WesWorld

Lübecker Nachrichten, Saturday, 1 April 1944

The heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer has begun her refit here. It is reported that her electronic detection systems will be upgraded and her antiaircraft armament renewed.


The Baltic Sea, Aviation Training Ship Otto Lilienthal, Sunday, 2 April 1944, Morning

The landing signals officer carefully guided the beefy Fieseler Hammerhaie torpedo bomber into its approach to the flight deck of the Lilienthal - the new trainee pilots tended to stay high and the officer had to signal "Lower" several times before the Hammerhaie was at a proper height. Speed was acceptable so the officer signaled "Cut", indicating the pilot should land.

The Hammerhaie came down on the deck with a solid thump, and bounced over the first two arresting wires before it caught on the third. The landing signals officer merely shook his head. At least this was the last one.

The Otto Lilienthal was working overtime to train pilots in carrier landings and take offs; with her limited accommodation she could only service half-a-dozen aircraft before her deck became too choked for proper operation. As soon as the six torpedo bombers were refueled, they would be spotted for launch in the early afternoon, and the ballet would begin again. With the expansion of the Marineflieger, this had been the Lilienthal's job all winter long when the weather permitted, and now that better weather was at hand, she would be working overtime. The fleet carriers were performing similar tasks in the North Sea with their air groups, but to the Lilienthal fell the duty of initial carrier qualification for new pilots.

Land, service and launch aircraft - such was the lot of the Lilienthal.


Wien, Monday, 3 April 1944

In Der König Der Armen (The King of the Beggars), the latest issue of the comic-magazin "Von der Heydt" the intrepid investigator travels to Kuching in British Sarawak, where he finds himself forced to seek the assistance of the mysterious leader of the local underworld, know only as "the King of the Beggars".

Sächsische Zeitung, Tuesday, 4 April 1944




Frankfurter Zeitung, Wednesday, 5 April 1944

The recently published Der Weg zur Knechtschaft (The Road to Serfdom) by the noted economist Friedrich Hayek of the University of Wien puts forward the persuasive premise that government intervention in the market economy is inherently inimical to a democratic society, warning of the danger of tyranny that inevitably results from government control of economic decision-making through central planning. His thesis is that western democracies have progressively abandoned that freedom in economic affairs without which personal and political freedom has never existed in the past, pointing to the moves in the United Kingdom and elsewhere towards centralisation. He argues that such moves mistakenly try to ensure continuing prosperity by centralized planning, which inevitably leads to totalitarianism. We have in effect undertaken to dispense with the forces which produced unforeseen results and to replace the impersonal and anonymous mechanism of the market by collective and conscious direction of all social forces to deliberately chosen goals.

Professor Hayek's work has received both praise and censure from members of the academic community, with the noted English economist John Maynard Keynes providing a comment that was at once supportive and dismissive. "In my opinion it is a grand book...Morally and philosophically I find myself in agreement with virtually the whole of it: and not only in agreement with it, but in deeply moved agreement. But it is of little practical use. What we need therefore, in my opinion, is not a change in our economic programmes, which would only lead in practice to disillusion with the results of your philosophy; but perhaps even the contrary, namely, an enlargement of them." Among German economists, their reactions are mixed; however the fact that Professor Hayek has been invited to take a role in advising the Minister of the Economy suggests that the Government has recognised the soundness of his arguments and is prepared to act in accordance with them.


Hamburg, Thursday, 6 April 1944

Schellenburg had come to call again on the invalid Jahnke, whose recovery from his accident was proceeding apace. Physically Jahnke was well, but to Schellenburg the man seemed distracted by something bearing upon him mind. Of course, Schellenburg had a good idea of what part of that burden was; yet there seemed more than just espionage.

Well, there was the aspect of treason; that always is a heavy burden upon a soldier.

"So, when does the Doctor say you can return to duty?" asked Schellenburg.

"Monday," Jahnke said distractedly, as he hobbled to the window and looked out. It was something Jahnke had done several times, as if he was expecting to see something or someone.

"Good. With von Podewils still away, you might have a few days to get used to being back in harness." Schellenburg lied; von Podewils was getting impatient for Jahnke to return so that his interrogation could begin.

"Von Podewils!" Jahnke said with a sneer. "Why did he have to come here..."

Schellenburg raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked in genuine confusion.

Jahnke hobbled away from the window and sat down. "He's out there you know," he said in a flat monotone.

"Von Podewils?" said Schellenburg unbelievingly.

"No - my executioner," Jahnke replied. "The man who tried to run me down once."

The injured officer then went on to explain that the accident that had left him injured was no accident, but an attempt to silence him before the investigation into the leak of intelligence at the Headquarters of Wehrkreis X went too far.

"I saw his face Schellenburg," Jahnke said of the incident. "There was no error."

Schellenburg nodded - he did not wish to say anything that might derail Jahnke's need to unburden himself. He listened intently as Jahnke described how he had been recruited years before by an old friend of his father's - the two had served together in the Great War; how he had been trapped and blackmailed into producing more and more secret intelligence over the years; how his demands had escalated in the previous months; how - apparently - it had been decided to eliminate him. Jahnke named names; provided details.

"Why are you telling me this?" Schellenburg asked, somewhat disingenuously.

"Because I need to tell someone," Jahnke replied, "and I think you and von Podewils must be acting hand-in-glove. None of my brother officers have shown the solicitude that you have. Von Podewils has been the beater, while you have been the hunter."

Schellenburg did not attempt to deny Jahnke's supposition.

"Is there anything that I can do to avoid the shame that this will bring to my family?"

The Abwehr officer thought a moment. "Go for a walk tomorrow, and do not look behind you. What you have told me will allow us to arrest the individuals we need. I give you my word as an officer that your name will not be brought up in the trials that will follow."

"Thank you," Jahnke replied. "My family..."

"They will never know, and I will do what can be done for them." Schellenburg concluded.

Nice write-ups.
I was wondering if Hayek's book would be forthcoming too.

Quoted

Originally posted by Hood
Nice write-ups.
I was wondering if Hayek's book would be forthcoming too.

Hmm. I guess I failed to make it clear - the Frankfurter Zeitung item was a review of the book. It has been published. Is someone looking for the UK rights?

I know its a review. I had been wondering if you would mention the book in your news this year. I had already assumed Hayek would have remained in Austria in WW and that it would have been published in Germany.
I also expect Karl Popper's The Open Society and Its Enemies will appear next year.

Abwehr Outstation Hamburg, Friday, 7 April 1944, Morning

Schellenburg's arrival with the information provided by Jahnke had changed the situation dramatically, and Oberstleutnant von Podewils had mobilised nearly every agent in the city to participate in the raids that would put paid to the English spy network. Teams had been deployed on round-the-clock surveillance to assure that the suspects did not escape the dragnet that had been set for them. They waited now for a telephone call; it was not long in coming.

"Von Podewils," said the chief investigator when he answered the telephone at his desk. "Ja; you are certain?" he spoke in to the receiver. "Good thinking; I will await their call." Then he hung up, and turned to Schellenburg. "Hauptmann Jahnke has suffered another unfortunate accident," he said in a somber tone.

Schellenburg paused. "Yes. I presume a fatal one."

"According to Metzger he did not look back; he took it bravely. A Goliath delivery van with advertising for tea," von Podewils took no joy in filling in the details. The other pair of agents is trailing the van. Metzger is dealing with the local police authorities to keep matters quiet for the time being."

"And so it begins," Schellenburg replied.

"Yes - we have much to do today." Von Podewils concluded, and stood to buckle on his sidearm.


Johannes Eppler parked his delivery van next to the loading dock of the firm's warehouse in the Harburg section of the city. It was then that he noticed a smear of red on the right front bumper and paused but a few moments to remove it with a rag. That task complete he went inside the building to report.

Vincent Kraft was in his office, going over accounts. Maintaining a business cover for his activities actually took up a considerable part of his time, but that was a small price to pay for the safety of his network. When Eppler entered, he looked up.

"The deed is done," Eppler announced.

"You are certain this time?" Kraft replied. The last attempt to silence Jahnke had ended in inconclusively.

"Yes," Eppler assured him. "I made certain to him square on. Hobbling as he was it was not difficult."

"Good," Kraft noted. "Eliminating him should stop the Abwehr's investigation cold."

Eppler nodded. "Is there any word from THALES?"


The warehouse proclaimed itself as belonging to the established tea merchants Meßmer. Stepping from several cars more than ten agents of the Abwehr fanned out, some moving to the back of the building while others, led by Von Podewils and Schellenburg, went to the front. They did not bother to announce themselves as they entered, barging right past the receptionist.

"Kraft! Where is he?" Von Podewils demanded.

"In his office," the receptionist answered in a frightened tone. "I will announce you Herr..."

"The will not be necessary." Von Podewils said, yanking the telephone cord, rendering it useless. "You two, go with Schellenburg..."


Kraft was still discussing matters with Eppler when he heard the commotion in the foyer. He could not quite understand what was being said but recognised that it did not bode well for him. "Delay them however you can," said to Eppler, who turned to obey. For his part, Kraft began to gather up a few items from his desk.

Eppler opened the door and found Schellenburg confronting him, his sidearm drawn. "Planning to go somewhere?" Schellenburg asked, as his eyes narrowed. He recognised the infamous Boegardt from the several photographs, but the man at the desk was unfamiliar to him. According to Jahnke's confession though, it would be the ringleader of the network, one Victor Kraft. "You are under arrest for suspicion of espionage. Raise your hands now."


Richard Eilers was busy dealing with some defective bolts for the engine mounts of Fw190 fighter bombers when he received a message asking him to report to the office of the quality control manager. "I suppose that they have found something else wrong," he thought, and left the defective materials storage area, locking it behind him. It took but a few minutes to report to his superior's office, where he found two strangers.

"Richard Eilers," said one of them, "You are under arrest for the crime of espionage. You will come with us immediately."


Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Saturday, 8 April 1944

The Office of the Ministry of Defence has announced that the Kriegsmarine survey ship Meteor has arrived in Suva, capital of the French colony of Fidji, as part of her trans-Pacific voyage. After taking on fresh provisions and water the Meteor is expected to next call at Noumea in New Caledonia.


Berliner Abendpost, Sunday, 9 April 1944

Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 10 April 1944

The Army Ordnance Office has announced that the Heer will adopt the French-designed LGPR-41AC 40mm recoilless antitank rifle as its standard infantry antitank weapon. In German service the weapon will be designated Panzerfaust 44, and issued down to the squad level. While initial quantities will be supplied by French manufacturers, the Panzerfaust 44 will be built under licence. The adoption of the LGPR-41AC/Panzerfaust 44 is seen as an interim measure pending development of improved designs of national origin.


Abwehr Outstation Hamburg, Tuesday, 11 April 1944

It was unusual that Wilhelm Canaris visited any of the outstations of the Abwehr, but then the smashing of the English spy ring in the vicinity of Hamburg was an unusual event. He had come to obtain a first-hand briefing of the situation, the investigation of which was still on-going.

"So, von Podewils," he said as he sat opposite the chief investigator, "tell me what we have here."

Von Podewils cleared his throat and began.

"Sir, we have taken into custody four individuals - Vincent Kraft, the apparent ringleader and organiser; Richard Eilers, a senior inspector at the Focke-Wulf plant in Bremen; Johannes Eppler, the general factotum; and we have just arrested one Heinrich Eichenlaub, from the Deschimag shipyards here. We found evidence in Kraft's papers that he was supplying details of Kriegsmarine ship designs." Von Podewils left the matter of Edmund Jahnke unspoken for the moment. "Reuper we have held long in custody and Gottlob of course was killed last year. These seem to be all the members of Kraft's spy ring."

"Heinrich Eichenlaub?" Canaris murmured disbelievingly. "I know this man - he has been involved in designing some of the Kriegsmarine's finest ships."

"Yes Herr Admiral," von Podewils admitted. "And he has been selling the secrets of those designs to the English for at least ten years. His interrogation is still ongoing - he has proven most voluble - almost proud that he has betrayed his country."

"You mentioned you found documents?" Canaris asked.

"Quite so Herr Admiral," von Podewils continued. "Our agents, and the specialists you came with you from Berlin are assessing them now; we are still finding much valuable information in them. They include Kraft's codes and ciphers."

"Excellent!" Canaris replied. "I have read your preliminary report... young Schellenburg did quite well in dealing with the other source." Canaris had of course been apprised on the role played by Jahnke in the ring - and his final change of heart that brought it down. "He is due for promotion I believe."

"Yes Herr Admiral," von Podewils nodded in agreement.

"Yourself as well," Canaris went on. "Of course, both will need to wait until this case is closed, but your efforts will be rewarded."


New Yorker Staats-Zeitung (New York), Wednesday, 12 April 1944

Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Thursday, 13 April 1944

Allianz Versicherungs AG has acquired a minority interest in the Hungarian insurance firm Magyar Altalanos Biztosito Reszvenytarsasag, which is expected to become a pillar of growth for German insurance underwriting in Hungary.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Friday, 14 April 1944

The minesweeper-escorts Mondsee and Attersee were completed today at the Deschimag shipyards here. They have embarked on their initial working up and are expected to take up their duties with the fleet soon. Several other vessels of this type are under construction at Deschimag's yard.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Saturday, 15 April 1944

The Ministry of Justice has announced the arrest of five individuals on charges of espionage. Vincent Kraft, Heinrich Eichenlaub and Johannes Eppler of Hamburg, Richard Eilers of Bremen and Hermann Reuper of Essen were arraigned today and charged with spying for an undisclosed foreign power. All were remanded for trial without bail.

Oberösterreichische Rundschau, Sunday, 16 April 1944

The amphibious landing ships Wittelsbach and Wettin were completed today in Hamburg, and have embarked on their trials. These specialist craft are considered the capstone of the Kriegsmarine's amphibious warfare programme, capable of carrying numerous landing craft safely to their area of operation and of supporting major landing efforts in the face of a potential enemy.


Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 17 April 1944

The first two Junkers Ju390C long range air transports were handed over to the Luftwaffe today. The Ju390C, a modified civil transport, will give the Luftwaffe the ability to react to a distant crisis, such as the recent San Juan earthquake in Argentina. The Luftwaffe has identified the requirement for a long-range cargo transport, to which several responses have been received but no decision is expected to be made before January 1945.


Frankfurter Zeitung, Tuesday, 18 April 1944

Emder Zeitung, Wednesday, 19 April 1944

The amphibious landing ships Barbe, Brasse, Karpfen and Muräne have completed their initial working up and have taken up their duties with the Second Amphibious Transport and Landing Group at Flensburg.


London, The German Embassy, 23 Belgrave Square, Thursday, 20 April 1944

Major Walter Koehler, the Abwehr resident in the London embassy, re-read the decoded cable from Abwehr headquarters in Berlin, and glanced again at the headline of the Berliner Morgenpost - Spy Ring Exposed it read. He shook his head. His orders were to attempt to ascertain the reaction of the British military and particularly its intelligence organs to the unfolding espionage story in the German press. He had no doubt that the English were quite capable of spying on their erstwhile allies - Germany did the same though with different methods - but he doubted that the English would make any public comment.

"They will act as if it did not happen," he thought, "or at best express their concern that someone else could have fooled the Abwehr for so long. That will be the line taken by the press, encouraged by their secret service."

Koehler chaffed under the restrictions he was subject to. Most of the intelligence he was allowed to gather came from careful reading of British newspapers and periodicals - he had positive orders not to suborn British subjects for fear of upsetting the positive relations between Britain and Germany; that, he wondered, could change now. Open intelligence, such as he was allowed to gather, extended of course to the activities of his fellow defence attaches, who often were permitted to visit British dockyards, aircraft plants and garrisons on occasion, and through their observations in their regular duties. Tidbits that might be overhead in casual conversation often contributed leads. Koehler naturally distrusted agents who would betray their own country for money, but sometimes they were useful.

All this being so, he did have contacts who might unknowingly provide information germane to the questions from Berlin. As a good intelligence officer, he would make the most of them.


Sächsische Zeitung, Friday, 21 April 1944

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Saturday, 22 April 1944

The Kriegsmarine survey ship Meteor has arrived in the French port of Nouméa in New Caledonia to take on fresh water and supplies as it continues its voyage of discovery across the wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean. There has also been an exchange of some members of her scientific staff, with more returning home to examine the findings of her survey of the Tonga Trench, and with others arriving to carry out ethnographic surveys - following her visit to New Caledonia the Meteor is expected to head north, to eventually survey the waters of the island nation of Pacifica.


Abwehr Headquarters, Berlin, Sunday, 23 April 1944

Wilhelm Canaris read the latest packet of information from Budapest with interest. Amongst the varied items of intelligence provided by his Hungarian associates - which included a rather dubious assessment of the situation in Yugoslavia - was a brief report from London, reporting a certain consternation in the War Office at the recent blackout of technical intelligence from Germany.

"No doubt our English friends will keep closed mouth on the matter," Canaris murmured. "I know I would."

He was uncertain how much information would have to be disclosed at the trials of the Hamburg spies. Thankfully Reuper, the first fish caught, was happy to testify against his fellows, but his testimony alone would not convict all of them. At least they would be tried by a civil court; Canaris was thankful that Jahnke had fallen victim to a traffic accident - albeit a convenient one perpetrated by the spies themselves - and spared them all the embarrassment of a court martial. Of course, Jahnke was not available to testify in court against them, and no formal statement had been kept.


Autozeitung, Monday, 24 April 1944

Kieler Nachrichten, Tuesday, 25 April 1944

The corvettes Leopard, Luchs, Fuchs and Wolf, of the Sixth Escort Group, have been declared fully operational and have taken up regular duties with the Versorgungsverband at Bremerhaven. It is expected that the remaining vessels of the Sixth Escort Group will attain operational status later this year.


Emder Zeitung, Wednesday, 26 April 1944

The fleet salvage tugs Mücke and Wespe were completed today at the naval shipyard at Wilhelmshaven, and immediately embarked on their builders' trials. Yesterday their sisters Hummel and Natter finished their working up and were declared operational. The addition of these vessels to the strength of the Kriegsmarine rounds out its ability to function in all waters in defence of the national interest.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Thursday, 27 April 1944

Trial began today of five individuals charged with espionage and conspiracy to commit espionage - Vincent Kraft, Heinrich Eichenlaub and Johannes Eppler of Hamburg, Richard Eilers of Bremen and Hermann Reuper of Essen. In his opening remarks the Public Prosecutor indicated that he would show that the conspirators had wilfully engaged in espionage on behalf of a foreign power and disclosed to that foreign power industrial and defence secrets that had compromised the security of the nation. While the defendants Kraft, Eppler and Eilers pled not guilty, in a surprise move the defendants Eichenlaub and Reuper plead guilty as charged; the public prosecutor acknowledged that the defendant Reuper had cooperated with the investigation and would testify on behalf of the State. The judge presiding ordered the separation of Reuper's trial from the other defendants at that point. At his own insistence against the advice of counsel trial of the defendant Eichenlaub was not separated from his fellow defendants. Following the hearing on the defendants' pleas, trial was recessed until tomorrow.

Hamburger Abendblatt, Friday, 28 April 1944

Trial continued today in the case of the five individuals charged with espionage, the so-called Kraft Spy Ring. The Public Prosecutor opened his arguments by revealing that the accidental death of a sixth member of the spy ring in the city of Bochum had led the security forces to Hermann Reuper, who was a metallurgist employed by the firm of Krupp in Essen. Reuper then took the stand and explained how he had been recruited by the defendant Eppler to obtain technical and other industrial information from his employer; how he had been trained to secret espionage material in various places, and how he had been paid for his services. When asked by Defence Counsel if he knew to whom the technical materials were supplied Reuper said he did not; merely that Eppler had indicated that it would "end up in the hands of friends". Following procedural matters relating to the entry into evidence of various documents, trial was recessed until Wednesday, 3 May.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Saturday, 29 April 1944

The Kriegsmarine survey ship Meteor departed the French port of Nouméa for Port Vila in the New Hebrides.


Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Sunday, 30 April 1944

Wien, Monday, 1 May 1944

In the latest number of the comic-magazin "Von der Heydt" the hero finds himself contending with factions of Chinese tongs and facing danger at every turn. Ein Gauklertrick (A Juggling Trick) finds the hero assisting the King of the Beggars to play off one faction against another.


Elbinger Volksstimme, Tuesday, 2 May 1944

The latest escort vessel for the Kriegsmarine, the frigate Frankenthal, was launched at the Schichau works today. She is one of twelve such vessels that slid down the ways in several of the nation's shipyards, the largest such mass launch in naval vessels in the nation's history. The Frankenthal was towed to the Schichau fitting out wharf where her construction will continue.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Wednesday, 3 May 1944

Trial resumed today in the matter of five individuals charged with espionage. Documentary evidence was introduced linking the several defendants through the chain of secrets betrayed to the as yet unidentified foreign power. The evidence included photographs of meetings between defendants Eilers and Eppler, of documents from the Focke Wulf plant in Bremen found in the possession of defendants Eppler and Kraft, of coded messages recovered during the arrest of defendants Eppler and Kraft, and of extensive documents from the Deschimag works here provided to the defendant Kraft by the defendant Eichenlaub. The Prosecution demonstrated how the documents and other espionage materials were reduced to photographic negatives and smuggled out of the country by various means, including being slipped inside the spines of innocent-looking recipe books. Trial was recessed and will resume tomorrow.

Hamburg Criminal Court, Thursday, 4 May 1944

The Prosecution had rested its case that morning, having showed more of its irrefutable chain of evidence that linked the five defendants. The recovered documents, the captured ciphers and coded cables, the testimony of Reuper all indicated that the five had carried out a long campaign of espionage on behalf of some foreign power. While Reuper's statements implicated no particular country - that was in itself immaterial - the five had spied and sold many of Germany's greatest secrets abroad. The recovered monies had proven that as well.

As the court reconvened there was a hushed discussion between the defendant Eichenlaub and his Defence Counsel. The latter rose and asked permission to approach the dais from which the judge oversaw the trial. He, in turn, signaled the Defence Counsel for the other defendants and the Prosecutor to approach as well.

"Against the advice of counsel my client wishes to testify in his defence," said the first lawyer.

"I object!" said the Defence Counsel for the remaining defendants.

"The Court cannot deny the right of the accused to testify in his own behalf," replied the judge, "even if that testimony is against the advice of counsel. Over-ruled."

Heinrich Eichenlaub proceeded to take the stand. When asked how he had pled, he replied that he had pled guilty as charged. When asked why he wished to make a statement, he replied.

"The German people deserve to hear the truth."

Thus began a long, rambling harangue by the defendant.

"Kraft and I served together in the Great War, a war brought on by the avarice of the plutocratic classes and fueled by the ambition of the aristocracy who sought world domination and the subjugation of the working class. We survived, and hoped that a new Germany might arise from the ashes of defeat. For a time we believed that this could be so. But we were wrong."

He paused a moment, then continued. "The infighting between the political parties allowed the cameralists to regain control of the Government and begin the reconstruction of the military machine that had brought ruin to Europe. When the Government began its naval build up in 1932, we knew we had to act. The people had been beguiled by the promised of the politicians and would not listen to the truth. Our only choice was to warn the victors of the Great War that Germany was rebuilding her armed forces and would one day stretch forth her sword to master all Europe. This is why we agreed to supply England with the information vital to its defence, with the secrets of the vessels building for the Kriegsmarine and the aircraft that the cameralists hoped to one day use to bomb into ruin the cities of the workers in foreign countries."

A sneer crossed Eichenlaub's face. "The so-called Free Democrats have misled the people, seduced them with the promises of higher wages and material knick-knacks like automobiles and cameras. They too hold this dream of conquest. They have brought the workers of France and Russia under their spell and stand atop Europe looking across the world. Only in England is there a bulwark against them; and this is why we have fought the secret war against them. My fellows are now ashamed to admit what they have done. They accepted money for what they did - not one pfennig have I taken. I will not hide that what I have done was done for the greater good of the German working class. Let history judge whether I am a true patriot or not."

When he was finished the court sat in stunned silence for several moments.

Hamburger Abendblatt, Friday, 5 May 1944

The trial of the five alleged English spies continued today, following the revelations yesterday by the defendant Eichenlaub that the quintet had been spying for England for more than ten years. Though the Defence Counsel attempted to discredit the veracity of Eichenlaub's statement, suggesting that the defendant suffered from a mental disorder, the Prosecution was able to introduce documentary evidence to refute such suggestions. Following this rebuff, the Defence Counsel rested his case, being unable to offer any evidence to contradict that provided by the Prosecution, and unwilling to put his clients on the stand to testify in their own defence. The court then recessed, and is expected to hand down its verdict next week following due deliberation.


Kieler Nachrichten, Saturday, 6 May 1944

The heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer has completed its refit here and has begun shake-down exercises in the Baltic.


Münchener Post, Editorial Page, Sunday, 7 May 1944

The recent revelations in the Hamburg espionage trial call into question the fundamental relationship between nations that profess themselves to be friends to one another; it would be unreasonable to expect a nation to be so optimistic that its ignores its own security and takes on trust every statement coming from a foreign government; it is also unreasonable to condone the actions of a friendly nation that takes advantage of that friendship to obtain secret information that might one day be used against a neighboring state. These revelations also raise the question of whether a nation that takes advantage of the perverted fears and imaginary inventions of a few misguided individuals can be considered truly friendly. The Government must reassess its relationship with Britain in the light of the information revealed by this trial; nations that are friendly to one another must maintain a certain wariness, and not allow those friendships to be abused. We believe that this is not a time for hysteria, but that it is a time for reconsideration.

Hamburger Abendblatt, Monday, 8 May 1944

The trial of the five men accused of spying for England concluded today. The three-judge panel handed down a verdict of guilty in the case of defendants Kraft, Eppler and Eilers; defendants Eichenlaub and Reuper had previously pled guilty. Defendant Vincent Kraft was found guilty as charged and sentenced to death by hanging; defendant Johannes Eppler was found guilty as charged and sentenced to death by hanging; defendant Richard Eilers was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment; defendant Heinrich Eichenlaub was sentenced to twenty-five years penal servitude; defendant Hermann Reuper was sentenced to ten years penal servitude. Thus closed a most shameful chapter in the nation's recent history, where men in positions of trust betrayed their souls to a foreigner for filthy lucre.


London, The Foreign Office, Whitehall, Tuesday, 9 May 1944

The Foreign Secretary was sitting at his desk, and was not surprised when a knock on his door announced his visitor's arrival. His secretary opened it and announced "The German Ambassador sir".

Otto Christian Archibald, Prince von Bismarck, briskly stepped into the office. "Good day Mister Eden; I thank you for receiving me upon such short notice."

Anthony Eden, Britain's chief diplomat, replied in kind. "Your Excellency, you are most welcome. Your note mentioned a matter of some importance; please, sit down and we can deal with your concerns."

Eden was worried about the timing of the Ambassador's visit. A Hamburg court had convicted five men accused of spying for Britain the day before, and the Foreign Office had been expecting some sort of retort from the Germans. Was Bismarck's visit but the opening barrage?

"Mister Eden," began Bismarck, "as you know our two nations are tied to each other and to Nordmark through a series of treaties. My Government has found that some of the provisions of these treaties conflict with one another - particularly as they relate to Nordmark - and are in some areas vague in specifying the obligations of the United Kingdom to either Germany or to Nordmark."

"Yes your excellency," replied Eden. "You have raised those points in the past, and my staff has been considering those matters."

"This is so," continued Bismarck, "but my Government feels that now is the time to bring such discussions forward and to resolve the inconsistencies by reaching a new tripartite agreement."

Eden paused a moment to fully understand what the German was saying. "They want to sink GNUK?" he thought.

"The German Government wishes to negotiate a new treaty to supersede our current arrangements?" Eden asked.

"Quite so Mister Eden," Bismarck answered. "My counterpart in Stockholm is broaching the matter there." He took from his portfolio a sheet of foolscap and handed it to Eden. "These are the particular points my Government wishes to include in the new agreement."

The Foreign Secretary scanned the document briefly, noting that the list of points was relatively short, but did include complete supersession of the current treaties between the three countries. "Your Excellency, I shall have to study your proposals and bring them to the notice of the Cabinet."

"Of course Mister Eden," Bismarck concluded. "I would expect no less. My Government will await upon your reply. Good day."

When Bismarck had gone Eden re-read the note. He found the contents innocuous enough but the timing of its delivery suggested a strong link to the Hamburg trial. In the last weeks he had assured Bismarck that Britain had nothing to do with the five miscreants, and had hoped that the matter would be overlooked. Events had proved him wrong.

He rang for his secretary, who entered. "Chomondeley, notify the Prime Minister that I need to speak to him at once; I have received an unexpected communique from the German ambassador."


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Wednesday, 10 May 1944

Mister Thomas MacDonald, Highway Commissioner of the United States, arrived in Hamburg today upon the liner America with a delegation to investigate the National Motorways System. The American delegation will spend several weeks studying the motorways themselves and visiting the research establishments that have made them possible.

Das Andere Deutschland, Thursday, 11 May 1944

The results of the recently concluded trial in the city of Hamburg confirms the fact that the Government continues to use the apparatus of the state to hide its designs behind a cloak of legality. Only the bravery of Heinrich Eichenlaub gave him opportunity to use his trial to tell the world what we know to be the truth. Yet we cannot condone the action of a few, acting in secret, to give secrets to a foreign power. Far better for Herr Eichenlaub to bring his proofs to us, where they could have been shared with the workers of the world; and we can in no way excuse the sale of such secrets to a foreign power, no matter how noble the goal. By their venality, and by their cowardice, his co-defendants Kraft and Eppler have received the punishment they deserve. We shall remember Heinrich Eichenlaub as one who stood for the working class and had no fear.

Das Andere Deutschland is an independent, Socialist, pacifist newspaper, and does not in any way represent the opinion of the German Government .


London, The Foreign Office, Whitehall, Friday, 12 May 1944

The German ambassador was shown into the Foreign Secretary's office; Mister Eden rose to greet him.

"You Excellency, I thank you for coming. Please sit down."

"Thank you Mister Eden," replied Bismarck.

"I believe I have good news for you," Eden announced. "The Cabinet has considered the German Government's request regarding the potential revision of the treaties between our two nations and Nordmark; as well as the points you presented earlier in the week. His Majesty's Government agrees in principle with the proposal and with the points presented, subject of course to finalisation of the text of any resultant treaty."

Bismarck was mildly surprised at the alacrity of the British response, but did his best to hide it. "On behalf of my government, allow me to express my thanks. I have been advised that the Nordish Government is in general accord with this as well."

"Yes," Eden added. "Our minister in Stockholm has informed us as such as well."

"So," said Bismarck, "the next step would be to formalise the text of our agreements in principle. The German Government suggests a conference of representatives of each nation to carry out this task, and Nordmark has suggested that such a conference could be held in Coldmere. Germany finds itself in agreement with the Nordish offer."

Eden considered his words carefully, so as not to over-commit himself. "The suggestion is a reasonable one, and I believe it will be acceptable to His Majesty's Government; however, I shall have to consult..."

"Of course Mister Eden," Bismarck replied. "So must we all. I shall advise Berlin of the British Government's agreement in principle, and await a decision on the site of the conference."


Abwehr Headquarters, Berlin, Saturday, 13 May 1944

It was quiet in the Abwehr's offices on the Tirpitzufer, with only a minimal watch in the essential offices. Admiral Wilhelm Canaris enjoyed working in such quiet circumstances; it allowed him time to concentrate on the problems before him, rather than the distractions that would come with all the rush of daily business.

He considered the reports from Koehler, the Abwehr resident in the London embassy, and his counterparts elsewhere. They had been instructed to discover any reactions by the British intelligence services to the revelations emerging from the trial in Hamburg of the five spies rounded up so far. Each report was the same - universal silence. It was clear that the British Secret Intelligence Service had reacted quickly to shut down its operation and to 'run silent, run deep' as they say in the U-boat arm. To Canaris, it was a very wise course.

He did have a brief report from Source Merlin, via the Abwehr's friends in Budapest. According to Merlin the War Office was rather put out that its viewport into the German defence industry had been closed up; nothing specific, nothing confirmatory. "Had Eichenlaub not chosen to speak, England would never have been mentioned - we had insufficient proof" he thought.

Canaris made note to redouble anti-espionage activities across the nation. He had no doubt that the English had other agents operating in Germany, and the fact that this particular ring had lasted so long was something of an embarrassment; better to root them out stem and branch.