WALDEMAR OZOLS.
Waldemar Ozols, alias SOLJA, SOKOL, THE GENERAL, "Z" and MARIANNE (WT) may have been an R.U. agent for a number of years before the war.
Posted to France in 1937, where he may have been concerned with espionage against the UK. he pais several visits to England before the outbreak of war and probably held an official post under the Soviet M.A. in Paris. According to BERG, he was in touch with Robinson.
Apparently remained in Paris in June 1940 after the German occupation, temporarily out of touch with his control.
Received instruction in August 1940 through an emissary from the Soviet M.A. at Vichy to obtain intelligence relating to the German forces of occupation. Reports were sent by regular courier service to Vichy.
Before the withdrawal of the Soviet representation from Vichy in 1941, Ozols may have been provided with a WT transmitter and have been instructed to transmit reports direct to Moscow, but contact was either not established or else broke down after the outbreak of the Russo-German war. Ozols is likely, however, to have continued to collect intelligence and to build up a network of agents.
Over the "MARS" transmitter (then under German control) Gurevich was instructed in March 1943 by Moscow to find Ozols and to reactivate his intelligence network. After weeks of search Ozols was discovered in July (? through Robinson) and invited by Gurevich to collaborate.
German playback in September 1943 with MARIANNE (Ozols) transmitter commenced.
By the end of the year in December 1943, Ozols who had penetrated the French resistance organisation "Mithridate" introduced Legendre to Gurevich.
Ozols's group provided Gurevich with intelligence until the time of the Allied occupation of Paris. A mobile group, with WT operator, reported from Montpelier, Bayonne and finally Angers, on the progress of the invasion.
Ozols's last meeting with Gurevich took place in Paris on 16-08-1944. Ozols remained there, with instructions to maintain his service and to await a message from Gurevich, who left for the South of France. he was subsequently arrested in Paris by the French authorities, but released shortly afterwards through Soviet intervention.
Addresses.
In 1940: Rue Vauggirard 31, Paris.
Between 1943 and 1944: Villa Molitor, Rue Molitor 24, Paris XVI.
Personal particulars.
Nationality: Lithuanian.
Date of birth: 17-10-1894 in Riga?
Description: Height given variously as 5' 7" and 6' 0" slim build; young appearance; erect carriage; grey hair; long thin face with prominent cheekbones; sometimes wore spectacles and frequently a beret.
Relatives: A brother, held by the Soviets in Siberia, whose liberation was sought by Ozols through Gurevich in 1944.
History.
One-time officer in the Russian Army. Served with revolutionary forces in Russia 1918-1919. Subsequently returned to Lithuania and became a senior staff officer by 1925, said to have been an active Soviet agent, supplying reports on the military strength of Lithuania. the Lithuanian authorities discovered his treachery in about 1926 and he fled to the USSR.
Fought with the Reds in 1936 in the Spanish Civil War.
Posted to France in 1937, where he probably held an appointment under the Soviet Military attache.
After his release in 1945 by the French authorities, was given official status by the Soviet propaganda in France.
Was a member of the Soviet Chamber of Commerce in Paris in August 1946.
Source: KV3/351.
Posted to France in 1937, where he may have been concerned with espionage against the UK. he pais several visits to England before the outbreak of war and probably held an official post under the Soviet M.A. in Paris. According to BERG, he was in touch with Robinson.
Apparently remained in Paris in June 1940 after the German occupation, temporarily out of touch with his control.
Received instruction in August 1940 through an emissary from the Soviet M.A. at Vichy to obtain intelligence relating to the German forces of occupation. Reports were sent by regular courier service to Vichy.
Before the withdrawal of the Soviet representation from Vichy in 1941, Ozols may have been provided with a WT transmitter and have been instructed to transmit reports direct to Moscow, but contact was either not established or else broke down after the outbreak of the Russo-German war. Ozols is likely, however, to have continued to collect intelligence and to build up a network of agents.
Over the "MARS" transmitter (then under German control) Gurevich was instructed in March 1943 by Moscow to find Ozols and to reactivate his intelligence network. After weeks of search Ozols was discovered in July (? through Robinson) and invited by Gurevich to collaborate.
German playback in September 1943 with MARIANNE (Ozols) transmitter commenced.
By the end of the year in December 1943, Ozols who had penetrated the French resistance organisation "Mithridate" introduced Legendre to Gurevich.
Ozols's group provided Gurevich with intelligence until the time of the Allied occupation of Paris. A mobile group, with WT operator, reported from Montpelier, Bayonne and finally Angers, on the progress of the invasion.
Ozols's last meeting with Gurevich took place in Paris on 16-08-1944. Ozols remained there, with instructions to maintain his service and to await a message from Gurevich, who left for the South of France. he was subsequently arrested in Paris by the French authorities, but released shortly afterwards through Soviet intervention.
Addresses.
In 1940: Rue Vauggirard 31, Paris.
Between 1943 and 1944: Villa Molitor, Rue Molitor 24, Paris XVI.
Personal particulars.
Nationality: Lithuanian.
Date of birth: 17-10-1894 in Riga?
Description: Height given variously as 5' 7" and 6' 0" slim build; young appearance; erect carriage; grey hair; long thin face with prominent cheekbones; sometimes wore spectacles and frequently a beret.
Relatives: A brother, held by the Soviets in Siberia, whose liberation was sought by Ozols through Gurevich in 1944.
History.
One-time officer in the Russian Army. Served with revolutionary forces in Russia 1918-1919. Subsequently returned to Lithuania and became a senior staff officer by 1925, said to have been an active Soviet agent, supplying reports on the military strength of Lithuania. the Lithuanian authorities discovered his treachery in about 1926 and he fled to the USSR.
Fought with the Reds in 1936 in the Spanish Civil War.
Posted to France in 1937, where he probably held an appointment under the Soviet Military attache.
After his release in 1945 by the French authorities, was given official status by the Soviet propaganda in France.
Was a member of the Soviet Chamber of Commerce in Paris in August 1946.
Source: KV3/351.