United States National Archives.
RG 457.2: Records of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service, 1917-1993.
TOP SECRET.
US Army, Signals Intelligence Service.
Germany. Ref. No.: XXXXXXXXX
Issued:
Copy No.: 137
From: Berlin.
To: Theresienstadt.
Date: 30 June 1950.
Headquarters Sipo-SD, Theresienstadt, Madagascar.
For the attention of Standartenfuhrer LANGE,
State secret!
RE: Request for information.
Wolfgang GRAF VON BLUCHER, Colonel of Fallschirmjager.
Born 1917, Altengotten, Thuringia. Minor aristocracy, despite the name. Father died in 1924; leaving the family in straightened circumstances. Mother managed a private school education for her children. 1934: Abitur. 1935-1936: Reich Labor Service. 1936: Enlisted in Wehrmacht upon release from RLS. 1937: Transferred to Luftwaffe as a volunteer for the paratroops.
Speaks English (very well) and French (passably).
Wartime Service:
1939: Poland.
1940: Belgium (Capture of Fort Eben-Emael). Iron Cross.
1940: Gibraltar. Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. Blucher was one of three brothers who all volunteered for the paratroops. His brothers were killed on Gibraltar.
1941: Russia. Relieved of command; acquitted by court-martial, but transferred to Abwehr.
1942—the present: Various tasks for the Abwehr.
Never belonged to Hitler Jugend or to the Party.
Helmut ARPKE, Sergent, Fallschirmjager.
Born: 1917, Graudenz, Prussia.[1] Son of an auto mechanic. Completed high school. Worked from youth in his father’s garage. 1935: crossed border from Poland to re-join the Reich. 1935-1936: Reich Labor Service. 1936: Enlisted in Wehrmacht upon release from RLS. 1937: Transferred to Luftwaffe as a volunteer for the paratroops.
Speaks Polish fluently.
Wartime Service:
1938-1939: Trained as a Combat Engineer and demolitions expert.
1940: Belgium (Capture of Fort Eben-Emael). Knights Cross of the Iron Cross
1940: Gibraltar. Iron Cross; Wound Badge.
1941: Russia.
1942—the present: various tasks for the Abwehr.
The two men served in different companies of the same regiment. Their companies launched a joint attack on one entrance of the Gibraltar tunnel complex. Despite fierce resistance by the British, the mission was accomplished.
It is not possible to discover at this time the nature of BLUCHER’S mission. Will continue inquiries, but would be glad to learn whatever you discover on your end.
You will recall the circumstances of BLUCHER’s relief in Latvia and subsequent court-martial. Also, Governor Bach’s role. Urge you not let past history or personal animus interfere with relations.
Heil Hitler!
SS Brigadefuhrer KALTENBRUNNER, BERLIN.
State secret!
[1] This part of eastern Germany was transferred to Poland after the Great War. Germans who remained in the “Polish corridor” after the territory transfer felt themselves to be a persecuted minority.
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