N.B. I posted a blog in April 2019 with new information that seems to confirm his real name was Kurt Karl Goose On rare occasions I get distracted by the stories I encounter which are technically peripheral to my research into Josef Jakobs. One of those stories is that of double agent GANDER (GOOSE). Information on […]
The Mystery Spy – Double Agent GOOSE/GANDER Read More »
Over a year ago, I wrote a blog post about Lt. Col. William Edward Hinchley Cooke, an MI5 officer who helped catch and prosecute numerous spies during World War II. Hinchley Cooke picked up the nickname “Cookie” during his career, a rather innocent term for such a dedicated and dangerous MI5 officer. While I have
The Mysterious Origins of Britain’s WWII Spy Catcher – William Edward Hinchley Cooke Read More »
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog about German spymaster Nikolaus Ritter and his American wife, Mary Aurora Evans. I based the blog on information I had dug up on Ritter as well as several book reviews on Aurora’s biography (written by her daughter, Katharine (Ritter) Wallace). The biography sounded quite fascinating and
The German Spymaster and his American Wife Read More »
What does it take to become a spymaster? What are the qualifications? For the German Intelligence Service (Abwehr) in 1940, the answer would have been, “Not much”. We’ve already heard a bit about Major Nikolaus Adolf Fritz Ritter. He was hired by the German Abwehr in 1937 to run spy rings in the United States
Exporter of Stockings & Spies – Captain Julius Jacob Boeckel Read More »
Researching the life Josef Jakobs has led me down some very interesting side paths. I have come across many interesting characters whose lives intersected with that of Josef. Some were friends. Many were foes. Some were both. When Josef was recruited into the Abwehr (the German Intelligence Service) in 1940, he brushed shoulders with spymaster
The German Spymaster and the Alabama Schoolteacher Read More »
When German spy Josef Jakobs descended from the heavens on the night of 31 January, 1941, he brought with him a load of trouble for one James John Rymer of London. Josef Jakobs had been equipped with a National Identity Card in the name of James Rymer of 33 Abbotsford Gardens, Woodford Green. The ID
James John Rymer – The Innocent Radio Engineer tainted by a German Spy Read More »
When Josef Jakobs was found guilty of Treachery (espionage) by a military court martial in early August 1941, his fate was placed into the hands of the London District Deputy Provost Marshal, Colonel Charles Robert Tolver Michael Gerard. It was Gerard who would make arrangements for Josef’s execution and who would ensure that everything surrounding
Lt. Col. Charles R.T.M. Gerard – The Man in Charge of Josef Jakobs’ Execution Read More »
N.B. See my February 12, 2017 blog for a break in the search for Kenneth C. Howard Two small notebooks are contained in one of the Josef Jakobs folders (KV 2/27) at the National Archives in Kew, England. Both notebooks seem to be the property of one Kenneth C. Howard from Birmingham. They were sent
Update on the Hunt for Kenneth C. Howard Read More »
I’ve written a couple of blogs about Lt. Col. Robin William George Stephens, the commandant of MI5’s secret World War 2 interrogation centre, Camp 020. The first blog touched on the life of Stephens and was based on readily available information. One of the enduring mysteries around Stephens is the actual date of his death.
Mysterious End of Robin William George Stephens – a.k.a. Tin-Eye Stephens Read More »
German spy, Josef Jakobs was laid to rest in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic cemetery at Kensal Green on 18 August, 1941. His funeral service was carried out by Rev. Charles Bernard Flood. Charles was the son of Ellen Mildred Bishop and Arthur Frederick Flood. Ellen was the daughter of a river pilot (William Bishop) and
Laying a Spy to Rest – The Reverend Charles B. Flood Read More »