SOE Manual: How to be an Agent in Occupied Europe

iv. Plans must be laid for eventual flight if he comes under grave suspicion, and a suitable hide-out prepared. Any necessary false papers and clothes for this disappearance should be readily available, including a reserve supply of money. Cover story advisable to explain the disappearance. Simple disguise.

3. CONCLUSION.

The security precautions outlined above should be put into practice as soon as the agent enters the organisation and starts his training. Although the danger of German espionage in this country is not so great, all precautions should be taken. It is also necessary to know how to deal with friends and other persons who might be curious.

By starting at such an early stage the agent is also getting into the habit of thinking along security lines and preparing himself for his work in the field. He must remember that secrecy, even with those nearest to him, and in whom he has the most confidence, is essential for his safety.

A. 4/5

January 43

C O V E R. (#u429c0a8d-2b34-5390-a949-a29f22c47bf8)

1. DEFINITION.

Your cover is the life which you outwardly lead in order to conceal the real purpose of your presence and the explanation which you give of your past and present. It is best considered under the heads; Past, Link between Past and Present, Present and “Alibis”.

2. YOUR PAST.

Before your departure, with the assistance of your Section Officers, you will probably prepare a story of your past life up to the time of your arrival. But you cannot always arrange a complete story before leaving; furthermore you may have to change part, or all, of your cover story when you are actually in the field and know what your circumstances are to be. Nevertheless you must be able to give some account of yourself if questioned immediately after your arrival.

In inventing or amending your cover story, or that of another agent, the following points should be considered:–

a. Identity.

i. Your Own.

Advantages: Your story will be mainly true.

Only a limited period will have to be explained away.

Records will confirm your statements.

Disadvantages: The subversive part of your history may be known to the enemy or to persons who may give you away. This is usually the case with escapees.

ii. That of a Real Person, Distant or Dead.

Advantages: The story, being real, will be self-consistent.

Records will confirm at least part of it.

Disadvantages: People acquainted with the person whom you are impersonating may give you away. You may have incomplete information about this person’s past life, so that your statements may be shown to be untrue. The person may be suspected without your knowing it.

iii. Wholly Fictitious.

Advantages: Less chance of entanglements and wider scope.

Disadvantages: Records will not confirm your story.

In some cases agents have to assume different identities in different places. This should be avoided as far as possible, because it leads to contradictions. N.B. The danger of two identity cards.

b. History.

i. Whatever your identity, your story must be plausible and not indicate any connexion with subversive activity.

ii. It should be based, as far as possible, on the facts of your own life or that of the person whom you are impersonating. Do not introduce places or events which you do not know nor refer to knowledge which you have not. (Do not claim to know of engineering if you do not.)

iii. Pay particular attention to that part of your story which is linked with the details shown in your documents. They may be examined closely.

iv. Your recent history is of most interest to the police. It is also most difficult to invent satisfactorily. Particular care should be devoted to its preparation.

v. Although a complete mastery of details is essential in the preparation of the story, vagueness is often desirable when repeating it, especially in the case of more distant and less important parts.

c. Documents.

These are supplied by your Section and will be as nearly perfect as possible. The following points must be remembered:–

i. You must know how you would have obtained them if they had been issued to you legally.

ii. All the documents you need cannot always be produced in this country, e.g. those which change frequently, such as ration cards in some countries.

iii. The falsity of forged documents is always ultimately detectable if counterfoils exist, especially if they are numbered consecutively. It may take a long time to establish this falsity.

iv. Perfect documents can only be obtained through official sources in the field.

d. Clothes and Effects.

i. Do not take anything with you which does not fit your story.

ii. Your effects can sometimes furnish valuable corroborative evidence of the “truth” of your background cover. e.g. unofficial papers, tickets, bills, local products, etc.

e. Change of Appearance.

i. To support assumed character (rough hands for workman.)

ii. To avoid recognition if you are going among people who know you.

N.B. Application of disguise is dealt with in a special lecture.

f. Final Search.

You must search your person and residence for traces which link you with your “other self”:–

i. Before your departure.

ii. Whenever you change your cover story.

iii. If you wish to conceal some recent activity.