I have been wanting to watch the film, Edward VIII: Britain’s Traitor King, for several years and finally found the chance to sit down and have a look. The former King Edward VIII has always intrigued me. One wonders how differently history might have played out if he hadn’t abdicated. This film makes me wonder […]
Film Review – Edward VIII: Britain’s Traitor King (2022) Read More »
The Book Hitler’s Spies: Lena, The Prelude to Operation Sealion; Mel Kavanaugh; Pen & Sword Books, 2020. Summary This book was not what I expected. Given it’s title, I thought it would cover all of the Operation Lena spies, but it was focused solely on the first four who landed along the coast of Kent
The Book Hitler’s British Traitors: The Secret History of Spies, Saboteurs and Fifth Columnists; Tim Tate; Icon Books, 2019. Summary I came across this book while looking for resources on the Fifth Column in Britain. I had read A.W.B. Simpson’s article, “In the Highest Degree Odious”, which covered the wartime detention of British (and foreign)
Book Review – Hitler’s British Traitors – Tim Tate (2019) Read More »
While researching my book on Josef Jakobs, I necessarily delved into the files of the other LENA spies who were charged under the Treachery Act of 1940. The vast majority of spies who were brought to trial were convicted and executed by hanging. As I read the files, I became intrigued by the tactics used
Werner Walti – Facing Death without Defence Counsel Read More »
Fellow author Tony Percy sent me a link a few weeks ago which piqued my interest. According to the latest Queen’s Speech, given by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the UK is looking at updating the antiquated Treason Act (1351). The UK recognizes that the Treason Act (and the Official Secrets Act (1911)) are rather antiquated
Britain’s Plans to Revamp the Treason Act Read More »
Article Review – The Guardian Another great article came out on August 28, 2016 via The Guardian. This one was written by Ian Cobain, author of Cruel Britannia. The Guardian Article is entitled Secrecy and firing squads: Britain’s ruthless war on Nazi spies. The article begins with the story of the first four spies who
Today in 1941, Lt. Col. Hinchley Cooke visited Josef Jakobs at Wandsworth Prison and formally charged him with an offence under the Treachery Act (1940). Hinchley-Cooke was accompanied by the Deputy Provost Marshal (London District), Lt. Col. Charles Robert Tolver Michael Gerard. Hinchley-Cooke charged Josef with: “committing a civil offence, that is to say, Treachery,
Today in 1941 – July 24 – German spy Josef Jakobs was charged under the Treachery Act Read More »
The Book Execution: A History of Capital Punishment in Britain. Simon Webb. The History Press. Stroud, Gloucestershire. 2012. Summary [Disclaimer – I did not read the entire book, only the sections on Josef Jakobs and Karel Richter] The author of this book takes a look at the various methods of execution used throughout Britain’s history.
Book Review – Execution: A History of Capital Punishment in Britain – Simon Webb (2012) Read More »
MI5’s application to have German spy Josef Jakobs tried by court martial had been accepted by the Attorney General in late June. The officers of MI5 had anticipated that the court martial would take place within two weeks of the AG’s approval but there was some difficulty in arranging military prison accommodations for Josef within
The Rocky Road to Josef Jakobs’ Court Martial: the Judge Advocate Read More »
In late June 1941, MI5 made a request to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have German spy Josef Jakobs tried by court martial, rather than by a civilian court. The DPP forwarded the request to the Attorney General for his approval, which was granted on June 24, 1941. The very next day, the