1 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:04,560 World War Two is over. 2 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:12,760 But British women agents remain missing throughout Europe. 3 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,000 - The other English women... how many were there? 4 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:16,120 - The other English women... how many were there? 5 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:19,200 Answer me! 6 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:21,840 Nazi radio mastermind Josef Goetz 7 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,000 gives spymaster Vera Atkins an explosive testimony... 8 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,720 gives spymaster Vera Atkins an explosive testimony... 9 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:29,680 - Yes. I believe that's him. 10 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,000 ..implicating Henri Dericourt... 11 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:32,120 ..implicating Henri Dericourt... 12 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,400 - It's good to have someone out here we can trust. 13 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:37,240 - I'm your man. - ..as the double agent... 14 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:40,000 who betrays the British SOE to the Gestapo. 15 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:40,640 who betrays the British SOE to the Gestapo. 16 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:44,200 Dericourt is arrested in Paris. 17 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:48,000 But has Vera really got the man who betrayed her women agents? 18 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:49,160 But has Vera really got the man who betrayed her women agents? 19 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:55,800 Whitehall has closed down the Special Operations Executive. 20 00:00:56,960 --> 00:00:59,800 But Vera has evidence from a French Resistance fighter 21 00:00:59,960 --> 00:01:03,040 that her agent Noor Inayat Khan... 22 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:04,000 could still be alive. 23 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:05,120 could still be alive. 24 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,440 Vera will not give up. 25 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,000 One agent who does make it back alive is Odette Sansom. 26 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:13,440 One agent who does make it back alive is Odette Sansom. 27 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,760 She is driven out of Ravensbruck concentration camp 28 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:19,480 by its commandant, Fritz Suhren. 29 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:20,000 - This man is a war criminal. 30 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,360 - This man is a war criminal. 31 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:23,440 Suhren is now on the run. 32 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:26,920 But his deputy, Johann Schwarzhuber... 33 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:28,000 - What happened to her? - They were shot. 34 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,040 - What happened to her? - They were shot. 35 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:34,080 ..is in custody, awaiting the Ravensbruck trial. 36 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:48,840 It's 5th December 1946. 37 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:52,000 In Hamburg, in the British zone of occupied Germany... 38 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:53,360 In Hamburg, in the British zone of occupied Germany... 39 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,280 ..the Ravensbruck trial begins. 40 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:00,000 The defendants are concentration camp personnel 41 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,320 The defendants are concentration camp personnel 42 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,800 from all divisions of the camp: 43 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:08,000 SS officers, camp doctors... 44 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,040 SS officers, camp doctors... 45 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:12,760 female guards. 46 00:02:12,920 --> 00:02:15,720 It is a Nazi camp like no other. 47 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,760 - Ravensbruck was a concentration camp, 48 00:02:19,920 --> 00:02:22,000 and unlike every other concentration camp, 49 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,000 it was a concentration camp for women. 50 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:24,280 it was a concentration camp for women. 51 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:31,120 It was particularly horrifying for the sensibilities of people 52 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:32,000 in the 1940s as well, where... 53 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,200 in the 1940s as well, where... 54 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:35,560 women are meant to be kept out of combat, out of war, 55 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:37,680 and treated with some level of humanity. 56 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:40,000 Ravensbruck was a particular horrific site... 57 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:41,840 Ravensbruck was a particular horrific site... 58 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,000 to end up in. 59 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:48,000 - The Ravensbruck trial is important, and it's unique, 60 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,640 - The Ravensbruck trial is important, and it's unique, 61 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,840 because of the treatment of prisoners within the camp. 62 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,120 In particular, the medical experiments 63 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,000 that had been carried out: forced sterilisations, for example. 64 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,760 that had been carried out: forced sterilisations, for example. 65 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:04,000 Vera's role in the trial... 66 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,080 Vera's role in the trial... 67 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,520 is to manage the extensive evidence she has brought together... 68 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:12,000 ..passing it on to the prosecutors. 69 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:12,280 ..passing it on to the prosecutors. 70 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:20,000 But she must not reveal her role to the international press. 71 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:20,120 But she must not reveal her role to the international press. 72 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:36,000 The trial features one of the camp's most notorious SS officers... 73 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,520 The trial features one of the camp's most notorious SS officers... 74 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:44,000 ..Johann Schwarzhuber. 75 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,640 ..Johann Schwarzhuber. 76 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:49,640 He is about to face one of his accusers. 77 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:52,000 - Barrister, could you please say who this man in front of us is? 78 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,000 - Barrister, could you please say who this man in front of us is? 79 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,400 - Johann Schwarzhuber. 80 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:00,000 - And who is your next witness? 81 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,680 - And who is your next witness? 82 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:04,840 Odette Sansom. 83 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,400 Odette Sansom is a star witness for the prosecution, 84 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:16,000 giving damning testimony about what happened at the camp... 85 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:20,280 at the hands of Schwarzhuber and others. 86 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,000 The court hears from Odette and other witnesses... 87 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:25,640 The court hears from Odette and other witnesses... 88 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:30,400 ..about the treatment of female agent Violette Szabo... 89 00:04:31,280 --> 00:04:32,000 ..who is described talking about 'my baby, my baby...' 90 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:35,520 ..who is described talking about 'my baby, my baby...' 91 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,800 ..her young child left behind in Britain... 92 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,000 ..and how Violette and two other agents... 93 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:48,880 ..and how Violette and two other agents... 94 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,480 ..Lilian Rolfe and Denise Bloch... 95 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:56,000 ..are brought from the punishment block 96 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:56,600 ..are brought from the punishment block 97 00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:00,560 emaciated, dirty and weak. 98 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:08,280 They are then taken behind the crematorium building... 99 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:11,680 ..and shot. 100 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,280 The trial would've been difficult for Vera 101 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:18,080 as the witnesses took the stands. 102 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:20,000 Although she'd probably already interviewed some of them previously, 103 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:21,160 Although she'd probably already interviewed some of them previously, 104 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:23,760 she may have compartmentalised it in some way. 105 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,000 But having seen, and spoken to, and befriended the agents 106 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:29,680 But having seen, and spoken to, and befriended the agents 107 00:05:29,840 --> 00:05:31,720 that she had sent into the field, 108 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:35,280 the realisation of what these women had sacrificed, 109 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:36,000 and what the overarching impact on their families were going to be, 110 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:39,280 and what the overarching impact on their families were going to be, 111 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:41,840 it must have been harrowing for her. 112 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:44,000 At the end of the trial, 113 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:45,880 At the end of the trial, 114 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,600 Schwarzhuber is sentenced to death... 115 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,000 ..and executed on 3rd May 1947. 116 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:53,840 ..and executed on 3rd May 1947. 117 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:59,720 Five of the female guards are also executed. 118 00:05:59,880 --> 00:06:00,000 Fritz Suhren, the commandant, 119 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,480 Fritz Suhren, the commandant, 120 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,520 remains a fugitive from justice. 121 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:08,000 But before the closing statements are finished, 122 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,240 But before the closing statements are finished, 123 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:12,360 Vera is already on her way 124 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:16,000 to try and track down the last of her lost women spies... 125 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:17,040 to try and track down the last of her lost women spies... 126 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,560 Noor Inayat Khan. 127 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:32,000 Previously, Vera received a letter 128 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,160 Previously, Vera received a letter 129 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:37,560 from a French Resistance fighter Yolande Lagrave... 130 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,000 claiming she had contact with Noor 131 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:40,080 claiming she had contact with Noor 132 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,280 in a prison in Pforzheim in the west of Germany. 133 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,840 This directly contradicted Vera's evidence... 134 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,640 from crematorium stoker Franz Berg. 135 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:56,000 He claimed that Noor was killed... 136 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:56,960 He claimed that Noor was killed... 137 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,960 at the Natzweiler concentration camp in France. 138 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,000 - Vera already has an eyewitness testimony 139 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:05,000 - Vera already has an eyewitness testimony 140 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:07,280 from Natzweiler saying that Noor is dead. 141 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:09,680 And now she has another eyewitness testimony saying, 142 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:11,880 'Nope, that is not true. She is here.' 143 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,040 What eyewitness do you trust? 144 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:16,280 How does Vera make this decision? 145 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:20,000 She needs some sort of corroborating evidence 146 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:20,200 She needs some sort of corroborating evidence 147 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:22,600 to prove one way or the other. 148 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:28,000 So what did happen to Noor? 149 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:28,680 So what did happen to Noor? 150 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:32,320 Vera needs another witness statement. 151 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:36,000 So she decides to interrogate one particular Gestapo soldier 152 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,240 So she decides to interrogate one particular Gestapo soldier 153 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:41,600 for a second time. 154 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:44,000 Max Wassmer transported SOE agents 155 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,160 Max Wassmer transported SOE agents 156 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:49,760 to Dachau concentration camp... 157 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,000 in September 1944. 158 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:52,720 in September 1944. 159 00:07:55,760 --> 00:08:00,000 Wassmer claims that he transferred three women to the camp... 160 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:00,080 Wassmer claims that he transferred three women to the camp... 161 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:04,280 even though other witnesses say there was a fourth woman... 162 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:08,000 ..a woman from Pforzheim prison. 163 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:08,480 ..a woman from Pforzheim prison. 164 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:18,600 - Three. 165 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:20,760 You're sure it was three? 166 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:24,000 Three women. 167 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:24,880 Three women. 168 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,440 Not men. Women. 169 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:32,000 Because the other guards say you're wrong. 170 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:33,960 Because the other guards say you're wrong. 171 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,480 The receipt said three women. 172 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:47,320 - That is not what I asked. 173 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:51,040 Did you take three women? 174 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,360 Three, four. What's the difference? 175 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:01,680 - It's all the difference. 176 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,600 So it was four? 177 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:19,520 - Three from Karlsruhe. 178 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:23,600 And one other. 179 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:28,000 From... 180 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:28,360 From... 181 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:31,720 ..Pforzheim, I think. 182 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:36,000 Please tell me what they looked like. 183 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:37,280 Please tell me what they looked like. 184 00:09:38,560 --> 00:09:40,560 All of them. 185 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:44,000 - She looked like... 186 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:45,680 - She looked like... 187 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,240 ..she may have been Indian. 188 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:00,000 Wassmer describes the fourth woman... 189 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,800 Wassmer describes the fourth woman... 190 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:07,680 ..giving a description of a woman who Vera believes... 191 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:11,880 ..is Noor Inayat Khan. 192 00:10:29,680 --> 00:10:32,000 Wassmer reveals that Noor is taken outside the camp 193 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:33,600 Wassmer reveals that Noor is taken outside the camp 194 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:38,320 with the other women and made to kneel in front of a mound of earth. 195 00:10:41,680 --> 00:10:45,520 The only word Noor says before she is shot... 196 00:10:45,680 --> 00:10:48,000 is the French word for freedom: 'liberte'. 197 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,080 is the French word for freedom: 'liberte'. 198 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,000 - Thank you, Herr Wassmer. 199 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:56,960 - Thank you, Herr Wassmer. 200 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:01,120 We're done. 201 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,000 Vera can now put to rest her quest to find out Noor's story, 202 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,360 Vera can now put to rest her quest to find out Noor's story, 203 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:09,680 and her final resting place: 204 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:12,000 the concentration camp at Dachau. 205 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:12,520 the concentration camp at Dachau. 206 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:24,560 Now Vera must ask the hardest question of all. 207 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,000 Who betrayed her women agents? 208 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,160 Who betrayed her women agents? 209 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,200 Who is the person that betrayed Noor... 210 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:35,760 - Halt! - ..Violette Szabo.... 211 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:40,080 ..and all Vera's other women spies 212 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:43,720 so they ended up in the hands of the Nazis? 213 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:48,120 Could it have been Henri Dericourt? 214 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:51,400 There were allegations, 215 00:11:51,560 --> 00:11:52,000 but Vera still doesn't know for sure. 216 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,920 but Vera still doesn't know for sure. 217 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,480 The man who would know... 218 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,520 ..is Hans Kieffer... 219 00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:08,000 ..the man in charge of Nazi intelligence in Paris. 220 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:08,280 ..the man in charge of Nazi intelligence in Paris. 221 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:15,840 To find him, Vera needs the SAS. 222 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:24,000 SAS intelligence officer Major 'Bill' Barkworth and his men 223 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,360 SAS intelligence officer Major 'Bill' Barkworth and his men 224 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:30,720 stake out a small town in Southern Germany. 225 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:36,080 They've received a tip-off from Vera 226 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:39,000 that Hans Kieffer has been spotted here. 227 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:40,000 It is Kieffer's home town. 228 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:41,240 It is Kieffer's home town. 229 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:45,360 They're looking for the caretaker of a local hotel 230 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:48,000 who signed the town hall register as Hans Kiefer. 231 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,600 who signed the town hall register as Hans Kiefer. 232 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,400 The name is suspiciously similar, 233 00:12:52,560 --> 00:12:54,760 with only one 'F' removed. 234 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:44,000 - Hans Josef... 235 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:44,920 - Hans Josef... 236 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:49,320 ..Kieffer, senior counterintelligence officer. 237 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:51,840 84 Avenue Foch. 238 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:53,920 Paris. 239 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:55,960 - Yes. 240 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:00,000 - Get him out of here! 241 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,080 - Get him out of here! 242 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:05,760 Barkworth and Vera have their man. 243 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:08,000 Now it is their chance to find out 244 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,880 Now it is their chance to find out 245 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:13,880 who betrayed all of Vera's women agents. 246 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:20,160 It is January 1947. 247 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,000 Vera is face to face with her secret enemy 248 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:24,480 Vera is face to face with her secret enemy 249 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:26,640 Hans Kieffer. 250 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:30,840 Hans Kieffer is a lifelong Nazi, 251 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,000 so he joined the Nazi Party in the early 1920s: so very, very early on. 252 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,640 so he joined the Nazi Party in the early 1920s: so very, very early on. 253 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,640 And he rises to become, during the war, 254 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:40,000 the head of the Gestapo, and SS operation runner in Paris. 255 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,160 the head of the Gestapo, and SS operation runner in Paris. 256 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:48,000 So this was an operation specifically aimed at hunting down 257 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,480 So this was an operation specifically aimed at hunting down 258 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:53,040 mostly special operations executive agents in the field. 259 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,000 So agents of the SOE in France. 260 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:56,040 So agents of the SOE in France. 261 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:59,160 But the thing about Hans Kieffer is he's a fascinating individual, 262 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:04,000 because he's not like you would imagine your archetypal SS bruiser. 263 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:04,120 because he's not like you would imagine your archetypal SS bruiser. 264 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:06,400 He's a subtle, 265 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,320 wily, clever fox. 266 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,000 Vera has waited almost two years for this moment... 267 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,480 Vera has waited almost two years for this moment... 268 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:20,000 ..the chance to interrogate the man who could answer all her questions. 269 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:20,720 ..the chance to interrogate the man who could answer all her questions. 270 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:25,120 The man who holds the key to her lost women spies. 271 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:27,880 And what really happened to Noor, 272 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:30,360 codename Madeleine. 273 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,000 - Berlin considered the French section of SOE 274 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:36,920 - Berlin considered the French section of SOE 275 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:39,080 particularly dangerous. 276 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:41,760 Both the Fuhrer... 277 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:44,000 ..and Himmler had shown a personal interest. 278 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,600 ..and Himmler had shown a personal interest. 279 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:08,000 I remember Madeleine. 280 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:09,680 I remember Madeleine. 281 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:16,000 Refused to cooperate. 282 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:17,360 Refused to cooperate. 283 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:21,280 Unlike the others. 284 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,920 She tried to escape with a group of male agents. 285 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:32,000 It would have ruined us if she made it back to SOE. 286 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:33,280 It would have ruined us if she made it back to SOE. 287 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:36,760 Ruined me. 288 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:40,000 So I... sent her away. 289 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:40,200 So I... sent her away. 290 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,440 She ended up in... 291 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:46,600 Pforzheim, I think. 292 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:52,400 She was a brave one. 293 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:03,000 - Her name was Noor Inayat Khan. 294 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:07,000 She is most likely dead. 295 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:11,600 Shot thorough the head at Dachau. 296 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:20,000 Kieffer, if one of us is going to cry, it is going to be me. 297 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,200 Kieffer, if one of us is going to cry, it is going to be me. 298 00:17:22,360 --> 00:17:24,840 You will please stop this comedy. 299 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:32,600 Who betrayed them, Kieffer? 300 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:35,960 Who betrayed Noor? 301 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:40,640 - You're asking me... 302 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:44,000 ..if there was a traitor in your ranks? 303 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:44,400 ..if there was a traitor in your ranks? 304 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:49,760 Why are you asking me? 305 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:52,000 You know yourself there was one. 306 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,080 You know yourself there was one. 307 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:58,120 You recalled him to London. 308 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:02,720 Gilbert. 309 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:08,000 - And who is Gilbert? 310 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,160 - And who is Gilbert? 311 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:12,640 - Well, I think you know. 312 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:16,000 Of course you know. 313 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:16,720 Of course you know. 314 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:21,000 Henri Dericourt. 315 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:26,800 - Did you pay him? 316 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:28,640 - Yes. 317 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:32,000 Everyone has their price. 318 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,000 Everyone has their price. 319 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,000 Don't they? 320 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:40,000 Here, at last, 321 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:41,920 Here, at last, 322 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:44,200 is Vera's definitive proof... 323 00:18:44,360 --> 00:18:47,400 that Henri Dericourt is the double agent... 324 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:48,000 - Don't worry, Dericourt. We'll clear this whole sorry business up. 325 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,040 - Don't worry, Dericourt. We'll clear this whole sorry business up. 326 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:53,680 - Thanks, sir. 327 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:56,000 ..despite Buckmaster and Bodington investigation... 328 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:56,440 ..despite Buckmaster and Bodington investigation... 329 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:58,600 clearing him. 330 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:04,000 - There is no doubt in Vera's mind 331 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:05,360 - There is no doubt in Vera's mind 332 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:07,720 that with all the resistance evidence coming in, 333 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,320 all of the information that Kieffer knows about Dericourt, 334 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:12,000 obviously, now, for Vera, 335 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:14,600 obviously, now, for Vera, 336 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:18,800 she knows Dericourt is the mole: he is a double agent. 337 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:20,000 He's the reason that all of her agents, or a lot of them, 338 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:22,200 He's the reason that all of her agents, or a lot of them, 339 00:19:22,360 --> 00:19:24,240 ended up in concentration camps. 340 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:26,800 He's the reason that they were murdered. 341 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:28,000 And the anger that must have pulsed through her at that point. 342 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,040 And the anger that must have pulsed through her at that point. 343 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:32,200 This isn't a sinking feeling any more. 344 00:19:32,360 --> 00:19:35,320 This is something that she needs justice for. 345 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:41,840 Now Vera has a star witness who can testify against, 346 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,000 and hopefully convict, Henri Dericourt. 347 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,040 and hopefully convict, Henri Dericourt. 348 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,520 June 1948. 349 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:05,160 Henri Dericourt is brought to trial in Paris. 350 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:12,840 Here is Vera's chance for justice. 351 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:16,000 Vera had spent the last few years 352 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:16,440 Vera had spent the last few years 353 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:18,920 building up her case against Henry Dericourt. 354 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:20,960 I mean, she had everything. 355 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:24,000 Now she was a civilian, obviously, she wasn't leading the prosecution, 356 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:24,200 Now she was a civilian, obviously, she wasn't leading the prosecution, 357 00:20:24,360 --> 00:20:26,680 so she couldn't determine what evidence... 358 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:29,800 they were going to use in court against him, but she had so much. 359 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:32,000 She had affidavits from actual Nazi war criminals who named him. 360 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,720 She had affidavits from actual Nazi war criminals who named him. 361 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:38,720 She had all of the evidence that she'd gathered from her own agents. 362 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:40,000 She had all the evidence from the French Resistance. 363 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:41,640 She had all the evidence from the French Resistance. 364 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:46,360 Henri Dericourt was at the centre of this web of lies. 365 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,000 And she could prove it. It was all right there. 366 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:49,360 And she could prove it. It was all right there. 367 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:52,680 She must have felt so confident when they entered the courtroom. 368 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:56,000 But it is soon clear it may not be as easy as Vera hopes. 369 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,800 But it is soon clear it may not be as easy as Vera hopes. 370 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:04,000 It's now been over a year since Vera interrogated Hans Kieffer. 371 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,120 It's now been over a year since Vera interrogated Hans Kieffer. 372 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:10,640 She is told that in June 1947, 373 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:12,000 Kieffer was convicted of the murder of five SAS men, and executed... 374 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:16,520 Kieffer was convicted of the murder of five SAS men, and executed... 375 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:20,000 before he can give evidence at the Dericourt trial. 376 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:20,400 before he can give evidence at the Dericourt trial. 377 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,440 - Hans Kieffer would've known more than anybody else 378 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,000 about every single agent who was arrested: 379 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:28,280 about every single agent who was arrested: 380 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:31,200 when, and how, and the radio game. 381 00:21:31,360 --> 00:21:33,560 And also what informers he was using. 382 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:36,000 So, one might think that his evidence would've been... 383 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:37,120 So, one might think that his evidence would've been... 384 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,680 or a statement at least, would've been crucial 385 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:44,000 to the eventual trial of Henri Dericourt as a traitor. 386 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:44,120 to the eventual trial of Henri Dericourt as a traitor. 387 00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:49,840 I mean, there's a potential conspiracy theory around the fact 388 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,000 that he was deliberately executed 389 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:52,120 that he was deliberately executed 390 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:55,480 so that he couldn't reveal the full extent of the... 391 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:59,960 SOE failings and disastrous infiltrations. 392 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:03,800 Next, Vera discovers the statement 393 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:06,360 which she extracted from Kieffer... 394 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:08,000 is not going to be put before the court. 395 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,120 is not going to be put before the court. 396 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:12,840 Finally, no former SOE officers 397 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,720 will appear in court to give evidence. 398 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:21,560 But on the final day, 399 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:24,000 one former officer does make the trip to Paris. 400 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:25,400 one former officer does make the trip to Paris. 401 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:30,960 None other than Nicholas Bodington. 402 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:40,000 Could Bodington be the man to help get Dericourt convicted? 403 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:41,440 Could Bodington be the man to help get Dericourt convicted? 404 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,000 Bodington gives evidence. 405 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:54,080 But instead of giving evidence against Dericourt, 406 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,000 Bodington testifies that Dericourt's contact with the Nazis 407 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,040 Bodington testifies that Dericourt's contact with the Nazis 408 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:02,920 was fully authorised for counterespionage purposes. 409 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:12,000 Henri Dericourt is found not to be a traitor. 410 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,080 Henri Dericourt is found not to be a traitor. 411 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,960 Instead, partially thanks to Bodington's testimony, 412 00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:20,000 he is acquitted: Dericourt is a free man. 413 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:21,240 he is acquitted: Dericourt is a free man. 414 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:27,440 Vera has to face the possibility that her women agents 415 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:28,000 were compromised so that Dericourt could supply intelligence to London 416 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:31,680 were compromised so that Dericourt could supply intelligence to London 417 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:33,800 about the Nazis. 418 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:35,680 - Put yourself in Vera's boots. 419 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:36,000 She's been trying to prosecute Henri Dericourt for years. 420 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:38,280 She's been trying to prosecute Henri Dericourt for years. 421 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:41,720 And here, it's almost like a farcical trial. 422 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:44,000 And not only does the prosecution not really try and pin him down 423 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:45,240 And not only does the prosecution not really try and pin him down 424 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:47,720 and brings virtually no witnesses, 425 00:23:47,880 --> 00:23:50,200 but the defence, they bring Boddington. 426 00:23:50,360 --> 00:23:52,000 Like, this is a man that Vera has worked with, 427 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,200 Like, this is a man that Vera has worked with, 428 00:23:53,360 --> 00:23:55,640 and he knows what she's been doing. 429 00:23:55,800 --> 00:23:59,360 He knows that she's desperately been trying to bring justice 430 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:00,000 to all the women who... some of them were tortured to death. 431 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,760 to all the women who... some of them were tortured to death. 432 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:04,960 And she feels responsible for that, 433 00:24:05,120 --> 00:24:07,800 because she's the person who sent them out there. 434 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:08,000 - How could you, Nick? - Vera. 435 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:10,240 - How could you, Nick? - Vera. 436 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:13,320 - How could you support that traitor? 437 00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:16,000 Testify for him? After everything he did to my agents? 438 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:17,200 Testify for him? After everything he did to my agents? 439 00:24:17,360 --> 00:24:19,720 Our agents! - Vera. 440 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:23,560 - You're a liar. - Everything I said was true. 441 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:24,000 - You liar! 442 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:25,120 - You liar! 443 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:29,720 - Vera, Dericourt's contact with the SD was authorised. 444 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:31,720 - I sent my girls to war... 445 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:32,000 with no protection under the Geneva Convention. 446 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,920 with no protection under the Geneva Convention. 447 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:38,560 If they were made as spies, they faced certain death. 448 00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:40,000 You sent them to their deaths! 449 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:40,920 You sent them to their deaths! 450 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:44,400 - You sent a widow with a young daughter to France. 451 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:47,640 That child is now an orphan. 452 00:24:47,800 --> 00:24:48,000 You pulled Noor out of training early 453 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,880 You pulled Noor out of training early 454 00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:52,040 because you needed a wireless operator. 455 00:24:53,120 --> 00:24:55,080 You volunteered for this job, 456 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:56,000 begged Buckmaster to play with the big boys. 457 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:57,560 begged Buckmaster to play with the big boys. 458 00:24:57,720 --> 00:24:59,880 Don't forget that. 459 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:02,720 I don't know you, Nick. 460 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:04,000 - You never did. 461 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:05,640 - You never did. 462 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:11,080 It appears that the men at the top of the British establishment 463 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:12,000 want the true story of the women spies to be lost... 464 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,240 want the true story of the women spies to be lost... 465 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:17,520 permanently. 466 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:20,000 But others are now interested in what happened to Vera's spies. 467 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:24,600 But others are now interested in what happened to Vera's spies. 468 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:28,000 In the early 1950s, writer Jean Overton Fuller 469 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,320 In the early 1950s, writer Jean Overton Fuller 470 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:34,400 begins researching a series of books about the SOE. 471 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:36,000 Jean wants to find out what actually to her friend Noor Inayat Khan, 472 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:40,720 Jean wants to find out what actually to her friend Noor Inayat Khan, 473 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:44,000 who disappeared during the war after telling Jean she was 'going away'. 474 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:45,160 who disappeared during the war after telling Jean she was 'going away'. 475 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:51,480 Despite being warned off by establishment figures, 476 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:52,000 Fuller interviews former members of the SOE... 477 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:55,440 Fuller interviews former members of the SOE... 478 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:57,800 and one man in particular. 479 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:05,880 Codename Gilbert. 480 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:08,000 Henri Dericourt. 481 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:09,680 Henri Dericourt. 482 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:16,000 Her work results in three books about the SOE, 483 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:16,240 Her work results in three books about the SOE, 484 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:18,920 with the last, called Double Webs, 485 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:22,160 published in 1958. 486 00:26:23,120 --> 00:26:24,000 The book makes the controversial claim that Noor, 487 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,280 The book makes the controversial claim that Noor, 488 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:29,640 and other agents, are sent by the SOE 489 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,000 into the hands of Henri Dericourt... 490 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:33,000 into the hands of Henri Dericourt... 491 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:37,000 ..with the full knowledge that Dericourt is a double agent... 492 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:40,000 ..working with the Nazis. 493 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:40,480 ..working with the Nazis. 494 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:45,480 The book makes headlines. 495 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:47,880 Delivery for Mrs Ward! 496 00:26:48,040 --> 00:26:52,240 Several MPs receive letters from the families of lost women spies 497 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,880 wanting to know the whole truth about their daughters. 498 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:04,000 One MP is Conservative Member for Tyneside Irene Ward. 499 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,760 One MP is Conservative Member for Tyneside Irene Ward. 500 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:12,000 Irene, through the Home Office, 501 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:12,680 Irene, through the Home Office, 502 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:16,280 requests an interview with someone who knows what happened. 503 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:19,720 The Home Office sends Vera. 504 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:34,320 - Overton Fuller writes, and I quote... 505 00:27:34,480 --> 00:27:36,000 - I have read the book, Mrs Ward. 506 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:37,120 - I have read the book, Mrs Ward. 507 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:44,000 It's a shame, really, 508 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:44,520 It's a shame, really, 509 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:48,520 that accuracy appears to be a secondary concern. 510 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:51,720 I find these things of such importance. 511 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:00,000 - You're disputing that Henri Dericourt was a double agent? 512 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:03,120 - You're disputing that Henri Dericourt was a double agent? 513 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:05,480 - Perhaps you could ask him yourself? 514 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:08,000 I'm sure Ms Overton Fuller could direct you to him. 515 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:09,080 I'm sure Ms Overton Fuller could direct you to him. 516 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:14,600 - Ms Atkins. 517 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:16,000 What concerns me is that the SOE, 518 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:19,000 What concerns me is that the SOE, 519 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:21,240 that your superiors, 520 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,000 that you... were sending women to fight 521 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:24,320 that you... were sending women to fight 522 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:27,400 in the full knowledge they had no chance to survive. 523 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:29,800 - Mrs Ward. 524 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:32,000 What did you do during the war? 525 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:33,160 What did you do during the war? 526 00:28:33,320 --> 00:28:36,920 I served my constituents. 527 00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:45,480 - Atkins. 528 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:47,760 Your mother's name, I believe. 529 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:52,800 Your father's name: Rose. 530 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:56,000 Rosenberg, if I'm not mistaken. 531 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:56,560 Rosenberg, if I'm not mistaken. 532 00:28:58,680 --> 00:29:01,160 And you're from Romania originally. 533 00:29:03,560 --> 00:29:04,000 How did a young Romanian girl like yourself ever... 534 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:06,520 How did a young Romanian girl like yourself ever... 535 00:29:06,680 --> 00:29:09,800 - I'm so sorry, Mrs Ward, but I have another meeting. 536 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:16,000 - Good day, Ms Atkins. 537 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:20,000 See yourself out, please. 538 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:20,280 See yourself out, please. 539 00:29:22,840 --> 00:29:24,680 After the meeting, 540 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:28,000 Irene Ward digs into Vera's personal history: 541 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:28,440 Irene Ward digs into Vera's personal history: 542 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:30,920 who she is, where she comes from, 543 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,200 and what she really did at SOE. 544 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:43,200 Irene Ward's digging threatens to reveal the story 545 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:44,000 of the lost women spies. 546 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:45,920 of the lost women spies. 547 00:29:46,080 --> 00:29:50,080 The security establishment goes into damage control. 548 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:52,000 An academic, called MRD Foot, 549 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:54,600 An academic, called MRD Foot, 550 00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:56,560 at the University of Oxford, 551 00:29:56,720 --> 00:30:00,000 is engaged to produce an 'official history' of the SOE. 552 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:00,800 is engaged to produce an 'official history' of the SOE. 553 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:05,360 MRD Foot is ex-SAS. 554 00:30:05,520 --> 00:30:08,000 He also was captured in the war. 555 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:08,320 He also was captured in the war. 556 00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:11,200 And he was put in a prisoner-of-war camp in France. 557 00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:13,640 So he has all of this direct experience within the war, 558 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:16,000 but he's also a historian, so he's got that authority as well. 559 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:16,920 but he's also a historian, so he's got that authority as well. 560 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:19,160 He understands how to write about history, 561 00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:24,000 and he understands there are still some secrets that must stay secret. 562 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:24,840 and he understands there are still some secrets that must stay secret. 563 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:28,760 His exhaustive work concludes that... 564 00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:32,000 'To the question of why people with so little training 565 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:32,640 'To the question of why people with so little training 566 00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:35,440 were sent to do such important work, 567 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:39,280 the only reply is the work had to be done, 568 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:40,000 and there was nobody else to send.' 569 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,240 and there was nobody else to send.' 570 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:52,120 - Professor Foot. 571 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:54,280 Before the book is published, 572 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:56,000 Vera speaks to Foot and persuades him to omit her Romanian background 573 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:59,480 Vera speaks to Foot and persuades him to omit her Romanian background 574 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:02,080 from his history of SOE. 575 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:04,000 - ..discretion in some of these. 576 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:04,240 - ..discretion in some of these. 577 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:09,040 So why does Vera hide who she really is? 578 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:12,000 Because Vera, is forced to cover up not just her public story 579 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:14,120 Because Vera, is forced to cover up not just her public story 580 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:16,000 and the lost women spies... 581 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:19,640 but also the private story of her family's life. 582 00:31:31,760 --> 00:31:34,800 - Ms Atkins, I would like three copies of this, please. One... 583 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:36,000 It was a closely guarded secret at SOE 584 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,000 It was a closely guarded secret at SOE 585 00:31:38,160 --> 00:31:42,200 that Vera was born in Romania rather than the UK. 586 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:48,760 But that wasn't Vera's only secret. 587 00:31:57,960 --> 00:32:00,000 Vera was not born Vera Atkins... 588 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:00,760 Vera was not born Vera Atkins... 589 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:04,720 ..but Vera Rosenberg. 590 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:08,000 Vera is one of the three children of Max and Hilda Rosenberg, 591 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:11,040 Vera is one of the three children of Max and Hilda Rosenberg, 592 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:13,480 who are both German Jews. 593 00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:16,000 Just before the First World War, 594 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:16,920 Just before the First World War, 595 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:20,000 Max purchases an estate, and wood mill, 596 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:24,000 in Bukovina, a region that will become part of Romania. 597 00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:24,440 in Bukovina, a region that will become part of Romania. 598 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:31,720 But after Vera's father dies in 1932, 599 00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:32,000 and with antisemitism in Europe on the rise, 600 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:34,040 and with antisemitism in Europe on the rise, 601 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:38,120 Vera and her two brothers move to the United Kingdom... 602 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:44,560 ..where they take their English mother's surname of Atkins. 603 00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:48,000 Vera leaves behind in Romania an extended family. 604 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:51,320 Vera leaves behind in Romania an extended family. 605 00:32:52,680 --> 00:32:54,760 As the Nazis take hold of Europe, 606 00:32:54,920 --> 00:32:56,000 the family who stay are in mortal danger. 607 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:58,320 the family who stay are in mortal danger. 608 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:04,000 - The terror that people live with cannot be underestimated, 609 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:04,160 - The terror that people live with cannot be underestimated, 610 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:07,520 even if they weren't actually at direct risk 611 00:33:07,680 --> 00:33:09,560 of being moved to concentration camps. 612 00:33:09,720 --> 00:33:12,000 This isn't just my family, this isn't just my aunt and my dad, 613 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:13,240 This isn't just my family, this isn't just my aunt and my dad, 614 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:15,880 and my direct family, this is everybody... 615 00:33:16,040 --> 00:33:19,760 with Jewish family who were living in the UK and England at the time... 616 00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:20,000 were terrified about what was gonna happen to their relatives. 617 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:22,400 were terrified about what was gonna happen to their relatives. 618 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,560 And I think everybody wanted to do whatever they could to help. 619 00:33:28,920 --> 00:33:31,400 According to a family story, 620 00:33:31,560 --> 00:33:34,720 Vera's family in the UK raise a large amount of money 621 00:33:34,880 --> 00:33:36,000 to help their European relatives. 622 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:37,400 to help their European relatives. 623 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:42,480 - My dad, my uncle and Vera were very keen... 624 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:44,000 to provide any help they could, so... 625 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:44,480 to provide any help they could, so... 626 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:46,960 they obviously found money, and they found resources, 627 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:49,720 but it was very clear that, by this point, to get money, 628 00:33:49,880 --> 00:33:51,840 to get resources, to get a logistical plan, 629 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,200 you probably needed to go. 630 00:33:54,360 --> 00:33:57,120 You needed to leave England, you needed to get on a boat, 631 00:33:57,280 --> 00:34:00,000 and you needed to go and practically help. 632 00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:05,280 Vera travels to Antwerp, Belgium, in 1940, 633 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:08,000 just as the Nazis are about to invade. 634 00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:19,920 During the war, people would often store their wealth 635 00:34:20,080 --> 00:34:23,600 in something that could be more easily hidden and transported... 636 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:31,960 ..diamonds. 637 00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:43,320 For hundreds of years, 638 00:34:43,480 --> 00:34:47,320 Antwerp has been the centre of the diamond trade in Europe. 639 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:53,160 Vera is believed to have converted the money from the UK 640 00:34:53,320 --> 00:34:56,000 into diamonds for the family in Romania. 641 00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:56,040 into diamonds for the family in Romania. 642 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:04,000 But who are the relatives facing Nazi persecution 643 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:04,160 But who are the relatives facing Nazi persecution 644 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:06,320 that Vera wants to save? 645 00:35:16,040 --> 00:35:19,000 Fritz Rosenberg is Vera's cousin. 646 00:35:19,880 --> 00:35:20,000 Vera's relatives, in the 1940s, face disaster. 647 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:24,120 Vera's relatives, in the 1940s, face disaster. 648 00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:32,560 The region has been occupied by Hungary, 649 00:35:32,720 --> 00:35:34,920 an ally of Nazi Germany. 650 00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:41,120 Under new anti-Jewish laws, 651 00:35:41,280 --> 00:35:44,000 Fritz and his wife, Karen, lose their passports. 652 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:45,240 Fritz and his wife, Karen, lose their passports. 653 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:49,920 They may even be deported to concentration camps. 654 00:35:52,560 --> 00:35:54,320 But without a passport, 655 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:57,240 they are unable to escape to another country. 656 00:35:59,480 --> 00:36:00,000 - This rise in antisemitism in the law 657 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:01,920 - This rise in antisemitism in the law 658 00:36:02,080 --> 00:36:04,040 is reflected in the population. 659 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:06,600 They wouldn't be able to trust their neighbours. 660 00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:08,000 They wouldn't be able to trust that, at any point, 661 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:09,160 They wouldn't be able to trust that, at any point, 662 00:36:09,320 --> 00:36:11,680 they might be snatched away in the middle of the night. 663 00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:14,560 They could be put on a train and taken to God knows where. 664 00:36:14,720 --> 00:36:16,000 I mean, it must have been absolutely terrifying for them. 665 00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:17,080 I mean, it must have been absolutely terrifying for them. 666 00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:23,120 Karen Rosenberg contacts a German family friend... 667 00:36:24,600 --> 00:36:28,040 ..someone who has good contacts with the Abwehr, 668 00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:30,640 German military intelligence. 669 00:36:35,080 --> 00:36:38,120 Karen is able to obtain Aryan passports, 670 00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:40,000 issued by the Nazi government, for her and Fritz. 671 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:41,840 issued by the Nazi government, for her and Fritz. 672 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:47,960 The Rosenbergs pay the Abwehr a large sum, 673 00:36:48,120 --> 00:36:51,400 about £150,000 in today's money, 674 00:36:51,560 --> 00:36:53,920 to get the prized passports... 675 00:36:56,320 --> 00:37:01,400 ..money that could be the diamonds that Vera sources in Antwerp. 676 00:37:01,560 --> 00:37:04,000 Karen and Fritz are able to leave Romania. 677 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:05,360 Karen and Fritz are able to leave Romania. 678 00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:08,080 They are free... 679 00:37:08,240 --> 00:37:12,000 but it's a freedom that comes at a personal cost. 680 00:37:19,400 --> 00:37:20,000 Fritz and Karen relocate to the safety of Istanbul... 681 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:22,920 Fritz and Karen relocate to the safety of Istanbul... 682 00:37:25,480 --> 00:37:28,000 ..where Vera's brother Ralph Rosenberg lives. 683 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:29,400 ..where Vera's brother Ralph Rosenberg lives. 684 00:37:32,120 --> 00:37:34,160 The reason they go to Istanbul... 685 00:37:34,320 --> 00:37:36,000 is because of a condition set by the Abwehr. 686 00:37:36,000 --> 00:37:37,480 is because of a condition set by the Abwehr. 687 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:44,000 Vera's brother is not only working for an oil company in Istanbul... 688 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:45,840 Vera's brother is not only working for an oil company in Istanbul... 689 00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:51,120 ..but also supplying MI6 with local intelligence. 690 00:37:55,560 --> 00:37:59,280 The Abwehr want Karen to give them valuable information 691 00:37:59,440 --> 00:38:00,000 about Ralph and MI6. 692 00:38:00,000 --> 00:38:02,040 about Ralph and MI6. 693 00:38:09,760 --> 00:38:13,280 Vera had almost certainly gone to Antwerp 694 00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:16,000 to raise the money for Fritz and Karen's passports... 695 00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:17,440 to raise the money for Fritz and Karen's passports... 696 00:38:17,600 --> 00:38:19,880 the very passports that allow the Abwehr 697 00:38:20,040 --> 00:38:23,640 to get close to an MI6 agent.. 698 00:38:24,560 --> 00:38:26,760 - Vera has paid the bribe. 699 00:38:26,920 --> 00:38:31,480 She's possibly met German intelligence officers face-to-face. 700 00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:37,400 Karen herself has had contact with a German intelligence officer 701 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:40,000 who's asked her to work for the Germans. 702 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:40,480 who's asked her to work for the Germans. 703 00:38:40,640 --> 00:38:43,240 It's beginning to look really suspicious. 704 00:38:43,400 --> 00:38:46,160 Anyone looking at this situation... 705 00:38:46,320 --> 00:38:48,000 is gonna start throwing suspicion on Vera and on the Rosenbergs. 706 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:50,880 is gonna start throwing suspicion on Vera and on the Rosenbergs. 707 00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:56,000 Are they loyal? What's going on here? It's opening a Pandora's box. 708 00:38:58,560 --> 00:39:02,760 Had it been known by the SOE that Vera had handed over money 709 00:39:02,920 --> 00:39:04,000 to get Aryan passports from the Abwher... 710 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:06,280 to get Aryan passports from the Abwher... 711 00:39:06,440 --> 00:39:11,000 it would have put Vera under serious suspicion of being a double agent. 712 00:39:13,760 --> 00:39:19,080 Instead, Vera keeps her family story a closely guarded secret. 713 00:39:20,320 --> 00:39:22,880 And when the British security services publish 714 00:39:23,040 --> 00:39:26,920 MRD Foot's history of the SOE, 715 00:39:27,080 --> 00:39:28,000 Vera has all mention of her Romanian family roots erased. 716 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:32,160 Vera has all mention of her Romanian family roots erased. 717 00:39:34,280 --> 00:39:36,000 But despite the security services' best attempts 718 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:37,040 But despite the security services' best attempts 719 00:39:37,200 --> 00:39:40,160 to cover up the story of the lost women spies... 720 00:39:41,160 --> 00:39:44,000 ..it's a story that just won't go away. 721 00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:44,720 ..it's a story that just won't go away. 722 00:39:48,480 --> 00:39:52,000 After creating controversy with her book Double Webs, 723 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:52,440 After creating controversy with her book Double Webs, 724 00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:55,880 Jean Overton Fuller starts researching a new book... 725 00:39:56,920 --> 00:40:00,000 ..this time, about Henri Dericourt's relationship not with the Nazis... 726 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:01,840 ..this time, about Henri Dericourt's relationship not with the Nazis... 727 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:04,000 but with MI6. 728 00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:07,560 The book is called The Chequered Spy. 729 00:40:07,720 --> 00:40:08,000 And it claims Dericourt wasn't just a double agent... 730 00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:12,040 And it claims Dericourt wasn't just a double agent... 731 00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:15,640 but that he was spying on the SOE... 732 00:40:15,800 --> 00:40:16,000 on the orders of MI6. 733 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:18,800 on the orders of MI6. 734 00:40:18,960 --> 00:40:24,000 Dericourt was MI6's mole at the heart of the SOE 735 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:24,360 Dericourt was MI6's mole at the heart of the SOE 736 00:40:24,520 --> 00:40:26,880 monitoring everything they were doing... 737 00:40:27,040 --> 00:40:31,880 as MI6 believed that the SOE were incompetent. 738 00:40:34,560 --> 00:40:38,480 The suggestion is that members of the British security services 739 00:40:38,640 --> 00:40:40,000 knew that the women Vera trained, 740 00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:40,840 knew that the women Vera trained, 741 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:42,720 like Noor Inayat Khan... 742 00:40:47,320 --> 00:40:48,000 ..like Violette Szabo... 743 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:49,800 ..like Violette Szabo... 744 00:40:50,640 --> 00:40:52,560 ..like Odette Sansom... 745 00:40:52,720 --> 00:40:56,000 were being sent into the hands of a known double agent. 746 00:40:56,000 --> 00:40:56,520 were being sent into the hands of a known double agent. 747 00:40:59,360 --> 00:41:04,000 But Henri Dericourt never sees the day that the book is published. 748 00:41:30,880 --> 00:41:32,880 - Sub-editor's desk. 749 00:41:33,040 --> 00:41:35,040 Bodington? 750 00:41:35,880 --> 00:41:36,000 - Yes? - It's Buckmaster. 751 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:38,440 - Yes? - It's Buckmaster. 752 00:41:39,680 --> 00:41:41,720 - Good grief! 753 00:41:41,880 --> 00:41:44,000 - Been a while. How are you? 754 00:41:44,000 --> 00:41:45,040 - Been a while. How are you? 755 00:41:46,640 --> 00:41:49,240 - Good, thanks, Bucks. You? 756 00:41:50,560 --> 00:41:52,000 Seen the news? 757 00:41:52,000 --> 00:41:52,600 Seen the news? 758 00:41:53,520 --> 00:41:56,320 Dericourt's disappeared in the Far East. 759 00:41:56,480 --> 00:41:59,840 The plane he was flying carrying a cargo-load of gold. 760 00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:04,880 They think the cause of the crash was er...'fuel starvation'. 761 00:42:06,280 --> 00:42:08,000 No. No. I haven't seen it. 762 00:42:08,000 --> 00:42:08,560 No. No. I haven't seen it. 763 00:42:09,960 --> 00:42:11,960 What does that mean? 764 00:42:14,200 --> 00:42:16,000 - Any survivors? - No. 765 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:16,600 - Any survivors? - No. 766 00:42:17,760 --> 00:42:20,160 And they can't find Dericourt's body. 767 00:42:23,680 --> 00:42:24,000 Wasn't Vera close to that man from the SAS? 768 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:27,080 Wasn't Vera close to that man from the SAS? 769 00:42:27,240 --> 00:42:29,240 Sort of thing they're good at... 770 00:42:30,080 --> 00:42:32,000 ..giving people a helping hand into the grave. 771 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:32,320 ..giving people a helping hand into the grave. 772 00:42:34,160 --> 00:42:36,160 - I er... I wouldn't know. 773 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:39,600 Vera and I don't speak. 774 00:42:40,960 --> 00:42:43,080 I think she works for the UN now. 775 00:42:44,760 --> 00:42:47,840 Well, if you hear of anything. 776 00:42:50,600 --> 00:42:52,920 All that Dericourt business... 777 00:42:53,920 --> 00:42:56,000 ..was... very unfortunate... 778 00:42:56,000 --> 00:42:57,320 ..was... very unfortunate... 779 00:42:58,160 --> 00:43:00,160 ..for everyone. 780 00:43:03,080 --> 00:43:04,000 It's best that he has gone. 781 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:05,080 It's best that he has gone. 782 00:43:05,960 --> 00:43:08,080 Dead men don't talk. 783 00:43:13,280 --> 00:43:17,120 Vera Atkins retires to the South Coast of Britain, 784 00:43:17,280 --> 00:43:19,280 moving to Winchelsea. 785 00:43:20,200 --> 00:43:24,120 She has a steady, but discreet, stream of visitors, 786 00:43:24,280 --> 00:43:26,280 including Tania Szabo, 787 00:43:26,440 --> 00:43:28,000 the daughter of Agent Violette Szabo. 788 00:43:28,000 --> 00:43:29,120 the daughter of Agent Violette Szabo. 789 00:43:41,400 --> 00:43:43,760 - I received the George Cross for Mother. 790 00:43:49,120 --> 00:43:52,000 Odette Sansom was the first ever woman to receive that. 791 00:43:52,000 --> 00:43:53,040 Odette Sansom was the first ever woman to receive that. 792 00:43:57,760 --> 00:44:00,000 The French also gave Mother the Croix de Guerre. 793 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:00,080 The French also gave Mother the Croix de Guerre. 794 00:44:02,480 --> 00:44:04,480 - That was good of them. 795 00:44:08,680 --> 00:44:11,080 - And Noor received both medals too. 796 00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:16,000 There's a memorial now at Dachau. 797 00:44:16,000 --> 00:44:16,400 There's a memorial now at Dachau. 798 00:44:23,680 --> 00:44:24,000 And now you received your CBE. 799 00:44:24,000 --> 00:44:27,000 And now you received your CBE. 800 00:44:27,160 --> 00:44:30,400 Finally. They took their time, didn't they? 801 00:44:32,360 --> 00:44:34,840 Are you looking forward to the ceremony? 802 00:44:37,920 --> 00:44:39,920 - We'll see, won't we? 803 00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:47,960 - I'll leave this here. 804 00:44:55,160 --> 00:44:56,000 - I always drove them down to the aerodromes. 805 00:44:56,000 --> 00:44:58,320 - I always drove them down to the aerodromes. 806 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:02,480 It always seemed to be a summer's day. 807 00:45:03,560 --> 00:45:04,000 I saw them off. 808 00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:05,560 I saw them off. 809 00:45:07,480 --> 00:45:09,760 When the war ended, and when they didn't come back, 810 00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:11,920 I went looking for them all. 811 00:45:14,600 --> 00:45:16,640 'Missing, presumed dead'... 812 00:45:20,280 --> 00:45:23,640 ..is such a terrible epitaph for anyone. 813 00:45:27,800 --> 00:45:28,000 - Can't believe my time has finally come. 814 00:45:28,000 --> 00:45:30,200 - Can't believe my time has finally come. 815 00:45:31,040 --> 00:45:33,040 Been such a whirlwind. 816 00:45:35,200 --> 00:45:36,000 And yet the adventure's just about to start. 817 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:37,280 And yet the adventure's just about to start. 818 00:45:39,600 --> 00:45:41,640 - Remember what they've taught you, Noor. 819 00:45:43,360 --> 00:45:44,000 - Yes, Ms Atkins. 820 00:45:44,000 --> 00:45:45,360 - Yes, Ms Atkins. 821 00:45:49,600 --> 00:45:51,600 - There. You're clean. 822 00:45:55,480 --> 00:45:57,560 - You're so smart, Ms Atkins. 823 00:45:57,720 --> 00:45:59,960 You always wear the nicest things. 824 00:46:03,800 --> 00:46:06,440 - Here. It's yours. 825 00:46:09,160 --> 00:46:11,280 May it bring you luck. 826 00:46:17,360 --> 00:46:19,480 - Thank you, Ms Atkins. 827 00:46:19,640 --> 00:46:21,680 - Are you ready? 828 00:46:23,840 --> 00:46:24,000 - Yes, Ms Atkins. 829 00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:26,280 - Yes, Ms Atkins. 830 00:46:27,480 --> 00:46:29,600 - Very good. 831 00:47:56,520 --> 00:47:59,080 Subtitles by Sky Access Services