10 Jan Spies, Spies, Spies

Being a neutral country, Sweden was a haven for travelers from countries all over the world. Many countries had legations (or embassies) there, including the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, as well as others.

The Gestapo was everywhere.

So the streets, restaurants, and bars were filled with internationals from all over the world. I visualize the social scene as something similar to Rick’s Café in Casablanca. Discreet conversations, off the cuff questions, eavesdropping … all with the same purpose, to gather useful information and pass it along to the “other side.”

The OSS (Office of Strategic Services) kept watch lists and files of suspected meeting places, newspapers, Swedish Nazi Party members, and prominent persons from other countries. They also kept tabs on waitresses in key restaurants known to be Nazi meeting places. In one restaurant, for instance, the chief waitress was noted to be “Fairly intelligent. Often seen off duty with Germans …”

Herman seldom talked about the war, but through the years this is one story he would tell, and with a devilish laugh.

At lunch one day, Herman was dining with a few of his buddies from the American Legation. They suspected that there were a couple of Germans at the next table and decided to play a prank. They began an animated discussion about an elaborate military plan. As they talked and to demonstrate his point, Herman drew a map on the back of the menu. As they finished lunch, he casually threw the menu onto the table.

As they walked away, they clandestinely looked back and watched one of the suspect Germans grab the menu and slip it into his pocket.

I know I have heard a similar story in a book or movie. If anyone reading this can enlighten me that would be great. It’s a good example of what was going on all over Sweden.

Who could really be trusted?

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