10 Mar General Edward P. Curtis

General Curtis (facing us – center of photo), Felix Hardison (next to the General, facing us) et al during the General’s visit to Stockholm, October 1944

Edward Peck Curtis was an American ace during the first World War. He shot down six German planes and was awarded the distinguished flying cross.

After the first war, he went to work for Eastman Kodak in their professional motion picture division. In 1940 Curtis rejoined the Air Corps and during World War II he served as executive assistant to Gen. Carl Spaatz, chief of staff of the Strategic Air Force in Europe.

On Friday, October 6, 1944, General Curtis and company made a visit to Sweden. According to Gunnar Hägglöf, Swedish Minister to Holland and part of the entourage, this was the first time in history an American General had visited Sweden.

Dinner the next evening was at The Cecil Hotel, a spot popular with the young and the wealthy. The General dressed in his full regalia, a variation from the norm in this neutral country. The table next to them was occupied by the Nazi Gestapo along with all their female admirers.

Needless to say, the Germans were mesmerized by the General’s company. Dinner was of course smorgasbord, Schnapps, and wine.

The Gestapo stayed late. The General waited until they departed.

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