Spy for Germany

Chapter 18: The Final Chapter

By Erich Gimpel (884-LIFE-1988)


Synopsis

In Chapter 1 (KTB #148) ERICH begins his career as a spy, and he lets us know of his love of beautiful women. In Chapter 2 (KTB #149), he was transferred home to Germany and his shipboard romance with Karen ended. In Chapter 3 (KTB #151) he began his training as a spy – and he learned that a spy who falls in love with an enemy spy – gets shot!

In Chapter 4 (KTB #152) we read where ERICH himself falls for a woman who turned out to be a German spy herself and her job was to lure German spies in training to betray themselves – and ERICH is nearly washed out of spy training. In Chapter 5 (KTB #153) we learned that ERICH was to be in charge of Operation PELIKAN, the plan to blow up the Panama Canal with two Ju 87 STUKA dive bombers brought over on two U-boats. At the last moment, it was thought by the German agency, that someone had tipped off the Americans to this plot, so the plan was scrapped. In Chapter 6 (KTB #154 and KTB #155) we read how ERICH and the Abwehr tried to find him a partner for his mission into the USA with the intended purpose of sabotaging the Manhattan Project – the atomic bomb project in the United States. In Chapter 7 (KTB #156) we read about the Atlantic crossing to the USA where ERICH and Billy were to be put ashore to assault the ‘Manhattan Project’. In Chapter 8 (KTB #157), the two agents landed on the coast of Maine, ready to begin their sabotage of the atomic bomb project. In Chapter 9 (KTB #158) ERICH gets the shock of learning that Billy has taken all the money and the diamonds, and deserted not only the mission, but ERICH as well.

In the first part of Chapter 10 (KTB #159) ERICH is trying desperately to find Billy – and get his $60,000 and diamonds back. In the balance of Chapter 10, we see how ERICH outwitted Billy and got his suitcases, filled with money and spy equipment back – at Billy’s expense but in the meantime to nobody’s surprise, ERICH has found another woman. In chapter 11, ERICH is doing well with this new woman, an old contact is going to tell him about the Manhattan Project - but his time is running out and Billy is about to betray him to the F.B.I.

In Chapter 12, ERICH was happily spending Christmas with Joan, but his tour of duty as a spy – and his life, were almost over. He was arrested by the F.B.I. and headed for the gallows. In Chapter 13, he's grilled by the F.B.I. In Chapter 14, he faces the probability of the hangman. In Chapter 15, he's sentenced to death. In 16, he's sized up by the handman. In 17, he's saved from the gallows.

Chapter 18: The Final Chapter

Where is Erich?

We know that many Members are wondering where is the article on the life of ERICH GIMPEL (884-LIFE-1988) that has been running on this page and further in, for quite some time now.

The last chapter deals with his time in prison, his unsuccessful attempts to break out, more prison and his getting back into normal life. It is interesting to be sure, but this portion of the story no longer deals with his time in the Abwehr and his activities as a spy for Germany in various actions and areas.

We’ve therefore decided to drop the last chapter of this fascinating real-life story of a World War II personality. ERICH is living peacefully today, at age 95, and we wish him many more years. If all goes according to plan, we may have an opportunity to meet him in the USA sometime in June or July of 2005. We’ll give the information as it comes available.

Spy for Germany

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© Copyright 2003 by Harry Cooper, Sharkhunters International, Inc.
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