My Silent War: The Autobiography of a Spy (31 page)
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Authors: Kim Philby
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Burgess and Philby were both at Trinity College, Cambridge. Burgess had been in Section D of SIS since January 1939
.
Burgess and Philby were both at Trinity College, Cambridge. Burgess had been in Section D of SIS since January 1939
.
*
This thought was put into my head by my Soviet contact. My first factual reports on the secret service inclined him seriously to the view that I had got into the wrong organization.
This thought was put into my head by my Soviet contact. My first factual reports on the secret service inclined him seriously to the view that I had got into the wrong organization.
*
To sever his connection with
The Times
in July 1940, just before he joined SIS, Philby put out the story that he was being taken on by Lord Gort, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), to write up the official records of the campaign. This story is confirmed in a letter written by Ralph Deakin in 1944: “Lord Gort became so well-disposed to Philby that he took him away from
The Times
to do work on the record of the Expeditionary force before Dunkirk.”
To sever his connection with
The Times
in July 1940, just before he joined SIS, Philby put out the story that he was being taken on by Lord Gort, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), to write up the official records of the campaign. This story is confirmed in a letter written by Ralph Deakin in 1944: “Lord Gort became so well-disposed to Philby that he took him away from
The Times
to do work on the record of the Expeditionary force before Dunkirk.”
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In D Department of SIS. Later Chief Security Officer in Ankara Embassy when Philby went to Istanbul in 1947
.
In D Department of SIS. Later Chief Security Officer in Ankara Embassy when Philby went to Istanbul in 1947
.
†
In his excellent
Baker Street Irregular
, Colonel Sweet-Escott erroneously locates the first training school at Aston House. Aston was an explosives depot run by a Commander Langley, RN.
In his excellent
Baker Street Irregular
, Colonel Sweet-Escott erroneously locates the first training school at Aston House. Aston was an explosives depot run by a Commander Langley, RN.
*
He had been with Bruce Lockbart, one of the British secret agents in Russia after the Revolution of 1917; also a friend of Sidney Reilly who had plotted to assassinate Lenin and Trotsky. During the Second World War he occupied a high post in SOE, and was sent to Moscow by Churchill as SOE/SIS representative
.
He had been with Bruce Lockbart, one of the British secret agents in Russia after the Revolution of 1917; also a friend of Sidney Reilly who had plotted to assassinate Lenin and Trotsky. During the Second World War he occupied a high post in SOE, and was sent to Moscow by Churchill as SOE/SIS representative
.
>
†
Special Operations Executive, formed under Churchill’s orders in 1940 to assume all responsibility for undercover action against the Axis, especially sabotage and subversion. See Chapter II
.
†
Special Operations Executive, formed under Churchill’s orders in 1940 to assume all responsibility for undercover action against the Axis, especially sabotage and subversion. See Chapter II
.
*
He paid for the education of at least one of Philby’s children; he also suggested to André Deutsch, the publisher, that Philby might write an account of his career, but Philby waited until after he arrived in Moscow
.
He paid for the education of at least one of Philby’s children; he also suggested to André Deutsch, the publisher, that Philby might write an account of his career, but Philby waited until after he arrived in Moscow
.
*
He made a fortune early in life as a partner in the merchant firm of Symons, Barlow & Co. in Bombay. While working for SIS be became Conservative MP for Stroud
.
He made a fortune early in life as a partner in the merchant firm of Symons, Barlow & Co. in Bombay. While working for SIS be became Conservative MP for Stroud
.
†
In 1939 he was Assistant to the Head of Military Intelligence Department of the War Office—MI/R (Military Intelligence/Research)
.
In 1939 he was Assistant to the Head of Military Intelligence Department of the War Office—MI/R (Military Intelligence/Research)
.
Chapter II
*
Known as “Quex.” Director of Naval Intelligence until 1921. Head of SIS from 1936 until his death in November 1939
.
Known as “Quex.” Director of Naval Intelligence until 1921. Head of SIS from 1936 until his death in November 1939
.
‡
Maj.-Gen. in 1943. DSO, CMG, KCMG, Polish Croix de Vaillance. Served in Poland during the war. Worked for SOE from 1940 to 1946, when he retired. Afteward Sir Colin MacVean Gubbins. Died in 1976
.
Maj.-Gen. in 1943. DSO, CMG, KCMG, Polish Croix de Vaillance. Served in Poland during the war. Worked for SOE from 1940 to 1946, when he retired. Afteward Sir Colin MacVean Gubbins. Died in 1976
.
*
During the war Churchill put his friends from the City into high posts in SOE and SIS, including his banker, Charles Hambro, head of SOE from 1942 to 1943
.
During the war Churchill put his friends from the City into high posts in SOE and SIS, including his banker, Charles Hambro, head of SOE from 1942 to 1943
.
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Electra House, a secret department, established by the Foreign Office. Leeper worked as an assistant to Sir Stuart Campbell. Later it was merged with SOI of D-Department into the PWE
.
Electra House, a secret department, established by the Foreign Office. Leeper worked as an assistant to Sir Stuart Campbell. Later it was merged with SOI of D-Department into the PWE
.
*
Gaitskell had also been in Austria in 1934. He was supposed to have been alarmed at the news of Philby’s marriage to “that young communist girl, Alice [Litzi] Friedman.” Apparently Gaitskell saw Philby as “a rather altruistic left-winger, mixed-up and Byronic in outlook, eager to assist the left-wing cause without leaning quite as far as communism.” Gaitskell, it appears, also underrated Philby!
Gaitskell had also been in Austria in 1934. He was supposed to have been alarmed at the news of Philby’s marriage to “that young communist girl, Alice [Litzi] Friedman.” Apparently Gaitskell saw Philby as “a rather altruistic left-winger, mixed-up and Byronic in outlook, eager to assist the left-wing cause without leaning quite as far as communism.” Gaitskell, it appears, also underrated Philby!
†
He later interrogated Krivitsky, who reported that there was a Soviet agent in the Foreign Office—probably Donald Maclean
.
He later interrogated Krivitsky, who reported that there was a Soviet agent in the Foreign Office—probably Donald Maclean
.
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Frank Natbhan Daniel Buchman, an American evangelist and missionary, founder of the Oxford Group Movement, who carried on an extensive campaign for Moral Rearmament in Great Britain, 1939
.
Frank Natbhan Daniel Buchman, an American evangelist and missionary, founder of the Oxford Group Movement, who carried on an extensive campaign for Moral Rearmament in Great Britain, 1939
.
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In SOE during the war. Scriptwriter. Won the British Film Acadmy Award (Best British Screenplay) for screenplay of Anthony Asquith’s
Orders to Kill,
1958. Wrote screenplays for
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,
1965, Zeffirelli’s film version of
The Taming of the Shrew, 1966, and Murder on the Orient Express,
1974. Died 1976
.
In SOE during the war. Scriptwriter. Won the British Film Acadmy Award (Best British Screenplay) for screenplay of Anthony Asquith’s
Orders to Kill,
1958. Wrote screenplays for
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,
1965, Zeffirelli’s film version of
The Taming of the Shrew, 1966, and Murder on the Orient Express,
1974. Died 1976
.
*
One of the few thousand Nobby Clarkes in Britain. He was seconded to us as fieldcraft instructor.
One of the few thousand Nobby Clarkes in Britain. He was seconded to us as fieldcraft instructor.
‡
My views on Spain and Spaniards naturally differ from those of Peter Kemp who fought for General Franco during the Civil War. But I fully appreciate his description of the shock he suffered on first exposure to Hugh Quennell, the head of the SOE Spanish section.
My views on Spain and Spaniards naturally differ from those of Peter Kemp who fought for General Franco during the Civil War. But I fully appreciate his description of the shock he suffered on first exposure to Hugh Quennell, the head of the SOE Spanish section.
*
Defended Philby in the House of Commons when Marcus Lipton accused Philby of being the Third Man in 1955
.
Defended Philby in the House of Commons when Marcus Lipton accused Philby of being the Third Man in 1955
.
†
Mr. (afterward Sir Richard) Goldsmith White. Became head of MI5 in 1953, then head of SIS in 1965—the only man to have been in charge of both departments. When he became head of SIS in 1956 he was furious that Philby was still working for SIS and had him put under surveillance
.
Mr. (afterward Sir Richard) Goldsmith White. Became head of MI5 in 1953, then head of SIS in 1965—the only man to have been in charge of both departments. When he became head of SIS in 1956 he was furious that Philby was still working for SIS and had him put under surveillance
.
Chapter III
†
Philby once defended Graham Greene when the latter was involved in a row because his agent sent to the Azores, after the British take-over, failed to communicate; the result was that SIS was made to look silly by MI5. For Greene’s and Muggeridge’s exploits, see p. 77
.
Philby once defended Graham Greene when the latter was involved in a row because his agent sent to the Azores, after the British take-over, failed to communicate; the result was that SIS was made to look silly by MI5. For Greene’s and Muggeridge’s exploits, see p. 77
.
*
The latest figure available to me, for 1966–7, is £10 m.—a fourfold increase in twenty years of peace.
The latest figure available to me, for 1966–7, is £10 m.—a fourfold increase in twenty years of peace.
*
The first head of SIS, Captain Cummings, established a vast network of espionage in Europe based on Passport Control Officers
.
The first head of SIS, Captain Cummings, established a vast network of espionage in Europe based on Passport Control Officers
.
*
Later Lt.-Col. Cowgill. Towards the end of the war Philby intrigued against Cowgill see Chapter VI. Cowgill can hardly have been suspicious of Philby since he was one of his closest advisers. Cowgill later left the Service. In 1966 he retired from the task of liaising between the British Army and the local citizenry in Munich-Gladbach, West Germany
.
Later Lt.-Col. Cowgill. Towards the end of the war Philby intrigued against Cowgill see Chapter VI. Cowgill can hardly have been suspicious of Philby since he was one of his closest advisers. Cowgill later left the Service. In 1966 he retired from the task of liaising between the British Army and the local citizenry in Munich-Gladbach, West Germany
.
*
Also at Trinity College, Cambridge, in the 1930s. His mother employed Burgess soon after he left Cambridge—to report on her stock holdings, and later Burgess took over his flat in Bentinck Street. Later on in the war he trained Allied saboteurs for operations in Nazi-occupied Europe
.
Also at Trinity College, Cambridge, in the 1930s. His mother employed Burgess soon after he left Cambridge—to report on her stock holdings, and later Burgess took over his flat in Bentinck Street. Later on in the war he trained Allied saboteurs for operations in Nazi-occupied Europe
.
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Assistant to Stewart Menzies. Valentine Vivian and he were, to some extent, rivals; and Philby took Vivian’s side against Dansey. In the First World War he worked in Intelligence in France, then tried to run an English-style country-club in America. After that he worked for SIS in Italy and Switzerland, then was brought back to London to organize “Z” Section. Dansey died shortly after D-Day, in 1944
.
Assistant to Stewart Menzies. Valentine Vivian and he were, to some extent, rivals; and Philby took Vivian’s side against Dansey. In the First World War he worked in Intelligence in France, then tried to run an English-style country-club in America. After that he worked for SIS in Italy and Switzerland, then was brought back to London to organize “Z” Section. Dansey died shortly after D-Day, in 1944
.
*
Known as “Vee-Vee.” Son of a renowned Victorian portrait painter. Came to SIS in 1925 from Indian police. He was a friend of Philby’s father—from the days when St. John Philby was in the Indian Civil Service. He was responsible for Philby’s transfer from SOE to SIS, and later was used by Philby when he intrigued against Cowgill. See Chapter VI
.
Known as “Vee-Vee.” Son of a renowned Victorian portrait painter. Came to SIS in 1925 from Indian police. He was a friend of Philby’s father—from the days when St. John Philby was in the Indian Civil Service. He was responsible for Philby’s transfer from SOE to SIS, and later was used by Philby when he intrigued against Cowgill. See Chapter VI
.
†
Later Lord Templewood. British Ambassador in Madrid, and concerned with SIS work in Spain at a time when Philby was head of the Iberian section of SIS
.
Later Lord Templewood. British Ambassador in Madrid, and concerned with SIS work in Spain at a time when Philby was head of the Iberian section of SIS
.
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Friend of Maclean. He was British Minister Plenipotentiary in Washington when Maclean was sent there in 1944. Then he became British Ambassador in Cairo—there when Maclean was posted to Cairo in 1948
.
Friend of Maclean. He was British Minister Plenipotentiary in Washington when Maclean was sent there in 1944. Then he became British Ambassador in Cairo—there when Maclean was posted to Cairo in 1948
.
Chapter IV
*
One file available to night-duty officers in Broadway was especially valuable to me. It contained telegrams from the War Office to the British Military Mission in Moscow, sent over SIS channels.
One file available to night-duty officers in Broadway was especially valuable to me. It contained telegrams from the War Office to the British Military Mission in Moscow, sent over SIS channels.
*
No. 2 at MI5, then after the war became Chief Security Officer to the Atomic Energy Authority. A friend of Burgess and frequenter of his Rabelaisian parties
.
No. 2 at MI5, then after the war became Chief Security Officer to the Atomic Energy Authority. A friend of Burgess and frequenter of his Rabelaisian parties
.
†
“An honest Copper,” as Herbert Morrison called him. Before becoming Director-General of MI5 from 1946 to 1953, he was Chief Constable of Chesterfield, Glasgow and Sheffield
.
“An honest Copper,” as Herbert Morrison called him. Before becoming Director-General of MI5 from 1946 to 1953, he was Chief Constable of Chesterfield, Glasgow and Sheffield
.
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Maj.-Gen. “Wild Bill.” Went to Moscow in December 1943 to discuss a project of co-operation between the two Intelligence services and talked with heads of GUR and GB
.
Maj.-Gen. “Wild Bill.” Went to Moscow in December 1943 to discuss a project of co-operation between the two Intelligence services and talked with heads of GUR and GB
.
Chapter V
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Became deputy director of CIA in 1950, when Philby was in Washington. Responsible for tracking down Maclean as a Soviet agent
.
Became deputy director of CIA in 1950, when Philby was in Washington. Responsible for tracking down Maclean as a Soviet agent
.
†
Commander Alexander Guthrie Denniston, CMG, CBE. Head of Government Code & Cypher School, 1919 to 1943; d. 1961
.
Commander Alexander Guthrie Denniston, CMG, CBE. Head of Government Code & Cypher School, 1919 to 1943; d. 1961
.
*
Burgess met him in a nightclub and in 1942 introduced him to Philby, who was responsible for his arrest in 1943
.
Burgess met him in a nightclub and in 1942 introduced him to Philby, who was responsible for his arrest in 1943
.
Chapter VI
*
Hugh Christopher Arnold-Forster. Commander RN (rtd.), CMG. Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence, 1942–5
.
Hugh Christopher Arnold-Forster. Commander RN (rtd.), CMG. Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence, 1942–5
.
*
Head of MI5 until the end of the war. Under his rules talented amateurs and intellectuals, such as Herbert Hart, Hugh Trevor-Roper and Stuart Hampshire, were introduced into the Secret Service
.
Head of MI5 until the end of the war. Under his rules talented amateurs and intellectuals, such as Herbert Hart, Hugh Trevor-Roper and Stuart Hampshire, were introduced into the Secret Service
.
Chapter VII
*
He said that there was a Soviet agent in the Foreign Office—probably Maclean. He also gave information about Philby: see pp. 169–70
.
He said that there was a Soviet agent in the Foreign Office—probably Maclean. He also gave information about Philby: see pp. 169–70
.
*
John “Sinbad” Sinclair, head of SIS after the Churchill reshuffle in 1953. Forced to resign after the frogman incident of 19 April 1956 in Portsmouth harbour when Commander Crabbe disappeared while investigating the hull of the Soviet cruiser
Ordzhonikidze.
John “Sinbad” Sinclair, head of SIS after the Churchill reshuffle in 1953. Forced to resign after the frogman incident of 19 April 1956 in Portsmouth harbour when Commander Crabbe disappeared while investigating the hull of the Soviet cruiser
Ordzhonikidze.
*
No. 2 in Section 1 of SIS, later became head of Section 1. Burgess introduced him to Philby just after Philby had returned from Spain in 1939. Afterward Emeritus Fellow of St. Antony’s College, Oxford
.
No. 2 in Section 1 of SIS, later became head of Section 1. Burgess introduced him to Philby just after Philby had returned from Spain in 1939. Afterward Emeritus Fellow of St. Antony’s College, Oxford
.
Chapter IX
*
Lt. Col. Intelligence Corps, Middle East, 1941–6, then worked for the Foreign Office in the Far East (Singapore). Counsellor, Foreign Office, after 1965
.
Lt. Col. Intelligence Corps, Middle East, 1941–6, then worked for the Foreign Office in the Far East (Singapore). Counsellor, Foreign Office, after 1965
.
*
Erivan, now called Yerevan, the capital of Armenia; Tiflis, now called Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia
.
Erivan, now called Yerevan, the capital of Armenia; Tiflis, now called Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia
.
Chapter X
*
CIA emerged from the disbanded OSS and Central Intelligence group in 1947. Hillenkoetter was head of CIA from 1947 to 1950 at the time when Philby was in Washington
.
CIA emerged from the disbanded OSS and Central Intelligence group in 1947. Hillenkoetter was head of CIA from 1947 to 1950 at the time when Philby was in Washington
.
*
Allen Dulles succeeded in acquiring ex-Nazi General Reinard Geblen’s private secret service in Germany for the purpose of infiltrating the Soviet zone
.
Allen Dulles succeeded in acquiring ex-Nazi General Reinard Geblen’s private secret service in Germany for the purpose of infiltrating the Soviet zone
.
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