KV 2/13

Sjoerd Pons

Part I

Again this is a dramatic document, albeit, not ending deadly - as ended the three other companions; Meier, van den Kieboom and Waldberg.

I have stored and made public their contents within our webpage Seeloewe 2

As practiced since several years in this KV 2/xx related context, I add where considered

necessary, my various comments or considerations. All clearly recognisable by: blue, red and sometimes green colours.

Please, do not multiply this document, as its purpose is for studying only; because some may still obey to Crown Copyright.

By Arthur O. Bauer

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KV 2/13

Pons Sjoerd PF 53127

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KV 2/13-1, page 2

10.10.40 Photograph of Pons 30.11.40 Extract from a letter from Sir Alexander Maxwell 27.11.40 Report of Pons case trial, with notes, D.S.S., D.D.S.2. Further note of the trial of Pons, Kieboom, Meier and Waldberg KV 2/13-1, page 3

24.2.41 B.L. Report, summary of Interrogation of Pons (AOB, his three colleagues had

been executed in the mean time)

25.6.41 From B.L. re leakage of information. 30.6.41 from B.L. enclosing translations of letters written to Pons.

1.7.41 Original letters to and from Stjoerd Pons. KV 2/13-1, page 4

2.4.42 From Camp 020 with letters to Pons to be tested for secret ink. 4.4.42 To Scientific forwarding letters for testing. 8.4.42 From Scientific Section (of G.P.O.) returning two letter tested with negative results. 11.4.42 To Camp 020 with two (negative result) tested letters (AOB, please notice, that Pons was the only person who was not considered guilty enough, as he could convince the court - that he was forced to accept German pressure because he was blackmailed by them; and due to this circumstance he was not executed, but likely for the time being interned in Camp 020 or that like) KV 2/13-1, page 5

26.8.42 From Home Office forwarding letter from Pons 17.9.42 From H.O. with letter for Pons 6.2.43 From Home Office forwarding Red cross message for Pons.

19.11.43 From British Red Cross forwarding letter for Pons.

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KV 2-13/1, page 21

Sjoerd Pons photograph

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KV 2-13/1, page 29

Copy sent Mrs. Lee on 17.6.43

Transfer between Camp 020 and 020 R. (AOB, maybe was Camp 020R particularly established as to retain men unconditionally)

Transferred to Camp 020R Date of Transfer 23.3.43.

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KV 2-13/1, page 30

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Master Card (AOB, Mastercards, from my personal experience, were granted to: by then still living individuals)

A nationality Dutch Pons, Sjoerd Place of born Amsterdam Pons, Stjoerd Born 05.06.1912 1940 - 1945 : U.K. 1947 : Amsterdam Ref. PF 53127 1940: Detainee 1940: Agent; Intell. Service; Germany (53/11/ /545/ 1989; Current; File Status: Amber (55/11/ /69 / 1997; File Status Red (AOB, might this imply that Pons was still alive? 13.06.1997 (All these Master Cards encountered: carry dates of Autumn 1989, just about the moment the ‘Iron Curtain’ was torn down)

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KV 2-13-1, page 32

Composite Copy. ALPH Num SC.13643 Immigration Branch, PF Home Office P-14782 10, Old Bailey. London, E.C.4. PF 53,127 9th August 1946 24th April 1947 To the Immigration Officer, Sjoerd Pons. Born: 5.6.12 at Amsterdam Nationality: Dutch Occupation: Commercial traveller (1946) One of a list of aliens who have been deported from this country at various dates. Most of

them are enemy agents, and none should be allowed to land again in the United Kingdom. (1947) Pons is a Dutch commercial traveller born 5.6.12 at Amsterdam, who arrived secretly in this

country on 3.9.40. He was later detained on security grounds (his colleagues had been executed), and deported on 2.7.45.

He should not be allowed to land again in the United Kingdom. (AOB, They were on the loosing side, albeit, not yet aware of it. Quite often against their (M.I.5.´s)

advice, they receiver later visa for England) W.R. Perks, Her Majesties Chief Inspector Extract from (1960) Suspect Index: Pons, Sjoerd M/5.6.12/Du/exo/R/SC.13643

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KV 2/13-1, page 33

Note for file. I am taking no action in connection with the last sentence of the letter at serial 46a (see minute

46a below) All letters addressed to Pons by the international Red Cross can be ignored and we are not called upon to have any dealings with the international Red Cross unless and until that body directs some inquiry to an official quarter. (AOB, the Home Office; M.I.5. even ignored this Ministry in many cases, why? Because they considered themselves "Ruling the waves")

H.P. Milmo (M.I.5) B.I.B./12.12.43 (M.I.5.) KV 2/13-1, page 5 Minute 46a

26.11.43 From Camp 020 forwarding letter from Red Cross and letter for Pons. Minute 46a. KV 2/13-1, page 33

17.6.47 Extract from report from Netherlands Embassy mentioning Pons Minute 51a. KV 2/13-1, page 34

Down Pons, Sjoerd, born at Amsterdam 5.6.1912. From the administration it appears that this case was handed over to the Special Criminal Court (Bijzonder Gerechtshof) on 20.5.46. He was released on 16.7.46, awaiting further measures. His address is = Frans Hovenstraat 12, Amsterdam. (AOB, I have never heard of this street in my life, although, I live in Amsterdam already for 77 years, and Google Earth is also lacking an answer)(AOB, reconsidering Frans Hovenstraat should be: Fraunhoferstraat 12)

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KV 2/13-1, page 40

Sjoerd Pons, Dutch citizen acquitted at Old Bailey 22 Nov. 1940 of charge under Treachery Act 1940 now to be made subject of a detention order under 12(5)(a) of Aliens Order 1920. Copy of order is on way from Home Office. Francis Corenay Sgd, Special Branch 23rd Nov. 1040 Her Majesties Prison Pentonville. (AOB, I admire the legal attitude of the British Home Office! After having been confronted with many ten thousands of document pages, M.I.5. in contrast was structually opposing legal means, where possible). (AOB, please notice that Sjoerd Pons had been the only one of the group of four men who landed on 3rd September 1940 who survived. The other men received at the end of their trials at the Old Bailey the death sentence by hanging. In contrast, Sjoerd Pons was considered in a position of another nature, he got involved due to German blackmailing on him) (Then is the following document a logical legal move on behalf of the Home Office). Please be aware, strange, but that is their praxis, minute are mainly running in succession of time; but the succession of the file documents is running in an inverse succession. The increasing page numbers, you are going backwards in time.

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KV 2/13-1, page 39

Aliens Order, 1920, as Subsequently Ammended.

Detention Order. Whereas a Deportation Order has been made with respect to Sjoerd Pons An alien: And whereas I am of the opinion that the deportation of the said alien would be prejudicial to the efficient prosecution of the war: An whereas I am of the opinion that the detention of the said alien is necessary or expedient for securing the defence of the realm: Now, therefore, in pursuance of the power conferred on me by paragraph (5A) of Article 12 of the Aliens Order, 1920, as subsequently amended, I hereby direct that the said Sjoerd Pons be detained. (signed) Herbert Morrison. P.14782/2 One of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State. Home Office Whitehall.

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KV 2/13-1, page 42

I would like to suggest, please digest it yourself

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KV 2/13-1, page 44

Metropolitan Police.

Special Branch, Scotland House, 2nd. Day of November 1940 With reference to the communication No. 5334, dated 30th October, 1940 from Governor of Brixton Prison (AOB, we may expect that all four men stayed there before their trials stayed) related to the request of Sjoerd Pons for permission to receive money and property taken from him at Seabrook Police Station. Certain property and money belonging to the prisoner is in the hands of Metropolitan Police and under no can be returned. The actual location of his remaining property is unknown but I am certain that none of it can be returned to Pons until after his trial. I ask that copy of his report be sent to the Governor of Brixton Prison for his information. Inspector Superintendent Prison Informed 5.11.40 Signed Governor

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KV 2/13-1, page 49 + 50

Surname Pons Forenames Sjoerd Camp Number 94275 Nationality Dutch Place of birth Amsterdam Date of birth 5-6-1912 Camp 006 From Brixton – Jan 13/41 001 Oratory School 10-2-41

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KV 2/13-1, page 55

N.B. Immediately before his execution (10.12.1940), Waldberg wrote a statement which gives an entirely different story of his life. He there professes to have been a dairyman and to have visited Denmark in the course of his business. These visits became of interest to the Germans who whished to make him work for them. This story gives no explanation of the extensive information which Waldberg has supplied about the German Secret Service centre in Wiesbaden. Waldberg also apparently produced another variation of his story for the benefit of Meier, in which he claimed Swiss nationality, but this again does not tally with the information he gave under interrogation. (AOB, I found that there exists another file: KV 2/1452 also dedicated to Waldberg and might throw a different light at this curious person. Not mentioned in the above: the only last letter written by Waldberg had a totally different content! It has been noticed somewhere in the KV 2/1699 – KV 2/1700 (https://www.cdvandt.org/seeloewe-espionage.htm) KV 2/13-1, page 61 + 62

Trial. On 24.10.40 all four spies left Camp 020 and were subsequently tried at the Old Bailey. Waldberg, Meier and van den Kieboom were found guilty of espionage. Waldberg and Meier were hanged at Pentonville Prison on 10.12.40. Van den Kieboom at first asked leave to appeal but later withdrew request and was hanged on 17.12.40. Pons was found Not guilty on the ground that he was forced into the work against his will. On 10.2.41 he returned to Camp 020 where he remained in internment. Conclusions. The whole conduct of this expedition reflects the urgency of events in September 1940. France had fallen, the German Army was massing at the French Channel ports for an invasion of the British Isles and the Battle of Britain was already being fought out over Southern England. Preparation in advance by Fifth Columnists and spies is an important feature of Nazi invasion and the same procedure was to be expected in this country. It is hard to believe there were no other expeditions than the one described here. Waldberg in fact referred to a party, including Schneider, which was to have landed near Plymouth but was stopped and questioned by a naval patrol vessel; representing themselves to be fishermen thay avoided suspicion and managed to return to France.

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The manner in which the expedition was planned sheds light on the German position at the time. An element of blackmail entered into the recruiting of the three spies. The training of all was extremely sketchy and instructions at times contradictory. Equipment was inadequate; they were, for instance, landed in a Defence Area without any civilian papers. Detailed instructions for their behaviour on landing were completely omitted, a fact which assisted in their speedy arrest. Invasion spies need not all be highly trained and equipped, but the lack of organisation on this expedition seems rather to indicate a state of unpreparedness on the part of the Germans. The fall of France had come unexpectedly soon and the rapid and enormous adjustments of plans for a further invasion led to confusion and failure in technique at some points. The speedy arrest of these four spies brought invaluable information in British hands, among which where the names and descriptions of potential agents, name of English contacts and information on the organisation of the German Secret Service was thus provided at a crucial moment in the war with a skeleton plan of enemy espionage activities near our shores. (signed) M.H. Clegg.

(AOB, don’t forget: that Hitler never intended to invade England by naval means; the Blitz was mainly Goering’ plan) Camp 020 5.2.42. Copied Camp 020. 25.6.45./MA.

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KV 2/13-1, page 63

Regent 6050 White Hall 6789 Parliament Street B.O. London S.W.1. November 26th November 1943 To: B.I.B., Mr. H.P. Milmo: (M.I.5.)

Pons

With reference to the attached letter for Pons, forwarded by the Red Cross Society, Internee Section, which you enclosed with your (arrogant) internal memorandum of 24.11.43, I am returning same as I understand you have not had insight of it. (quite embarrassing!) Moreover, the latter part of the second paragraph contains certain implications on which the Home Office may wish to act. ??

Major

Camp 020.

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KV 2/13-1, page 64

British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem

Foreign Relations Department

Mr. Sjoerd Pons, c/o Home Office, Internment Camps Division, Scotland House, S.W.1. Dear Sir, Re: Enquiry from Mr & Mrs Pons (his parents?) We have an enquiry for you through the International Red cross on behalf of your parents, who state that they have noy heard from you since April 1941. We will be pleased to send them a short personal reply through the same Red Cross channels if you care to let us have one. In any case, will you be so kind as to answer this letter in order that we may know it has reached you, as the International Red Cross will repeat the enquiry until they receive some sort of answer. Yours truly, M.R. Carden. Internees Section.

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KV 2/13-1, page 65

Watch the stamp: London S.W. 1.! Mr. Sjoerd Pons. Mrs Lee, c/o Home Office B2. Div. Home Office Interment Camps Division 10, Old Bailey Scotland House E.C.4 S.W.1.

Red Cross Message Bureau Clarence House, St. James’s London ??? 1

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KV 2/13-1, page 69

Mr. Milmo B.I.B. (previously refusing conveying a Red Cross letter) Colonel Stephens Camp 020 Herewith a red Cross message for Sjoerd Pons, for disposal as you think fit. (AOB, this is the way: M.I. 5 Civil Crown Servants obey to Home Office directives) 18.2.43, For H.P. Milmo

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KV 2/13-1, page 70

Home Office (Aliens Department), 10 Old Bailey London, E.C.4 6th February, 1943. Dear Milmo,

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On going through my file for Sjoerd Pons, I find that I have omitted to send you the enclosed Red Cross message. Perhaps you will be good enough to arrange for it to be passed on to Pons, if you seen no objection. Yours sincerely, K.G. Lee (AOB, Milmo, c.s., obstructed such matters where ever possible) KV 2/13-1, page 78

Scientific Section, M.I.5. A.6. April 8, 1942 Dear Milmo, These two letters addressed to Pons have been tested for secret writing. No evidence of secret writing has been found. It may interest you to know that the letters have been fairly completely tested before, presumably by the Germans, only between the lines of clear writing had not been tested. Of course the testing may have been dome by our censorship, the method is essentially the same, so I have no means of deciding. Yours sincerely, H.L Smith The letters are returned. H.L.Smith.

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KV 2/13, page 89

10th October 1941 H.L. Smith Esq., Scientific Section, G.P.O. Would you be so good enough to test the two letters for secret writing. These may be tested to destruction. B.1.B. (M.I.5) H.P. Milmo HPM (Milmo)/MEJ KV 2/13-1, page 91

15th July 1941

Dear Stephens (leader of interrogation Camp 020) .. It is quite clear that this leakage occurred when Pons was at Lingfield and was permitted to write letters from that camp. We have checked up o the intermediary in New York of that of whom there are no traces in the Registry. It does not seem to take care there is no repetition. Yours sincerely, H.P. Milmo (M.I.5) Lt.-Colonel R. Stephens, Latchmere House. (Camp 020)

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KV 2/13-1, page 92 translation of the Dutch letter directed to Pons in captivity

Dear ‘Boeviedik’! (Pons’ cosy-name) (literally ‘Fat Scallywag’.) Received your letter this morning, and you can imagine how delighted Mother, Father, Gerda, Mart & I are. We are so terribly happy to have a sign of life from you. I can’t put in writing what and how much I am thinking of you. Oh. Little boy, how worried I have been. I hope I shall never have to go through all this again – I couldn’t stand it a second time, I was in such a despair at times. But that is all over now, and you know that I love you more every day. Mother is happy as a child! My boy will understand that, won’t he! Cor & Elsa are now frightfully pleased, and have of course asked me to send their best wishes. I hope that this letter won’t take so very long reaching you, as you must be bursting with impatience. Everything is alright here. We are all well, and now that we know that your are all right, too - except for being a bit jealous of our new kitten. Oh, darling there is so much that I’d like to write you – only what I am thinking cannot be put in writing. ….. (Signed) Jo.(likely Pons’ wife)

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KV 2/93-1, page 93

Dear Sjoerd, Oh, how glad we are that we have now heard from you that you are all right. At times it has been unbearable, but you will have gone thought that, too. This has made me cry, too, but only because I was so happy. Father, mart, Gerda & I shall write to you in a couple of day’s time. One of these letters is sure to reach you. Cor & Gerda will be writing too. I shall stop now, so that I can post this straight away. Courage, now Sjoerd, and let’s hope that everything will soon be all right again. A kiss from your loving Mother, Father , Mart & Gerda. Best wishes from your little niece (cousin Willy! Also from Anny & Pa (or from Anny van Pa) etc.! Good-bye ‘boeviedik’ – much love! (AOB, albeit, that this file does not show in which context we should take notice of it – I discovered in the KV 2.13-2 that his is a translation of a letter written by Sjoerd Pons’ mother) KV 2/13-1, page 97

Please digest the information yourself

Please be aware: that the U.S.A. were not yet at war with Germany, and the letters from

Holland might have been send via the trajectory: Holland – US – U.K.

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KV 2/13-1, page 99

We may consider that No. 94275 was Sjoerd Pons’ prisoner number.

They (M.I.5) might not have been pleased with the amount of data had reached the Netherlands in 1941

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KV 2/13-1, page 100

C. Pons van Slingerland; might have been Pons wife’s name; thus nee Slingerland. Fraunhoferstraat 12 -0; may indicate that they lived at ground floor level in the Fraunhoferstraat number 12. (An area where teachers, civil servants and that like lived) (AOB, actually about 3 km from where I live today (2019) Also interesting are the German stamps: Geöffnet means: that the envelope has been opened by German censorship (on behalf of the German: Oberkommando der Wehrmacht)(the red stamps aren’t readable, for me), as Opened indicates that similar was done by the British service.

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KV 2/13-2, page 2

Attached we find a photo of his wife; please consider this all as a delicate matter, which nevertheless, is painting the real facts, lacking so often in other publications!

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Crown Copyright Likely she was ‘Jo’,

Pons’wife The foregoing letter, as well as the above photograph - should not be reproduced, as its

purpose: is, to provide a truly understanding of what had been the feelings of their closeted relatives versus Sjoerd Pons; who was kept in British Captivity, until two months after the end

of hostilities in June 1945!

Termination Part I