Hitler's Lost Spy by Greg Clancy

Author:Greg Clancy [Clancy, Greg]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Australian National Socialist Party, Espionage, German–Australia, World War Two, Biography
ISBN: 9781925280319
Publisher: Sunda Publications
Published: 2015-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

So back in 1939, how would the Japanese obtain strategic aerial photography without arousing further suspicion, or perhaps pushing the host country’s tolerance boundaries too far? There were two problems.

The first problem was the spy’s physical appearance. There were simply not enough Asians in Australia at the time to ensure that ‘blending in’ would assist in avoiding unwanted attention or questions. The second was the trust element – all involved with the mission needed to be trusted. The only weak link in the ‘trust chain’ was the pilot of the aircraft. Critically, the agent with the camera needed a small aircraft and a pilot who would be favourably influenced by familiarity, or something else.

Requesting and receiving assistance from the Germans resolved the physical appearance issue. Using one of their Caucasian agents would avoid the ‘blending’ problem. Mutual assistance on espionage matters between Germany and Japan was common practice at the time. Hitler was already planning the first move in the ‘inevitable’ clash between National Socialism and Communism. His task would be easier if the Japanese attacked from the east in Siberia, tying up the large Soviet forces based in the region. To encourage cooperation he ensured the Japanese received German assistance, where possible, in Western countries.

When Annette received instructions for the mission, the second problem appeared to have been resolved immediately. Jack Clancy was a friend, and more importantly for her immediate needs, a pilot who had immediate access to a small aeroplane. Annette and Jack shared some common interests, including membership of Alliance Francaise and a mutual interest in global issues. All that remained was the planning for the trip.

Jack Clancy (1914–2000)

Jack’s attraction to aviation began during the construction of the Clancy Skybaby, a small single seater aircraft my father, Bill Clancy (1907–1963) designed, and built with his brother Allan (1908–1962). The construction was carried out in the backyard of the family home in the Sydney inner suburb of Rosebery. Some aeronautical concepts of the Skybaby were ground-breaking for the day and the small plane was flown by several eminent aviation contemporaries, including the legendary Charles Kingsford-Smith, who led the first trans-Pacific flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane in 1928.

In 1937, with another young pilot, Jack completed the first ‘around Australia’ flight in a small aircraft. He continued his flying interest while working for the Shell Oil Company, and in later years he flew a replica of the Skybaby he constructed from Bill’s original aircraft design. The replica was later exhibited in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.

On completing high school, Jack was awarded the highly competitive Alliance Francaise prize for French.

The Flight

It was a cool and overcast autumn morning when Jack met Annette at Mascot Aerodrome (now Sydney International Airport) for the pre-arranged flight. Shortly before he passed away, Jack related to me the details of the day’s events:

We arrived at Newcastle aerodrome and I taxied to an area near the terminal. She told me to remain in the

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