by Larry Loftis
CHAPTER 18 THE ART OF THE SILENT KILL
Bailonis $8,500 . . . sent to Russian front Dusko Popov, MI5 report of October 23, 1942, KV 2/850 (p. 313A) (“Popov October report”). Ian Wilson memo, “TRICYCLE’S FIFTH VISIT TO LISBON: 14th–21st Oct: 1942,” December 22, 1942, KV 2/851 (p. 383A) (“Wilson memo”).
Café Chave d’Ouro Ibid.
charge d’affaires . . . Quinta Los Grillos Ibid.
He was followed Ibid.
$10,000 from Simone Simon Wilson memo. The loan from Simon was a ruse; he never borrowed from her.
“living like a prince” Popov October report, KV 2/850 (p. 313A); Wilson memo.
unwilling to continue as a German agent . . . no leaving off Wilson memo.
“Now you know what Berlin thinks” Ibid.; Popov October report.
cut off in June According to Popov’s report to MI5, the Germans cut off funding in April. See Wilson memo. The German contention was that his April payment was to have included part of May and that funding ceased when Popov provided no information from May to June.
“Berlin are stupid fellows” Popov October report; Wilson memo, KV.
“What about invasion?” Popov October report.
air attaché Wilson memo; Popov October report.
That evening at six Ibid.
Kammler’s secretary sewed the matches into the shoulders of his coat Popov October report.
$25,000 and 6,000 escudos Popov October report; J. C. Masterman, “TRICYCLE” memo, October 24, 1942, KV 2/850 (pp. 312a, b); Wilson memo.
held it to the light Popov October report.
conjured up with Ivo Popov, Spy Counter-Spy, 232.
Beverly Hills Hotel H. Frank Angell, “Simone Simon” memo, December 29, 1942, Record Group 65, 65-HQ-36994, Box 6, NARA (p. 1).
“Missing you darling” The telegram, which was intercepted by American Censorship and forwarded to the FBI, was roughly worded and incorrectly spelled in transmission: “IS SAD TO BE IN THE ENTRANCE EUROPE WITHOUT GO INSIDE. MISSING YOU DEARLING MUCH MOOR THAN I THOUGHT WILL LOVE DUSKO POPOV.” J. Edgar Hoover memo to Special Agent in Charge, New York City, November 14, 1942, Record Group 65, 65-HQ-36994, Box 6, NARA.
Clock House Clock House lease agreement at KV 2/851 (p. 359Bk).
Robertson notified the postmaster KV 2/851 (p. 359e and f, respectively).
“My dear Dusko” Letter from Dusko’s father dated November 17, 1942, KV 2/850 (p. 356).
For the disappearance of his brothers, see Ivo: J. C. Masterman memo, October 24, 1942, KV 2/850 (p. 312a); Vladan: Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, November 11, 1942, KV 2/850 (p. 349a).
“take every step” Ian Wilson memo, December 2, 1942, KV 2/851 (p. 361B).
“capital investment purposes” Ian Wilson memo, November 30, 1942, KV 2/851 (p. 360a).
“shabbiest and coldest man” Dusko Popov letter to “Mr. Thomas” (Colonel Wren), December 5, 1942, KV 2/851 (p. 368).
“TRICYCLE would like included” Ian Wilson memo, December 7, 1942, KV 2/851 (p. 368).
“c/o British Ministry of War Information” KV 2/851 (p. 390).
“TRICYCLE stressed his desire” Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, February 8, 1943, KV 2/851 (p. 417a).
SOE (Special Operations Executive) commando schools The exact date of Popov’s commando training is uncertain, but given the weeks required and Dusko’s known schedules in Lisbon and London, this window appears to be the only time he could have participated. Dusko discusses attending the training in his interview with Frederick Bear (“Dusko [007] Popov: Exclusive Interview,” Genesis, 36) and also in his interview with Jonathan Braun (“Superspy Dusko Popov: The Real-Life James Bond,” Parade, 27). On the MI5 side, in addition to the Doran letter and Tar memos, Ian Wilson stated that on May 28, 1943, Popov informed him that a Yugoslav intelligence officer was being sent to Scotland for parachute training, which was part of the SOE program (KV 2/853, 511a).
On February 24, a Captain D. Doran KV 2/852 (p. 431B).
On March 17, Tar sent a letter KV 2/852 (p. 440a).
Two days later Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, March 20, 1943, KV 2/852 (p. 450a).
Lieutenant Colonel Colin Gubbins, See, generally, M. R. D. Foot, S.O.E.: The Special Operations Executive, 1940–46.
terrorists Ibid., 69.
Stage 1 See Pieter Dourlein, Inside North Pole: A Secret Agent’s Story, 79–80. Dourlein’s Stage 1 training occurred in Reading, England. Dusko makes no reference to attending Stage 1 of the SOE training, although his seven-week disappearance would have given him time for both stages.
well-stocked bars Foot, 80.
Stage 2 Denis Rigden, introduction, How to Be a Spy: The World War II SOE Training Manual, 5. Stage 2 was later lengthened to five weeks. See also, Foot, 79–85.
“a wretched, barren countryside” Dourlein, 81.
William Ewart Fairbairn See Tank Todd and James Webb, Military Combat Masters of the 20th Century, 58; George Langelaan, Knights of the Floating Silk, 65.
“Shanghai Buster” Langelaan, 65.
“drastic and admittedly unpleasant” W. E. Fairbairn, Defendu: Scientific Self-Defense—The Official Text Book for the Shanghai Municipal Police, Hong Kong Police and Singapore Police, p. 1 of foreword.
“and then kick him in the testicles” David Stafford, Secret Agent: The True Story of the Covert War Against Hitler, 28.
“Your object here” Denis Rigden, How to Be a Spy: The World War II SOE Training Manual, 362.
“art of silent killing” Foot, 84; Dourlein, 81; Rigden, 361.
“in a way that prevented” Dourlein, 81.
strangling and cutting throats Dusko Popov, interview by Frederick Bear, “Dusko [007] Popov: Exclusive Interview,” Genesis, November, 1974, 36.
slip tags, survive interrogation Rigden, 68–70, 82–85.
trains, and escape cafés . . . cross-examination Foot, 86, 237.
up to a third of the students Ibid., 84–85.
“the hardest thing” Popov, Genesis, 36.
“The ‘Shanghai Buster’ gave us” Langelaan, 68.
“made each of us a terribly dangerous man” Ibid., 74.
SOE training manual Rigden, 363.
“I remember very clearly” Correspondence of Marco Popov with the author, October 4, 2014.
British-American commando school John Pearson, The Life of Ian Fleming, 102.
brought in Fairbairn and Sykes Since the information was yet to be declassified, Pearson referred to Fairbairn and Sykes as “Colonel Wallace” and “Murphy,” respectively. Ibid., 103.
“Open that door” Ibid., 105.
CHAPTER 19 “TURN AROUND SLOWLY”
“I just couldn’t open” John Pearson, The Life of Ian Fleming, 105.
“Although Ian was an outstanding” Ibid., 104.
Cairo off Ian Wilson memo, April 16, 1943, KV 2/852 (p. 474B).
“our plans for sending TRICYCLE” Ibid.
“delicate” April 13, 1943, letter from the Political Intelligence Department of the Foreign Office to Brigadier General Harker, KV 2/852 (p. 472a).
twenty-four letters Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE in England” memo, April 3, 1943, KV 2/852 (p. 464a); Ian Wilson memo, March 20, 1943, KV 2/852 (p. 450a).
“That TRICYCLE should undertake” Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, May 2, 1943, KV 2/852 (487a).
promoted to lieutenant colonel See April 16, 1943, Robertson letter to Major Frank Foley, KV 2/852 (p. 474c).
Eugen Sostaric Sostaric became one of Dusko’s best friends, later serving as Popov’s best man at his wedding with Jill. Dusko would later give his German car business to Eugen. Correspondence from Marco Popov to the author, December 5, 2014. See also Nigel West, MI5, 200–201, 204, 242.
METEOR Ian Wilson, April 22 and April 28, 1943, memo, KV 2/852 (pp. 480a, 484a).
On May 11 Popov met with Masterman J. C. Masterman memo, May 12, 1943, KV 2/852 (p. 499A).
187,500 escudos Telegram of Guy Deyris and Ian Wilson memo of May 13, 1943, KV 2/852 (pp. 500b, 501a).
“A double agent should” J. C. Masterman, The Double-Cross System, 19–20.
Ian asked Ewen Montagu Ian Wilson letter to Commander Montagu, June 3, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 515a).
Wilson letter to Major E. Goudie June 3, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 516a).
General Rakic P.T.O. letter to Frank Foley on May 29, 1943 (p. 512a); Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, June 3 (p. 519a); Haldane Porter letter to Wilson on June 5 (p. 520KA); and Wilson memo to the file on June 6 (p. 524a). All at KV 2/853.
approval from Yugoslavia’s prime minister Haldane Porter letter, KV 2/853 (p. 520KA).
Operation Mincemeat Dusko Popov, interview with Alan Road, “Double-Agent Popov and the James Bond Affair,” Observer, May 13, 1973, 24–26. See, generally, Ewen Montagu, The Man Who Never Was.
“TRICYCLE is supposed” . . . “It is proposed” Ian Wilson memo, June 10, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 525b).
“so that he should have” Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, June 11, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 526a).
Ian took Dusko on a field trip Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, June 20, 1941, KV 2/853 (p. 533a).
“the last thing we wish” Ibid.
“Senor Gallegos” June 22, 1943, correspondence from Captain M. Lloyd (for Frank Foley) to Ian Wilson, KV 2/853 (p. 536B).
“Doctor POPOVIC is going on a special mission” Anthony Blunt notice, June 27, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 546a); see also Guy Liddell’s diary entry of even date at KV 4/191.
prime minister leak Ian Wilson memo, June 29, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 551a).
“You may be walking into a trap” Popov, Spy Counter-Spy, 254.
THE WORM Ian Wilson August 4, 1943, memo, KV 2/853 (p. 572xa). See also West, MI5, 206–207, 204, 243.
“They won’t kill me” Popov, Spy and Counter-Spy, 255.
On July 16 Popov boarded Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, July 16, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 566a).
“I was angry” Popov, interview with Alan Road, “Double-Agent Popov and the James Bond Affair,” Observer, 29.
“I was completely engrossed” . . . “I would shoot my way out” Popov, Spy Counter-Spy, 255. See also endnotes for Preface regarding the pistol Dusko carried (a Wembley).
“Turn around slowly” Ibid., 256; Russell Miller, Codename TRICYCLE, 195.
CHAPTER 20 TICKING
monkey Von Karsthoff’s pet monkey is confirmed in MI5 files. See, e.g., Dusko Popov “Dramatis Personae” entry for von Karsthoff at KV 2/849 (177b).
“Mrs. Jackson” Frank Foley, August 1, 1943, memo to Ian Wilson, KV 2/853 (p. 570a); see also Ian Wilson memo, September 17, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 609a).
“they were sure he was working for the Allies” Major Frank Foley (MI6) memo to Tar Robertson (MI5), August 20, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 578B).
“remarkably accurate” Ian Wilson letter to Gilbert Ryle, August 21, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 580a).
For the chart and Popov’s notes on code words, see KV 2/853 (p. 580a).
forged Yugoslav diplomatic bag Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, August 21, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 581a); Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, September 20, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 619k).
“My darling” The return address gives “RIESE” as the sender. KV 2/853 (p. 584a).
“Evidence from various independent sources” Ian Wilson memo, August 20, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 577B).
Dusko went to Spain The exact dates of Popov’s visit are unknown, but his trip seems to coincide with this time frame. MI5 files indicate that at one point Popov could not get a visa to Spain, yet Dusko states going there for Operation Mincemeat. Popov, Observer, 24–26.
“I checked in Madrid” Popov, Observer, 26.
“extremely good impression” Ian Wilson “The WORM” memo, August 4, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 572xa).
“90 percent certain” August 30, 1943, memo of PP-J at KV 2/853 (p. 573W).
“During an air-raid Hitler” Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, September 20, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 619k).
While Dusko had not told Jebsen In his defriefing with Ian Wilson soon after landing in London on September 14, 1943, Popov told his case officer: “In spite of not having told Johnny that I am working with the British, I am absolutely sure that he knows it.” Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, September 20, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 619k).
“What rockets?” Ibid.; Tar Robertson memo (“TRICYCLE’S INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROCKET GUN”) to the Twenty Committee, September 18, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 617c).
“There are two types of people” Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, September 20, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 619k).
“a group of Gestapo people” Ibid.
“In case of emergency” Ibid.
Sippenhaft Sefton Delmer, The Counterfeit Spy: The Untold Story of a Phantom Army that Deceived Hitler, 51.
“I cannot help feeling” Ian Wilson memo, August 31, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 592a).
“Dusko, let’s go have a swim” Dusko Popov, interview with Frederick Bear, “Dusko [007] Popov: Exclusive Interview,” Genesis, 80.
admired the girl Ian Wilson memo, August 20, 1943, KV 2/853 (p. 577B); Popov, Genesis, 80.
CHAPTER 21 FIVE LIVES
four hours later Dusko Popov, interview with Frederick Bear, “Dusko [007] Popov: Exclusive Interview,” Genesis, 80.
“Your car, Dusko, it exploded” Popov, Spy Counter-Spy, 285; Popov, Genesis, 80.
“Who would want” In his memoirs Popov misspells Cecil’s name as “Gladhill.” Popov, 285. See also Nigel West, MI6, 83, 186; Nigel West, Historical Dictionary of World War II Intelligence, 118.
six or seven thousand dollars Popov, Genesis, 68.
Louise Popov, Spy Counter-Spy, 286.
“For whom are you working?” Popov, Genesis, 68.
“Well, this was a bloody lie” Ibid., 80.
Benzedrine . . . sleeping pills Popov, Spy Counter-Spy, 265; Richard Farrington, “Super Spy Dusko Popov: He Lived the James Bond Legend,” True Action, June 1974, 78.
nine ulcers Popov, Genesis, 36.
“under no circumstances” Correspondence from M. Lloyd (for Major Frank Foley) to Tar Robinson, August 26, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 588).
staying at the Ritz Correspondence from M. Lloyd to Ian Wilson, September 8, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 594a).
the evening of September 13 Night Duty Officer Reports, KV 2/854 (p. 604).
large number of silk stockings Ian Wilson “TRICYCLE” memo, September 20, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 619k).
Inside the lid of the radio transmitter The B1A internal memorandum states: “Original document received with the Radio appartus. These papers were inside the lid of the Transmitter.” See also Ian Wilson’s memo of September 14, 1943, regarding details and equipment of the radio. Memoranda and instructions at KV 2/854 (602a).
152 were forgeries Bank of England September 15, 1943, notice of finding 152 forgeries and memorandum of Sir Edward Reid of B1B to Ian Wilson of even date at KV 2/854 (p. 604B).
Galsworthy code book in the B1A safe September 17, 1943, “TRICYCLE” memo, KV 2/854 (p. 611a).
“to take the hollow part of a pen nib” Ian Wilson letter of September 17, 1943, to Professor Briscoe, KV 2/854 (p. 612a).
“THE HAIRLESS DOCTOR” Ian Wilson memo, September 17, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 617k).
met a U.S. military attaché Ian Wilson note on Thurston letter at KV 2/854 (p. 616a).
“During my recent visit” Arthur Thurston letter of September 17, 1943, at KV 2/854 (p. 616a).
“C” later told Dusko Popov, Genesis, 80.
“TRICYCLE repo
rts everything material” Ian Wilson September 20, 1943, memo, KV 2/854 (p. 619k).
“KARSTHOFF and KAMMLER” Ibid.
“I learned from ELIZABETH” Ibid.
“Johnny’s attitude towards me” Ibid.
“Because of illness” Ibid.
“Had it not been for” Lieutenant Colonel Tar Robertson memo, September 21, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 619k).
“TRICYCLE is shortly going back” Ibid.
room 530 at the Madrid Ritz September 16, 1943, “JOHANN JEBSEN” memo from MI6 Madrid station, KV 2/854 (p. 607b).
“You know of the charges” Ibid.
On September 21, Johnny dictated a suicide letter See Ian Wilson memo, September 28, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 632B); telegrams from Madrid on September 17, 22, and 23, 1943, KV 2/854 (pp. 1, 2, 9); and Jebsen’s suicide letter, German original and translated copy, KV2/854 (group entry at p. 646c).
CHAPTER 22 SHOTS RANG OUT
“a small man who was chain-smoking” Kenneth Benton, “The ISOS Years: Madrid 1941–3,” Journal of Contemporary History 30, no. 3 (July 1995), 395. Benton thought the meeting had occurred in February 1943, but MI5 files show that Frank Foley notified Tar Robertson on September 24 that Johnny had visited the Madrid MI6 office on the twenty-second. KV 2/854 (p. 8). See also, generally, January 13, 1944, correspondence from Frank Foley to Colonel Robertson regarding ARTIST, TRICYCLE, and Benton at KV 2/856 (p. 759B).
“sly foxes” Benton, 396.
“ARTIST is telling you the truth” Ibid., 397.
“Herr Oberstleutnant” MI5 has the original note, which does not identify names in the address, but there is some confusion as to the intended recipient(s). Ian Wilson’s memorandum of September 28, 1943, at KV 2/854 (p. 632B) suggests that the letter was addressed to a Rohrscheidt, Abwehr III’s Madrid station head. Frank Foley of MI6, however, noted on September 25 that the suicide note was addressed to Munzinger and Toering (KV 2/854, p. 12).
“I cannot return to Germany” The suicide letter, German original and translation, is collected as a group entry at KV 2/854 (p. 646c).
“at all costs” Cable to Madrid, September 23, 1943, KV 2/854 (p. 6).
