Ernst "Putzi" Hanfstaengl

Ernst "Putzi" Hanfstaengl was an early confidant of Hitler but fell increasingly out of favor after Hitler's assumption of power. In 1937 Hitler ordered Hanfstaengl to parachute over Spain and act as an agent for Franco in the Spanish Civil War. Hanfstaengl feared this was really a plot on his life and, in his telling, he convinced the plane's pilot to return to Germany. According to Albert Speer in his memoirs, this was all an elaborate practical joke and no harm was intended. However, Hanfstaengl was frightened enough to decide to defect. It is this episode which is documented in this footage.

"Putzi" Hanfstaengl and a small entourage exit a building in overcoats and hats, and carry luggage to a car. We then see "Putzi" and friends on an air strip. 01:00:26 Putzi stands beside General Karl Bodenschatz. 01:00:33 General Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf in profile on left of screen. An officer straps a parachute onto "Putzi's" back, he enters the plane with other men. INT, MCU, "Putzi" inside the plane. "Putzi" disembarking from the plane. MCU, the airplane's propeller after landing.