Physicists as reparations?

Hagmann reflects on the role of scientists during the Cold War. Before the end of World War II, the US and other powers, including the UK and France, became preoccupied with securing technical and scientific knowledge from Germany and its allies. In addition to large-scale field missions that aimed to secure technology and its documentation, the US initiated programs for the evacuation and relocation of specialist scientists, engineers, and technicians from Germany, Austria, and other countries. In addition to recruiting more well-known rocket scientists, the US government brought from Europe thousands of other scientists who helped to advance numerous research fields during the Cold War.