Double Cross in Cairo by Nigel West Read Free Book Online Page B

to do with
Indefatigable
once the carrier had been established in the Indian Ocean, and the solution was to pretend that it had sailed to Addu, a very remote atoll in the even more remote Maldives. This scheme would become the source of some mirth, as no one in ‘A’ Force seemed to have a sufficient grasp of geography to know where precisely Addu was!
    In December 1943 further measures were taken to support Plan BIJOU and tell the Abwehr that
Indefatigable
had returned to the Clyde for a refit, whereas the narrative simply reflected the carrier’s authentic commissioning. Later study of Axis intelligence assessments contained in ULTRA intercepts, confirmed that the enemy was quite convinced that both the
Indefatigable
and the
Illustrious
were major components of Somerville’s Far East command. However, the truth was that the carrier did not sail on her first patrol until July 1944, and did not reach the Far East until December.
    In another example of Simpson’s fertile imagination, SIMEdeveloped a plausible narrative to explain the background to some of his material.
    CHEESE was sent for by his boss in OETA and told that the British Army were looking for a number of Greek interpreters. All departments had been asked if they had any to spare. The boss had been told by his boss that OETA is to help if they can but he is loath to lose CHEESE . On the other hand CHEESE could be dispensed with in an emergency. What does CHEESE think about it? CHEESE thinks it is bloody awful. He will be parted from his precious set and what price his money if he is in Suez or Kabrit? He says he would be very sorry to leave OETA where he is so well looked after and that for private reasons he doesn’t want to leave Cairo. Of course, if the war effort demands it he will go but … boss says that he quite understands and will do his best but…
    That night CHEESE rushes on the air in a panic. What is he to do? He won’t be able to pass any more information – he won’t get his money – it’s a disaster. Presumably the enemy will be a bit upset too.
    A few days later CHEESE says – ‘Here is a perfectly good channel and a perfectly good set, can they send someone else to operate it? (NOTE: I believe
Amie
was once trained to operate – this might be worked in).’ As and when necessary boss sends for CHEESE and says that he has worked the miracle and that he is to remain with OETA. Panic subsides.
    Comment:
    1. We push the point that we have an interest in Greek-speaking countries. (Admittedly this includes Crete but is a step in the right direction).
    2. We get a very interesting reaction from the other side.
    3. It is completely under our control and could be killed instantly if it gets difficult.
    Note: What about factually publishing in General Orders a demand for Greek interpreters. It would start a ‘buzz’ in the right direction.
    Meanwhile, TRIANGLE revealed in August that Rossetti had applied for permission to travel to Rome, and had given one of his reasons ‘to try again through Col S for the Italian War Ministry to send money to ROBERTO ’. The analysts studying the traffic, who knew ROBERTO to be the enemy’s codename for Levi, suggested that ‘Colonel S’ was probably Count Scirombo, but the important issue was that the Abwehr was still determined to send money to their agent in Cairo.
    In operational terms, ‘A’ Force provided ‘purely military information (this includes Naval and Air Force items and movements of highly important individuals). Special Section SIME provides domestic items, “build-up” of sources and deals with wireless problems.’
    CHEESE’S alleged employment at the Occupied Enemy Territory Administration gave him a salary which enabled him to ‘pay his daily way but also benefit from the indiscretions of his employing officers who have a way of leaving their diaries about and discussing secret