It would be tough. The impression he had got from Hillen-Ziegfeld’s letter was that there were at least twenty or so members of the Legion of St. George, but in fact there were only six. Four were committed fascists; three of them had even been members of the British Union of Fascists. Reading between the lines, Strasser guessed that the other two were rather more opportunistic and had enlisted to get out of their stalags. He couldn’t just bully them as he had done with recruits in the Das Reich division, otherwise they would want to go straight back to their camps. Lightness of touch. That would be hard, especially in the SS.

He looked at his watch. Ten past nine—they should be here in the next twenty minutes. They were coming up from the camp at Genshagen, a few miles southwest of Berlin—it would be the first time he had met them. No doubt they would think this was going to be a jolly in Berlin, but Strasser was determined today’s meeting was to be productive. There were practicalities to sort out—uniforms, accommodation, even the name of the unit.

As an aide-memoire, Strasser had assembled brief biographies of the recruits. He looked over them, refreshing himself before their subjects’ arrival. He cursed his handwriting—he should have typed them up, but he knew that finding a typewriter would be almost as hard as finding an office.

Butcher, Matthew Halley

b. Chiswick, 29 August 1919

German mother, English father

London BUF. Came to Germany in July ’39 to seek work. Joined Waffen-SS. In training and garrison roles until May ’41 whereupon he joined the Death’s Head Oranienburg Guard Battalion at Krakow. Unterscharführer November ’41. Transferred to Russian front February ’43. Wounded by shrapnel in both legs. Awarded Wound Badge in Silver Recuperated in Holland, but transferred at the request of Hillen-Ziegfeld and the England Committee to Genshagen staff in September this year.

At least they had a real soldier, thought Strasser. This man Butcher looked capable, and had served the SS bravely. The next one also looked of some use.

Catchpole, Ray Nicholas

b. London, 15 June 1912

English mother, father unknown (Jew?)

New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Served in Africa and Greece, captured April ’41. Rank: corporal. Imprisoned Stalag XVIIId. Approached Gestapo as a “White Russian,” volunteering to fight the Bolsheviks. Approach declined, but acted as camp interpreter. Sent to Genshagen June this year. Has broadcast propaganda for the Concordia Bureau.

It was good to have another NCO, but what was this man’s motive? Like many, perhaps he thought the Germans were going to win. Strasser had him down as a sycophant, and suspected that his loyalty wouldn’t stretch far if the Germans started losing. He turned the page.

Lee, Julian

b. Aylesbury, 4 March 1909

English parents