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New Trent Park Research Project

Discussion in 'WWII Today' started by GRW, May 23, 2012.

  1. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    "The secret story of the German and Austrian World War II refugees who spied on top-ranking Nazi prisoners from an Enfield mansion is about to become the dramatic centrepiece of a major research effort.
    Working from Trent Park, the squad of decoders – most of whom were Jews who had fled persecution – recorded and transcribed private conversations between senior Nazi officials held as prisoners of war in the building, owned by the Sassoon family and previously a residence for Charlie Chaplin and Lawrence of Arabia.
    In relaxed surroundings devoid of clues they were bugged, many of the officials felt comfortable enough to discuss key issues.
    The interpreters’ knowledge, particularly of Germanic expressions and cultural traditions, then allowed British intelligence to discover vital strategic information and ascertain the German army’s involvement in the Holocaust.
    The new project, called The Secret Listeners, will reveal how the scheme evolved through a permanent display and a play at the mansion as part of a collaboration between The Jewish Military Museum, The Jewish Museum, the Wiener Library, Middlesex University and Pascal Theatre Company."
    New research set to shed light on top-secret British Intelligence spying project at Trent Park | Culture24
     
  2. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    Interesting - Trent Park is close to where I live. However, I must question it as a 'residence' of T E Lawrence : he may have stayed there as a visitor.....:rolleyes:
     
  3. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Think he stayed there as a guest of Phillip Sassoon, didn't he?
     
  4. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    In fact, Lawrence visited, and didn't stay. He was associated with Philip Sassoon but was a friend of Siegfried Sassoon. It's interesting to see the 'glitter' attached to even a fleeting association with TEL......
     
  5. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    I seem to remember a movie along these lines...They also included "planted" POWs to start conversations...spark arguements and keep people talking...Some officers were awake to the scheme, those were removed and given their own rooms...
     

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