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The Hornet's Sting_ The Amazing Untold Story of World War II Spy Thomas Sneum - Mark Ryan [172]

By Root 561 0
3: “I wrote to Hitler . . . closer to Germans, particularly their youth.” Source: author Mark Ryan interviewed Ronald Turnbull several times between 1999 and 2003. Turnbull died in 2004.

Note 2: Page 33 Lines 29-30: “A couple of days later . . . ” The author is in possession of Sneum’s stamped passport/visas for this journey, containing the precise dates.

Note 3: Page 34, Lines 27-8: ‘She was still in love with Henry . . . ’ Turnbull interviewed by author 1999-2003.

Note 4: Page 35, Line 34 to Page 36, Line 38: ‘Well done on the sea planes . . . They take moving pictures.’ Dialogue as told by Sneum to author 1998-2006.

CHAPTER 5: ON LOCATION

Note 1: Page 41, Line 31, to Page 42, Line 3: ‘I crouched down . . . Then he walked off.’ As told to the author by Sneum on many occasions 1998-2006.

Note 2: Page 43, Lines 8-9: “ . . . he sprinted for the base of the tower . . . ” As described by Sneum to author in interviews 1998-2006.

CHAPTER 6: FLIGHT PLAN

Note 1: Page 48, Lines 7-15: Sneum’s feelings as described to the author 1998-2006.

Note 2: Page 49, Lines 1-21: Dialogue as recalled by Sneum in several interviews with the author 1998-2006.

CHAPTER 7: THE JIGSAW PUZZLE

Note 1: Page 52, Lines 7-8: “Turnbull wants jerking up . . . SO2 work?” From the SOE Files, National Archives, Kew, London, England.

Note 2: Lines 11-17: ‘Firstly Hambro . . . could achieve.’ From Turnbull’s interviews with author between 1999 and 2003, while Ronnie was residing in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Note 3: Page 53, Lines 15-16: “The ship was chased . . . enormous human cost on both sides.” The initial Battle of the Denmark Strait saw the British Royal Navy Battleship HMS Hood sunk with the loss of 1,415 lives. On 27 May the Bismarck was finally sunk with 1,995 German sailors lost.

CHAPTER 8: A CLOSE SHAVE

Note 1: Page 61, Lines 7-14: ‘I’m leaving . . . Well, don’t be too long.’ Dialogue here and elsewhere in the chapter as told to author by Sneum 1998-2006.

CHAPTER 9: TAKE-OFF

Note 1: Page 69, Line 12: “ . . . new order to offer no resistance . . . ” The Danish land forces had already put up some token resistance and casualties amounted to sixteen dead before Denmark surrendered.

Note 2: Page 72, Line 1 to Page 73, Line 3: “Suddenly there was a fresh sensation . . . reached North Sea.” Sneum’s account to author, 1998-2006.

CHAPTER 10: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Note 1: Page 76, Line 37 to Page 77, Line 1: “The rest had been sent . . . Russia.” Sneum’s account to the author, based on what he was told by the Germans after the war.

Note 2: Page 79, Lines 25-26: “It was time . . . Messerschmidt 109 to be scrambled.” This account is based on Sneum’s claim to the author that a solitary Messerschmidt was scrambled and his understanding of what happened next. Sneum told the author that he sensed the proximity of the German fighter, though mercifully there was no visual contact with the enemy.

CHAPTER 11: WING-WALKER

Note 1: Page 81, Lines 15-16: “ . . . Then the engine stopped . . . ” The account given here and subsequently is exactly as Sneum told it to the author in numerous interviews between 1998 and 2006.

CHAPTER 12: THE WELCOME

Note 1: Page 92, Lines 8-18: Dialogue reproduced here as given to the author more than once by Sneum 1999-2006.

CHAPTER 13: DISBELIEF

Note 1: Page 96, Lines 21- 23: “The inquisitors were Wing Commander Pringley . . . Flight

Officer Forest.” Source: A detailed report that Sneum made out later for Danish Intelligence, now in the author’s possession.

Note 2: Page 97, Lines 33-34: “It had been adapted . . . five months before.” Source: War Office Files, National Archives, Kew, London, England.

CHAPTER 14: SENDING FOR THE DOCTOR

Note 1: Page 99, Lines 21-22: “Seaman Peters . . . Olaf Poulsen” Source: Sneum’s later report for Danish Intelligence and subsequent interviews with the author.

Note 2: Page 100, Lines 11-26: “I talked about my work . . . using the maps.” Source: Sneum’s written report

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