Spying in World War I

The true story of Margriet Ballegeer

Spying in World War I cover

Description

The conduct of a brave and patriotic woman during the First World War, filled with details of espionage and life in an occupied country.

In 1914 Margriet Ballegeer, a young woman from Contich, near Antwerp, joined the resistance in order to help sabotage the German occupation of Belgium throughout the war. Despite the danger, Margriet, aged only 24, joined the local resistance group and later became part of a wider network of spies run by the British Intelligence Service from Rotterdam. She stole identity papers and passports from the town hall where her father was Chief of Police, and using these, she was able to help young men escape Belgium and join the Allies.

Margriet acted as a courier for the resistance group, using the cover of her shop to pass on messages and vital pieces of intelligence. First arrested in 1915 and charged with forging documents, Margriet spent six months in prison, but on her release remained committed to the cause, again joining a larger resistance group. In 1917, Margriet was arrested for a second time and interrogated by the Germans after being betrayed by one of their recruits. This time she was charged for spying and sentenced to death.

This is her story.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements and Author's Note
Introduction
Prologue

Chapter 1: Growing Up
Chapter 2: The Outbreak of War
Chapter 3: Father Moons
Chapter 4: Margriet's Family Shelters the Priest in Kontich
Chapter 5: Arrest
Chapter 6: Henri Van Bergen
Chapter 7: At Work
Chapter 8: Success is Short-Lived
Chapter 9: Arrested Again
Chapter 10: In Prison
Chapter 11: The Trial
Chapter 12: The End
Chapter 13: After the Execution
Chapter 14: In England

Appendices
Appendix 1: Germaine's letter
Appendix 2: The last letter of Father Moons
Appendix 3: The last letter of Henri Van Bergen

Notes

Product details

Published Aug 20 2013
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 112
ISBN 9781782001867
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Janet Dean

Janet Dean is the granddaughter of Margrit Ballege…

Resources

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