Cold War Counterfeit Spies: Tales of Espionage - Genuine or Bogus?

The Cold War produced many stories of espionage, treachery, and deception, but Nigel West's investigation reveals that the most egregious deceptions were in the stories themselves. He exposes a catalogue of misrepresentations and falsehoods, such as the claims of Greville Wynne, Buster Crabb, and J. Bernard Hutton.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 26 July 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The Cold War, characterized by an atmosphere of mutual fear and distrust, provided fertile ground for publishers to explore the realm of espionage, treachery, and deception. However, what Nigel West has uncovered in his remarkable investigation is that the most outrageous deceptions were not only the stories themselves but also the claims made by individuals who portrayed themselves as key players in clandestine operations. In this comprehensive examination, the author has exposed a catalog of misrepresentations and falsehoods.

One of the most intriguing questions investigated by West is whether Greville Wynne, a British intelligence officer, truly exfiltrated a GRU defector from Odessa. Wynne claimed to have carried out this daring operation, but there is no concrete evidence to support his claim. West has consulted with witnesses who had firsthand experience and has accessed recently declassified documents to shed light on this matter.

Another intriguing question is whether Buster Crabb, a frogman, was abducted during a mission in Portsmouth Harbour. Crabb's story has been widely publicized, but there are doubts about its accuracy. West has conducted extensive research and consulted with witnesses who were present during the alleged abduction. He has also examined declassified documents to determine whether the incident occurred as described.

Furthermore, West explores the claim made by J. Bernard Hutton, a British intelligence officer, that the KGB ran a close-guarded training facility modeled on a typical town in the American mid-west. This facility, known as School for Spies, was intended to acclimatize agents to a non-Soviet environment. Hutton's description of the facility has been widely accepted, but West questions its validity based on his research and the availability of declassified documents.

Through his meticulous investigation, Nigel West provides compelling answers to these and other fascinating questions from a time when secrecy and suspicion allowed the truth to be concealed. His work sheds light on the murky world of espionage and challenges the narratives that have been perpetuated for decades. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of history and sheds new light on the events of the Cold War era.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399075091