SOE WAR DIARIES JANUARY 1945 PART IB.






DRAUGHTS (second mission) && BACKGAMMON
                                           
(Contact with RVV and OD)


DRAUGHTS

Containers disappear

London reported
(30) that an attempt would be made to drop containers on the ground SALLY as from that night (January 2nd). Draughts cabled to following day that nothing had been received on the ground SALLY. The aircraft was seen but it did not drop (31). The next day London cabled (32) that the pilot had reported dropping on the ground SALLY on the previous night. Would DRAUGHTS please investigate in view of what he had said about not receiving any containers? Later the same day London cabled (33) that the pilot had stated that as the reception lights were not clearly seen, the load might have dropped 500 metres from the pinpoint. It was suggested that DRAUGHTS should cause a search to be made to the north-west, or south-east of the dropping zone.

(30)  251 to Draughts of 02.01.45
To Draughts via Towy or Elan.
Reference our two four nine trying Sally as from tonight Tuesday stop Plane will not use Sugar Phone this time stop



A dangerous mission

DRAUGHTS
cabled (34) that as requested by London he had attempted the previous Saturday to send radio material to the SD man JOHAN BLANKE who pretended he wanted to work with the Allies. Three cut-uts were sent. After half an hour number three (Mrs. Kleyn) had not returned, but in the meantime number one
(
Dr. Felix) and two (Mr. Muller), who were in the neighbourhood, were arrested by the Gestapo.



Cut-outs in shooting affray


While on their way to the Gestapo HQ, cut-out number one (
Dr. Felix), who had not been searched, opened pistol fire. He probably killed one German and another was wounded in the shoulder. Cut-out number two
(
Mr. Muller)  was wounded in the stomach and number one (Dr. Felix) in the hip, but both of them escaped.


RVV Chairman missing

DRAUGHTS transmitted a message from the RVV (35) to the Dutch Government stating that HENK, their Chairman, had set off on November 17th to Eindhoven on his way to London, but was now reported missing. It was thought that he had been killed or arrested in attempting to cross the Rhine.


(31)  377 from Draughts of 03.01.45
From Draughts via Elan.
Nr three seven seven (
377) your two four nine (249) stop Received medical kit and twenty four containers stop Thanks for interesting material stop Deliver today PIETER DEKKER’s part stop Thank you darling stop Sally did not receive load stop Aircraft seen but did not drop stop

(32)  252 to Draughts of 03.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
Pilot reports dropping on Sally January second stop OK please investigate in view your message three seven seven (
377) also delivered Eureka at Sally stop
Suggest you fix one Eureka at Martini and one Eureka at Oliver stop The other Eureka could be shared between Laloe and Sally stop Do you agree this stop
Hawkins grenades recently are substitute for tyre busters will try operation on Edinburgh from Tuesday fourth January stop Full load containers and three
packages including Eureka stop

(33)  254 to Draughts of 03.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
At Sally on night of second January owing to lights of reception not being clearly seen load was dropped at twenty three twenty six (
23:26) on Eureka stop Load may have dropped five hundred meters from dropping zone stop suggest most likely areas search be north west or south east of dropping zone.

(34)  381 from Draughts of 04.01.45
From Draughts via Elan.
Nr three eight one (
381) stop Reference your two four five (245) stop Material delivered last Saturday by three cut outs stop After half an hour number three did not return meanwhile number one and two were in the neighbourhood arrested by the Gestapo agents stop On their … no more text visible.

(35)  384 from Draughts of 05.01.45
From Draughts via Towy.
Nr three eight four (
384) stop From RVV to Dutch Government stop HENK chairman RVV started November seventeenth to Eindhoven with destination London stop Reported missing stop Probably killed or arrested in attempt to pass the Rhine stop Mission now delegated to RICHARD (Jacob van der Gaag) alias VICTOR with departure fixed on January fifteenth stop Appreciated his early return stop Detailed telegram from VMVM follows soonest stop
(
Who is VWVW ?)



London’s plan for mass forgeries

London sent a request to the DRIEHOEK
(36) that when the new forms showing exemption from the labour call-up were issued, originals covering the main areas should be sent as soon as possible. It might then be feasible to put them into mass production for distribution. The Germans would find out eventuallymbut it might delay razzias.


No trace of containers

DRAUGHTS
reported (37) that the Sally load had completely disappeared. His people had been searching everywhere, even with boats on the IJsselmeer. It was considered that there was no possibility of the load being in German hands.


Labour Conscription: Request for Tear Gas

DRAUGHTS
transmitted (38) a request from the DRIEHOEK to drop tear bombs and other weapons as soon as possible, particularly near the large towns, for use by the underground forces against labour conscription measures. London replied (39) that HQ was ready to help him but feared that resistance of this nature would lead to considerable bloodshed and reprisals from the Germans. He was asked to reconsider his request.


Driehoek accepts responsibility

The Commander of the DRIEHOEK (
Koot) replied (40): “I maintain my request, which is expressly intended to prevent bloodshed. As action against labour conscription is a question of ‘to be or not to be’ I accept the possibilities of German reprisals”.


Registration buildings blown up

DRAUGHTS
reported (41) that on January 5th - the first day of registration for labour conscription in Amsterdam - the registration building, which was a school in the Marnix Straat, was blown up and burnt. The ten Dutch National Socialist officials were all shot the same evening. On January 7th another registration building in the Passeerdergracht was destroyed and one man killed. Various registers of the population had been taken by resistance in the provinces of Noord and Zuid Holland.


Snow delays Ops
DRAUGHTS  asked (42) that operations in the provinces of Noord and Zuid Holland should be cancelled until the weather improved, as the ground was covered with snow.

(36)
  257 to Draughts of 05.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
For DC stop When quote Nieuwe BENYZEN (
Bewijzen) van Vrijstelling van de arbeids einsatz unquote are issued please send urgently set of original papers covering main areas stop We could possibly help by sending you mass production copies for distribution stop Germans would find out eventually but it might delay razzias stop

(37)  385 from Draughts of 06.01.45
From Draughts via Towy
Nr three eight five (385) stop No dropping on Edinburgh last night stop Plane did circle several times around area stop Load Sally complete gone our people were looking everywhere also with boats on IJsselmeer stop No possibility load in German hands stop

(38)  391 from Draughts of 08.01.45
From Draughts via Towy.
Nr three nine one (
391) stop PLIG NATROD soonest and principally for areas of bigger town tear bombs and other weapon with directions for use for actions against arbeidsinzet and other events where firearms can be handled The DC stop

(39) 265 from London of 08.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
To DC stop Your request for tear bombs and other weapons against arbeidsinzet stop we are ready to help you but we fear that resistance of this nature will lead to considerable bloodshed and unpleasant reprisals by Germans stop Please reconsider your request stop

(40)  398 from Draughts of 09.01.45
From Draughts via Draughts via Towy.
Nr three nine eight (
398)  stop Your nr two six five (265) maintain my request which expressly meant to prevent brother bloodshed stop As action arbeidsinzet at the moment is question of to be or not to be stop I accept also German reprisal stop the DC stop

(41)  Srl No. B2067/22 from Draughts of 09.01.45
From Draughts via Towy.
Aan CNBS stop Op vijf Januari (
5.1.1945) eerste meldingsdag arbeidsinzet te Amsterdam het aanmeldingsgebouw GPKEGKF school Marnisstraat opgeblazen verbrand stop De Tien NSB ambtenaren savonds alle neergeschoten stop Op zeven Januari (7.1.1945) het andere meldingsbebouw  Passeedersgracht verwoest waarbij eenige PTITSCSORS gedood stop Verschillende bevolkingsregisters in Noord Holland en Zuid Holland weggenomen stop The DC stop Nr three eight nine (389) stop

(42)  402 from draughts of 05.01.45 Don’t have this telegram.



Decorations for Daughts

London informed
DRAUGHTS (43) that he had been awarded the MBE and sent him heartiest congratulations and appreciation for the good work he was doing.





SD ultimatum: Draughts warned


On January 12th London cabled (
44) as follows: - LEO (RUMMY) of Rotterdam reports having received an ultimatum from the SD that if he does not capitulate then agents and captured underground men be shot. He is going to carry on but mentions that you are known to the SD . “We consider SD attempt at intimidation weak, as they would not issue ultimatum if they knew as much as they pretend to know. You know the state of your own security and if you consider that you are in danger then you must come out”.


“Take no Notice”

DRAUGHTS
replied (45) that even without this ultimatum the men of the underground movement would be shot. He asked HQ not to take any notice of the fact that the SD had information about him. He was told (46) that smoke bombs would be delivered in place of the tear-bombs he had asked for.


Resistance urged to attack rockets

HQ sent to the DRIEHOEK via
DRAUGHTS (47) an urgent request that resistance forces should assist in the fight against rocket activity directed towards liberated areas and England.


Rifle fire effective

If sabotage was not possible by explosives during transit, than the easiest method was to attack by riffle or Stengun fire the rocket casings or parts while being transported by rail or road. A rifle bullet would penetrate and seriously damage a rocket casing at 500 meter and the Sten at 100 meter. There was no danger of explosion as the war-head was not attached until the rocket reached  the firing point.

Oxygen target

The rockets were transported in units of three flat trucks, the middle truck being smaller than the other two. Each unit of three carried two rockets covered with canvas. Would the DRIEHOEK please request resistance forces to give the maximum help, and investigate the possibility of attacking stationary oxygen wagons? HQ would send special explosive charges if required.

(43)  272 to Draughts of 12.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
You have been awarded the MBE stop Our heartiest congratulations and appreciation for good work you are doing stop Hope official presentation will not be unduly delayed stop

(44)  273 to Draughts of 12.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
LEO Rotterdam reports having received ultimatum from SD that if he does
… no more text visible.

(46)  274 to Draughts of 13.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
Your four zero five (
405) stop Last part mutilated stop Please repeat name of ground ready as from Friday night stop Your three nine eight (398) stop Delivery tear gas impossible but will deliver smoke bombs stop Please state at which ground you want them dropped stop Eva very proud of your decoration stop

(45)  407 from Draughts of 13.01.45
From Draughts via Elan.
Four zero seven (
407) stop Your nr two seven three (273) stop Even without ultimatum underground men will be shot stop Please do not care about knowledge SD over my person stop Thanks for message stop Feeling proud with decoration stop

(47) 275 and 276 to Draughts of 13.01.45 Don’t have telegram 275.

276 to Draughts via night Elan.
Continuation of two seven five (
275) stop There is no danger of explosion as explosive head is only attached at firing point area stop Rockets are transported in units of three flat trucks middle truck being smaller than other two stop Each unit of three carries two rockets covered with canvas stop Please request resistance give maximum help stop Please investigate possibility attacking stationary Oxygen wagons stop Will send special explosive charges if required stop


Request for medical supplies


DRAUGHTS
  asked (48) for large quantities of medical supplies which were urgently needed in occupied Holland. These included 50 million units of insulin and considerable quantities of morphine, opium and belladonna.


New plan for sabotage

The following message was sent to
DRAUGHTS 1 for the DRIEHOEK (49): - “If you have not already done so consider it essential you set up urgently several small groups of men throughout each region to carry out sabotage operations under regional sabotage chiefs to be appointed by you on recommendation of PETER and FREEK. Groups in question would be required from most suitable elements among local OD, RVV and KP.


Reserves to support army

“Such an arrangement would enable the rest of your forces to be held in reserve for eventual support of military operations. We would use existing communications to issue directives for these groups through zone or regional commanders, but we would urge they pass such directives to regional sabotage chiefs verbally so as not to compromise their security. Similar plan worked very satisfactory in both Belgium and France. Urgently request report how soon this can be completed”.


Alcohol Target

DRAUGHTS
reported (50) that the Gist and Spiritus Fabriek (Yeast and Spirit Factory) at Delft was daily producing great quantities of 96 percent alcohol for rockets. A successful bombardment would put an end to a very great part of the supply in Holland.


Population Register Nearly Completed


London cabled
(51) to the DRIEHOEK that a report had been received that the control registers of population would be completed by the Germans towards the end of February. All new Ausweise would be booked in this register together with the number of the appropriate identity card. The informant had stated that the only way to save the illegal movement was to supply 200.000 unnumbered identity cards from England for distribution to underground workers. Would the DRIEHOEK give its opinion?


Draughts Prepares for New Razzia

DRAUGHTS
reported (52) that there were rumours of razzias starting again on January 20th. On the night of January 18th a large number of the police forces were arrested. Preparations had almost been completed for a series of hiding places so that when the razzias started, DRAUGHTS and his colleagues would be able to continue their work.

(48)  411 from  Draughts of 14.01.45
From Draughts via Towy.
Nr four one one (
411) stop FHAWP deficit of medicines will turn the medical providing of Dutch people to a catastrophal one may we urgently ask your help in this question stop For the next few months we need as most important supplies fifty million units insulin please powder two hundred fifty kg Phenilethyl Barbisurac Acid twenty five kg Morphimae Hydrochlorium two hundred kg opium fifty kg Extractum Belladonnae one half kg Pelocarpinae Eydrochloridum one thousand kg Sulfathiazolum one thousand kg Sulfanilamide five hundred kg Sulfapyridine stop Moreover the supply of Pyramidon Asprin Sqdium SALWYLATE rpt SALCCYQUATE and Vaseline are nearly exhausted stop

(49)   278 to Draughts of 15.01.45 Telegram has same text as in diary.

(50)  Srl No. B2338/8 from Draughts of 18.01.45 Don’t have this telegram.

(51) 286 to Draughts of 18.01.45 Telegram has same text as in diary.

(52)  419 from Draughts of 19.01.45
Again razzia rumours starting as from tomorrow stop Sorry for not answering DC question marks they are on the move after arrest of a few girls stop Last night number of police force arrested stop We are nearly ready with our hiding places and can work when razzias will start stop Please repeat your nr two eight three in a new message medical words mutilated stop
Thanks Pappa Bols stop


“Political fight” among resistance groups

DRAUGHTS cabled (53): - “There is nothing else but a political fight between the three illegal groups. Suggest the three organizations be liquidated, and a new commander for ll Holland appointed”. London hoped to send medical supplies requested by DRAUGHTS (54). Would he please indicate whether they were all to be sent to his area, and to which grounds? He replied (55) that the distribution centre would be Amsterdam. The amount requested was intended to supply the whole population of Holland for three months.


Oxygen wagons well guarded


The DRIEHOEK reported
(56) that the oxygen wagons used in connection with V-2 rockets were normally well guarded, but that when attacks were possible the explosives already in position of the resistance forces were sufficient. Further consignments were therefore not needed.


Surrender talks reported

DRAUGHTS
was warned (57) that information had been received that a doctor and a clergyman and two men of the resistance movement in The Hague were negotiating with the SD for total surrender and had been promised pardon against delivery of arms. Did DRAUGHTS know anything of these people? This information might be correct or merely n attempt at intimidation by the SD. DRAUGHTS replied (58) that DRAUGHTS-2 (Cor van Paaschen) had reported a surrender of arms a week ago. He had no further details and he did not know the persons mentioned.


Transformers sabotaged

He (
Biallosterski)  reported (59) that he had sabotaged with explosives the transformers delivering current to the Naval Establishment and to other important factories working for the German war industry. All these transformers were in Amsterdam (60).


V-1 news wanted

DRAUGHTS
was advised (61) that any available information regarding the enemy’s intention of using new V-1 launching sites  would be of great use to the Army. For example, they wished to have information on the construction of new sites, the collection of material on new or old sites and the mounting of extra guards.


More targets for sabotage

DRAUGHTS
was told (62) that in addition to the targets which he was already attacking, destruction of the following would assist the Allied war effort: - (a) Oxygen plants used in connection with rockets; (b) Petrol and oil supplies; (c)  Factories known to be working for the Germans, especially those making aircraft and submarine parts; precision instruments and wireless and electrical equipment . Sabotage teams should be isolated and not take part in other resistance activities.


(53)  422 from Draughts of 22.01.45
From Draughts via Elan.
Nr four two two (
422) stop Finding nothing else than a political fight between the three illegal groups stop Suggest to liquidate the three organizations and to appoint new commander over Holland stop

(54)  293 to Draughts of 23.01.45
To Draughts via night Elan.
In your telegram four one one (
411) you ask for certain medical supplies stop We hope to send these stop Tell us whether they all to be sent to your area and to which grounds in what proportions stop


(55)
  426 from Draughts of 24.01.45
From Draughts via Elan.
Nr four two six (
426) stop Your two nine three (239) stop Distribution place for Holland is Amsterdam stop Grounds Oliver and Sally stop Please portions we asked for enough for two or three months whole population Holland stop Thanks very much indeed stop

(56)  Srl No. B2804 from Draughts of 24.01.45
From Draughts via Towy.
Nr four two nine (
429) stop Your two seven six (276) stop Special explosives charges not necessary as Oxygen wagons normally well guarded and in view occasions that attacks are possible explosives in our position suffice stop The DC stop

(57)  296 to Draughts of 25.01.45
To draughts via night Elan.
For your information have been advised that a doctor a clergyman and two other men of illegal movement the The Hague are negotiation with SD for total surrender and have been promised pardon against delivery of arms stop Do you know of these people stop Your four two seven (
427) stop Please explain your meaning quote If you pick up cables unquote is cable broken or do you wish us to link up with cable stop

(58)  432 from Draughts of 25.01.45
From Draughts via Elan.
Nr four three two (
432) stop Your two nine six stop PIETER DEKKER reported SOSRNANNG (surrender) about a week ago stop There are only a few stens in The Hague stop Do not know persons stop Elst will soon be connected to Amsterdam stop Suggest to use Telex communication and hope you will link up with cable stop

(59)  Srl No. B2637 from Draughts of 29.01.45
From Draughts via Towy.
Nr four three six (
436) stop Knocked out transformers with explosives delivering current to Navy establishment and for the German war industry important factories stop

(60)  Srl No. B2665 from Draughts of 30.01.45
From Draughts via Towy.
Your three hundred (
300) stop Asterweg One Gramweg one Ruiterkade one Katersburgplein one Oosterburger Dwarsweg one Cruquinsweg and one Corn Troost Plein Landwacht kazerne stop

(61)  299 to Draughts of 29.01.45

(62)  306 from Draughts of 30.01.45
From Draughts via Elan.
In addition to targets which you are already attacking destruction following targets will assist Allied was effort stop Oxygen plants used in connection with rockets stop Petrol and oil supplies stop Factories known to be working for the Germans and in particular those engaged in making aircraft and submarine parts precision wireless and electrical instruments stop Sabotage teams should be isolated and not take part in other resistance activities in order to safeguard security of NBS stop
Love from Denmark stop




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