Did the Axis have any spies monitoring the Arctic Convoys?

Discussions on WW2 in Western Europe & the Atlantic.
Hyus
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Re: Did the Axis have any spies monitoring the Arctic Convoys?

#16

Post by Hyus » 31 Aug 2020, 12:29

Yes Sid, that's what made me think of Ireland in my previous question, since they had a fleet of neutral fishing vessels right next to some of the departure points for the Arctic convoys. That's interesting to hear about the Norwegian fishing vessel in Greenland, and the ban on Spanish fishing vessels off the Grand Banks, I wasn't aware of either.

Carl Schwamberger
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Re: Did the Axis have any spies monitoring the Arctic Convoys?

#17

Post by Carl Schwamberger » 31 Aug 2020, 15:30

Sid Guttridge wrote:
31 Aug 2020, 10:02
... Eire wouldn't have been much use regarding Arctic convoys, as its information would have to have come from the UK in the first place.
The only reference to a spy operating out of Ireland I've seen was rather negative towards the chap. Described as being a borderline alcoholic, lacking energy & initiative. His activities seem to have been collecting newspapers and rumors or sea stories in the Pubs. I can't recall when the Irish government saw off the German embassy.


Hyus
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Joined: 25 Aug 2020, 13:15
Location: Northern Hemisphere

Re: Did the Axis have any spies monitoring the Arctic Convoys?

#18

Post by Hyus » 31 Aug 2020, 16:04

Carl Schwamberger wrote:
31 Aug 2020, 15:30
I can't recall when the Irish government saw off the German embassy.
I could easily be wrong, but I don't think they ever kicked them out. I know the Italian legation was still there in Dublin in 1944...

Sid Guttridge
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Re: Did the Axis have any spies monitoring the Arctic Convoys?

#19

Post by Sid Guttridge » 31 Aug 2020, 16:05

Hi Carl,

The German Embassy remained in Dublin until the end of the war.

Notoriously, the Irish Prime Minister, Eamon Dr Valera, and his Foreign Minister visited it at the beginning of May 1945 to offer the Ambassador personal condolences on Hitler's death!

Cheers,

Sid.

Hyus
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Joined: 25 Aug 2020, 13:15
Location: Northern Hemisphere

Re: Did the Axis have any spies monitoring the Arctic Convoys?

#20

Post by Hyus » 31 Aug 2020, 16:08

Yes, Sid is right. The German representative in Ireland who received the condolences in May 1945 was Eduard Hempel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduard_Hempel

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