Agent Zigzag

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Agent Zigzag Page 37

by Ben MacIntyre


  8 “an old friend”: Ibid.

  9 “The whole city”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  10 “resignation and misery”: Ibid.

  11 “locate our night fighters”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  12 “Cossors of Hammersmith” to “made no secret of”: Ibid.

  13 “converting much of”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  14 “If their weapons” to “Life under the Germans”: Ibid.

  15 “owing to the danger”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  16 “if he landed in England” to “astute in posing”: Ibid.

  17 “Is he working”: News of the World, October 25, 1953.

  18 “How the hell”: Ibid.

  19 “If and when I come”: Faramus, p. 93.

  20 “approximately six months”: Ibid., p. 100.

  21 “an extermination camp”: Ibid., p. 136.

  22 “All the time”: Ibid., p. 82.

  23 “to think furiously”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  24 “knowing” smile: Chapman, p. 241.

  25 “having a good time”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  26 “any uniform he liked”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  27 “for the shelling of”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  28 “dimples”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  29 “never leave”: Ibid.

  30 “fall to bits”: Cited in obituary of Erich Vermehren de Saventhem by Richard Bassett, Independent, May 3, 2005.

  31 “excess of brandy”: Chapman, p. 237.

  32 “Terrible devastation will ensue”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  33 “slight,” even nonchalant: Ibid.

  34 “few casualties”: Ibid.

  35 “a flop”: Report, July 13, 1944, KV2 460.

  36 “at Chapman’s disposal”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  37 “harmless chatter”: Ibid.

  38 “unreal”: News of the World, November 1, 1953.

  39 “two bottles of cognac”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  40 “a profound effect”: News of the World, November 1, 1953.

  41 “triumph”: Ibid.

  42 “half-smile”: News of the World, October 25, 1953.

  43 “The last glimpse”: Chapman, p. 244.

  Chapter Twenty-five. The Prodigal Crook

  1 “out of the direct light”: News of the World, November 1, 1954. 254

  2 “Peeved”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  3 “Don’t be silly”: Ibid.

  4 “That’s exactly what”: News of the World, November 1, 1953.

  5 “It’s Eddie”: Transcript of videotaped interview with Ronnie Reed, 1994, courtesy of Nicholas Reed.

  6 “whether operation possible”: ISOS intercept, June 10, 1944, KV2 459.

  7 “a wiry type”: Memo, September 25, 1944, KV2 460.

  8 “expansive in his conceit”: Camp 020, p. 224.

  9 “splendid time”: Memo, June 28, 1944, KV2 459.

  10 “The courageous and ruthless”: Robin Stephens in Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  11 “tired beyond the point”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  12 “moral degenerate”: Camp 020, p. 218.

  13 “The outstanding feature”: Robin Stephens in Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  14 “greeted as a returned friend”: Helenus Milmo memo, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  15 “back safely”: Transcript of videotaped interview with Ronnie Reed, 1994, courtesy of Nicholas Reed.

  16 “purposely put ashore”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  17 “mentally quite fit”: Dr. Harold Dearden, cited in Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  18 “All the evidence appears”: Ronald Reed memo, June 28, 1944, KV2 459.

  19 “it would be a first-rate check”: Robin Stephens in Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  20 “I think this goes far”: Ibid.

  21 “The only safe place”: Memo, July 10, 1944, KV2 459.

  22 “a man whom they”: Ronald Reed memo, June 28, 1944, KV2 459.

  23 “escape”: Thaddeus Holt, The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War (London, 2004), p. 853.

  24 “money and a Leica”: Ronald Reed report, June 28, 1943, KV2 459.

  25 “Zigzag will be given”: Helenus Milmo memo, August 1, 1944, KV2 460.

  26 “Although no one thinks”: Helenus Milmo memo, June 28, 1944, KV2 459.

  27 “It must always be”: Memo, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  28 “a very able man”: Camp 020 Report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  29 “a form of insurance”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  30 “Chapman is a difficult subject”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  31 “quite convinced that”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  32 “Although we do not”: Helenus Milmo memo, June 28, 1944, KV2 459.

  33 “the inevitable girlfriend”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  34 “blundered badly”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  35 “She is not a ‘fast’ girl”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  36 “he would have” to “One of his objects”: Ibid.

  37 “There was some sort”: John Marriott memo, July 29, 1943, KV2 459.

  38 “Dagmar is in contact”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  39 “I do not wish to be held”: Robin Stephens in Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  40 “one of the most”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 2004, KV2 459.

  41 HARD LANDING BUT ALL OK: Ibid.

  Chapter Twenty-six. Doodlebugs

  1 “It was clear that”: J. C. Masterman, The Double-Cross System in the War, 1939–1945 (London, 1972), p. 179.

  2 “If St Paul’s was hit”: Ibid.

  3 “decide what measure”: Ibid.

  4 “learned to live”: Michael Howard, Strategic Deception in the Second World War (London, 1995), p. 178.

  5 “terrible responsibility” to “I am certain you”: Ibid.

  6 “his German masters”: Ronald Reed memo, June 28, 1944, KV2 459.

  7 “should report actual incidents”: Masterman, Double-Cross System, p. 181.

  8 “We could give correct”: Ibid.

  9 “reduce the average range”: Ibid.

  10 “It is essential”: Memo, KV2 460.

  11 “I am afraid we cannot”: Note from Air Ministry, August 29, 1944, KV2 460.

  12 “slight errors introduced”: J. A. Drew memo, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  13 “The outgoing traffic”: Major Michael Ryde report, July 26, 1944, KV2 460.

  14 “The Zigzag channel”: Major Michael Ryde to Robertson, 13.9.44, KV2 460.

  15 “held his place”: Masterman, Double-Cross System, p. 172.

  16 “I was as frightened”: J. C. Masterman, On the Chariot Wheel: An Autobiography (Oxford, 1975), p. 212.

  17 “secret equipment for”: Memo, KV2 460.

  18 “tapping out such messages”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  19 “If this state of affairs”: Ibid.

  20 “Take your pick!”: Transcript of videotaped interview with Ronnie Reed, 1994, courtesy of Nicholas Reed.

  21 “I do feel his exploits”: John Marriott memo, July 29, 1943, KV2 459.

  22 “I agree”: Ibid.

  23 “desired that no such”: Sir Alexander Maxwell memo, July 15, 1944, KV2 460.

  24 “No action should be taken”: D. I. Wilson note, with ibid.

  25 “comb out any German”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  26 “Any question of Zigzag’s”: Ibid.

  27 “anxious to write to Freda”: Ro
bin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  28 “very busy and would”: Ibid.

  29 “autobiography”: Major Michael Ryde memo, July 26, 1944, KV2 460.

  30 “impossible for him”: Major Michael Ryde memo, August 6, 1944, KV2 460.

  31 “while it was still fresh”: Major Michael Ryde memo, July 26, 1944, KV2 460.

  32 “his old criminal activities”: Ibid.

  33 “stimulate Zigzag’s interest”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  34 “deceptive material about”: Memo, August 1, 1944, KV2 460.

  35 “in continual active operation”: Ibid.

  36 “steal a document”: Ibid.

  37 “the increasing number”: Ewen Montagu, Beyond Top Secret Ultra (London, 1977), p. 114.

  38 “careless talk”: Ibid.

  39 “While we should not”: Ibid., p. 124.

  40 “After passing the”: Ibid., p. 125.

  41 “all secret manufacture”: Memo, August 1, 1944, KV2 460.

  42 “worth keeping sweet”: Major Michael Ryde memo, August 6, 1944, KV2 460.

  43 “wonderful experience”: Transcript of videotaped interview with Ronnie Reed, 1994, courtesy of Nicholas Reed.

  Chapter Twenty-seven. Going to the Dogs

  1 “disagreeably surprised”: Camp 020 report, July 11, 1944, KV2 459.

  2 “with some apprehension”: Ibid.

  3 “I have spent a good”: Major Michael Ryde report, August 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  4 “most discontented at”: Major Michael Ryde memo, August 8, 1944, KV2 460.

  5 “He has been keeping”: Camp 020, p. 225.

  6 “always in the company”: Ibid.

  7 “The Zigzag case must”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  8 “the way his case”: T. A. Robertson memo, August 15, 1944, KV2 460.

  9 “did not seem”: Ibid.

  10 “He is quite clearly”: Ibid.

  11 “a suitable person”: Memo, August 1, 1944, KV2 460.

  12 “the friends he hoped to employ”: Ibid.

  13 “in a French letter”: Ewen Montagu, Beyond Top Secret Ultra (London, 1977), p. 126.

  14 “After they had received”: Ibid.

  15 Dear Fleming: Fake letter from A. B. Wood, KV2 460.

  16 “We never found out”: Montagu, Beyond Top Secret Ultra, p. 126. 274

  17 “I do not myself”: Major Michael Ryde to T. A. Robertson, September 13, 1944, KV2 460.

  18 “not quite reliable”: ISOS intercept, September 25, 1944, KV2 460.

  19 “The messages sent”: Major Michael Ryde to T. A. Robertson, September 13, 1944, KV2 460.

  20 “Zigzag is liable”: Memo, 1.8.44, KV2 460.

  21 “It is unlikely that his”: Ibid.

  22 “Zigzag himself is”: Major Michael Ryde memo, August 6, 1944, KV2 460.

  23 “making quite large sums”: Ibid.

  24 “To take advantage”: Ibid.

  25 “served his purpose”: T. A. Robertson memo, August 15, 1944, KV2 460.

  26 “done an extremely good”: Ibid.

  27 “by giving him”: Ibid.

  28 “if he could put up”: Ryde memo, August 6, 1944, KV2 460.

  29 “waste of money” to “It is obvious that we”: Ibid.

  30 “if we no longer require”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  31 “I have seen Zigzag”: Major Michael Ryde to T. A. Robertson, September 13, 1944, KV2 460.

  32 “I am able to curb these”: Ibid.

  33 “The war may end”: Major Michael Ryde report, August 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  34 “the necessity of closing”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 28, 1944, KV2 460.

  35 “It is becoming increasingly”: Major Michael Ryde to T. A. Robertson, September 13, 1944, KV2 460.

  36 “Try to get latest editions”: ISOS intercept, September 4, 1944, KV2 460.

  37 “General report”: Ibid.

  38 “radio controlled rocket”: Robin Stephens report, June 29, 1944, KV2 459.

  39 “Continue giving data”: ISOS intercept, September 4, 1944, KV2 460.

  40 “Heard many rumours”: Message sent September 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  41 “War situation need not”: ISOS intercept, August 28, 1944, KV2 460.

  Chapter Twenty-eight. Case Dismissed

  1 SORRY YOUR BAD NEWS: Major Michael Ryde report, August 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  2 “has a post-war plan” to “get the Germans to lay”: Ibid.

  3 “a collection of words”: Ewen Montagu memo, August 29, 1944, KV2 460.

  4 “The Germans have told”: Ibid.

  5 “German knowledge is”: Ibid.

  6 “we should out of our”: Major Michael Ryde memo, August 6, 1944, KV2 460.

  7 “I still maintain that we are”: Major Michael Ryde, memo of meeting, August 14, 1944, KV2 460.

  8 “settlement of our indebtedness”: Ibid.

  9 “dealt with fairly”: Major Michael Ryde report, August 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  10 “at least £6,000”: Major Michael Ryde to T. A. Robertson, September 13, 1944, KV2 460.

  11 “reliable sailor”: Major Michael Ryde report, September 19, 1944, KV2 460.

  12 “Such promises are generally empty”: Major Michael Ryde to Robertson, 13.9.44; KV2 460.

  13 “I think it would be”: Major Michael Ryde report, September 19, 1944, KV2 460.

  14 “Zigzag has always”: Major Michael Ryde report, October 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  15 “whether the Germans” to “As far as the Germans”: Ibid.

  16 “My feeling”: John Masterman, handwritten note on ibid.

  17 “We should close it now”: Ibid.

  18 “I understand that”: Signed copy of Official Secrets Act, November 2, 1944, KV2 461.

  19 “as forcibly as possible”: Major Michael Ryde report, October 24, 1944, KV2 460.

  20 “He must understand”: Ibid.

  21 “Zigzag should be thankful”: Ibid.

  22 “Fiction has not”: Camp 020, p. 217.

  23 “hard character”: Sunday Chronicle, July 24, 1954.

  24 “Uppermost in my mind”: Eddie Chapman, Free Agent: The Further Adventures of Eddie Chapman (London, 1955), p. 11.

  25 “Is there anyone”: Interview with Betty Chapman, November 11, 2005.

  26 “That girl”: Chapman, Free Agent, p. 12.

  27 “Jesus!”: Ibid.

  28 “I shall go”: Interview with Betty Chapman, November 11, 2005.

  Chapter Twenty-nine. Aftermath

  1 “real genius”: Cited in Emily Jane Wilson, “The War in the Dark: The Security Service and the Abwehr, 1940–1944,” Ph.D. diss., Cambridge University, 2003.

  2 “one of the greatest”: J. C. Masterman, On the Chariot Wheel: An Autobiography (Oxford, 1975), p. 219.

  3 “Blessed are they”: Address by Christopher Harmer at memorial service for T. A. Robertson at Pershore Abbey.

  4 “To work out the crime”: J. C. Masterman, The Case of the Four Friends (London, 1961), p. 14.

  5 “Everything which is good”: Masterman, On the Chariot Wheel, p. 371.

  6 “How strange it was”: Ibid., p. 361.

  7 “I am not, and never”: Daily Telegraph, December 4, 1986.

  8 “Sean Connery was simply”: Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny), cited on Wikipedia.

  9 “drifting on a wreck”: Lloyd’s Register of Captains, National Maritime Museum.

  10 “giant of evil”: Camp 020, p. 22.

  11 “degenerates, most of them”: FO 371/70830 paper CG 2290/G, cited by Hoare in Camp 020, p. 8.

  12 “loyal to his own class”: Interview with Ingeborg von Gröning, Bremen, May 22, 2006.

  13 “invariably foul”: FO 371/70830 paper CG 2290/G.

  14 “had a long and possibly”: Camp 020, p. 72.

  15 “awkward” meeting: Faramus, p. 177.

  16 “I thought you were dead”: Ibi
d.

  17 “Millions died”: Eddie Chapman’s foreword to ibid., p. 7.

  18 “German tart”: Interview with Bibbi Røset, Oslo, June 15, 2006.

  19 “Mrs. Gossips”: Ibid.

  20 “she was always restless”: Ibid.

  21 “what will happen when”: Camp 020, p. 226.

  22 “senior officer”: Evening Standard, October 13, 1948.

  23 “one of the bravest men”: Ibid.

  24 “I was trained”: Daily Telegraph, October 10, 1974.

  25 “honorary crime correspondent”: Obituary of Eddie Chapman, Times (London), December 12, 1997.

  26 “I do a bit”: “The Sentimenal Screwsman,” Daily Express, October 21, 1960.

  27 “Sometimes in life”: Masterman, On the Chariot Wheel, p. 361.

  28 “What is the truth”: “A Traitor or a Hero?” News of the World, January 10, 1954.

  29 A lot of water: Eddie Chapman to Stephan von Gröning, November 1, 194, courtesy of Ingeborg von Gröning.

  30 “They were like brothers”: Interview with Betty Chapman, November 25, 2005.

  SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

  Archives

  National Archives, Kew

  National Martime Museum, Greenwich

  Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv, Freiburg

  National Archives, Washington, D.C.

  British Library Newspaper Archive, Colindale, London

  Jersey Historical Archives, St. Helier, Jersey

  Jersey Newspaper Archives, St. Helier, Jersey

  Jersey Judicial Archives, St. Helier, Jersey

  Printed Sources

  Andrew, C. Secret Service: The Making of the British Intelligence Community. London, 1985.

  Bennett, R. Behind the Battle: Intelligence in the War with Germany, 1939–45. London, 1999.

  Carter, M. Anthony Blunt: His Lives. London, 2001.

  Chapman, Edward. The Eddie Chapman Story. Foreword by Frank Owens. London, 1954.

  ———. Free Agent: The Further Adventures of Eddie Chapman. London, 1955.

  ———. The Real Eddie Chapman Story. London, 1966.

  Curry, John. The Security Service, 1908–1945: The Official History. London, 1999.

  Farago, Ladislas. The Game of the Foxes: The Untold Story of German Espionage in the United States and Great Britain During World War Two. New York, 1972.

  Faramus, Anthony Charles. The Faramus Story. London, n.d.

  ———. Journey into Darkness: A True Story of Human Endurance. London, 1990.

 

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