Events: Life & Death

Mysterious Notebook at the Court Martial of German Spy Josef Jakobs

Over the last couple of years, I have written a series of blogs about a couple of mysterious notebooks found in the KV 2/27 file on Josef Jakobs at the National Archives. The two notebooks, one blue and the other black, belonged to a lad named Kenneth Clifford Howard. Given that there was not a

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Capture of German Spy, Josef Jakobs – 75th Anniversary

2016 marks the 75th anniversary of Josef Jakobs’ ill-fated espionage mission to England. On the evening of January 31, 1941, Josef parachuted down from a Heinkel 111 aircraft. Having broken his ankle during his exit from the plain, Josef lay in agony for 12 hours before attracting the attention of some passing farmers on the

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Today in 1941 – August 18 – German spy Josef Jakobs buried at St. Mary’s R.C. Cemetery

Today in 1941, on August 18, Josef Jakobs was buried in an unmarked grave at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Kensal Green, London. Fr. Edward J. Griffith, an Army Chaplain, had ministered to Josef in the days between the court martial and the execution. Fr. Griffith likely attended the funeral, only returning to his

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Today in 1941 – August 15 – Josef Jakobs Shot at the Tower of London

Today in 1941, on August 15, German spy, Josef Jakobs was executed by firing squad at the Tower of London. Josef and his Military Policemen guards left Wandsworth Prison at around 5:00 a.m. and arrived at the Tower at around 5:30 a.m. Josef was offered, and eventually accepted, a sedative to calm the nerves. The

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Today in 1941 – August 13 – King George VI rejects Josef Jakobs’ Petition for Mercy

Today in 1941, on August 13, Josef Jakobs received word that his petition for mercy to King George VI had been rejected. Josef’s petition had wended its way through military, legal and political channels before finally being passed before the eyes of the King around August 9. None of the authorities had recommended mercy and

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Today in 1941 – August 9 – Josef Jakobs’ Petition for Mercy reaches King George VI

Today in 1941, on August 9, Josef Jakobs’ petition for mercy reached King George VI. Josef had begun to craft his petition after his court martial found him guilty on August 5 and condemned him to death. By August 8, the petition was wending its way through the military, legal and political channels. It passed

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Today in 1941 – August 6 – Condemned German Spy Josef Jakobs receives Spiritual Care

Today in 1941, on August 6, Roman Catholic priest, Fr. Edward Jackson Griffith visited Josef Jakobs to provide him with spiritual care. Josef had requested the services of a Catholic priest when he met with Lt. Col. Hinchley Cooke on July 31. The part-time Catholic Chaplain at Wandsworth Prison had tried to visit Josef but

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Today in 1941 – August 5 – Second Day of Josef Jakobs’ Court Martial

Today in 1941 – August 5 – The Second Day of Josef Jakobs’ Court Martial took place at the Duke of York’s Headquarters (Chelsea). The second day of the court martial began with the Prosecution re-commencing their cross-examination of Josef. Lt. Col. Hinchley-Cooke was re-called to the stand at one point to provide some clarification

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