Agent Michael Trotobas and SOE in Northern France by Stewart Kent Nick Nicholas

Author:Stewart Kent, Nick Nicholas [Stewart Kent, Nick Nicholas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, World War II, Political Science, Intelligence & Espionage, General
ISBN: 9781473851641
Google: 5eBnCwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2015-11-30T02:56:37+00:00

Chapter 15

Arrests

‘When our actions do not, our fears do make us traitors.’

Macbeth. IV.ii

SOE had in mind to fulfil the directive issued to it on 20 March. Support for the Russians had become a political imperative as Britain’s eastern Allies stepped up their demands for an immediate ‘second front’ in Europe. While the Allied planners knew that large-scale military action in 1943 was out of the question, it was very much on the cards for 1944, and arming resistance groups and preparing them for the eventual invasion had become a priority. At the same time the British Government was desperate to be seen to be doing something and had, through its directive to SOE, clearly defined its future role:

‘You are the authority responsible for coordinating sabotage and other subversive activities including the organization of Resistance Groups, and for providing advice and liaison on all matters in connection with Patriot Forces up to the time of their embodiment into the regular forces.’1

Resistance Groups were defined as

‘“Organized bodies operating within enemy occupied territory or behind enemy lines” and patriot forces as “any forces which may be embodied in areas liberated by our armies”.’

SOE’s activities were to be concentrated mainly in support of the general Allied strategy for the war laid down by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sabotage of industrial objectives was to be pursued with the utmost vigour; attacks on communications were to be regulated carefully and integrated with other operational plans. The directive ended with the words:

‘Sabotage materials and weapons in the hands of Resistance Groups within the enemy’s lines are likely to pay a relatively big dividend and could make a large contribution to the enemy’s military defeat.’

If he had seen this document, Michael would surely have agreed wholeheartedly with its content. He had received instructions from London to carry out during June, July and August attacks on important targets such as power stations, and to conduct systematic sabotage of communications to make the enemy think that something was about to happen very soon. He was more than happy to oblige, but lacked the means.

The intense security activities Michael had witnessed in Paris on 23 June, which resulted in Suttill and many of his key assistants being pulled in early the following morning, dealt a severe blow to SOE and deprived Michael of his sole source of radio contact with London. Suttill had been recalled to London in May, and on his return had visited Michael in Lille, presumably to pass on instructions.2

The seeds of Suttill’s downfall had been sown the previous November when he was visited by Heyermans of CARTE, who was arrested in a routine spot check of documents after leaving the meeting. Among his papers had been notes about the meeting held at a safe house – the Tambours’ apartment – as a result of which the building had been kept under casual surveillance. It had become the practice for many of PROSPER’s agents to congregate there, contrary to all the security training they had received. Increasing

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.