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A colourful character, he was well aware of the dramatic and sometimes humorous undertones to certain verbal exchanges in which he was involved. Again it was the consistency of his recall, when key dialogues were revisited over the years, which made his account so powerful and convinced the author of its authenticity.

The reader is reminded regularly in this notes section that Sneum is the source for the dialogues included in this book. Also, where Sneum is quoted, the reader is further reminded that those quotes come from author Mark Ryan’s many interviews with Sneum between 1998-2006. But Ryan has been careful to seek other sources of information where possible.

Parts of Tommy’s story had already been mentioned in history books, so there was never any doubt that he was a genuinely important espionage figure in World War Two. When Britain’s Security Service (MI5) confirmed to the author in writing that Sneum had indeed been a controversial wartime spy, the validity of Tommy’s claims took on a new authority.

There was also plenty more documentation available to support Tommy’s story. The author uncovered very detailed Swedish and Danish police reports relating to Sneum and his colleagues. Again these proved entirely consistent with Tommy’s claims. Similarly the National Archives in Kew, London, England, was a goldmine of information. The wartime records of Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE), particularly the HS2 series relating to SOE Operations in Scandinavia, were very helpful in building the picture surrounding that organisation and its petty rivalry with Tommy’s British spymasters, SIS (MI6). Sneum’s mission into Nazi-occupied territory, given this troubled political backdrop, is all the more remarkable.

The KV 6/9—38 series, released for public perusal at the National Archives in 2003, also offered fascinating source material. This transfer included Security Service Files relating to the reliability of particular agents. Geoffrey Wethered of Branch B1B of the Secret Service had set up procedures to investigate British-run agents under suspicion. The files conveyed an atmosphere bordering on paranoia. Perhaps it was a necessary paranoia, given just how many British-run agents had been captured and used against the Allies in Holland. But the tenacity of Wethered, a passionate hunter of traitors, also showed just how dangerous the doubts surrounding Tommy could have been for him.

Other notes will be provided by way of background to the main text where necessary. These should leave no doubt that we are dealing with a true story here in every way. And truth, as we all know, is often stranger than fiction. Here, then, are the page-by-page notes for The Hornet’s Sting.

INTRODUCTION

Note 1: Page 3, Lines 18-20: “The author Ken Follett . . . eventful war.” Follett kindly returned Ryan’s call in 2007 and spoke at length of Sneum as the inspiration for his novel “Hornet Flight.” Follett was also kind enough to offer Ryan advice and encouragement with regard to the telling of this, the true story.

Note 2: Page 3, Line 25: “In a letter . . . ” This letter was from MI5 to the author, Mark Ryan.

Note 3: Page 4, Lines 25-26: “To Thomas Senum . . . and the war.” The author has seen the handwritten dedication from R.V. Jones to Sneum in Tommy’s paperback copy of the book personally.

Note 4: Page 5, Lines 1-4 (and preceding text): “Denmark . . . to us until today.” From the Special Operations Executive (SOE ) Files at the National Archives in Kew, London, England, UK.

CHAPTER 1: THE TIGHTROPE TO RADAR

Note 1: Page 9, Lines 21-23: “and had the opportunity . . . most westerly port.” Sneum was there to protest at attempts to deny him the right to use a firearm for hunting on Fanoe.

Note 2: Page 10, Lines 1-6: Dialogue as told to the author by Tommy Sneum during interviews between 1998 and 2006.

Note 3: Page 10, Lines 28-30: “He had met Goering . . . where Sneum was stationed.