From the Collection: “FURSTE” Flight Boots

In the early decades of the cold war, western Europe faced the very real possibility of a Soviet ground attack so immense it would quickly overwhelm all opposition. The United States and its NATO allies, understanding they could never match the Warsaw Pact’s ground forces, placed their faith in airpower.

Aviation, in the form advanced fighters and fighter-bombers would be the key to blunting the Soviet assault. To this end, the absolute best of the United States Air Force was stationed in Europe, prepared at a moment’s notice to crush the attacking Soviet armored columns. In this plan, a few elite aviators would safeguard the west.

Given the best aircraft, equipment, and training these airmen became heroes throughout western Europe. Nothing was too good for these guardians of freedom. Hans Probt, a small bootmaker in Schongeising West Germany near Fürstenfeldbruck, who had specialized in leather flight boots since the Second World War, decided to show his personal appreciation by offering every USAF pilot custom-fitted, rubber soled, calfskin lined boots with side-mounted speed zippers allowing them to be pulled on in seconds.

Each pair was carefully hand-made with Probt’s master craftsman’s attention to detail. Hans often personally measured the customers’ feet to ensure the most comfortable fit. Ever considerate of the cash strapped USAF aviators, Probt offered the boots at unbelievably low prices and gave a no questions asked life-time guarantee. By the 1960’s Probt boots, affectionately known as “Furstes”, were a much sought after status symbol. Anyone, who was anyone in United States Air Force proudly wore Probt’s boots.

Of course, to ensure the highest level of customer service Probt maintained detailed records of his clients. Everything from shoe sizes to rank, squadron, station, aircraft type, and home addresses were constantly updated so the buttery soft boots could be produced and delivered in minimal time.

Only after the fall of the Soviet Union did the US discover the reason Probt offered such spectacular service. Probt was a KGB operative funded and controlled by Moscow.  Probt’s carefully updated customer lists went directly to KGB headquarters. Had the Cold War ever turned hot, Soviet hit teams were ready to kill every USAF pilot in Europe in the hours before the main attack began. The Wests’ reliance on airpower would be crippled before the first Soviet tank crossed the West German border.