SPY MANIA

I note my previous blog was about the First World War and regret, therefore, that this one briefly treads that same ground.

This is an extract from a book called Myths & Legends of the First World War by James Hayward. In the opening chapters, Mr Hayward talks about the rumours, legends and false-sightings that swept across Britain as the war ground into action from August 1914.

It seems that things reached such a pass that many legitimate, pro-British activities, were caught up in a net of suspicion. Consider the following:

"At this period [Sep 1914] the disease [spy mania] attacked even naval and military officers and special constables. If a telegraphist was sent on a motor-cycle to examine and test the telegraph poles, another cyclist was certain to be sent out by some authority in pursuit. On one occasion the authorities dispatched to the Eastern Counties a car equipped with a Marconi aparatus and two skilled operators to intercept any illicit messages that might be passing over the North Sea. They left London at noon: at 3 they were under lock and key in Essex. After an exchange of telegrams they were set free, but at 7pm they telegraphed from the police cells in another part of the country, imploring help. When again liberated they refused to move without the escort of a Territorial officer in uniform, but on the following morning, the police of another county had got hold of them and telegraphed: "Three German spies arrested with car and complete wireless installation, one in uniform of British officer."