Betty Pack, spy
July 12, 2016 1:24 PM Subscribe
Part One: "The British and American spymasters had ordered “Cynthia” to penetrate the Vichy embassy – a fortress of armed guards, steel doors, and locked safes – and make off with its most closely guarded secrets." Part Two: "Betty cut him off. She explained that she’d open the safe. She had the combination, it would be simple." The extraordinary story of Amy Elizabeth Thorpe's most dangerous operation.
What a story! Thanks for posting it.
posted by languagehat at 3:30 PM on July 12, 2016
posted by languagehat at 3:30 PM on July 12, 2016
I liked that the descendants of the Italian Admiral who would rather their ancestor be a loyal Fascist than someone who lost secrets. Well, if by "liked," I mean "disliked."
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:55 PM on July 12, 2016
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:55 PM on July 12, 2016
A distant relation, and one that I did not learn about, for interesting reasons. She was the wife of Arthur Pack, an elder cousin of my grandfather. Arthur Pack committed suicide in 1945 over her infidelities, and she re-married one of her paramours. Quite the sort of thing that would be omitted from the family narratives.
Also, it's the Michigan branch of the family. The branches of the family don't keep in touch.
posted by LeRoienJaune at 4:43 PM on July 12, 2016 [9 favorites]
Also, it's the Michigan branch of the family. The branches of the family don't keep in touch.
posted by LeRoienJaune at 4:43 PM on July 12, 2016 [9 favorites]
LeRoienJaune: Arthur Pack committed suicide in 1945 over her infidelities, and she re-married one of her paramours.
She re-married the very man she seduced to steal the Vichy ciphers in this story, as it happens.
Quite the sort of thing that would be omitted from the family narratives.
"So, how's Arthur?"
[awkward silence]
posted by clawsoon at 5:18 PM on July 12, 2016 [7 favorites]
She re-married the very man she seduced to steal the Vichy ciphers in this story, as it happens.
Quite the sort of thing that would be omitted from the family narratives.
"So, how's Arthur?"
[awkward silence]
posted by clawsoon at 5:18 PM on July 12, 2016 [7 favorites]
Wow, this is a great story.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 8:02 PM on July 12, 2016
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 8:02 PM on July 12, 2016
A great story -- though as the Wikipedia page makes clear, there are serious doubts about its authenticity.
posted by verstegan at 4:23 AM on July 13, 2016
posted by verstegan at 4:23 AM on July 13, 2016
verstegan: A great story -- though as the Wikipedia page makes clear, there are serious doubts about its authenticity.
This particular story isn't mentioned on the Wikipedia page at all, other than the reference to her re-marriage after the war. It's the Polish and Italian espionage that's disputed.
posted by clawsoon at 5:35 AM on July 13, 2016
This particular story isn't mentioned on the Wikipedia page at all, other than the reference to her re-marriage after the war. It's the Polish and Italian espionage that's disputed.
posted by clawsoon at 5:35 AM on July 13, 2016
Repping the 612.
posted by Sphinx at 6:52 AM on July 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Sphinx at 6:52 AM on July 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
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