Pre-Mission Briefing
A SELECTION OF RECOMMENDED READING TO PREPARE FOR YOUR MISSION
Battleground Berlin: CIA vs. KGB in the Cold War - David E. Murphy, Sergei Kondrashev and George Bailey
A fascinating insiders’ account of the espionage war in the immediate post-war period up to the building of the Wall in 1961. Murphy was a chief of the CIA's Berlin base, while Kondrashev headed the KGB's German Department. Written in a period of post-Cold War openness, it offers a unique perspective into key intelligence operations in the city.
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Betrayal in Berlin - Steve Vogel
An in depth and very readable account of Operation Gold, the US/British operation to tap into the Soviet telecommunications cables running through Berlin. At its heart is the story of the plan’s betrayal by George Blake, which doomed it from the outset.
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The Happy Traitor - Simon Kuper
One for those wanting to delve deeper into the story of George Behar, the Dutch born British intelligence officer who became notorious as the double agent George Blake. Kuper explores the story of a man who came from a very different background, and suffered a different fate, to his fellow high-profile traitors, the Cambridge Five.
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Brixmis: The Untold Exploits of Britain’s Most Daring Cold War Spy Mission - Tony Geraghty
Former journalist Geraghty details the activities of Brixmis - The British Commander-in-Chief's Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany. With freedom to roam across the GDR, this small group operated in uniform and in plain sight, gathering intelligence on Soviet equipment and troop deployments, while dodging the attentions of their hosts in a tense, and dangerous, game of cat and mouse.
you could spend a long time reading spy stories set in berlin
here are a few of our favourites...
Safe House Suggestions
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold- John le Carré
Le Carré’s breakthrough novel, and the film version starring Richard Burton as Alec Leamas, are undoubted classics. The gritty, bleak portrayal of Berlin shortly after the Wall went up is hugely atmospheric, and the moral ambiguity of the story a recurrent theme in Le Carré’s writings.
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Funeral in Berlin - Len Deighton
Another Berlin based classic in book and film, with sixties icon Michael Caine taking the lead role of Harry Palmer (as the unnamed protagonist of the novel became on screen). Deighton’s well-crafted thriller is an essential read. Forged documents, cover identities, the logistics of moving a person from East to West – what more could you want?
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The Innocent - Ian McEwan
Not a classic spy story, but at the core of this acclaimed novel is Operation Gold, mentioned above. McEwan’s central character is one of the British Post Office engineers brought in to work on the phone taps. A dark tale of an innocent abroad…
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Or if you prefer putting your feet up and watching a film...
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Bridge of Spies - Steven Spielberg
Another take on the complexities of Cold War espionage and diplomacy. This atmospheric film starring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance focuses on the trial of Soviet agent Rudolf Abel and his subsequent exchange for U2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers. The climax is a tense handover on the Glienicke Bridge.
For those seeking further inspiration, we recommend checking out Spybrary
Key Locations
Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Unter den Linden 77
Originally opened in 1907, this historic hotel was virtually destroyed during World War II. It has risen from the ashes, going through various guises before throwing off Cold War austerity and returning to its former glory after a rebuild in the 1990s. Situated right beside the Brandenburg Gate, in the heart of Berlin, its terrace is great spot to sit back and reflect on times gone by. Long a bustling hub of political and diplomatic chatter, its lobby, bars and restaurants would make it a natural hang out for those engaged in information gathering and discreet surveillance.
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AlliiertenMuseum (Allied Museum), Clayallee 135
Documents the Allied presence in Berlin Immediate postwar, through the Berlin Airlift, the building of the Berlin Wall to its fall and the eventual departure in 1994 Military and intelligence services face off. One of its highlights is a section of the tunnel built in Operation Gold, betrayed by George Blake.
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Abhörstation (Listening Station) Teufelsberg, Teufelsseechaussee 10
This manmade hill, the Devil’s Mountain, was formed from rubble cleared from the ruined city and offers great views over Berlin. The abandoned US/British facility, with its graffitied domes looming overhead, provides an atmospheric reminder of the technological battles of the Cold War
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Eierschale (‘The Eggshell’) Dahlem, Podbielskiallee 50
This legendary Berlin jazz club established in 1950’s is renowned for its beer, food and live music. Close to American Headquarters in Clayallee, it was reputedly a target for East German ‘Romeo’ agents, seeking to strike up relationships with military and intelligence staff letting their hair down after a hard day at HQ.
www.berliner-eierschale.de