The upcoming HD Paranormal film on Bella in the Wych Elm claims to have access to the police files surrounding the case, as well as declassified MI5 documents. After a bit of searching, I came across a couple of blog posts from the Explore the Past blog of the Worcestershire Archives. The first post (September […]
The Police Files – Bella in the Wych Elm Read More »
For the last few years, I have been scratching away at an irksome little mystery. Within the National Archives’ KV 2/27 file on Josef Jakobs are two small diary-style notebooks. Both notebooks were apparently the property of Kenneth C. Howard from Birmingham. They were sent to MI5 by the Birmingham Police in June 1941, but
Solved – Kenneth Clifford Howard & His Diaries Read More »
A friend of mine has been in touch with an author named Jan Willem van den Braak, a dogged researcher who has been tracing the story of a doomed Abwehr spy, Jan Willem ter Braak (no relation to the dogged researcher). Confusing, no? Jan Willem ter Braak (the spy) was found shot in the head
The Untold Story of Jan Willem ter Braak (a.k.a. Engelbertus Fukken) Read More »
I am always interested in learning more about the people involved in the saga of Josef Jakobs. The farmers who found Josef in the potato field at Dovehouse Farm have been a bit of a mystery. Harry Coulson, Charles Baldock and Harry Godfrey seem to have lived very quiet, local lives in the Ramsey/Warboys area.
The Farmers who Saved Josef Jakobs’ Life Read More »
In July of last year, I noticed that there was an entry for Clara Bauerle on Find-a-Grave. The creators of that memorial had run with the idea that Clara was, in fact, Bella in the Wych Elm. I sent a note to the folks responsible for the memorial suggesting some corrections but heard nothing back.
Clara Bauerle on Find-a-Grave Read More »
It has taken me a few years, pursuing many leads, but I can finally say that Clara Bauerle has been laid to rest. Clara did not die stuffed into a Wych Elm in England. She was not Bella in the Wych Elm. She was a German actress and singer who passed away in a Berlin
Clara Bauerle is Finally Laid to Rest Read More »
Regular readers of this blog will know that I have been trying to follow the trail of German cabaret singer, Clara Bauerle. Former mistress of German spy, Josef Jakobs, in recent years, Clara has been put forward as a candidate for Bella in the Wych Elm. It’s an intriguing theory… mistress of a German spy
Break in the Hunt for Clara Bauerle Read More »
So, we’re back to Clara Bauerle again. The irrepressible German cabaret singer whose name will be forevermore linked with that of Josef Jakobs it seems. Those of you who follow this blog know that I’ve been trying to track down more information on Clara. I’ve done a fair bit and the most solid lead points
Clara Bauerle – How Speculation can quickly turn to Fact Read More »
In late September, 1940, three spies landed on the Banffshire coast in a rubber dinghy. Dropped off by a flying boat from Norway, the two men and one woman would not remain undiscovered for very long. François de Deeker (real name Karl Theodore Drücke) and Vera Eriksen (a.k.a. Vera von Schalburg, Vera von Stein, Vera
Tales of the Spies – The Mysterious and Beautiful Vera Read More »
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in researching the story of Josef Jakobs, it’s that sometimes you have to go sideways in order to go forwards. I’ve hit a lot of brick walls in my years of research, and oftentimes have experienced a breakthrough by focusing my research elsewhere. One of the obvious sideways alternatives
Tales of the Spies – Double Agents Read More »