What was Operation Paperclip?

 

Operation Paperclip was a secret program conducted by the United States of America during the Cold War. It was a mission to bring German scientists, engineers and technicians from Nazi Germany to the United States. The aim was to keep these scientists from falling into the hands of the Soviet Union and to gain access to their research and technological secrets. 

The operation was highly controversial in its secrecy and the failure to properly investigate the backgrounds of the scientists and the potential use of the technology they brought with them. There were also concerns that some of the scientists may have been involved in war crimes. The United States government was quick to deny these allegations.