The Secrets of the German War OfficeGraves, Armgaard Karl
History
The Secrets of the German War Office
Graves, Armgaard Karl
Germany -- Foreign relations -- 1871-1918
From the waterguard I obtained more definite information regarding the
Rossyth base. So much for the topographical knowledge which could
only be obtained through personal contact with men who actually knew
every inch of the ground. The charts back in Berlin could not give me
that exact information. The higher scientific data of the
fortifications and the base, I obtained by social intercourse with
high placed officials--officers and engineers at Rossyth--whom I
entertained at various times.
The schooling I had received in the silhouettes presently came in
handy. One night my friend, the bridge tender, learned that the fleet
was getting up steam. Accordingly, I stood on the bridge that night
and waited. At five o'clock in the morning a gray, rainy, foggy
morning, through which the ships moved almost ghost-like, I made out
sixteen war vessels. From their silhouettes, I knew them to be
dreadnaughts, cruisers, and torpedo boat destroyers. At once I filed
a cable by way of Brussels, informing the Intelligence Department of
the German Navy that an English fleet sixteen strong had put to sea.
Subsequently I learned that in describing the sixteen ships I had made
only one mistake.
I may here draw attention and in return for England's fair treatment
of me during my trial, give them gratis, this information. _The Firth
of Forth Bridge constitutes a grave danger to the Rossyth Royal naval
base._
For this reason: Its location between Rossyth and the sea is a decided
menace. In the event of hostilities, in fact before the outbreak of
war, it is no ways impossible to blow up the Firth of Forth Bridge and
bottle all war vessels concentrated at the Rossyth base. They could
thus be bottled up for several days powerless, while a foreign fleet
swept at the Scottish coasts. The British foreign office will
understand what I mean by this: _Look to the middle island._
I found it to be partly intervened with soft, soapy neiss, making
natural ruts and cavities that were ideal for the placing of
explosives. I learned also that along the Edinburgh approach to the
Firth of Forth Bridge were two pieces of ground and houses in reality
owned by Germans although the deeds stood in Scottish names.
Moreover, little fishing hamlets on either side of the bridge harbored
more than one supposed Swedish fisherman but who in reality had his
name still on the German Naval register. In the event of trouble
these men, using explosives stored in the two houses in question,
could have blown the Middle Island to atoms.
After about three weeks I began to be suspicious of being followed.
Arriving home one night I noticed that my dress suit was arranged in a
different way to what I had left it. I called my landlady and
casually inquired if my tailor had been there. She said, "No,
Doctor."
"Well," I replied. "What reason have you then to rearrange my
clothes?"
Her face reddened and she seemed flustered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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