London, The German Embassy, Saturday, 7 February 1948
Schellenburg read the report from his agent Walser with interest. The man played cards frequently with friends at the Portland Club, where he was able to pick up useful titbits of information, and Walser was particular adept at using the fixer Sidney Stanley; the latter still claimed to have important contacts inside the British Government.
“According to Stanley,” the report read, “the British Government is aghast at the prospect of intervening in Iraq, though British troops have been put on alert to do just that if further repressive measures are adopted by the Iraqis.”
Through other sources Schellenburg was aware that pressure was mounting on the Government to do something; the Conservative press was using phrases as “teaching the Iraqis a lesson”, while there had been small left-wing demonstrations in support of the embattled Independence Party. Walser’s report continued.
“A recently formed aviation firm, Aviation Traders, of Bovingdon, bears watching. According to Stanley, it has an inside track for refurbishing surplus cargo aircraft for further civil or military service. The backers are seeking to enter other aviation markets and may be seeking capital investments.”
Schellenburg nodded. He encouraged his ‘Baker Street Irregulars’ to report on all they picked up. One never knew what might become important in the future.
Die Welt am Sonntag, Sunday, 8 February 1948
The Deutsch-Westafrikanische Handelsgesellschaft has long played an important role in the development of the Iberian colonies in West Africa, and their rubber plantations there are among the largest and most modern in the world. Seen from the air (
top left) the complex offers a concrete example of how the quality of life of the indigenous population can be improved through foreign investment and application of scientific principles. The Harbel complex has direct river access (
top right) and its output is sent by lighter to coastal ports for shipment abroad.
The rubber trees are carefully sited (
bottom left) to assure their rapid growth to maturity, and provision is made for the health and welfare of the workers, who live in recently renovated housing blocks (
bottom right) and provided with clinics, schools, and recreation facilities.
Der Tagesspiegel, Monday, 9 February 1948
The first production Dornier Do335 naval fighter aircraft was rolled from the Norddeutsche Dornierwerke factory at Wismar today and formally accepted by representatives of the Marineflieger.