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Authors: Ladislas Farago
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plot thus moved to higher echelons, Best thought it advisable to draw Major Stevens into the maneuver. The developing drama was also revealed to General van Oorschot, director of Dutch military intelligence, who assigned a young Dutch intelligence officer, Lieutenant Dirk Klop, to act as his liaison.
At last, Franz told Best that the General was ready to meet him. A rendezvous was arranged for 10:00 a.m. on October 19, this time at the small frontier village of Dinxperlo.
The Germans arrived at noon, two hours late. There was no general in the group, only two officers, both in their early thirties, who introduced themselves as Lieutenants Seydlitz and Grosch. Franz vouched for them. Best drove the party to an isolated roadside café, and there treated them to lunch. Anundefinable tension arose during lunch and Franz in particular seemed to become very excited.
The party attracted attention, the worst thing that could have happened in a clandestine palaver. Best thought it advisable to remove to safer surroundings, called a friend in nearby Arnhem, and continued the conference in the friendâs dining room. Throughout proceedings thus far, many of the rules of good espionage had been violated. Bestâs handling of the venture showed little professional skill. Now it seemed the whole enterprise would come to an untimely end.
The party had attracted the attention of a Dutch soldier who called the police and told them that a bunch of German spies were having a meeting, first at the café and then in the Arnhem house to which he had tracked them. Police surrounded the house, broke in and demanded an explanation. Klop explained everything to the policemen and they withdrew, but the basic security of the enterprise had been breached. During this episode the two Germans were in a panic and even tried to escape through the windows. Little Dr. Franz came close to passing out. Still, nothing kindled Bestâs suspicions.
To a great extent, all of the excitement was in vain. The two Germans had brought no information. They were simply authorized to arrange another meeting, holding out the phantom general for bait. Best agreed and the next meeting was planned for October 25, then postponed to October 30. On that day, Klop alone went to Dinxperlo with instructions to bring the Germans to The Hague.
The general was still not in the group, but this time there were three officers instead of two. Seydlitz was missing, but Grosch was present, with a man who identified himself as Colonel Martini, and a Major Schemmel, who was apparently the leader of the group. He was a stocky young man in his late twenties, his baby face furrowed with dueling scars, making him far too conspicuous for such a secret mission. Although he looked like a dullard, he turned out to be exceptionally well-informed; he had a decisive manner and a firm control over the situation.
Schemmel gave a clear and concise exposition of the internal situation of Germany and told Best that, on behalf of the general, he could guarantee an end to the war, provided the British were willing to give Germany an honorable peace. Stevens and Best gave Schemmel a non-committal answer, pending instructions from London.
Best had given the Germans a clandestine wireless set to facilitate communication. The Germans radioed their messages to the communications center of British Intelligence in London, where they were received by two wireless operators who identified themselves as Inman and Walsh. From London, the messages were relayed to Best.
Best and Stevens were instructed by London to âpursue the matter with energyâ and to deal with the Germans sympathetically, but cautiously, to save His Majestyâs Government embarrassment in the event of failure. Another inconclusive meeting was held at Venlo on November 7 (there was still no general) and still another was arranged for November 9. This one was to be decisive.
The morning of that day was dull and cold; rain
At last, Franz told Best that the General was ready to meet him. A rendezvous was arranged for 10:00 a.m. on October 19, this time at the small frontier village of Dinxperlo.
The Germans arrived at noon, two hours late. There was no general in the group, only two officers, both in their early thirties, who introduced themselves as Lieutenants Seydlitz and Grosch. Franz vouched for them. Best drove the party to an isolated roadside café, and there treated them to lunch. Anundefinable tension arose during lunch and Franz in particular seemed to become very excited.
The party attracted attention, the worst thing that could have happened in a clandestine palaver. Best thought it advisable to remove to safer surroundings, called a friend in nearby Arnhem, and continued the conference in the friendâs dining room. Throughout proceedings thus far, many of the rules of good espionage had been violated. Bestâs handling of the venture showed little professional skill. Now it seemed the whole enterprise would come to an untimely end.
The party had attracted the attention of a Dutch soldier who called the police and told them that a bunch of German spies were having a meeting, first at the café and then in the Arnhem house to which he had tracked them. Police surrounded the house, broke in and demanded an explanation. Klop explained everything to the policemen and they withdrew, but the basic security of the enterprise had been breached. During this episode the two Germans were in a panic and even tried to escape through the windows. Little Dr. Franz came close to passing out. Still, nothing kindled Bestâs suspicions.
To a great extent, all of the excitement was in vain. The two Germans had brought no information. They were simply authorized to arrange another meeting, holding out the phantom general for bait. Best agreed and the next meeting was planned for October 25, then postponed to October 30. On that day, Klop alone went to Dinxperlo with instructions to bring the Germans to The Hague.
The general was still not in the group, but this time there were three officers instead of two. Seydlitz was missing, but Grosch was present, with a man who identified himself as Colonel Martini, and a Major Schemmel, who was apparently the leader of the group. He was a stocky young man in his late twenties, his baby face furrowed with dueling scars, making him far too conspicuous for such a secret mission. Although he looked like a dullard, he turned out to be exceptionally well-informed; he had a decisive manner and a firm control over the situation.
Schemmel gave a clear and concise exposition of the internal situation of Germany and told Best that, on behalf of the general, he could guarantee an end to the war, provided the British were willing to give Germany an honorable peace. Stevens and Best gave Schemmel a non-committal answer, pending instructions from London.
Best had given the Germans a clandestine wireless set to facilitate communication. The Germans radioed their messages to the communications center of British Intelligence in London, where they were received by two wireless operators who identified themselves as Inman and Walsh. From London, the messages were relayed to Best.
Best and Stevens were instructed by London to âpursue the matter with energyâ and to deal with the Germans sympathetically, but cautiously, to save His Majestyâs Government embarrassment in the event of failure. Another inconclusive meeting was held at Venlo on November 7 (there was still no general) and still another was arranged for November 9. This one was to be decisive.
The morning of that day was dull and cold; rain
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