Agent Zigzag

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Agent Zigzag Page 36

by Ben MacIntyre


  27 “going rather too smoothly”: Ronald Reed memo, February 10, 1943, KV2 458.

  28 “After making such”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B. 169

  29 FFFFF DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE: Ronald Reed memo, February 10, 1943, KV2 458.

  30 ignoring the awkwardness to “seen a chance”: Ibid.

  31 GELIGNITE INQUIRIES: Evening Standard, February 12, 1943.

  32 “A man was questioned”: Ibid.

  33 “185 names have been taken”: News Chronicle, February 10, 1943. 170

  34 FFFFF JIMMY ARRESTED: Ronald Reed memo, February 10, 1943, KV2 458.

  35 “No further transmissions”: Ibid.

  36 “absolutely inexcusable”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  37 “to live as man”: Ronald Reed report, February 8, 1943, KV2 458.

  38 “Victor, do you mind”: Interrogation by Victor Rothschild, January 28, 1943, KV2 458.

  39 “Freda returned home”: Paul Backwell notes, KV2 458.

  40 tell his cover story “unhesitatingly”: Ibid.

  41 “What shoes was Jimmy Hunt wearing?”: Ronald Reed notes, February 10, 1943, KV2 458.

  42 “not shaken in any way”: Ronald Reed memo, February 10, 1943, KV2 458.

  43 “Poor Freddy Sampson”: Paul Backwell notes, KV2 458.

  44 “We can rely”: Ronald Reed report, February 8, 1943, KV2 458.

  45 “Blue starfish”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  46 “AA guns camouflaged”: Ibid.

  47 “picked up the names”: Robin Stephens notes, KV2 456.

  48 “There is no information”: T. A. Robertson, January 11, 1943, KV2 457.

  49 “It is imperative”: Ronald Reed memo, February 10, 1943, KV2 458.

  50 painting a “gloomy picture”: Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  51 “a vast number of intercepts” to “that the code in use”: Ibid.

  52 “instructions which, if he were captured”: T. A. Robertson note, KV2 457.

  53 “in spite of the fact”: Paul Backwell report, KV2 456.

  54 “deep-seated liking”: T. A. Robertson memo, January 11, 1943, KV2 457.

  55 “You may see lots”: Interrogation by Victor Rothschild, January 28, 1943, KV2 458.

  56 “Obviously if he were”: Ronald Reed report, March 13, 1943, KV2 459.

  57 “It all depends on”: Interrogation by Victor Rothschild, January 28, 1943, KV2 458.

  58 “You will see that”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  59 “genuinely inspired”: T. A. Robertson memo, January 11, 1943, KV2 457.

  60 “the excellent personal relations”: Ibid.

  61 “He will be greeted”: Ronald Reed report, February 8, 1943, KV2 458.

  62 “Zigzag is confident” to “might possibly enable him”: Ibid.

  63 “Except in special circumstances”: T. A. Robertson memo, January 11, 1943, KV2 457.

  64 The story of many a spy: Robin Stephens report, January 7, 1942, KV2 457.

  Chapter Eighteen. Stowaway Spy

  1 “a man who had a bad record”: Ronald Reed report, March 3, 1943, KV2 458.

  2 “From now on this man’s life”: Ibid.

  3 “impressed me as being discreet”: Ibid.

  4 “lie low”: Ronald Reed memo, February 10, 1943, KV2 458.

  5 “complete set of forged”: Ronald Reed report, March 3, 1943, KV2 458.

  6 “vast and complicated”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  7 “This course”: Ronald Reed report, March 3, 1943, KV2 458.

  8 “ham chat”: Ronald Reed notes, KV2 458.

  9 “suspicious”: Ibid.

  10 “The ‘laughing out’ sign”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459. Document 254 B.

  11 “We shall not have”: Ronald Reed notes, KV2 458.

  12 “Mrs. West thanks”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  13 “that if any other members”: Ibid.

  14 “It is Lew Leibich”: Ibid.

  15 “Goodbye for the present”: Handwritten note to Laurie Marshall, March 3, 1943, KV2 458.

  16 “did not know what they were doing”: Ronald Reed report, March 3, 1943, KV2 458.

  17 “in the approved style” to “which he had coveted”: Ibid.

  18 “Zigzag is himself”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459. Document 254 B.

  19 “The case of Zigzag”: Ibid.

  Chapter Nineteen. Joli Albert

  1 “fearing prying fingers”: Ronald Reed report, March 26, 1943, KV2 459.

  2 “bad lad”: Ibid.

  3 “Nervous expectancy”: Chapman, p. 137.

  4 “Anson was seasick”: Ronald Reed report, April 18, 1943, KV2 461.

  5 “no harm would be done”: Ronald Reed report, March 26, 1943, KV2 459.

  6 “a high-class burglar”: Major R. L. Brown report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  7 “for pleasure”: Ibid.

  8 “Several members of the crew”: Ronald Reed report, March 26, 1943, KV2 459.

  9 “The gunlayer summed up”: Ibid.

  10 Happy go lucky,: Major R. L. Brown report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  11 “He said he did not like”: Extracts from ship’s log, City of Lancaster, KV2 459.

  12 “sort of international clearing ground”: J. C. Masterman, The Case of the Four Friends (London, 1961), p. 19.

  13 “Pay no attention”: Major R. L. Brown report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  14 “If I find this friend”: Ibid.

  15 “No names”: Ibid.

  16 “brûlé,” or “burned”: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  17 “Joli Albert”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  18 “blank faces”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  19 the word “telephone”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  20 “did not know anything”: Ibid.

  21 “forget the whole business”: Ibid.

  22 “mind his own business”: Extracts from ship’s log, City of Lancaster, KV2 459.

  23 “any future offence”: Ibid.

  24 “He instructed me”: Reed report, March 26, 1943, KV2 459.

  25 “apologised for the inconvenience”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  26 “connected with Johnny”: Robin Stephens report, June 6, 1944, KV2 459.

  27 “contravened the established policy”: ISOS intercept, May 27, 1945, KV2 459.

  28 “told the Germans”: Memo, March 23, 1943, KV2 459.

  29 “not to interrupt”: Report of meeting, March 22, 1943, KV2 459.

  30 “Whatever view we took”: Ibid.

  31 “acquainted with the relevant facts”: T. A. Robertson, in ibid.

  32 “brought back in irons”: Ibid.

  33 “It would be quite natural”: Ibid.

  34 “a small aperture”: Memo, n.d., KV2 459.

  35 “could not possibly be detected”: Ibid.

  36 “the Queensberry rules”: Extracts from ship’s log, City of Lancaster, KV2 459.

  37 “Have you met a better man”: Ibid.

  38 “trying to get a special bomb”: Ronald Reed report, March 26, 1943, KV2 459.

  39 “he had put to them” to “in order to send up”: Ibid.

  40 “Convinced Z playing straight”: Telegram, KV2 459.

  41 “This is typical”: Robin Stephens report, June 27, 1943, KV2 460.

  42 “with possibly fatal results”: Ibid.

  43 “He thought that the value”: Ibid.

  44 “politically complicated”: Ronald Reed report, March 26, 1943, KV2 459.

  45 “It would be most unfortunate”: Ibid.

  46 “I come from Ronnie”: Victor Rothschild memo, March 28, 1943, KV2 461.

  47 “if possible intact”: Ibid.

  Cha
pter Twenty. Damp Squib

  1 “Are you Fritz?”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1943, KV2 459.

  2 “other articles difficult to obtain”: Ibid.

  3 “in disgrace”: Ibid.

  4 “old friend”: Major Michael Ryde report, October 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  5 “about 50”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  6 “vague replies” to “his request for an advance”: Ibid.

  7 “Timing is the essential factor”: T. A. Robertson (attributed), report of SOE training course, KV4 172.

  8 I landed at about 2:30: Ronald Reed report, March 15, 1943, KV2 459, document 254 B.

  9 “The life of a secret agent”: J. C. Masterman, The Double-Cross System in the War, 1939–1945 (London, 1972), p. 32.

  10 “would bring him”: Camp 020 report, 11.7.44, KV2 459.

  11 “reserve the more interesting details”: Ibid.

  12 “I had two suitcases”: Chapman, p. 158.

  13 “certainly raised his stock”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  14 “The Germans have shown”: John Masterman memo, April 18, 1943, KV2 461.

  15 “There must either be an explosion”: Ewen Montagu memo, April 18, 1943, KV2 461.

  16 “perfectly good merchant ship”: Victor Rothschild memo, April 25, 1943, KV2 461.

  17 “as big a bang”: Ibid.

  18 “A good decent bang”: Ibid.

  19 “who will previously”: Victor Rothschild, “Plan Damp Squib,” KV2 461.

  20 “fall down and pretend” to “The story of the sabotage”: Ibid.

  21 “sharp explosion”: Letter, Colonel Leslie Wood to Victor Rothschild, KV2 461.

  22 “Herewith your three toys”: Ibid.

  23 “binding up a notional”: John Masterman, handwritten note attached to Rothschild, “Plan Damp Squib,” KV2 461.

  24 “When the City of Lancaster”: John Masterman memo, KV2 461.

  25 “as each piece of coal”: Brown report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  26 “who was very dirty”: Ronald Reed report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  27 “holding in his hand”: Ibid.

  28 “swanking” manner: Brown report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  29 “beyond his station”: Ibid.

  30 “The standard of the poetry”: Ronald Reed report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  31 “infernal machine”: Ibid.

  32 “a spur to rumour-spreading”: Rothschild, “Plan Damp Squib,” KV2 461.

  33 “Approximately 50 people”: Memo, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  34 “He has no objection”: Ronald Reed report, April 26, 1943, KV2 461.

  35 “discussed Zigzag”: Duff Cooper to Dick White, May 5, 1943, KV2 459.

  36 “if and when contact”: Ibid.

  37 “comprehensive memoranda”: Victor Rothschild memo, December 6, 1943, KV2 461.

  38 “I promised Mr Hoover”: Ibid.

  Chapter Twenty-one. The Ice Front

  1 “deeply affected”: Interview with Ingeborg von Gröning, Bremen, May 22, 2006.

  2 “Thank God you are back”: Chapman, p. 161.

  3 “the old man”: Major Michael Ryde report, October 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  4 “enjoy a well-earned”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  5 “bachelor flat” to Chapman’s “companion”: Ibid.

  6 “pathetically grateful”: Chapman, p. 164.

  7 “proud of his protégé”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  8 “best security”: Major Michael Ryde report, October 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  9 “man who had ‘made’ him”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  10 “Absolute personal integrity”: J. C. Masterman, The Double-Cross System in the War, 1939–1945 (London, 1972), p. 187.

  11 “better for selfish reasons”: Ibid., p. 72.

  12 “watchful” expression: Interview with Ingeborg von Gröning, Bremen, May 22, 2006.

  13 “Stephan made up”: Ibid.

  14 “as and when he”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  15 “If they will not”: Olav Riste and Berit Nökleby, Norway, 1940–45: The Resistance Movement (Oslo, 2004), p. 51.

  16 “it was an uneasy feeling”: Chapman, p. 171.

  17 “wall of hatred”: Ibid.

  18 “appeared somewhat suspicious”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  19 “complete freedom”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  20 “not to work”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  21 “battle against the Reds”: Chapman, p. 172.

  22 “hero complex”: Ibid.

  23 Chapman’s “companion”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  24 “the only successful sabotage”: Victor Rothschild interview with Agent JIGGER (von Schoenich), Paris, November 8, 1944, KV2 460.

  25 “controlled by the British” to “one of those”: Ibid.

  26 “beaming with pleasure”: Chapman, p. 174.

  27 “good work in England”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  28 “in notes” to “draw on it when necessary”: Ibid.

  29 rose “solemnly”: to “If I stay with this mob”: Chapman, p. 175.

  30 “You are free”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  31 “Go yachting” to “to buy a boat”: Ibid.

  32 “enhance his stock”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  33 “truly brave”: Chapman, p. 171.

  34 “Bitteschon”: Ibid., p. 176.

  35 “most attractive”: Ibid.

  Chapter Twenty-two. The Girl at the Ritz

  1 “She was young”: Interview with Bibbi Røset, Oslo, June 15, 2006.

  2 “She wanted to improve”: Ibid.

  3 “wanted adventure”: Ibid.

  4 “beautiful and adorable”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  5 “Because she had nice clothes”: Interview with Bibbi Røset, Oslo, June 15, 2006.

  6 “fancied slight”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  7 “anti-Quisling”: Chapman, p. 177.

  8 “Nazi’s tart”: Interview with Bibbi Røset, Oslo, June 15, 2006.

  9 “hawk-like” gaze: Chapman, p. 178.

  10 “some kind of psychologist”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  11 “with a view to testing”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  12 “Where could you leave”: Ibid.

  13 “I myself expect”: Ibid.

  14 “uncomfortable moment”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  15 “periodically asking awkward questions”: Ibid.

  16 seemed more “benign”: Chapman, p. 179.

  17 “You are not absolutely sincere”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  18 “I know I am not”: Ibid.

  19 “The doctor was quite satisfied”: Ibid.

  20 “I think you are a British spy”: Chapman, p. 180.

  21 “Leave it to me”: Ibid.

  22 “It is the work”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  23 “kept woman”: Ibid.

  24 “sufficient money”: Ibid.

  25 “pocketed the balance”: Major Michael Ryde report, October 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  26 “help himself”: Ibid.

  27 “It was a delightful spot”: Chapman, p. 196.

  28 “they were fair”: Interview with Leife Myhre, Oslo, June 16, 2006.

  29 “They were in extremely good physical condition” to “I am not working for them”: Ibid.

  30 “certain people”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  31 “applied himself freely” to “disgusted with the whole affair”: Ibid.

  32 “It all depends”: Interrogation by Victor Rothschild, January 28, 1944, KV2 458.

  33 “under the influence”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  34 “Nazi whore”: Interview with Bibbi R�
�set, Oslo, June 15, 2006.

  35 “he risked losing her”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  36 “details of Chapman’s work”: to “she intimated”: Ibid.

  Chapter Twenty-three. Sabotage Consultant

  1 “new sabotage work”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  2 “did not consider” to “there would be”: Ibid.

  3 “The only thing”: Winston Churchill, Second World War, vol II., p. 187

  4 “need coaching” to “extremely high”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  5 “the address of an engineering depot”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  6 “continually stared at him”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  7 “x-ray apparatus”: Ibid.

  8 “picked up by five seaplanes”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  9 “the use of a compass”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459. 236–7

  10 “Chapman was just the type” to “each wanting their part”: Ibid.

  11 “kind of honorary consultant”: J. C. Masterman, The Double-Cross System in the War, 1939–1945 (London, 1972), p. 171.

  12 “more interested in”: Camp 020, p. 350.

  13 “touring Germany”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  14 “useful background”: Major Michael Ryde report, July 27, 1944, KV2 460.

  15 “Hitler is by no means in charge”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459. 239

  16 “It is entirely in the hands”: to “aired his anti-Hitler views”: Ibid.

  17 “knew he would one day”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  18 “keep her eyes and ears open”: Ibid.

  19 “trust nobody”: Ibid.

  20 “mind their own business”: Interview with Bibbi Røset, Oslo, June 15, 2006.

  21 “Mrs. Gossips”: Ibid.

  22 “double transposition”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  23 “Liverpool, Leeds or Birmingham”: Ronald Reed memo, July 7, 1944, KV2 459.

  24 “If the message does not include”: Ibid.

  Chapter Twenty-four. Lunch at the Lutétia

  1 “provide a cover address”: ISOS intercept, December 15, 1944, KV2 459.

  2 “whose appearance and activities”: Camp 020, p. 298.

  3 “into the wastelands”: Ibid.

  4 “guttural protestations”: Ibid.

  5 “unsubtle retainers”: Ibid., p. 299.

  6 “worried still”: Ibid.

  7 “mysterious figure”: J. C. Masterman, The Double-Cross System in the War, 1939–1945 (London, 1972), p. 171.

 

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