the German Embassy, presumably at a different location)

17 March 1940:
> Afternoon - Luncheon in honor of the Duke by Minister of Sweden, Wollmar Bostrom
> Afternoon - A ceremony to celebrate German War Memorial Day [with Duke greeting German residents in DC]

18 March 1940, Monday:
> Morning - Duke and Norman Davis, Red Cross, met with Roosevelt for a half-hour
Duke and his entourage will leave by train to New York



Documentation - DC

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - news brief - Upcoming parties for Duke in Washington, DC

Gordon, Evelyn Peyton. (9 March 1940). Who’ll attend German party for Duke? The Washington Daily News, p. 7. (N00747).

"… Now, what interests me… is who’s gonna go to the party. My bet is, everybody who’s invited. Some people are still kicking— even diplomats— about the this and that of the war situation. Some may be peeved with Germany. But this is the first time they’ve been urged to a German party in a long time. And it’s the first time that the German Embassy has had a slice of royalty to dangle before the social noses…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - news brief - Duke to be in Washington, DC

(10 March 1940) Herr and Frau Thomsen to entertain [reception to honor the duke]. Washington Post, presumably p. S5. (P03237).

"… The Charge d’Affaires of the German Embassy and Frau Thompson will do their first large scale entertaining of the season this coming week-end… will give a large reception in his honor from 5 to 7 in the west ballroom of the Shoreham and that night will entertain at a buffet supper for 30 at their home on Colorado avenue…

The Duke who arrives here Thursday, will discuss Red Cross and Polish relief plans with Norman Davis, chairman of the American Red Cross…” (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke to be in DC

Paul, Maury (New York, March 11). (12 March 1940) Tales of the smart set; Washington society agog over coming of grand duke. Times-Union (Albany), p. 9. (P03272).

"… in the last few days, literally hundreds of cards have been left at the German embassy by socialites who don’t want to miss out on meeting the Grand Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha...

The coming of the German ducal grandson of the late Queen Victoria of England has caused the German Embassy to become sphinx-like, H. H. H. the Grand Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha is an ardent Nazi and is head of the German Red Cross.

The latter may explain his visit to this very anti-Nazi country at this time…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - article mention - Duke to be in DC

Miller, Hope Ridings. (12 March 1940). Mrs. Thomas Dewey charms D. C. on a visit. Washington Post, p. 16. (P03238).

"… Herbert Sholz [sic], German Consul General at Boston, and Frau Sholz [sic] will be in Washington this week-end to attend the reception Saturday in honor of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, who is head of the German Red Cross…

Frau Sholz [sic] will be feted at a luncheon on Saturday at which Frau Witthoeft-Emden, wife of the German Naval Attache will be present..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article mentions - Duke in DC

Gordon, Evelyn Peyton. (13 March 1940). Joe Davies reported seeking ambassadorial post to Berlin [with mentions of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, with portrait photos of the Duke and Lelo Scholz]. Washington Daily News, p. 23. (N00748).

"Snub for Duke; Along with all the palaver about the arrival here tomorrow of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg there comes to my ears another report that high-uppers in the Red Cross aren’t taking too kindly to the visit of His Royal Highness.

Herr Herbert coming; … Herr Herbert (the Handsome) Scholz… and his lovely wife Lilo [sic] [are in town for the weekend] …” (Excerpts from above.)


1940 - article - Duke in DC

(14 March 1940). German Red Cross president in capital to confer with Davis; Grandson of Victoria expected to call at White House tomorrow. Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. A-16. (P03273).

"… was received this morning by representatives of the German Embassy and the American Red Cross. The receiving part included a squad of uniformed police and two headquarters detectives who accompanied the duke to his suite in the Mayflower Hotel.

The duke will confer tomorrow with Norman Davis, chairman of the American Red Cross and head of the League of Red Cross Societies… " (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - article - Duke in DC

(15 March 1940). Dr. Thomsen to entertain for duke; other parties arranged for Saxe-Coburg-Gotha [with portrait photo of the Duke]. Evening Star (Washington, DC), pp. B-3, B-4. (P03274).

"… Thomsen, will entertain tonight at dinner at the Mayflower in honor of the royal visitor…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - article - Duke in DC

(15 March 1940). Reich Red Cross head confers with Davis; reception canceled [with photo of the duke]. Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. A-11. (P03275).

"… canceled because the President was confined to his bed…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - article - Duke in DC, listing of events

Miller, Hope Ridings. (15 March 1940). German duke arrives with party; will meet Norman Davis today. Washington Post, presumably p. 26. (P03240).

"… Arriving in Washington yesterday morning from Chicago… [Tannenberg] has been assigned to the duke’s staff for the duration of his trip in the United States… The visitors are staying at the Mayflower…

The German Charge d’Affaires will entertain at dinner in honor of the visitor this evening. Guests will include several members of the State Department, the Diplomatic Corps, the American Red Cross and other Governmental departments…

The Duke will visit Mount Vernon tomorrow and will be feted at a luncheon given by Norman Davis at his home...

… a large reception in honor of the duke tomorrow afternoon, the party taking place at the Shoreham Hotel… Later, a number of friends will attend a buffet supper at the Thomsen home on Colorado avenue.

The Minister of Sweden, Wollmar Bostrom, will entertain at a luncheon in honor of the duke on Sunday, and that afternoon there will be a ceremony to celebrate German War Memorial Day. At that time the duke will greet a number of German residents of the Capital.

Monday morning, the duke and his party will leave by train for New York…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke in DC, dinner at Mayflower Hotel

(16 March 1940). Herr Thomsen honors duke with dinner. Washington Post, presumably p. X14. (Viewed 19 September 2023. ProQuest. P03242).

"… There were 67 present at last night’s party which was held at the Mayflower. Following a reception in the Pan American room and the adjoining parlor, dinner was served in the Chinese room…" (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - news brief - Duke in DC; meets Red Cross president

(Washington, March 16). (16 March 1940). U. S. Nazi Red Cross heads discuss war relief. Buffalo Evening News, p. 3. (P03474).

"… [they] discussed relief activities in Europe, particularly in Poland, for an hour Friday… They met in Mr. Davis’ office at Red Cross headquarters and the duke was invited to return for another conference." (Excerpts from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke in DC

(17 March 1940). Duke of Coburg shakes hands with 1,000; Reich Red Cross chief stands in receiving line here for two hours. Washington Post, p. 8. (P03245).

"... [At the Shoreham Hotel] About 500 persons had been expected. About 1,000 came to shake his hand. Absent were faces faces from Congress and the British and French embassies, but present were Senators’ wives, the Soviet Ambassador, representatives from most of the Scandinavian nations, Italy and Austria; the South America countries and Washington social leaders..." (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke in DC, reception

Dugas, Mona. (17 March 1940). Dr. Thomsen receives for German duke; wartime economy marks fete for Red Cross envoy. Sunday Star / Evening Star, pp. D1, D3. (S02232).

"… no sign of the cabinet members or their wives, almost every Embassy and Legation, except for those at war with Germany, was represented by either the Ambassador or Minister or members of their staffs, while the entire German Embassy staff was present. Especially noticeable was the large number of South and Central Americans present. The Argentine Ambassador and Senora de Espil were among the guests; the Minister of Honduras, Senor Dr. Don Julian R. Caceres; the former Austrian Minister and Mme. Prochnik; Mrs. Millard E. Tydings, wife of Senator Tydings, with her mother, Mrs. Emlen Davies, and sister, Mrs. Aldace Walker; Mrs. Arthur Tirrell and her daughter, Miss Dorothy Tirrell; Mrs. Henry Mustin, Baroness von Below, Miss Mabel Boardman, Mrs. Jacob Leander Loose, Mme. Munilla, wife of the Cuban military attache; Mr. Thomas A. Burke, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Morris and numerous other members of diplomatic, official and residential society…

the callers were introduced by Herr Ernst Ostermann von Roth, Second Secretary of the Embassy…

was continued at the German Embassy, where the Thomsens entertained at a buffet supper for the visitor and about 30 of their personal friends and members of the Embassy staff…" (Excerpts from above.)


1940 - news brief - Duke meets Roosevelt

(18 March 1940). President told to cancel all business engagements. Evening Star, p. A-2. (P03541).

"… His sole appointment today was with the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, head of the German Red Cross, who made a social call…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - news mention - Duke event in Washington, DC, mention of Frau Scholz

Blaine, Beth. (18 March 1940). By the way [see fashion-focused excerpt feature below]. Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. B-3. (P03540).

1940 - news brief - Duke in DC

U. P. (Washington, March 18). (18 March 1940). Roosevelt fights severe head cold. Detroit News, p. 4. (S02209).

"… The only callers listed were director of the German Red Cross, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and the American Red Cross chairman, Norman H. Davis…" (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article - amusing account of reception for Duke at Shoreham hotel

Cassini, Igor. (27 March 1940). These charming people [with details about reception for Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha at the Shoreham]. Times-Herald (Washington, DC), p. 15. (PJ00289).

Click to enlarge:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha washington

1940 - article mention - re. Duke, presumably in Washington, DC or New York

Stinnet, Jack (Washington, DC) (likely syndicated). (4 April 1940). Grasshopper bloc [with mention of the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha]. Asbury Park Evening Press (Asbury Park, NJ), p. 8. (P03257).

"… Note to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg: On your recent visit, you threw one German agency into a veritable dither.

Loyal Nazis that they are, they were in a sweat for fear you would go home and tell the folks that they were very careless in selecting their neighbors.

That day when you visited their offices, maybe you didn’t notice the six-foot-two member of the staff who stood against the glass-panelled door of the office next to theirs. He stood there when you left and gave that ’Heil Hitler’ salute each time.

When he moved, he disclosed the cause of their shame, for written across the glass was the name of their non-Aryan neighbor: Isaac Aaronsky.” (Excerpt from above.)


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SEIZED INTELLIGENCE: 18 MARCH 1940

duke of saxe coburg and gotha seized intelligence

Document no. 683 from Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, Series D (1937-45), Vol. 8, pp. 867-68. See "Documentation - pre-trip" above for more bibliographic details. (S02204).



IMPORTANT SOCIAL AND BUSINESS MATTERS, PRESUMABLY

duke of saxe coburg and gotha fashion washington dc

Here, we see a focus on fashion at the reception of the main social event for the visiting Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha in Washington, DC, with no mention of Nazi and no questions. See Beth Blaine’s report "By the way" in the Evening Star on 18 March 1940 above, with mention of Lelo von Schnitzler-Scholz.




duke of saxe coburg and gotha new york

Photo from Sabotage! The secret war against America (1942), by Michael Sayers and Albert E. Kahn, p. 185. Caption: Photograph of the late Senator Ernest Lundeen addressing a banquet held by the Board of Trade for German-American Commerce at New York’s Hotel Waldorf-Astoria, March 20, 1940. Left to right are German Consul General Dr. Hans Borchers; Otto A. Stiefel; the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, international Nazi emissary; Dr. Robert Reiner, president of the Board of Trade for German-American Commerce; the late U. S. Senator Ernest Lundeen [under the Nazi flag]; Lieut Gen. F. von Boetticher; former German Consul Heinrich Stahmer, and German Consul Friedrich Draeger.


NEW YORK (18-22 March 1940)

> Local handler: German Consul General in New York, Hans Borchers

> Accommodation: Waldorf-Astoria, New York

See events


18 March 1940: Arrival to Penn Station, New York, met by German Consul General in New York Hans Borchers with police detectives

19 March 1940:
> Evening - reception and dinner in honor of the Duke by German Consul General in New York Hans Borchers at the Ritz-Carlton (presumably demolished in 1951); guests included representatives of the foreign consular corps in New York and of the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross

20 March 1940:
> Luncheon - given by Dr. and Mrs. Carl Eggers in the Crystal Garden at the Ritz-Carlton (see 21 March article below with lengthy list of attendees, including later George Sylvester Viereck (convicted of concealing part of his activities as a registered German agent, 6 March 1942)
> Evening - Duke, guest of honor at dinner, German-American Chamber of Commerce, Waldorf-Astoria, New York. 600 guests. See photo above of the German officials at the main table. Speakers included Senator Ernest Lundeen (Minnesota) (principal speaker); the Duke; Otto A. Stiefel, Newark attorney and New Jersey leader of German-American groups; Dr. Franz Koempel, founder of the Steuben Society; Professor Camillo von Klenze, former and German language teacher. "At the outset of the dinner, the audience sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and the German national anthem and offered the Nazi salute".

21 March 1940:
> Afternoon - will attend a tea at the Waldorf-Astoria
> Afternoon or evening - reception by the Duke for German residents of New York

Documentation - NY

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - article - Duke coming to New York

(17 March 1940). President of German Red Cross will arrive in city tomorrow; Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha has conferred on Polish Relief in Capital [with portrait photo of Duke]. New York Herald Tribune, p. 31. (P03243)

"… On Thursday, he will attend a tea in the Waldorf-Astoria and will give a reception at the Waldorf-Astoria for German residents of New York. He will leave for Cleveland on Friday." (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke arrived in New York

(19 March 1940). Reich Red Cross head says Poles are cared for; Duke Carl Eduard is here; Asserts effects of war are fast disappearing. New York Herald Tribune, p. 6. (P03248).

"… at the Waldorf Astoria, where he is staying [in New York] after his visit to Washington…

On arriving at the Pennsylvania station [yesterday] he and his party of four others were met by Dr. Hans Bouchers, German Consul General here, and were escorted by railroad police and detectives of the Alien Squad to an automobile… " (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - news brief - Duke in New York

(20 March 1940). German duke guest of honor at dinner; Head of Reich’s Red Cross feted by Dr. Hans Borchers. New York Times, p. 39. (P03249).

"… reception and dinner last night at the Ritz-Carlton [by Borchers for the Duke]… The guests included representatives of the foreign consular corps in New York and of the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross… A luncheon will be given for the Duke today in the Crystal Garden of the Ritz-Carlton by Dr. and Mrs. Carl Eggers…" (Excerpts from above.)


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1940 - editorial page statement - Duke, US trip

(20 March 1940). On editorial page: Polish normalcy, Nazi style [with mention of the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha]. Philadelphia Inquirer, p. 12. (P03544).

"Duke Karl Eduard of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, president of the German Red Cross, and a leading figure in Hitler’s Nazi entourage, blandly informs interviewers in this country that life in Poland is ’back to normal’. He qualifies delicately, however, with the admission that the political effects of the German conquest will ’take some more time to wear off.’

Americans will consider the subject with reservations in view of the veil of silence maintained by the Reich over what is going on in Poland; recalling also recent disclosures of brutal persecution of Catholic priests in that country.

From past observations normalcy from a Nazi viewpoint seems to approximate, more than anything else, the routine of a concentration camp.” (Excerpt above in full).


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1940 - article mention - Duke, US trip

Winchell, Walter (Syndicated). (20 March 1940). Walter Winchell on Broadway [with mention of the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha; notation at end “— your Girl Friday”]. Waterbury Democrat (Waterbury, CT), p. 13. (P01944).

"… Why don’t editors find out the real purpose of the visit to the U. S. of Hitler’s first backer, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha” He says he’s here for the German Red Cross…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - news brief - Duke in New York

(21 March 1940). German duke is entertained in New York. Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. B-3. (P03270)

"… was the guest of honor at a dinner last evening [20 MAR] when the German-American Chamber of Commerce entertained at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York…

Earlier in the day the Duke was honor guest [sic] at a luncheon which Dr. and Mrs. Carl Eggers gave at the Ritz-Carlton.

Tuesday evening the German Consul General in New York and Frau Borchers entertained at a reception and dinner at the Ritz in honor of the German Red Cross president…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - article - Duke in New York

(21 March 1940). Lundeen urges U. S. cultivate German trade; Senator, at dinner for Nazi Red Cross Head, asks free flow of commerce. New York Herald Tribune, p. 2. (P03250).

Click to enlarge:

1940 - article - Duke at luncheon

(21 March 1940). Red Cross head luncheon guest; The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, President of German organization, feted here; Carl Eggerses the hosts; Representatives of German diplomatic and consular services are present. New York Times, p. 34. (P03252)

Click to enlarge:

1940 - article - Duke at event at Waldorf-Astoria, New York with Sen. Lundeen

(21 March 1940). Strict neutrality urged by Lundeen; Senator bids us not to shun trade with Germany [with mention at event at Waldorf-Astoria with Duke]. New York Times, p. 10. (P03251).

Click to enlarge:

1940 - article - Duke in New York details

Waldo, Richard and Vogliotti, Gabriel (New York). (McClure Newspaper Syndicate). (1 April 1940). The national whirligig; News behind the news [with details of the New York visit of the Duke]. Sandusky Register (Sandusky, OH), p. 4. See spotlight below after Chicago stop documentation. (P03535).

"… Most German-Americans are pro-German and so-so about Hitler. As in 1914-17, however, their pressure is subdued due to the realization that to go on record now might mean concentration camps somewhere ahead…" (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke, Lundeen, New York event

(4 April 1940). Ask Lundeen why he addressed pro-Nazi body. The American Israelite, p. 1. (P03256).

Click to enlarge:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha
NEA wire service photo agency (multiple placements across US). (19 March 1940+). Photo caption: Nazi in U. S. to aid Polish relief; Karl Eduard, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and president of the German Red Cross, pictured in Washington. Albany Democrat-Herald (Albany, NY); Ogdensburg Journal (Ogdensburg, NY); Olean Times-Herald (Olean, NY), Visalia Times Delta (Visalia, CA) and likely more.


CLEVELAND (22-24 March 1940)

> Local handler: German Consul General in Cleveland, Karl Kapp

> Accommodation: (at least on the evening of 23 March, at East House, Wickliffe, mansion owned by Aileen Winslow)

See events


22 March 1940: (At this juncture, it’s not clear if the Duke took a morning train on the 22nd out of New York or the overnight train, arriving in Cleveland on the 23rd.)

23 March 1940:
> before luncheon, visit to Cleveland Red Cross headquarters
> afternoon - luncheon for Cleveland Red Cross leaders and members of the consular corps at Hotel Cleveland by German Consul General to Cleveland, Karl Kapp; guests included Red Cross officials, Cleveland mayor Harold H. Burton; members of the German consular staff, consular representatives of Rumania, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Italy and Latvia
> evening - reception and dinner at the home of Ms. Lawrence Lanier Winslow, East House, Nutwood Farms in Wickliffe; dinner guests (12): Mrs. Winslow, the duke and his party, Mrs. Corliss Sullivan, Mrs. Oriana Newell, Miss Cornelia Hunter, Prof. and Mrs. Kenneth Scott of Western Reserve University. Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kapp, the German consul general, Cleveland, and his wife

24 March 1940:
morning - leave for Detroit

Documentation - CLE

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - article - Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha in Cleveland

(23 March 1940). German duke here lauds Red Cross; says co-operation given in all countries. The Cleveland Press, p. 3. (P03276).

"… His Royal Highness, Karl Eduard, duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, president of the German Red Cross, was a guest in Cleveland today.

The duke, a distinguished appearing man of 55… He conferred Monday with President Roosevelt in Washington…

This noon he was entertained at a luncheon for Cleveland Red Cross leaders and members of the consular corps at Hotel Cleveland by Karl Kapp, German consul-general here, and tonight will be guest at the home of Ms. Lawrence Lanier Winslow, Nutwood Farms in Wickliffe." (Excerpts from above; see 2025 article below for a close Wallis Simpson connection.)


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1940 - letter - Duke and U. S. government, re. DC

Warner, E. Mandeville. (23 March 1940). Letter. The Pittsburgh Press, p. 6. (PJ00287).

"Our cabinet officers from the Secretary of State to the lowest assistant secretary saw fit not to attend, putting themselves in the class with the British and the French Embassies, who are at war with Germany…

if the United States is to keep out of the war in Europe, it is time that we call a halt to such shennanigans [sic], and recognize all nations as friendly until their policies prove them otherwise…" (Excerpts from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke in Cleveland

(24 March 1940). Holds war hasn’t split Red Cross; German leader here says harmony rules relief. Cleveland Plain Dealer, p. 7-A. (PJ00285).

"… Besides members of the German consular staff, consular representatives of Rumania, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Italy and Latvia were present at the luncheon [at the Hotel Cleveland]. Among other guests were Charles H. Kellstadt, president of the Greater Cleveland Red Cross Chapter: Mrs. Maude B. McQuate, leader in the Red Cross roll call, and mayor Harold H. Burton…" (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article mention - Duke in Cleveland

Christine. (25 March 1940). Society [with subheader “Entertains head of German Red Cross”]. Cleveland Press, p. 12. (PJ00048).

"East House in Wickliffe was the scene of a dinner party and reception Saturday evening given by Mrs. L. L. Winslow honoring [the Duke]…

The reception was preceded by a small dinner party at the Winslow home for 12: Mrs. Winslow, the duke and his party, Mrs. Corliss Sullivan, Mrs. Oriana Newell, Miss Cornelia Hunter, Prof. and Mrs. Kenneth Scott of Western Reserve University. Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kapp, the German consul-general and his wife in Cleveland. Members of the party were house guests at East House Saturday night and left for Detroit yesterday morning." (Excerpts from above.)


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1940 - article mention - Duke in Cleveland, huge reveal re. crowd reaction

Porter, Philip W. (27 March 1940). The inside of the news in Cleveland. Cleveland Plain Dealer, p. 12. (PJ00284).

"... There were colossal misgivings all up and down the [Red Cross] organization, for the duke is thoroughly a Nazi and was being lugged around the country by Nazi consuls, and there were more than slight suspicions that the whole business was just a little cute propaganda..." (Excerpts from above.)


Click to enlarge:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha san francisco

Karl Kapp German Consul Cleveland Fritz Heiler Henry Ford

Two years earlier (left) Honorary German Consul in Detroit Fritz Heiler with German Consul General in Cleveland Karl Kapp (right) awarded Henry Ford the Grand Cross of the German Eagle for his industrial achievements, from Hitler, on the occasion of Ford’s 75th birthday in Detroit, celebrated across the US, including organized schoolchildren. (Click through the tweet to see the article.) This Associated Press Wirephoto was published in newspapers across America. In editorial print, there wasn’t much blowback. (Hartford Daily Courant, Connecticut, 1 August 1940.)

DETROIT (24 - 27 March 1940)

> Local handler: presumably honorary German Consul to Detroit Fritz Heiler, possibly with German Consul General Karl Kapp in Cleveland

> Accommodation: unspecified

"From Detroit, he will go to Indianapolis." [So far, nothing on Indianapolis found.]

See events


Previewed

24 March 1940, Sunday:
> 16.30-18.00: H. R. H. the Duke of Saxe-Coburg. guest of honor at reception in Red Cross headquarters, 2163 E. Jefferson; received by William S. Knudsen, president of General Motors Corp, Mr. and Mrs. D. Dwight Douglas and and Alfred J. Berras, Jr., local chapter head. "Prominent German-American citizens and members of the Detroit Red Cross chapter were presented to the Duke"

25 March 1940, Monday:
> "He will spend the next two days in Detroit visiting the Ford, General Motors and Chrysler plants"

26 March 1940, Tuesday:
> He will spend the next two days in Detroit visiting the Ford, General Motors and Chrysler plants"

Documentation - DET

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - Duke in Detroit

(24 March 1940). Detroit Red Cross to honor world official from Geneva; Duke of Saxe Coburg arriving in city on good will tour [with portrait photo of duke]. Detroit Free Press, p. 8. (N00754)

"Detroit Chapter, American Red Cross, will be host to… H. R. H. the Duke of Saxe-Coburg… will be guest of honor at a reception in the Red Cross headquarters, 2163 E. Jefferson, from 4:30 to 6 p. m. [Sunday afternoon], with admission by card only…

Monday and Tuesday he will tour Detroit as the guest of motor company officials [unspecified]…

From Detroit, he will go to Indianapolis. [So far, nothing on Indianapolis found.] (Excerpts from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke visit to Detroit

(25 March 1940). Relief tie-ups laid to Britain; Gifts to Poles halted, official asserts [with accompanying photo / caption: Detroit entertains titled visitor (photo of Duke with others); cropped above]. Detroit Free Press, p. 3. (S02211).

"… At the Red Cross headquarters, the Duke was received by William S. Knudsen, president of General Motors Corp, Mr. and Mrs. D. Dwight Douglas and Alfred J. Berras, Jr., local chapter head.

Prominent German-American citizens and members of the Detroit Red Cross chapter were presented to the Duke. He will spend the next two days in Detroit visiting the Ford, General Motors and Chrysler plants, in which he is vitally interested as honorary chief of the National Socialist Motor Corps in Germany, a position awarded to him by Hitler… On Wednesday the ducal party will leave for Chicago…" (Excerpts from above.)


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duke of saxe coburg and gotha

1940 - spotlighted mention above of Duke over the Canadian border

Clark, W. L. (26 March 1940). As we see it [with mention of Duke]. The Windsor Daily Star (Windsor, ON, CA), p. 2. (P03545).

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1940 - Duke, letter to Detroit newspaper

Hillock, L. K. (1 April 1940). The voice of the people; A follower of Hitler. The Detroit Free Press, p. 6. (P03533).

"To the Editor: You forgot to mention in your report on ’Detroit entertaining a titled visitor’ that the Duke of Saxe Coburg is one of the staunchest supporters of the most ruthless of modern pagans.

The Duke, therefore, has lost all respect and consideration of those German noble families that have been upright and courageous enough not to throw overboard their Christian faith and tradition at the word of a schizophreniac [sic] bully.

The State being the Nazi Party and the Nazi Party being the State, according to Nazi doctrine, how can the Duke’s visit be ‘strictly nonpolitical’? I refuse to believe that a single thinking American accepts such nonsense.” (Excerpt in full from above.)


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Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha Chicago

Cropped view of article in Chicago Daily Times by Lee Carson on 29 March 1940. See full article in documentation section below.


CHICAGO (27 March - 2 April 1940)

> Local handler: Dr. E. L. Baer, German Consul General in Chicago

> Accommodation: Drake Hotel

See events


Planned itinerary

27 March 1940:
> 16:45 - arrival, central train station, met by Dr. E. L. Baer, German Consul General in Chicago, and a delegation of Chicagoans (unspecified)

28 March 1940:
> afternoon - reception at the Drake Hotel given by Dr. E. L. Baer, German Consul General in Chicago, c. 220 guests (for partial guest list, see 28 March 1940 article; See "Socialites greet Nazi duke in French room" (29 March 1940) and mention of Nazi flag displayed with US and Red Cross flags; with consular officials, member of US army, navy, and marines; presumably federal, state and city officials; including Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Dewey, Margot Atkin, Mrs. William Nitze; Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Heineken; Bertha Baur; Mrs. Astor Forrester Gries; with 8 or 15 anti-Nazi protestors outside of hotel [differing reporting]). See June Parsons’ reporting (29 March 1940) for a list with more attendees.

29 March 1940, Friday:
> visit to Great Lakes Naval Station, Great Lakes, IL, north of Chicago, with entourage, Attache H. Heerling, and Major H. Nachtigall. Met Commandant (Rear Admiral Watts)
> evening - large formal dinner for the Duke hosted by Dr. E. L. Baer, German Consul General in Chicago at the Racquet club. (100 invitations accepted; see 7 April 1940 article for details and guest list, including presumably wife of Admiral Watt and Gen. Dawes!)

30 March 1940, Saturday:
> evening - banquet for the Duke hosted by Capt. A. F. W. Siebel, president, and the other officers of the Germania club

31 March 1940, Sunday:
> daytime - "a day in the country with friends"
> evening - small dinner for the duke at Baer’s apartment with consular staff

1 April 1940, Monday
> morning - Rear Admiral Watts will visit the Duke at his suite in the Drake

> unspecified time - Lt. Col. Homer and Lt. Gen. Ford, commanding officer of the 6th corp area, will visit the Duke (they received him too, at some point earlier)

"The other affairs are all small and of a private and anonymous nature"

The duke will visit Red Cross officials and Mayor Kelly (but where and when not noted).

Documentation - CHI

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - article - Duke to spend a week in Chicago

Cass, Judith. (18 March 1940). German consul to receive for Red Cross Head. Chicago Daily Tribune, p. 17. (P03246).

"… [The Duke] will stay at the Drake…" (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article – Duke to arrive in Chicago

(27 March 1940). Dr. Baer to give dinner for Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. Chicago Daily News, p. 29. (S02228).

"… 100 have accepted invitations to the dinner party [at the Racquet Club]. On Sunday Dr. Baer is having a small dinner for the duke at his apartment, to which members of the consular staff are invited…" (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke in Chicago

(27 March 1940). Head of German Red Cross plans 6 day visit here. Chicago Daily Tribune, p. 6. (P03254).

"Karl Eduard… will arrive this afternoon for a six day Chicago visit. He will be greeted at the Illinois Central station at 4:45 p. m. by Dr. E. L. Baer, the German consul general, and a delegation of Chicagoans.

A reception for the duke will be given by Dr. Baer tomorrow afternoon at the Drake hotel. The consul general also will be host at a dinner for the duke Friday night in the Racquet club. Capt. A. F. W. Siebel, president, and the other officers of the Germania club, will be hosts at a banquet for him Saturday night.

The duke, who also will visit Red Cross officials and Mayor Kelly, has been denounced editorially as a Nazi propagandist by the Neue Volkszeitung of New York City, leading German language, anti-Nazi newspaper of this country." (Excerpt from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke in Chicago

(28 March 1940). German Red Cross chief faces pickets. Daily Times (Chicago), p. 14. (S02216; S02225).

“[The Duke] will be honored at a reception tonight in the Drake hotel, sponsored by Dr. E. L. Baer, German consul general…

Jan K. Wieczorak, president of the Polish-American Council of Illinois, issued a letter branding the German Red Cross a propaganda agent for the Nazis.

’As a tool of the German fighting machine,’ he declared, ’it is seeking by purchase, gift or otherwise, articles which contain rubber, tin and other materials which can be converted into death-dealing devices.’ The German Red Cross, he said, has taken no action to persuade the Nazi government ’to end the reign of barbarism and terror prevalent in Poland and Czecho-Slovakia..” (Excerpts from above.)


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1940 - article mention - Duke in Chicago, reception at the Drake

(28 March 1940). Parties for Duke of Saxe Coburg [might be a section in a larger society announcement column]. Herald-American (Chicago), unknown page number. (S02218).

"[On Sunday, 31 March 1940] Dr. Baer again entertaining in his honor, after a day in the country with friends. The other affairs are all small and of a private and anonymous nature…

“’I like nice people,’ one woman defended her intention to go, ‘and he’s the grandson of Queen Victoria.’ For the same reason, she’s dashing away from the Drake and up to the Polish consulate to greet Gen. Haller, whose reception coincides so ironically with the Duke’s…

Invitations to the German reception so embarrassed two well-known socialites that they left town for the day to give themselves a graceful ‘out’…” (Excerpts from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke in Chicago

(29 March 1940). Anti-Nazis picket reception for German Red Cross Head. Chicago Daily Tribune, p. 2. (N00755).

"Eight men, carrying anti-Nazi banners, paraded before the Oak street entrance to the Drake hotel yesterday while a reception was being given for Carl Eduard, duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, head of the German Red Cross. The placards described the duke as a Nazi propagandist. The duke’s host was Dr. E. L. Baer, German consul general here. Several hundred Chicagoans attended the reception." (Excerpt in full from above.)


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1940 - article - Duke in Chicago, reception at the Drake

(29 March 1940). Socialites attend two consular receptions; German, Polish staffs receive distinguished guests]. Herald-American (Chicago), p. 16. (S02219).

"…yesterday… reception for [the Duke] in the French room at the Drake… Almost covering the north wall were three large flags[:] the Stars and Stripes, the Red Cross emblem and the great red banner centered with the white circle and black swastika of Nazi Germany.

… Two hundred and twenty-two guest filed past the receiving line between 4:30 and 7 o’clock, prominent German-Americans, Army and Navy officers, consuls and vice consuls and their wives…" (Excerpt from above; for more in attendance, see article below).


Click to enlarge:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha

1940 - article - Duke in Chicago

(29 March 1940). “Stupid” says Nazi duke of pickets’ signs [presumably two editions on the day show different photos: the first with pickets; the second of the Duke greeting Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Heineken]. Chicago Daily Times, p. 5. (S02212).

"Having branded Polish allegations that he is a Nazi propaganda agent masquerading in the guise of a Red Cross executive as ‘stupid, disgraceful lies,’ the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha today went about his business of visiting American Red Cross, federal, state and city officials…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke in Chicago at the Drake Hotel

Carson, Lee. (29 March 1940). Socialites greet Nazi Duke in French room. Chicago Daily Times, p. 61. (S02213).

"… No one can say the Swastikas don’t spread a mighty fine board. If there is a food shortage in Rhineland there was no hint of it at the reception…" (Excerpt from above.)


Click to enlarge:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha

1940 - article - Duke in Chicago at the Drake Hotel

Parsons, June. (29 March 1940). Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha honored by Dr. Baer while Gen. Haller gives reception; Fetes by German consul general and Polish patriot takes place at same time; both parties very gay. Chicago Daily News, p. 24. (S02229).

"… Minus its grim irony, the coincidence would have been amusing. For some Chicagoans it turned out to be embarrassing and at least several, who were invited to both affairs, paid only hurried respected to the general and the duke and departed…

[In the French Room at the Drake event] Against the wall at one end of the room the banner of the Red Cross hung between the American flag and the Nazi swastika…" (Excerpts from above.)


Click to enlarge excerpt:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha chicago

1940 - news brief - Duke visits Great Lakes Naval Station

(30 March 1940). President, German Red Cross, visits Great Lakes. Great Lakes Bulletin (Great Lakes Naval Station, Great Lakes, Illinois), p. 1. (N00757).

"On Friday [29 March] His Royal Highness, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, President of the German Red Cross, made a courtesy call on the Commandant. He was accompanied by Consul General Dr. E. L. Baer; Consul General F. Stamer [sic]; Dr. W. Tannenberg, First Secretary to the German Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Attache H. Heerling, and Major H. Nachtigall." (Full excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.


1940 - article - Duke in New York details

Waldo, Richard and Vogliotti, Gabriel (New York). (McClure Newspaper Syndicate). (1 April 1940). The national whirligig; News behind the news [with details of the New York visit of the Duke]. Sandusky Register (Sandusky, OH), p. 4. See spotlight below. (P03535).

"… Most German-Americans are pro-German and so-so about Hitler. As in 1914-17, however, their pressure is subdued due to the realization that to go on record now might mean concentration camps somewhere ahead…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article mention - Duke in Chicago at Racquet Club event

Cousin Eva. (7 April 1940). Society talks of methods to aid symphony [with mention of Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha at Racquet Club event, Gen. Dawes in attendance, wife of Adm. Watt — see other guests]. Chicago Sunday Tribune, part 8, pp. 1-2. (N00759).

Click to enlarge excerpt:

duke of saxe coburg and gotha chicago

Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha Karl Eduard

See the Sundusky Register (1 April 1940) entry above for more information.


LOS ANGELES (4-7 April 1940)

> Local handler: German Consul General in Los Angeles, Georg Gyssling, reputed double agent to US military

> Accommodation: Mission Inn, Riverside, CA (4-5 April); Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles (demolished) (5-7 April)

See events


Planned itinerary sent to German Embassy, Washington, DC by German Consul General in Los Angeles, Georg Gyssling.

4 April 1940:
> 7:28 - Arrival in San Bernardino (presumably by train)
> 7:48 - Arrival at Mission Inn accommodation, Riverside, CA for the evening
> 10:30 - Depart Riverside for Palm Springs
> 12:30 - Luncheon at the residence of Mrs. Chauncey D. Clarke (date plantation), but given by Mrs. John T. Cooper (wife of the President of Security First National Bank of California) and Mrs. Donald Smith of Los Angeles (Mrs. Clarke reported to be in Mexico City)
> 13:30 - Leave for sightseeing of Palm Canyons; afternoon tea at the Desert Inn; and return via Palms-to-Pines Highway (Idyllwild, Mt. San Jacinto) to Riverside
> 21:00 - Informal dinner with our own circle

5 April 1940:
Event

6 April 1940:
Event

7 April 1940:
Event



Documentation - LA

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - news brief - Duke passes through Albuquerque

(4 April 1940). Town talk [with mention of Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha]. Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, NM), p. 11. (P03546).

"Carl Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg, head of the German Red Cross who recently arrived in the U. S. to raise funds for relief of Polish areas, was on the Super Chief through Albuquerque yesterday, en route to Los Angeles." (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.


1940 - news brief - Duke arrives in SoCal

UP (Riverside, Calif, April 5). (6 April 1940). German Red Cross president tours [Other sources have the Duke arriving on April 4]. Nevada State Journal, p. 6. (P03548).

"Duke Carl Edward… arrived here [Riverside, CA] today for an overnight stop…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - social mention - Duke, Palm Springs

(4 April 1940). Chatterbox [with mention of Duke] [photo of Mrs. John T. Cooper]. Los Angeles Times, part II, p. 6. (P03223; P02035).

“Today at noon, ‘Todie’ Clarke’s beautiful desert estate [in Palm Springs], Point Happy, will be the scene of a gay luncheon party in honor of [the duke] …

You’d be a-m-a-z-e-d at the excitement the coming of Germany’s might Grand Duke has created in national and local circles. This member of Germany’s diplomatic family has NOT been overlooked. Sharing honors today are his aide-de-camp, Capt. Baron von Grolman; Consul General Dr. Stahmer from the Berlin Foreign Office, and Dr. W. Tannenberg…

The Duke, incidentally, was hostess to his cousin, the Duke of Windsor, and Wally Simpson when they visited in Germany after their marriage [and met Hitler on their trip. See photo at top ]…

Co-hostess at today’s luncheon is Mrs. John T. Cooper, who motored down last night with Mrs. Donald Smith… " (Excerpt from above of this very curious take.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - social news brief - Duke, ambassador, others, Palm Springs

Palm Springs, April 4. (5 April 1940). Nazi Red Cross leader greeted; Duke of Saxe-Coburg feted in Palm Springs [with no photo]. Los Angeles Times, pt. II, p. 11, col. 3. (P02037).

"Duke Carl Eduard of Saxe-Coburg, president of the German Red Cross, was a visitor in Palm Springs today, accompanied by Consel [sic] General H. G. Stahmer of the Foreign Office, Berlin; Capt. F. Von Grolmann, personal aide to Duke Wilhelm Tannenberg, First Secretary of the German Embassy, Washington, and Dr. George [sic] Gyssling, German Consel [sic] Los Angeles.

The party was entertained at luncheon in the home of Mrs. Chauncey D. Clarke. The hostess was in Mexico City but in her place were Mrs. John T. Cooper and Mrs. Donald Smith of Los Angeles.

The Duke entertained Mrs. Clarke in 1936 when she attended the Olympic games in Berlin… " (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - declassified consular report

Gyssling, Georg (German Consul in Los Angeles). (10 April 1940). Report R.7-772: Besuch des Herzogs Suedkalifornien. To German Embassy, Washington, DC, 8 pp. Politisches Archiv des Auswärtigen Amts [Political Archive, Federal Foreign Office], Berlin. [Summary document of strategy and response to Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha’s visit to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, with planned itinerary (4-8 April 1940)]. (S02201).


duke of saxe coburg and gotha

1940 - article - Duke mention, LA

Fidler, Jimmie (Syndicated). (12 April 1940). Movie medley [with mention of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha visit in Los Angeles] (Excerpt above). Chicago Daily Times, presumably p. 60. (S02214).

"… But— Heaven help a Hollywood hostess at a time like this— THIS duke wears a Nazi swastika in his lapel! And Nazis are dreadfully unpopular in Hollywood.

To do or not to do? That is the question. Should one allow the royal quarry to escape— or DARE one risk the contaminating touch of Nazism? God, what film drammer e’er posed a questions so completely awful?" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1940 - article - Duke mention, LA

Biron, Phineas J. (syndicated). (25 April 1940). Strictly confidential [with mention of Duke in Hollywood]. The American Israelite, p. 4. (P03262).

"… Quite a quandary was caused in Hollywood society by the visit of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the film capital… Usually dukes and such are the occasion for big festivities out on the Coast, but this time the noble visitor’s confirmed and outspoken Nazism proved a serious obstacle… Not even the fact that he’s related to the English king and the Swedish crown prince could remove the curse originating from the swastika in his lapel…" (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.


Was Emily Hall Tremaine (previously Spreckels) pro-Nazi, a U. S. patriot-spy, or both? In this three-part podcast and overall series, this question is addressed, and more, with reference to an unearthed secret deposition and a declassified document sent to Washington, DC and Berlin, reporting on the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha’s trip to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.



SANTA BARBARA (7-8 April 1940)

> Local handler: German Consul General in Los Angeles, Georg Gyssling, reputed double agent to US military

> Accommodation: Samarkand Hotel, Santa Barbara (then owned [STILL - RECONF] by San Francisco philanthropist Alma Spreckels; no longer in operation)

> Possible US / UK spy operation at two Spreckels events in sphere of legendary SoCal US Naval Intell spy chief Ellis M. Zacharias (with one site having secret rooms), etc. Double agent German Consul to Los Angeles, Georg Gyssling was also involved. The tour of the Duke was also of interest to French and Canadian intelligence!

See events


Planned itinerary sent to German Embassy, Washington, DC by German Consul General in Los Angeles, Georg Gyssling.

7 April 1940:
> 14:00 - Arrive in Santa Barbara, Samarkand Hotel
> 16:20 - Depart for a tea and cocktail reception given in honor of the Duke by oil industrialist Van Rensselaer Wilbur
> Evening free

8 April 1940:
> 11:00 - Guided area garden and estates tour by Emily von Romberg-Spreckels (later Tremaine)
> 17:30 - Buffet dinner by Emily von Romberg-Spreckels (later Tremaine) (about 60 guests)
> 23:44 - Southern Pacific Express train "The Lark" to San Francisco



Documentation - SB

See the articles


Selected sources:

1940 - declassified consular report

Gyssling, Georg (German Consul in Los Angeles). (10 April 1940). Report R.7-772: Besuch des Herzogs Suedkalifornien. To German Embassy, Washington, DC, 8 pp. Politisches Archiv des Auswärtigen Amts [Political Archive, Federal Foreign Office], Berlin. [Summary document of strategy and response to Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha’s visit to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, with planned itinerary (4-8 April 1940)]. (S02201).




SAN FRANCISCO (9-11 April 1940)

> Local handler: German Consul General in San Francisco, Fritz Wiedemann (former adjutant to Hitler, reputed Nazi spy chief for the West Coast into the interior, South America, and the Pacific, 1939-41)

> Accommodation:

See events


DATE: Event

Documentation - SF

See the articles


Selected sources:




HONOLULU (DATES)

> Accommodation:

See events


DATE: Event

Documentation - HON

See the articles


Selected sources:




MANCHURIA AND JAPAN (DATES)


Documentation - M/JP

See the articles


Selected sources:
emily hall tremaine

Cropped news clippings from 7 September 1940 (left) and 10 December 1940 (right) from the 8-month long divorce case, (whistleblower) Emily Hall Spreckels v. Adolph B. Spreckels, Jr., otherwise known as the "He’s a Nazi. No, SHE IS" case. The Duke’s visit to Santa Barbara, involving the Spreckels couple was a key allegation. See more here.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT - WHISTLEBLOWER - SPOTLIGHT #1 - 1940

Spreckels v. Spreckels


Documentation - EHT

See the articles
fritz wiedemann hans borchers expelled

Cropped view of (left) German Consul General in New York Hans Borchers and (right) German Consul General in San Francisco Fritz Wiedemann on the front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, above the fold, second-to-fourth column (16 July 1941). This photo was after German consuls, etc. were expelled by the U. S. government; Borchers and Wiedemann missed the official ship with safe passage out of San Francisco and were flying east to New York to catch another ship, with the plane stopping over in Cleveland.

Borchers was the popular consul in Cleveland up to 1933 and then transferred to New York. Wiedemann was the former adjutant to Hitler and the spy chief for the West Coast into the US interior, South American and Pacific region (1939-41). U. S. Naval Intelligence for the entire region concerning German Nazis, American Nazis and American victims is STILL classified. See at bottom of this webpage for the call to declassify by R. J. Preece / artdesigncafe.



duke of saxe coburg arrest 1945

See 29 November 1945 entry below for link to article.



selected 1940+ - 1954

See the sources


Selected sources:

1940 - article mention - Lundeen, Duke event at Waldorf-Astoria mentioned by pro-Nazi org

Winchell, Walter. (3 October 1940). Walter Winchell on Broadway [with mention of Sen. Lundeen, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha at event at Waldorf-Astoria hotel in March 1940, and German-Bund publication about it]. The Waterbury Democrat, p. 13. (P03465).

"… [The event] ‘including many Americans of non-German stock’… gave the Nazi salute when the orchestra struck up the Horst Wessel song…" (Excerpt from above.)


1941 - article mention - Mrs. Lundeen accuses Winchell, Pearson and Allen of libel

(19 May 1941). Widow takes air to defend Sen. Lundeen. Washington Daily Times, p. 16. (N00756).

"… Mrs. Lundeen noted that Winchell stated that the late Senator spoke at a dinner in New York on March 20, 1940, in honor of a ’visiting German agent.’ She identified this ’agent’ as Duke Saxe-Coburg-Gotha of Germany, a cousin of the present King of Britain.

’Of course, Winchell didn’t explain that President Roosevelt also entertained this "German agent’", she said…" (Excerpt from above.)


1940 - article mention - Duke in Washington, DC

Gore, Russell (possibly syndicated). (18 December 1941). Today’s personality (Out-of-luck Nazi… Hans Thomsen). The Detroit News, presumably p. 52. (S02207).

"Germany’s declaration of war on the United States was delivered by the erstwhile top favorite in the Washington diplomatic corps— half Norwegian Dr. Hans Thomsen, German Charge d’Affaires…

Thomsen and his charming, ebullient Hungarian-born wife—nicknamed ’Bebe’ Thomsen by Washington for what at first seemed her ‘uncontrolled’ impulsiveness— were an instant hit….

Just before the invasion of Holland [Thomsen] gave his last big reception. It was held in the Mayflower hotel, ostensibly in honor of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, president of the German Red Cross. Washington society attended en masse—partly because the Thomsen champagne has a reputation—partly because the Duke of Saxe-Coburg happens also to be a grandson of Queen Victoria…” (Excerpts from above.)


  • Offline - See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1942 - book mention, photo - Duke and others, New York

Sayers, Michael and Kahn, Albert E. (1942). Sabotage! The secret war against America, p. 185 (photo). Harper & Brothers Publishers.


1943 - tabloid feature mention - Emily (Santa Barbara) and mention of the Duke

(14 November 1943). Emily doesn’t want her sugar heir or his sugar either. Detroit Evening Times, American Weekly supplement, syndicated, p. 5.]. (P00017).

"… Santa Barbara, Calif., the deluxe community in which the Spreckels lived... was still seething over a party they had tendered the visiting Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha…" (Excerpt from above.)


1945 - article - Duke arrested as Nazi

(Associated Press) (Nuernberg, Nov. 29). (29 November 1945). Duke of Saxe-Coburg, grandson of Victoria, arrested as Nazi; Hitler “showpiece” was here in ’40 to see Norman Davis. Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. A-3. (P03459).

1954 - obituary - Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

(Associated Press) (Coburg, Germany, Mar. 6). (7 March 1954). Obituary: Duke, Carl Eduard, grandson of Victoria. Sunday Star / Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. A-33. (P03460)

"… After the war, the Americans put him into an internment camp for a year and a half. A German denazification court later classified him as a Nazi follower…" (Excerpt from above.)





SUBSEQUENT EVENT - WHISTLEBLOWER - SPOTLIGHT #2 - 1961

Rogge, O. John (former DOJ prosecutor). (1961). The official German report [with sections on the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha trip to US and Gerhard Westrick]. Thomas Yoseloff: New York, London.

Author’s Note: "This book presents the material in my report of September 1946 to the Department of Justice, supplemented by items from the published volumes of our Department of State, the British Foreign Office, and the French government, Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918-1945, Series C (1933-37) and Series D (1937-45)" [See "Documentation - Pre-trip" document no. 510, document no. 659 before San Francisco (Mar. 7), and document no. 683 after the Washington, DC above]. (Excerpt from above.)



Documentation - OJR

See the sections


First note that in 1946, Rogge submitted his report after going to Germany, securing a number of German Foreign Service files and interviewing a number of key people. The report and presumably details on American bad actors was of concern by Attorney General Tom Clark. The report wasn’t published. Rogge later spoke out at a college venue and was fired afterwards. See TIME magazine (4 November 1946) and Rogge’s New York Times obituary (23 March 1981) for more details. (S02202; S02203)

On the Duke’s trip across America, Rogge writes below on pp. 108-9.


On Gerhard Westrick, who travelled on the ship from Japan to San Francisco with the Duke’s entourage, Rogge writes below on p. 107. noting that Westrick is noted extensively in chapter 15 German and American businessmen, pp. 288-97.


Why Queen Victoria’s grandson was a Nazi sympathiser | Hitler’s favourite royal documentary (undated, before 2020). (Viewer discretion; disturbing content.)



selected c. 2019-25

See the sources



Above - (20 November 2025.) Hail Mary declassification request of US Naval Intelligence, San Francisco district, sent to 6.1m TruthSocial followers to raise awareness. See documentation below for more.


SUBSEQUENT (CLUMSY) EVENT - SPOTLIGHT #3 - 2025

2025 - article mention

Preece, R. J. (8 November 2025). PLEASE enable Mandatory Declassification Review of the San Francisco District Naval Intelligence Files for history, and for Emily Hall Tremaine. Connecticut Centinal. (Viewed 16 November 2025. S02192).

"... 1/ PLEASE enable the Mandatory Declassification Review of the San Francisco District Naval Intelligence files, as much as possible for 1933-42. Right now it is classified in its entirety regarding Nazi (National Socialism) German agents, their US allies and their US victims...

f) The businessmen and society figures attending events in honor of the visiting British royal / Hitler ally Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha in March-April 1940 in SF, the LA area, and SB, and their motivations. The Duke was later associated with the policy to exterminate the mentally ill and physically disabled...

PLEASE enable the Mandatory Declassification Review of the San Francisco District Naval Intelligence files for history, and for Emily [Hall Tremaine]..." (Excerpt from above.)