During a three-week stretch in late June and early July 1937 — 70 years ago — world gliding champion Peter Riedel was an American idol.
Performing at the eighth annual National Soaring Contest in Elmira, N.Y., sponsored by the International Soaring Society of America, Riedel’s astonishing rolls and loops while piloting a Rhonsperber Sailplane amazed spectators daily.
Four years later, Riedel was under the vigilant eye of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its zealous director J. Edgar Hoover while making a cross country auto tour which included a stop in Terre Haute to visit with some new relatives. Accompanied by his new bride, art teacher Helen Klug — a Terre Haute native, Reidel was on his honeymoon.
Born in Saxony, Germany, in August 1905, Riedel was raised by an uncle after his mother committed suicide in 1914. In 1920, he attended his first glider championship meet at Wasserkuppe, taking with him an unfinished biplane glider of his own design.
He continued to compete, soon earning the confidence of philanthropist Karl Kotzenberg. As a result of that friendship, Riedel’s college education at Darmstadt Technical University was paid for and he earned an engineering degree in 1927.
Riedel trained to be a commercial pilot, securing a license in 1928, but jobs were scarce. Instead, he went to work for meteorologist Walter Georgii at Darmstadt Research Institute for Soaring Flight, conducting scientific tests. He stayed for six years.
Beginning in 1930, Riedel’s research flights were instrumental in the discovery of the up-current fields under cumulus clouds. He developed “cloud-hopping” to achieve spectacular gliding heights and distances. He also established innovative methods of thermal soaring without assistance from clouds.
Peter continued to engage in competitive gliding, establishing a world distance record of 142 miles in 1933 and winning the Hindenberg Cup at Wasserkuppe.
Reidel was primarily responsible for the popularity of gliding in Germany. By 1937, Germany had 50,000 glider pilots compared to only 500 licensed pilots in the U.S.
In 1934, Professor Georgii accompanied Riedel and pioneer German aviatrix Hannah Reitsch on a tour of Brazil and Argentina to promote motorless flight. Reitsch, who held several glider and aerobatics records and became a passionate pilot and follower of Adolf Hitler, became Reidel’s friend.
Peter found work as a pilot with Lufthansa, the German national airlines, in late 1934. But, two years later, he was drawn back to Latin America to work as a pilot for Scadtka Airlines of Colombia, where he was employed when his sailplane, Condor, was entered in the 1937 contest at Elmira.
When trophies were distributed July 11, 1937, Riedel was the recipient of the Bendix Gold Medal and $500 for the greatest distance flight: 133 miles. He also received the DuPont Silver Trophy for the second greatest altitude: 5,640 feet (though the New York Times reported Reidel reached 8,400 feet on July 6).
Richard C. duPont, of the famous duPont family, won the 1937 A. Felix DuPont Gold Trophy for altitude by soaring 5,980 feet.
Riedel returned to Elmira for the soaring competition in 1938. By that time, he had been appointed the civilian assistant to Gen. Friedrich von Boetticher, the German military attache, in Washington, and was representing the German Aero Club.
Peter’s Kranich glider sported a red and black Nazi swastika on its rudder.
When asked, Riedel readily acknowledged that his job at the German embassy was to furnish the German government with available economic and industrial information about the U.S. He contended that he was not required to engage in spying or clandestine activities.
On July 3, 1938, Riedel soared by glider from Elmira to Hoover Airport in Washington, D.C. — more than 200 miles — in less than eight hours. Though he won the competition based upon score, as a German national he could not claim the U.S. title.
In his book, “Great Aviators and Epic Flights,” Von Hardesty, curator of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, asserted: “The year 1938 marked Riedel’s apogee in international soaring competition.”
Riedel met Helen Klug, a graduate of John Herron Art Institute of Indianapolis, in Washington, where she was an art teacher.
Reidel already was on the “FBI’s watch list” in 1940. When it was learned that Reidel and Klug planned to get married on June 28, 1941, in Alexandria, Va., an urgent confidential dispatch was directed to Hoover inquiring as to whether “surveillance should be maintained on LIEUTENANT RIEDEL during the approximately 2 (two and one-half) weeks which he plans to be away from Washington, D.C.”
The answer was in the affirmative.
Confidential informants — one an American Automobile Association employee — provided detailed information as to the Riedels’ plan, which included leaving Washington, D.C. and traveling by auto to either Denver or Colorado Springs, with a possible side trip to the Grand Canyon.
The tour included stops in Terre Haute, where Helen’s parents Martin and Marie (Hahn) Klug and several of her siblings resided, and in Chillicothe, Ohio, where Justin Schinkle, one of Helen’s sisters, lived with her husband.
Many challenges and adventures confronted the couple for the ensuing six decades.
To be continued …
• • •
After a successful auction on May 20, a second auction involving personal property from the estate of Mrs. Jacob Baur, the widow of the Terre Haute man who founded Liquid Carbonics Corp and has been called “the father of the soda fountain,” will be conducted by Leslie Hindman Auctions of Chicago on June 27 and June 28.
A catalogue with descriptions and photos can be accessed online at www.lesliehindman.com.
The Baur property being sold next week consists of 104 lots: Lot 246 to Lot 349 in the catalogue. Once again, bidding ia available on eBay but you must pre-register.
Apparently the Terre Haute-area response to the story appearing in this column prior to the May 20 auction of Bertha Baur’s property was substantial.
History
Historical Perspective: Pilot, under vigilant eye of FBI, made trip to Terre Haute
- History
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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