Captured German Atomic Bomb Scientist Interviewed, 1945

Captured German Atomic Bomb Scientist Interviewed, 1945 SOF Man at desk reading statement describing Dr. Hans Bunke (?), a German physicist who worked on early atomic bomb between 1939 & 1942; then on ultra-short electric waves for Luftwaffe. Dr. B sitting next to him is questioned by Lt. Col William R. Laidlaw, Jr. (sp?) questions him further. 08:00:51 “This assignment was given you because captured allied planes revealed progress in advance of German knowledge, is that correct?” Dr. B.. reads from paper: “Yes, that’s right; I did not like to change over to that program because short waves did not interest me that much. But they say they improved the German planes very much...” 08:01:15 “Who was left in charge...of the atom bomb...” “It was Otto Hahn... 08:01:40 “Did you realize that American, English & other scientists fully realized & understood the progress of Doctor Hahn’s work up until 1939?” “Of course, the principal was very well understood by many scientists for many years...but the problem had been to find out the way to initiate & control these forces... 08:02:07 “Did the German government hasten to finance your study of the project?” “Oh no....laughed at us as wild visionaries...” 08:02:40 “And when was Prof. Hahn ordered to work on the atomic bomb?” “After the war began; in 1939.” Asked about when they would have finished the bomb - in 1943 they figured 5 to 10 years. Since he figures at least another year. WW2; WWII; Nuclear Research; Captured German Scientist;