Stirring Tales of the Secret Service

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 14, 14 October 1932, Page 6

Stirring Tales of the Secret Service

|.-Madam and Her Daughter

By

Major

JOHN

LEWIS

ee [Broadcast from 2YA] ae Diplomatic Corps and Espionage Service of different nations," he said, "are made up of all sorts of quaint people-the man who seeks its service from the angle of adventure; the highly educated man of travel, master of languages and customs, with a keen sense of patriotism. Men of all sorts right down the scale, used by those in power in many strange ways, even the traitor who sells his soul and country for greed and other reasons. , "Spy is a nasty word, it leaves a bad flavour in our mouths. Rather call us agents, and please be kind. . I have seen. many honourable gentlemen meet their death at the hands of the firing party, with a proud, brave spirit, accepting death as the laurel of achievement, with never a flicker of their courage, to pass from the ken of

those they love, and forgotten by the country that sent them to their death, with only the satisfaction of knowing that their job was done. They pass on to meet the great Architect, who will check: up their records, and I for one beg that He will say: ‘Well done.’ The traitor, with never the courage to make the final payment-it is too mean a sight, so let it pass. "Many brave women have served in our ranks. It is hard to reason out just why they did. Each nation uses them in all kinds of ways, and generally they are remarkably clever and seem to thrive on the intensity of the situations. . "As you know, nations watch each other very closely. The Dip--lomatic Corps and Embassies are ever on the alert to meet espionage by counter-espionage, intrigue by counter-intrigue, and so the game goes on. In peace and war hundreds of men and women are engaged in civil occupations merely as a cloak to cover their more sinister tasks. Others are free-lancing, moving about in high society, ever watchful for that tit-bit that may be useful to their country. Beautiful women peddle their souls, clerks and servants check up the private and business affairs of their employers. What a maze it is, nothing is safe from the inquisitive-minded. "Now what are these nations wanting, youask? Here area few items; First-hand news of treaties, naval and military secrets, arma-

ment, shipbuilding, arsenal improvements and expetiments, fortifications-naval, military and commercial codes, civil morale, trade union movements, anticipation of political moves, the examination of alien population and the segregation of the possible dangerous, and the checking-up of their dossiers. "War.-Movement of troops, lines of communication, ammunition supplies, shipping and naval movements, morale of civil population and fighting forces, anticipation of strategic operations, offensive and defensive, propaganda, political differences, chemical and industrial secrets, aviation experiments, etc. So you see, each nation has its hands full. . "Tt was August 3, 1914--and what a day! The air was’ charged with political storm and war fever. I was having my boots cleaned in the cloak-room of the Strand Palace Hotel. Boots-an old friends of mine, a cheeky little Cockney lad of about 15 summers-was trying to get an extra shine. Looking up, he remarked: ‘Mr. Wood was asking after you, sir.’ " Just a commorplace remark, you will say, but one that sent-me posthaste to Whitehall, and what a jog to get there. The whole of London seemed to have swarmed into that beautiful thoroughfare cheering madly and singing Patriotic songs. At last, very ruffled, I reported to my chief. _. "T well remember the room-rather large and thickly carpeted, a huge desk table in the middle, and a few odd chairs, and my chief. I stood to attention in front of him, for several moments he looked straight at me, without speaking-then handed me a file of papers, remarking: "You can learn your instructions in Colonel C.’s room, please return the file as soon as possible.’ . He then relaxed, stood up, offered: me his hand, saying, ‘Good-bye and God bless you.’ "What a change in Colonel C.’s room, clerks in and out like flies. mans.on (Continued. on page 24.)

What promises to be one of the most interesting series of talks yet broadcast by 2YA was inaugurated last Tuesday by Major John Lewis, an ex-member of Britain’s Secret \ Service. : Major Lewis, whose talks will deal with some of his stirring adventures whilst engaged in secret service ashore and afloat, is probably one of the most highly decorated officers in New Zealand. AHis honours include the Mons Star, the Military Cross, the Legion of Honour of ' France, Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre with Palm, Order of the Golden White Eagle of Serbia, Silver Cross of St. George of Russia, and the Service and Victory Medals. His first talk, which proved all too | short for listeners, is here reproduced. Subsequent talks by Major Lewis, at 9.2 p.m. each Tuesday, will be: October 18: "The submarine’ menace in the Mediterranean and seas adjacent to Greece and Macedonia." October 25: "Adventures in Ru- | mania, Turkey and Egypt." Lees

Madame and her Daughter re ee ee

(Continued from page 6.)

walls and tables being gazed at by silent, stern men, some I knew, others strange to me. What was to be thet: task? There was none to say, each man a different journey, many to their death, and what a bleak death! { found a desk and maps and memorised my instructions; so far nothing much had been allotted me; 1 was to get in touch with Captain Clementi Smith, R-H., and Captain Le: froy, a wireless expert, proceed with them via -Southampton to Le Havre the following night. Smith came in about ten minutes after and came straight to me-a very cheerful chaphis father was chaplain to the Lord Mayor of London. We exchanged greetings, and he then made an ap‘pointment for the next day. We were to travel by car to Southampton. The day of the great adventure was glorious-the 4th of August-and as the ear glided through England’s beautiful country, I whispered a prayer that war should never come here to mar this peacefulness. Here’s Southampton-exciicment is everywhere-people are rushing the stores to stock their larders, against what? Others are going about with a dazed look, and yet others are marching in mufti to barracks or recruiting depots-a band is playing somewhere. The trip across the Channel was a cocktail in comparison with the drive and bustle down. We arrived at Le Havre about 1 a.m. on August 5, and’ disembarked, We were greeted by a cheering mob of French interpreters who were billeted in very large glass waiting-rooms on the pier. These chaps were to be allocated later to she British Army. Unfortunately we had made a faux pas and changed into uniform on the trip over, with the result that the mob besieged us as we passed through the town on our way to the main post office. It took us hours to arrive at our destination, and even there they surrounded the building, cheering © and singing. We showed ourselves on the paleony, more cheers mingled with the "Marseillaise,’? and "God Save the King"’ What a morning. Here Smith had to take over the wires from the French. I didn’t envy him hi: job.: Lefroy and self are to proceed via Paris to Maubeuge. I am to await G.H.Q. at Le Cateau, my job in the interim is to check up the local population and the migrating refugees for possible spies. My direct superior is Lieut.-Colonel Zopp, of the French Secret Service, and a very hard’ taskmaster I found him, The area was teemine with spies, using the cloak of flee-

ing refugees and so passed freely to and fro. Much of my work in this direction was hindered by the G.V.C.’s-the gentlemen of the Armlets-old French Territorials. They would stop all and sundry causing much confusion. I am sure that many could not read the passes or permits that were submitted. Their examination consisted of turning it round and round looking about as intelligent as a Newfoundland puppy; but it seemed to satisfy them if they saw some kind of official stamp. Later on their duties were taken over by the gendarmes. N arrival of the British G.H.Q. at Te Cateau I caught my first spy or spies. A cafe across the square from the school-house in which the staff had their headquarters displayed a notice in English that "Afternoon tea and other English meals could be had." The

cafe was run by a Flemish woman of the name of Donan and her daughter, who spoke fluent English. The girl, had been a music teacher in London. The cafe was hailed with delight by the staff and young bloods, most of their spare time was spent there singing, eating and drinking, the girl mingling at the tables, chaffing and making friends all round. I used to sit at a table near the door so that I could have the room under view. I made friends with the mother through acting as M.C. for the singsongs. It was a gay place, talk and laughter ruled-too much talk I am afraid-officers seemed to take a delight in discussing the details of their job. M* attention was drawn to Mademoiselle in this direction. She could generally be found sitting at

the table with these officers, listening to their yarns. I noticed her concentration and questioning, so kept the gir! and mother under close observation. ONE afternoon, a slack one in the cafe, I was having tea, and they came and sat down at my table and started to yarn about the terrible business of war, and their poor country, all mingled with questions: Did I think that the English would get up in time to help the French? It was so nice to see them in their smart uniforms. Did I think that England could send many soldiers? What were the names of those smart officers and generals? What regiments were now in France, and to what part of France were they being sent? Did I think that they would have the joy of seeing them? And a hundred and one leading questions to which I gave elaborate and imaginary answers.

The cafe now became busy, so 1 was left to my thoughts. I noticed a Captain X. whom the girl seemed keen on, so after he had tea I followed him out and asked him to come along with me to my chief, where I disclosed my suspicions. Captain X. was ordered to make himself popular with the couple, and a story was concocted for him to tell. That yery night we were in luck: he was invited to supper after the cafe had closed. Next morning I was keen to hear his news. He informed me that they had given him a royal feast, and, after the mother had begged to be excused, the daughter started shyly to make love to him. He said that he had a very uncomfortable time of it, but played his part. After some fooling round, when the girl quite thought he was in love with her, she started asking questions mingled with kisses. X. gave her the details that we had arranged, making a great show with pencil and paper. These he conveniently left behind.

OW came my task to find out to what use all the information that they had gleaned had been put. I thought over many schemes till I had a headache, and went to bed with it. Next morning I had a brain-wave, so ‘seeking out several bright sparks I suggested to them that they arrange a grand sing-song at the cafe that night, so off they went to inform madam. In the interim I made a survey of the outside of the building, which was a two-story one. As soon as the concert was well under way, and madam was busy with. her cups, and mademoiselle luckily at the piano, I made my way to the back of the house, then taking off my boots I started to climb up a pipe that led under a window. This was no easy task, and my poor toes were sore for weeks after. Hanging on to a ledge I tried the window. Luck again, it opened. and in I climbed. I found that I was in a storer oom of sorts. I was determined to search the place thoroughly, and if I found nothing, to investigate the cafe and ground floor after they had gone to bed. Tk. first room I came to I drew a blank, as well as the next. Then I came to what turned out to be madam’s room. Here I put my hands on to what I was looking for. She had hidden them in the pillow-slip on the bed. I made 2 thorough search through the papers, and what do you think I found? Well, the pencil sketches, notes of Captain X., a mass of other information in condensed form on special paper-also rings for carrier pigeons and instructions from secret agents in Belgium as to information wanted. It seemed that madam was. getting ready to dispatch her information. I collared the lot and made my way down the pipe. In the yard I discovered the pigeons in a,shed. JI then went back .to my chief, and after a hurried consultation-as time was .drawing near for the eafe to close-I arranged to have a guard thrown round the house. My chief and self joined

at once the rest of the crowd. We re mained until closing time, then waited behind till we were left to ourselves. , My chief walked up to madam and her © daughter,. s2ying, "I am very sorry, I must place you both under, arrest. Will you please come with me?" They looked very dazed, then madam, who was made of sterner stuff, started to go for me. Phe chief blew his whistle, and the guard came in. They were then marched away. I only saw them for a moment after that. We handed them over to the French, with all documentary evidence. The French have a very short way with spies, and next day they faced a firing pary. I was told afterward that they met their death with bravery. I am glad it was not our fellows who had to carry out this task. The British do not ‘like shooting women, and from record you will not find a single case. There were only three women spies who were: sentenced in England-one to ten years, she dying in an asylumone to life, she later to an asylum. and I am not sure what the other got.