KV 2/24 KV 2/25 KV 2/26
Jakobs (Jacobs) Josef (Joseph)
This file series starts a bit dull, but in the course of development, it becomes more and more intriguing. One thing becomes clear: that this case becomes increasingly interesting, and matters are not entirely as it first looked.
A German was dropped in the night of 31st February 1941 over South East England, and was immediately immobilised owing to a broken ankle. Which Jacobs (Jakobs), already explained, but which was not believed by the British that it actually was caused within the procedure of leaving the aircraft. We may consider, that he possessed no parachute springing at all!
Towards the end of this file secrets enfold in a way unexpectedly, by the interrogation in 1946 of Major Ritter, of former I L of Ast-X, in Hamburg. This puts me in: the necessity of reconsidering Ritter’s files again, but now concentrating on the Drueke – Vera and Waelti’s cases again. As Major Ritter alias Dr. Rantzau - played a decisive role in the latter affairs!
What is of some interest, is, that exceptionally Jacobs (Jakobs) was in contrast to many others considered being a military person and therefore did not went to a criminal Court but went through Court Martial. He was convicted to death, but not hung, though he was executed at the Tower on 15 August 1941.
As always, the text passages selections are my choices; comments of all sort are recognisable due to the blue, red and seldom green colours used.
Its purpose is for studying only, therefore please do not multiply its content, as some still obeys to Crown Copyright.
By Arthur O. Bauer
KV 2/24 Jakobs Josef PF 55039
KV 2/24-1, page 8
It is possible that one or more enemy parachutist may have landed within the following areas between 1900 hrs and 2000 hours on 31.1.41
Mablethorpe inland to Scampton thence to Newark, then Bottesford, Wittering, Huntingdon, to Duxford, back to the North Weald.
Special Areas.
South to Dungeness excludes to Kent east of line Whitstable to Sandgate, (1) Lincoln suburban area east of the town least probable. (2) triangle Sleaford, Digby, Grantham, (3) Stowmarket to Newmarket to Braintree (4) St. Albans, Hatfield, North Weald.
Police informed through Home Security.
B.2a. 1.2.41
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KV 2/24-1, page 9
I was rung up this morning by Mr. Hughes of the Cambridge Regional Office, who told me that Major Dixon was just leaving for Ramsey, Hunts, to pick up a parachutist who, it was subsequently learnt, had been dropped on the night of 31.1.41 at 9 p.m., roughly the position where he was dropped is two miles S.E. of Ramsey at Dogs Farm, … He had on him £500 and a wireless transmitting set. Unfortunately the prisoner’s ankle is broken. Arrangements have been made with Major Steins at Ham, to receive the prisoner, and it was arranged that Major Dixon should have him sent to Canon Raw, according to the normal procedure.
In view of the fact that the prisoner’s ankle is broken, he cannot be taken into Ham before being looked at by a medical officer and before his ankle has been put in Plaster of Paris. I accordingly, got into touch with Special Branch Inspector Tansley, and asked them to warm Cannon Row that this man would be arriving at ??Police Surgeon to be present. I have also ??? the Ministry of Information through Mr. Shepherd, to ?? to stop notice of the press. Art the same time, I have asked Mr. Hughes of Cambridge, to warm the local Ministry of Information – representative to keep an eye on the local press. Unfortunately, it appears that a great number of people already know about this. T.A. Robertson (TAR) B.2.a. (M.I.5) 1.2.41 KV 2-24/1, page 19
D.D.G.S.S.
This is a rather curious query demanding an urgent answer. The parachutist Josef Jakobs has been in hospital for about eight weeks+ at the end of this time he was taken to Ham, but immediately had a relapse and had to be taken back to hospital again. During his stay in hospital he has had several operations.
Are we to bear the cost of these, together with his general hospital expenses at the rate quoting. It seems rather hard that we should. On the other hand, it seems still harder that the Metropolitan Police should, It almost seems to me something for the Ministry of Health.
May I have instructions, please.
B.2. (M.I.5.) D.G White 7.4.41 ↓ KV 2/24-1, page 20
PF 55039/B.2 10th April, 1941.
Dear Sir,
Your letter, reference Assessment-B.R.E.R. 136222, dated 29.3.41, to the Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, concerning the case of Josef Jakobs has been referred to this Department as the expenses herein referred to will be borne by us.
I shall be grateful, therefore, if you will kindly render your account to me at the above address for the full cost of Jakobs´ treatment, which I note is at the rate of £4 Is. 2d. per week.
Yours faithfully,
(D.G. White) The local Social Welfare Officer, London County Council, Area Office, 29 Peckham Road, S.E. 5.
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KV 2/24-1, page 34
Please digest the content yourself Dulwich Hospital (9037) East Dulwich Grove S.E. 22 ↓
KV 2/24-1, page 51
Major Stephens (Camp 020) spoke to me and said that this alien, who had landed in Cambridge by parachute and had broken his ankle, had been sent to Ham, but had been transferred from there to Dulwich Hospital. Jakobs had been re-transferred from there to ham about 3 days ago. He had now started to run a temperature and it appeared important that his foot which was still in plaster of paris should be attended to by a surgeon. Major Stephens accordingly suggested that he should be transferred to Brixton Prison. I spoke to Brigadier Harker who agreed that the best course would appear to be to have him transferred to Brixton Prison. So far as the actual transfer to the prison was concerned, Ham Common said that they would see to this. I spoke to the Governor of Brixton Prison and explained the position and he agreed that, under the circumstances, he would be prepared to take Jakobs in at the Prison Hospital.
B.8. 1.4.41 R.K.D. Renton
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KV 2/24-1, page 80
↓ Interrogation of Josef Jakobs at Dulwhich Hospital By Wing Commander Felkin Lieut Sampson In German. Date: 12.3.41 Jakobs said that the aeroplane in which he was brought to England was a specially constructed Junkers with two motors. The officer in charge of the plane was Oberleutnant Marke and the pilot was a young man called Leutnant Müller. There was also a Feldwebel, whose name Jakobs did not hear. He had never seen these men until he arrived at the aerodrome of Schiphol. He was conducted there by Major Malten.
The aeroplane flew at 10,000 meters. The engines were then shut off and the plane glided down to 3,000 m from which height Jakobs was dropped. He was dropped through a trapdoor, which was extremely narrow. He had one leg hanging out for a minute or two before he could get through the trapdoor and the wind hurled his foot against the plane and it was on this occasion that it was broken.
He did not know what route was followed and saw nothing after entering in the plane. In the plane he seated in a cramped space with the parachute on his back and the wireless apparatus attached in front, so that he was unable to move. Ten minutes after the start he began to use oxygen and continued to do so until he was dropped. The plane was electrically heated, as was also the crew’s clothing. His own clothing was not heated. It was extremely cold in the plane.
He waited at the Hague for three weeks for suitable weather. Weather reports apparently came in between 5 and 6 o’clock in the evening, as he was obliged to stay at his hotel at this time of the day. At 6 o’clock Major Malten informed him each day that he could not start and was free for the evening until the last day, when he was told that he would start the same evening. On the night when he started there was no wind and it was raining.
Before starting, he was given a choice of coming by aeroplane, cutter or submarine and chose the aeroplane, because he was attacked by the adventure. It was the first time he had been in an aeroplane, so that he had not previously had the opportunity of using a parachute. He was told that this was usual, as the first descent by parachute always succeeded and any trial descent would likely to cause nervousness.
He was told that the same aeroplane had dropped two or three persons previously. He was also told that there had been previous occasion where the same plane had taken parachutists as many as three times without dropping them, because the conditions were found to be unfavourable.
B.L.(a). 12.3.41 G. Simpson
GS (G Simpson)/ RS (R Shepherd) /FHL
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KV 2/24-1, page 82
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CX/12…./99, dated 12.3.41. (CX points at M.I.6) VB7
My dear White (M.I.5),
Reference B.L. report dated 1.3.41 with statement by Lilly Knips,
We have no trace of the persons mentioned except a possible trace of Goldstein, who Jacobs alleged was a specialist in obtaining bogus French passports. Our Belgian representative reported in March, 1938, that there existed in Brussels at that time an organisation, probably with Communist connections, which produced false British, French, Czech and other national passports and deposited of them for money. This organisation was said to have a representative in London named Goldstein. The leader of the gang in Brussels was said to be a Pole named Zajf.
We (M.I.6) have another trace of Joseph, reported in September 1937 by the French authorities to have been born on 16.03.1905 at Chist in Czechoslovakia. He was one of several “vertitables practiciens de la fraude”.
Owing to the fact that Goldstein is such a very common Jewish name, it is not possible to say whether either of these is identical with Jakobs’ Goldstein.
Your sincerely,
Addressed to: D.G. White, Esq., M.I.5.
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KV 2/24-2, page 37
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Memorandum.
Major Stephens: (Camp 020):
RE Jakobs.
I spoke again this morning to DR. Roberts about this man, and the report he gives me is as follows:
A day or two ago one of the complications of his bronchopneumonia, an acute septic condition arose in the neighbourhood of the fracture. This is of such a nature that Dr, Roberts’ opinion, in the view of Jakobs’ poor state of general health, it would be most dangerous to transfer him.
An operation is being performed on the septic condition in the neighbourhood of the fracture, and Dr. Roberts suggest that I telephone again on Monday morning to hear his report. I explained that we had not Nursing Orderly, who was competent to do any dressing under my supervision, and I emphasised to Dr. Roberts the importance of having Jakobs here at the earliest possible moment.
I wish to make it clear that humanitarian considerations have nothing whatever to do with the decision of Dr. Roberts, in which I concur, that it is inadvisable to transfer this man until the general state of his health is better than it is at present time. To transfer him now might well jeopardise his survival, and thus destroy his usefulness for intelligence purposes.
(signed) Dr. Harold Dearden*
B.L. 27.2.41
HD (Harold Dearden)/ JL
* We know dr. Dearden of the Vera case series.
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KV 2/24-2, page 64
B.2.a (Major Robertson To B.2
Please see the attached extract from the minutes of the last XX Committee (Double Cross Commission also dealt with S.O.E. matters). As you will see, the Air Ministry are particularly anxious to find out whether in fact Jakobs injured himself when he was leaving the plane.
Wing Commander Byron knows, of course, the contents of the Snow (German code- name Jonny, real name Arthur Owens) message in which you will remember they asked him to find out whether the man they had landed 30 miles south of Peterborough was alright as they suspected that he had hurt himself on leaving the machine. It is, of course, this latter fact that must not be disclosed to Jakobs in cross examination.
22.2.41 Signature TAR
(AOB, rather significant in my perception, as it proves (indicates) that Jakobs indeed herd himself during his leaving the Junkers aircraft before his parachute drop)
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KV 2/24-3, page 43
↓ Huntingdonshire Constabulary
Ramsey Section Norman Cross Division Date 4th February, 1941. Sir, Parachute landing by Enemy Agent, at Dovenhouse Farm, Ramsey, 31st January, 1941. I have to report that at 8.50 0850 hours (8-50 a..m.) on Saturday, 1st February, 1941, a telephone message was received at Ramsey Police Station, from Mr. Harry Godfrey, of Wistow Fen Farm, Wistow, who reported that an injured parachutist, believed to be an enemy Agent, had been discovered of two members of the home Guard. I immediately forwarded the information to A/Sergt. E. Pottle, Bury and to Captain W.H. Newton, Officer Commanding the Ramsey Company, Home Guard. These officers and others at once proceeded to the scene of the discovery and at 0945 hours (9-45 a.m.) Captain Newton returned to the Police Station where he handed to me £487 in £1 Bank of England notes- One Mauser Automatic Pistol and seven and seven rounds of ammunition for the same in a cardboard box.- A brown leather wallet containing a Ration Book No. C.A. 567927, an Identity Card market 656/301/29, with the name James Rymer thereon. The address of the holder was given as follows:- London, 33 Abbotsford Gardens, Woodford Green, signed James Rymer and dated 4th June, 1940. The wallet also contained a blank Identity Card and a picture post card on which was written in English “My dear I love you for ever, Yours Clara”.- One packet of minced meat sandwiches.- A portion of brown sausages.- A small bottle containing spirit,- A metal crash helmet and a bluish coloured attaché case size 18”x 13”x 7” ( 5 x 33 x 17.7 cm) which contained a wireless a wireless transmitting set. Capt Newton explained that most of the articles were on the person of a parachutist he had recently seen at Dove House farm, Ramsey, and the wireless set had been discovered partly buried in the soil nearby.
At 1015 hours (10-15 a.m.) the same day a person who gave the name of Joseph Jacobs arrived at Ramsey Police Station, together with a Large Camouflaged parachute and harness, in charge of Volunteer James Harry Godfrey and other members of the Home Guard.
A quick examination of the person revealed that he was suffering from a leg injury and I summoned the assistance of Doctor Willem Hertzog of Ramsey, who arrived at the Police Station in a very short time and reported that the prisoner had sustained a broken right ankle.
I put a few brief questions to the injured person, he did not speak good English and I formed the opinion hw was an Enemy Agent. He was thoroughly searched and the following additional articles were found in the clothing:- Five £1 bank of England Notes.- One touring map of Great Britain.- One automatic cigarette lighter marked K.W.- One propelling pencil.- One packet of 20 Cordon Rouge American Blend, No. 3525 cigarettes.- One pair of spectacles in blue leather case marked Optiker – Ruhnke.
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KV 2/24-3, page 44
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Two packets of “Jonker” produce Chocolate.- One small tube of capsules.- One Roman Catholic Badge.- One wrestle watch marked Zeka Wettiggedep.- One brown leather purse with zip fastener.- One blue leather note case with chain guard attached.- One pocket knife marked “Swing”.- One blue German-English Dictionary marked Metoula Sprachführer.- 2½ cent piece.- One new pair of grey socks.- One pair of ear pads.- Two keys.- One new coloured handkerchief.- One electric torch.- and one cigarette holder.- A small hand spade 15 inches long and several scraps of paper were later found in a field at Dove House Farm, Ramsey, and handed in by A/Sergt. Pottle.
The Mauser Automatic was examined and found to contain to live cartridges.
The descriptions of the person in custody is as follows.- Age 42 years, height 5’9”” brown hair turning grey, brown eyes, pale complexion, clean shaven, hollow cheeks, full set of false dentures with three gold teeth in lower jaw. No visible marks or scars. Very slight build.
Dress:- Grey stripped lounge suit, light grey herring-bone overcoat, blue trilby hat “Helium” make, blue woollen socks, black shoes, spats with zip fasteners, three woollen pullovers, one top shirt, semi stiff collar and tie, two under vests and two woollen scarves. All the above articles with the exception of the trilby hat were being worn under a light brown parachute suit.
Major Dixon, of Box 500. Regional Staff Office. Cambridge, arrived at 12 noon, and, and at 3-30 p.m. accompanied by Det. Sergt. Milles Huntington, this officer escorted the prisoner and his property to London.
All persons likely to give any useful information regarding the parachutist have been interviewed and copies of statements are attached.
A complete list including all articles found in the prisoner’s possession, together with these found at or near the spot where he was first discovered are set out on a separate sheet and forwarded herewith.
A/Inspector Mr. Supt R. Hodson, Stanground.
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KV 2/24-3, page 64
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3rd February, 1941.
Dear Sir Sylvanus,
You will be interested to hear that a very recent visitor (Josef Jakobs), to this country had in his possession an Identity Card by the name of James Rymer, of 33 Abbotsford Gardens, Woodford Green, London, hearing the number 656/301/29.
The particulars of the original were supplied to the other side on 12th December last (1940), with the exception that the letters Araj took the place of the figures 656. The particulars supplied to the other side were genuine, and it is a matter for speculation why our opponents have thought fit to make any alternation.
The visitor also had also in his possession a blank Identity Card which together with the completed card will be submitted to you for examination as soon as they can be spared. I can say now, however, that this card, apart from the substitution of numbers for letters, is a great advance on previous efforts.
Our visitor also had a traveller’s ration Book with the number CA 567927, which appears to be identical with others of the same type.
Yours sincerely,
(Sd) T.A. Robertson (TAR of M.I.5)
Sir Sylvanus Vivian, C.B. (Special Branch ?) Somerset House.
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KV 2/24-3, page 65
↓ Metropolitan Police
Special Branch Josef Jakobs 1st February 41.
I was present this day at 6.30 pm. At Cannon Row Police Station in company with P.C. Templeman when Josef Jakobs, as German, was interrogated by major Robertson (TAR) of M.I.5).
This man had been dropped by parachute from a German Junkers Aeroplane on 31st January, but on landing near Ramsey, Hunts, sustained a broken right ankle. He attracted attention by firing fourteen rounds with his pistol and was taken into custody by police and brought to Cannon Row Police Station by Major Dixon of M.I.5 and Detective Sergeant Mills of the hunts Constabulary. Owing to Jakobs’ injury it was not possible to move him to Ham Interment Camp (020) and at 7.30 pm he was examined by Divisional Surgeon, Dr. Marran, who advised his immediate removal to hospital. Arrangements were made by Major Robertson for him to be received at Brixton Prison Hospital and he was taken there by Army Ambulance at 10.30 pm. (body receipt attached).
Jakobs volunteered a statement and as the Divisional Surgeon considered fit enough to make one, this was taken in English by Major Robertson, P.C. Templeman assisting as interpreter. In this Jakobs states that he was a German and was born at Luxemburg on 30th June 1898. he joined the Luftwaffe in March 1940 and was attached to Wetternachrichtenabteilung 5, General?, Hamburg (Meteorological Department) as an Unter Offizier (N.C.O.). On 8 January 1941, he was sent to The Hague and at 8.pm. 31st January 1941 he was flew in a Junkers two-engined aeroplane from Schiphol Aerodrome and at 9.pm. he was dropped over England. His orders were to send weather messages to Germany by wireless transmitter he had with him.
He stated that he was a member of the German Catholic Party and an anti-Nazi and he considered it a means of getting out of Germany and intended to make his to his aunt in America. The only person he knows in England is a Jewish-Frau Lilli Knips of 9, Company Gardens, N.W.7, whom he had met in Germany in 1938.
Among his possessions were two Identity Cards, one blank and one in the name of – James Rymer, 33, Abbotsford Gardens, Woodford Green, London, registration number 656/301/29; traveller’s ration book (blank) number CA 567927; 497 in £1 Bank of England notes; transmitting set. All his property was taken by M.I.5.
There is no trace of Frau Knips in Special Branch Registry.
Submitted Inspector PS Superintendent
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KV 2/24-3, page 66
↓ Cannon Row Station “A” Division 1st day of February 1941
Name Josef Jakobs.
Statement “I have been cautioned by Major Robertson (TAR) that anything I say will be taken down in writing and may be given evidence. I wish to make a voluntary statement.” (sgd J. Jakobs. “I am Josef Jakobs, a German subject, born 30th June 1898 in Luxemburg and lived there for the first five years of my life, when I went to Germany and lived in Berlin. From 1920 to 1923 I lived in Buenos Aires and learned dentistry. I returned to Germany in June 1923 where I practised as a dentist in Berlin until 1933 with my wife, who was also a dentist. After I was unemployed for two years. For one year I was engaged is selling typewriters. In 1937 I was selling books. I then went into business as money changer for the Jews leaving Germany, On 10th October, 1938, I was put out of business by the Gestapo for dealing with Jews and put into a concentration camp, where I remained until March 1940. I then joined the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and was in the Wetternachrichtenabteilung 5, General?, Hamburg. I was an Unteroffizier (N.C.O.). My principle was Hauptmann Dr. Beier (Beyer), but I do not believe this is his right name. I left Hamburg 8th January 1941 in a Junkers two-engined machine with three other people. At 9 p.m. I was ordered to jump from 3,000 metres. This was my first jump by parachute and the first time I had flown in an aeroplane. I knew that I was flying → ”flying over England.
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KV 2/24-3, page 67
Josef Jakobs. → “flying/ over England. I broke my ankle (AOB, according to forgoing information via Snow was received a German query indicating that Jakobs’ injury was rightly suffered when leaving the aircraft) on landing and spent the night covered by my parachute. (this indicates that he was not hiding but sheltering under his parachute) At 9.30 a.m. this morning I fired eight rounds with my pistol to attract attention. (AOB, considering that Jakobs was shot at the Tower and the comments why the Meier-Waldberg; Kieboom and Pons have not waved attention as to may have signalled instantly their surrender to British authorities. We may rightly assume: that what was stated in the Meier and companions was false as they would have been executed anyway!) Half an hour later I fired six more rounds, when two men came and found me. I asked them for help. The only person I know in England is Frau Lilli Knips, 9 Company Gardens, N.W.7. I have one son and two daughters living with my wife in Berlin at 124 Rudolfstädter Strasse (AOB, a search in the Berlin telephone directory a search Jakobs gibt es nicht nur Jacobs; and the address isn’t found. Though they might already have been divorced and his former wife might have used her own name)
I was a member of the German Catholic Party and an anti-Nazi. I was ordered to go over to England with a wireless set and transmitter and send weather messages back to Germany by wireless, I considered this means of getting out of the country (Germany) and intended making my way to an aunt in America”.
KV 2/24-3, page 68
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3rd February, 1941.
Dear Rawlinson,
I am enclosing a copy of the first interrogation of Josef Jakcobs who landed by parachute in this country on 31.1.41. I have been in touch with Wing Commander Felkin (M.I.9.a) and gave him a brief outline of the points with which he is directly concerned. He told me that he had nine members of the G.A.F. who came from Schiphol Aerodrome and belonged to K.G. 30. As you see Jacobs came from Schiphol and in view of the possible connection you may like to pass this report on to Felkin to see. If Felkin would like to come himself or send an officer to ham (them) to interview Jacobs, this can be arranged,
Yours sincerely,
T.A. Robertson (TAR) (M.I.5.) (Major)
Major Rawlinson. M.I.9.a, c/o/ P.A. to B.M.I. Room 321 War Office KV 2/24-3, page 70
On his discharge from Camp Jacobs continued his practice of an estate agent until September, when he was called up for military service and detailed to the Meteorological Information Section of the Air Force. During this time he was taught morse and wireless transmission and reception in Hamburg. This instruction was apparently given to him by the notorious Petersen of No. 11 Stechelhorn, Hamburg, the instructor of previous parachutists. On 8th January 1941 Jacobs was sent to The Hague for further training. Here he was given special instruction in the weather reporting by an N.C.O. (Uffz.) named Schulz. It was from Schiphol airport, The Hague (Amsterdam), that Jacobs was flown to England on the night of January 31st.
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KV 2/24-3, page 72
Sir Alexander Maxwell rang up to say that he had been informed by the Medical Officer at Brixton Prison that Josef Jacobs must be transferred to a hospital and operated on at once if his leg is to be saved. The obvious place for this was in his opinion Dulwich Hospital. Sir Alexander wished to know how this would affect our plans (as a Double Cross?). I said that we held it to be necessary that he should be as much as possible isolated and that probably someone should be on constant watch at his bedside. Providing these conditions could be covered, we obviously could not object to his being removed to a place where an operation was feasible.
Sir Alexander then raised the question of what powers the man was being held under. I explained that he claimed himself to be a German national and therefore would appear that he could be held under the Royal Prerogative. Sir Alexander assented to this.
B.2. (M.I.5) 3.2.41
(Sir Alexander Maxwell, K.C.B. C.B.E., Home Office
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KV 2/24-3, page 78
4.In my consideration opinion Jacobs, properly handled, may prove a useful double-cross agent and I think it would be a mistake to reject him as such merely because of his apparently despicable (appalling) character. ….. Please digest the rest yourself. KV 2/24-3, page 81
c)The identity of the woman whose photograph was found in his belongings with the love message on the back, signed Clara, Landau, July 1940 The woman’s name was Bauerle of Ulm. Austrian, attached to Bernards Itay’s dance band. She was a singer by profession of German nationality and Jacob’s mistress. She had never been in England. (see KV 2/24-3, page 33)
Codes, transmitting time, etc.
Jacobs had a disc code, no. 9, key letter “J” which he tore up and threw away. A part of it was recovered, His emergency code was based on the words “Marinesoldat and Winterhilfswerk”. His call sign was “MUZ” and his receiving sign “ILC”. It is extremely difficult to give a comprehensive explanation in writing, but the system can easily be shown to a member of B.2.a. (M.I.5) His transmitting times were 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. British Summer Time. He is not quite certain of these times but the hours are given on his machine, His frequencies were 6,000 and 4,000 kHz. B.L. 2.2.41 KV 2/24-3, page 74
In this connection Wing Commander Felkin, M.I.9 has informed us that he has nine prisoners recently captured from GAF machined all of whom had come from Schiphol on whether reporting flights and all of whom were attached to KG 30.
It is of interest that the Identity Card carried by Jacobs is in all respect identical with a card of which particulars were sent over by Snow in December, with the exception that the first three figures have been substituted for the letters ARAJ. The original genuine card belongs to a man shoes house has been destroyed by bombs, and thus complied with the conditions laid down by messages received by SNOW (Arthur Owens in his Double Cross Functioning).
B.2.a. 2.2.41
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KV 2/25-2, page 5
Name Bauerle Klara Sophis
Nationality German
Born 29.6.1906 in Stuttgart
Arrived UK 20.10.30 Left UK 22.1.32 Re-entered 22/2/32
Registration District Warwick Shins?
Remarks To Germany 21/6/32
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KV 2/25-2, page 6
Josef Jacobs.
Proposed Trial Under the Treachery Act. 1.In accordance with instructions I am submitting the case of Josef Jacobs for trial under the Treachery Act. I have selected this case in consultation with B.2. as Jacobs is not a member of a conspiracy and there is the additional advantage that “real evidence” is available in this instance.
2.Josef Jacobs was born in Luxemburg on 30.6.1898 and left that town for Berlin in 1905. he was educated at Dominican Monastery at Vechta, Oldenburg, and volunteered for the Army as a schoolboy in 1914. In 1917 he received the iron Cross 2nd Class and in 1918 was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class. . At the age of 21 he took up the study dentistry in Berlin, and in 1921 he went to Buenos Aires to obtain his Doctor’s degree there. In 1925 he began to practise in Berlin and a year later he married a woman dentist called Margarete Knoeffler*. Jacobs gave up his practice in 1932 and started selling books and typewriters for living. In 1934 he was imprisoned in Switzerland on a charge of selling counterfeit gold. When he returned to Berlin in 1937 he engaged in the business of getting Jews and Jewish capital out of Germany, for which he was put in the Oranienburg Concentration Camp for 18 months. On his release in March, 1940, he joined the German Air Force and became Unteroffizier (N.C.O.) in the Wetternachrichtenabteilung (5) at Hamburg. Having been approached by the German Secret Service * Not found in the Berlin 1941 Telephone Directory, in our possession. KV 2/25-2, page 51
↓ Summary of interrogation of Josef Jacobs at Latchmere House (Camp 020) By Lieut. Sampson Date 25.4.41 Lt. Winn present In German. Jacobs said he had remembered Volpe’s and Rose’s Christian names, which were Max and Josef respectively. He remembered reading in the “Neue Züriger Zeitung” in 1935 that Rose had been deported from England on account of the suspected murder of a girl of 28, who had been found dead in a flat in London, but he could not be quite sure whether this was the same Rose. Rose had also been deported from Holland. Volpe was a very rich man and he had been responsible for advancing the money to cover the various naturalisations and he had paid Ziebell’s journeys to Amsterdam. Volpe had also been by aeroplane to Dublin with two other German refugees who lived in Amsterdam, presumably to see Lord Mayor with reference to naturalisations. Jacobs did not know whether the name Volpe was spelt with a “W” or a “V”. He did not know where Rose went when he was deported from Holland.
Jacobs said he remembered more about the “Aryanisation” of Jewish business. Ziebell was the official lawyer for the Jews in this connection. Under one scheme connected with the transfer of Jewish business, heavy spar was exported to Holland and sold from there to England, through a bank in Holland. The overhead expenses were calculated at a very high rate, so that the foreign currency paid into the Clearing Institute was lower than it should be. (AOB, Clearing was an institution, in which between states the currency exchange was handled. Often, butter for coal, likewise. Resulting: was that actually foreign currency was kept in reserve, for essential trading, where Clearance did not work effectively). The Jews were normally employed by the Bank in Holland, which paid them 800 Gulden a month out of this balance, until they had received 20% of the value of the business transferred.
Jacobs was asked when his anti-Nazi organisation was formed and replied that he believed it was at the beginning of 1937. The organisation, however, only became very active after the war had started. Jacobs got into touch with them about 14 days after he had left the concentration camp. He had heard about the organisation in the camp, from one of the other prisoners. He first refused to give this man’s name, as he did not want to get people connected with this organisation into trouble. He was told that if he did not answer this and all other questions he must accept the consequences. Jacobs then asked if he had a chance of working for the English here, The interrogation officer told him that he had a chance, but that he also an equal chance of being executed as a German spy. Eventually he said that he would reply to all questions.
Jacobs said that the man in the concentration camp who had recommended him to this organisation was a Jew called Loewenstein, who a dealer in textiles. Jews and Aryans always worked together in a concentration camp, but lived apart. They all trusted one another because they were all anti-Nazi, and that was why Loewenstein had recommended him to get in touch with Dr. Bergas, a Jewish lawyer who had been Captain (Hptm.) in the last war (1914-‘18) Bergas was on the committee of this anti-Nazi organisation. Bergas was not allowed to practise his profession as he was a Jew. Jacobs believed that he had some sort of business in a bank specially dealing with mortgages. Bergas lived on transactions with Jews, such as the sale of property to Aryans, which was allowed if the buyers did not belong to the (Nazi) Party. Ziebell had suffered because he was a member of the party while still having business transactions with Jews.
The anti-Nazi organisation had no special name. There were ten people on the committee, but Jacobs did not know their names because he had only come into contact with dr. Begas. The organisation had a membership of about 60/70,000. The society communicated with the various members by courier and no instructions were ever written down. The chief object of the society was to get rid of Hitler, Goering, Goebbels, Hess and Himmler. Himmler, after Hitler was →the most hated man in Germany, especially by the military, because he had made the S.S. into a military organisation.
↓ KV 2/25-2, page 81
Asked the address of the Dienststelle at Hamburg, Jacobs said it was in General Knochenhauerstrasse and he believed the telephone number to be 221692. When as for this number, the reply was “Generalkommando”, and he then asked for Dr. Beier. Jacobs stated that Malten (alias of Beier) gave him the telephone number of the Diensstelle at the Hague, and he said that he believed he had put it down in a small notebook that he brought with him.
Concerning his military service, Jacobs stated that he was conscripted in March, 1940, and after three days was discharged on account of the question of his imprisonment in Switzerland. This question had not been cleared up by September, when he joined the Nachrichtendienst. He had informed Dr. Beier of the circumstances, and had given in his military pass (Wehrpass). It was not for the Nachrichtendienst to decided whether or not this imprisonment should be disqualify him for military service, however, as that was for the Wehrkommando at Wilmersdorf in Berlin to decide, but Dr. Beier was obliged to inform Wilmersdorf that Jacobs was serving in the Nachrichtendienst and the Kommando could not transfer him from the Nachrichtendienst to any other service.
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KV 2/26, page 2
12.09.1989 before the fall of the iron curtain in Western Europe Please digest its content yourself ↓
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KV 2/26, page 29
Josef Jacobs’ transmitter I suppose that Josef set originate from the one who had brought it into the country.
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KV 2/26, page 30
Please digest its content yourself AOB: Apparently equal to the Vera set: Hence Type 92/3
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KV 2/26, page 31 + 32
↓ KV 2/26, page 38
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KV 2/26, page 42 + 43
↓ KV 2/26, page 43
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KV 2/26, page 53
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Personal Identification Name Jakobs (Jacobs), Josef
Status Occupation Dentist 1921 Activities Clerical work Buenos Aires on a farm 1925/32 Dentistry in Berlin 1932/34 Publisher’s firm and also represented Mercedes Typewriting Co. Berlin 1934/37 In Switzerland deported 1937/38 Connected with Jewish emigration business from Germany in Oranienburg concentration Camp for 18 months. 1940 Joined German Air Force 1941 Recruited by German Secret Service; received three weeks training at The Hague and left for England by aeroplane on 31.1.41; landed at Ramsey Cambridgeshire, Was to be used mainly for sending weather reports.
General notes Karel Richter (PF 60301) German Agent
Executed 15.8.41
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KV 2/26, page 59
PF 62876: Interrogation of Obstlt. Nikolaus Fritz Adolf Ritter
Jakobs. German dentist from Berlin found by Insp. Frischmuth (Stelle Bremen) and recruited for Abwehr late 1940 by Hptm. Boeckel I L Hamburg. Received training and mission in UK as for all other “Lena” men …; he received several hundred marks as payment while undergoing instructions. On completion of training his family was to receive RM 200 monthly. Jakobs (Jacobs), who had signed a contract form, and a complete set of identity and food ration cards. He was despatched to the UK by air early in December by Hptm. Gartenfeld (he became later the commanding officer of famous KG 200), Sonderführer OKW. Prisoner was never in contact with Jakobs (, but learned later through “X” that he had been apprehended and executed almost immediately after baling out of the aircraft over England.
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KV 2/26, page 66
24th August, 1942:
Dear Mrs. Lee, Josef Jakobs (Jacobs) Reference your J.9318 of 21.8.42, Jakobs (Jacobs) so far enjoys the distinction of being the only German subject who had been dealt with under the Treachery Act, and being a member of the German Army it was decided by the Attorney General that this case should be dealt with by the Court Martial rather than by criminal proceedings in the civil courts. This is, no doubt, the reason why you have no record of the final outcome of the case on your files, but if you are agreeable I will in future make a point of seeing that we notify you of any Treachery Act cases which we handle, and which are ultimately dealt with by the Military authorities.
Yours sincerely,
H.P. Milmo (M.I.5)
Mrs. K.G. Lee, Home Office. KV 2/26, page 95
Jakobs (Jacobs)/Richter 9.7.41
Dear Dick (White of M.I.5), I am writing to you personally as the subject is a secret intercept between Jakobs (Jacobs) and Richter of 1.7.41
The relevant extract in German, together with a translation, is attached and I think you will agree it justifies the including of Klärchen in our list of prospective enemy agents to this country. I asked Captain Sampson (M.I.5) to proceed further with the case and the summary of his interrogation of 8.7.41. is, I submit, decidedly informative.
Yours Robert.
B.L. RWS/RS (Robert ?) Enc. Secret intercept with translation.
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KV 2/26, page 98
Translation. Verbatim Extract of Association between Jakobs (Jacobs) and Richter. From German. 1.7.41 Serial No. 811. J. Did you ever read the telegram from Hiller? R. No, I never had it in my hands. J. A few hours after I had left in the aeroplane, left Hamburg, that is to say. Do you know that … lived in Jungfernstieg. Probably they didn’t show it to you. R ….In Hamburg I had my meteorological … and I also had under my care in Amsterdam. – J. Now I will tell you something. They told me all they could during January. That means I didn’t swallow it whole, but can you understand how they send these people over – under what pretext? So they would be here by June … in the middle of July, what they now … the journalists. A message was received in the Hague from Hamburg that Klärchen was coming too, Klara, Klara, who- R. They know that already, they know all about that. J. And then the Major (Ritter/Rantzau?) said to me: Now you work hard, because Klara is coming soon and I have heard that you will have an important job of work together and he said that I knew that the war would never be finished by June or August, for if they are now depending upon my working with … Termination Part I On 5 February 2020