Alan Roberts takes a look The British spy was hiding in plain sight. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler was only too pleased to reveal his plans for the invasion of Russia. The year was 1934. When quizzed about how he would achieve this Hitler said that he would arrange a meeting with some of his top military experts. Frederick Winterbotham cut an impressive figure and was remarkably well connected. The Germans knew he had been a fighter pilot in the First World War and that he worked at the Air Ministry. He readily adopted the persona of an English gentleman who was broadly sympathetic to the Nazis’ aims. Unbeknown to them he was also the head of the newly-created Air Section of MI6. Winterbotham had earlier entertained leading Nazi Alfred Rosenberg when he had visited Britain. Winterbotham was now receiving the full red-carpet treatment in Berlin and been granted that extended interview with Hitler.