White Notebook #2 1 Translation of original notes from KGB archive Files by Alexander Vassiliev (1993-1996) Translated by Steve Shabad, reviewed and edited by Alexander Vassiliev and John Earl Haynes (2007) [Pagination and formatting track the handwritten original notebook. Phrases in English in the original are italicized. Phrases that were transliterated from English to Russian in the original are in Arial font. Marginal comments in the left margin are chiefly page numbers from the archival file while those in the right margin are Vassiliev’s topic designations, his own comments, or notes to himself. Endnotes were added in translation.] ************************************************************************************************* File 70545 “Myrna” p. 3 “Complex” U.S. Shipping Corp. World Tourists “Complex” p. 9 Elizabeth Bentley was unknown to the Comintern. An inquiry was sent to the Comintern in November 1939 (p. 8). p. 19 “Clever Girl” established contact with “Pal” in March-April 1942. A cipher cable from Maxim “Pal” regarding this is dated 5.04.42. She was instructed to keep regular contact with him once or twice a month. p. 21 More precisely: Letter from NY to C 19.4.42 “Clever Girl” traveled to see “Pal” on 30 March 1942. “Sound” was forbidden to meet with “Pal” because of the investigation of the latter. p. 22 After that contact was maintained through Lud Ullmann, who would come to NY. Sometimes “Clever Girl” traveled to Wash. Now the station gets all the materials from Sound and Pal through Clever Girl, with whom “Sergey’s” wife, “Shura,” is in contact. “Shura” passes the materials to “Stock” or another operative. She doesn’t bring them to the consulate herself. p. 28 “Mer’s” account of his meeting with C.G. on 29.11.43 “Mer” “Helmsman” is “Nelly’s” uncle Helmsman- Nelly p. 26 “Mer” contacted “Clever Girl” through “Nelly.” p. 32 Mer told C.G. that the work with “Pal’s” group must continue. C.G. eagerly agreed. But when M. said that C.G. should introduce him in the future to “Pal,” C.G. protested, saying that “Pal” is afraid of extraneous people, that they fear Russians like the plague. “Here she was undoubtedly expressing “Sound’s” mentality.” p. 35 “Maxim” instructed Mer not to tell C.G. that they are Russian operatives. But none of those C.G. had previously met were able to create the impression that they were Americans. “To play this role, of course, it’s not enough just to know the language.” “She came to the meeting with me on the definite assumption that she was going to meet a Russian operative. We didn’t say anything about this, but her opinion in this regard was clear from several comments. For example, her reaction regarding a personal meeting with “Pal” and so forth. I spoke with her in the tone of a local businessman. After our more than two-hour discussion she was apparently left with a slightly unexpected and not altogether definite impression. Despite two unhelpful factors—her refusal to specify the amount of money she had taken from “Sound” and her negative reaction p. 36 regarding our personal meeting with “Pal”—she made a good impression on me. She’s an intelligent, sensible and mild-mannered woman. She gives the impression of a sincere person. Of course, the late “Sound’s” mentality has been incorporated into her psychology. I hope we’ll reach agreement with her in the spirit that we need.” White Notebook #2 2 p. 27 When M. asked C.G. how much money she had taken from So., she replied that she hadn’t counted it yet. M. realized that it was a significant sum. p. 28 All the money belonged to So. personally. He told C.G. that if something happened to him, she should turn it over to Boss. p. 44 C.G. and Dir (after leaving “Imperialist”) were in contact with Hare and Koch. So. and C.G. Hare, Koch knew them as “Mack” and “Pat.” p. 48 Note from “Mer” dated 17.12.43 [Re the notes and envelope that C.G. destroyed.] “She seems to be a very cautious and meticulous person. It’s odd that she destroyed an envelope of “Sound’s” without looking to see what was in it. The duty of friendship and devotion could explain this fact. “Nelly” once p. 49 remarked to me that if I told her to destroy my package in the event something happened to me, she would definitely carry out my order. For me personally, this kind of mentality is hard to digest.” p. 57 Message from Nelly dated 14.12.43 “Scott” The wife of Major John P. Reynolds (“Scott”) comes from the Fleischman family (owners of a yeast company). p. 59 “Pal” was very pleased to meet with a Sov. rep. (?) [“Pal’s” cover name for the Americans was Sam, So’s was John.] [“Muse” was Helen Tenney,1 a staff member in the Spanish department of the OSS. Sound knew her.] p. 60 C.G. doesn’t know that Nelly is Mer’s wife. To her Nelly is Catherine, Mer is Bill. p. 64 Cipher cable from Maxim dated 24.12.43 The view of “Helmsman” and the station: even if C.G. surmises that Mer is Sov., he should still act as though M. is local, and the work continues to proceed on the CP line. The same applies to “Pal.” The top boss is still Helmsman. p. 65 Maxim re Vardo’s meeting with Helmsman on 19.12.43 According to H., 10 mins. after So. became ill C.G. called an important fellowcountryman, H.’s man, who immediately sent to C.G.’s apartment the fellowcountryman Grace Hutchins, who helped C.G. with the doctor, police and the funeral. p. 66 C.G. turned over to H. 11,000 that she took out of the safe at the bank. This money is a special fund for fellowcountrymen and belongs to H. So. was keeping it at H.’s request. “When “Helmsman” was asked what he thought of “Clever Girl,” he replied that although he only knows her from her work with “So.” and from the latter’s comments, he believes that she is a good and reliable person, since a verification during several years of work with “So.” showed this. According p. 67 to “Helmsman,” “C.G.” is up to date on absolutely everything “So.” was doing, since he trusted her completely.” p. 69 [Shortly we will begin taking over people from C.G. We’ll begin with Koch and Hare, whom Koch, Hare we’ll turn over to “Informer” (“X”).] White Notebook #2 3 p. 71 Cipher cable from C to NY 29.12.43 [“Helmsman’s” and “So.’s” company doesn’t interest us, we shouldn’t interfere in that business; we don’t object to C.G.’s working for the company, which is a cover for her.] p. 72 Note from “Albert” dated 20.1.44 [Meets with “Myrna” about once a week. In the future it will be once every three or four weeks. “Elsa” will be in constant contact. “Myrna” makes a very good impression.] p. 74 Note from “Mer” dated 5.01.44 Harold [“Pal” requested through “Clever Girl” that we look into H. Glasser, one of H. White’s aides Glasser at the Treasury Dept. He used to be in contact with J. Abt, but since he returned to Wash. it’s unknown whether he’s in contact with anyone. If he’s not in contact with the “neighbors,” “Pal” would like to make use of him. p. 75 ““Clever Girl” says that “Koch” is too tense, that he doesn’t want to take notes himself and “Koch” doesn’t allow them to do so in his presence. “Clever Girl” says that she memorizes as much of what he tells her as she can, and writes it down as soon as she leaves him. “Clever Girl” says that she now knows all of his weaknesses, gives in to him, and they now have a wonderful relationship.” p. 79 Message from “Mer” dated 25.4.44: Pal On 18.04 Mer asked C.G. to ask “Pal” to come to NY to see Mer. C.G. immediately cited a number of reasons “Pal” wouldn’t be able to come: he works every day, on Sundays he’s occupied with guests, he recently came to NY with a report and now will not be able to explain his trip, and so forth. After her trip to W. C.G. reported on 22.04 that Pal would not be able to come until the end of the summer. On “Maxim’s” instructions “Mer” attempted several times to turn “Dir,” “Koch,” “Mirage,” Hare” and “Gor” over to “Maxim’s” operatives. But each time there have been obstacles: Helmsman’s personal approval is needed, a p. 80 probationer is too squeamish and fearful, equipment is needed for communications, and so forth. Mer doesn’t believe that Pal doesn’t want to meet. He thinks that C.G.’s meetings in W. with 6-7 probationers could result in failure. He thinks that it’s imperative to insist to Helmsman that the probationers be turned over. p. 77 Cipher cable 20.03.44 Mer reported from NY on his first meeting with Pal. C.G. was present. p. 82 Memorandum from “Mer” dated 29.4.44 On 27.04 C.G. told M. that after So.’s death Helmsman appointed her to replace So. and assigned total control to her, that she was working for H.