*Cue the James Bond Music*
SPIES!
Much of my inspiration behind this chapter came from a World War 2 Eyewitness book (pictured below). I used to read it all the time, however, the coolest part of it was the spy section. It had all sorts of examples of secret spy gear real-life spies used during World War 2.
Just looking at all of the different examples of hidden gear used by spies was so interesting – I could barely look away. In fact, I wanted to know and learn more. This is probably one of the main reasons behind me not only having this specific scene, but also why I chose to make my characters spies (in a way).
Spy Camera!
Yes, the camera I speak of in the chapter was very real. So many gadgets that spies used had to be hidden within normal, everyday objects. A simple playing card could hide within it a secret map. A smoking pipe could hide a rolled up piece of paper with a secret message. Labels on wine bottles could actually have secret code on the back. The possibilities were endless!
Since the Nazis were constantly learning some of these tricks (as well as having a few of their own), new, crazy ways of transporting secret materials were constantly being thought of!
This camera was made towards the later years of World War 2, created by Kodak. The matchbox appearance was changed to fit in with the country in which the spy was operating in. For example, if the spy were to be in France at the time, the label would be in French with a French company’s logo. Then, if this same person were to be in Germany, then it would change to German with a German company’s logo. Etc.
Usually, a person would be very careful not to leave this lying around anywhere in plain sight, however, Gerda wasn’t so very careful.
Also, another note: many of these cameras not only took pictures, but also filmed things. True, the cameras with the ability to film were typically bigger, but the threat remained. If a secret camera was in your presence, you’d have to be very careful about what you said and did.
SOE vs. OSS vs. Abwehr
Geez… That’s a lot of intelligence agencies…
Let me break it down for you!
- SOE – (Special Operations Executive) Created by the British; offically founded in 1940, yet they had beginnings already in motion before the war began. Annabelle and Albrecht work for them.
- OSS – (Office of Stategic Services) Created by the United States; founded during WW2. As of now, no American spies show up in Annabelle’s world, yet there’s little doubt Annabelle didn’t meet any at some point (just not to her knowledge).
- Abwehr – The German militray-inteligence service; founded all the way back after WW1, yet slowly became more of a Nazi puppet before and during WW2. Gerda works for them (and we’re assuming the S.S. has a little something to do with them; Albrecht seems to be “in the know”).
On top of all of this, the organized Resistance in France was split also into many different factions that all relied on different secret spy agencies. However, I won’t go into that today! The above three are the most important to know for this chapter!
Why is Annabelle Under Investigation?
Well, the answer isn’t entirely clear. Annabelle belives she has no real reason behind this investigation. Still, there are a few reasons that could possibly be true.
- Annabelle constantly is seen with Dimitri, a farmer who spends an unusal amount of time in the city seemingly not doing what he says he is. Perhaps they wanted to see if there was some sort of secret connection.
- Annabelle is going to marry Albrecht – maybe they’re doing a sort of semi-secret vetting of her; they want to make sure she’s the ideal Nazi bride.
- Actualités Dietmar is the biggest newspaper company in Paris – if the Nazis don’t regularly check to see if their level of quality standards are upheld, then maybe things will slip through the cracks. Perhaps Gerda was a test to see if Annabelle would notice.
- Acadia was the actual center of attention and maybe has been showing some “risky” behavior…
- Or… (just hear me out) it was all about Albrecht – what if they had been trying to see if his loyalties were true?
Again, these are possibilities, not what the actual reason was for sure. Will you ever get the true answer? Maybe… 🙂
And that’s Chapter 12: Spies! I hope it helps in your understanding of some of the context of the chapter!
Next week, it’ll be Chapter 13: Privy!
Now, have you checked out SECRETS OF THE FOREST?
It’s the year 2300. The earth as we know it has been completely changed by war and a new civilization has arisen from the rubble. It seems like everything is good and fair – violence seems nonexistent. If their life is so perfect and wonderful, why are people banned from venturing into the Forbidden Country? The laws were clear. No one was EVER allowed to go there. Yet, Annalise Bella Mason was determined to go there. She wanted answers. Now, there’s no going back. Episodes up every Thursday!
Read on Kindle Vella! Chapters 1-6 are now up!
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Till Next Week!
L.A.
