WAR ESPIONAGE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 1 May 1934, Page 2

WAR ESPIONAGE

- . ■<& “LA DAME BLANCHE!” SECRET OF “BIG BERTHA” Astounding facts concerning the espionage work carried out in Belgium during the German occupation have been revealed by M. Le Pape, a distinguished Secret Service officer, who did oyeat work for the Allies. M. Le Pape says that under the name of La Dame Blanche (the White Lady) 600 Belgians, forming six companies, .worked For the Allied Intelligence Service. Their headquarters were Charleroi. One of the most dramatic incidents happened on August 28, 1918. The report of the Fourth Company concerning German movements was being conveyed from Ohimay to Charleroi bv a spy clad as a peasant, who earned the report in a bunch of leeks. At Charleroi he discovered he was shadowed by a German officer. The situation was terrible, for the report contained information which would have sent to the firing squad many Belgian spies. The spy, whose name is not disclosed, walked at night along the bank of the solitary river Sainbre. Ho concealed himself behind an elm and when the German passed him lie stunned him with a stick and threw the body in the river. t*. 1 M. Le Pape also tells how Bi» Bertha was located. A German soldier sick with dysentery was brought to Chimav Hospital, which was managed bv French nuns. During delirium he kept on saying, Bang, bang, Bertha, Paris.” , . The White Lady was warned at once and, after some days, was informed bv the delirious soldier that the big \uu ‘ bombarding Pans was carefully concealed near Coucy. The information was conveyed to iho Intelliounce Service, and eight artei S' 80 Allied aeroplanes exploring the environs of Coucy located the skilfully camouflaged gun and silenced it.