A Russian couple’s infiltration of British intelligence in the mid-20th century has been described as one of the ‘most damaging’ in history. But who were the couple responsible?
1950sis often referred to as a ‘golden period’ for Britain – a time of peace, prosperity and progression.
At the midpoint of the 20th century, things were generally looking up. The Second World War was over. Rationing was in its last leg. Employment rates and standards of living were on the rise. And there seemed to be exciting new things happening everywhere – from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II to the construction of higher-quality neighbourhoods and high-speed roads known as motorways.
But as Britain remained preoccupied and distracted during a pivotal period of irreversible change, some of the country’s biggest secrets were being pickpocketed and sent 3,500 miles around the world.
When the culprits were found and revealed in 1961, the UK was stunned. They were the last people many would have suspected.
In 1954, married American book dealers Peter and Helen Kroger became the new neighbours on the block on Cranley Drive on Ruislip. No one batted an eyelid. With the exception of the couple’s transatlantic roots, there appeared to be very little exotic about them.
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And that was exactly the idea.
For years, the Krogers successfully blended into British life whilst smuggling top-secret British intel to the Soviet Union as part of an espionage mission which became known as the ‘Portland Spy Ring’.
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An article in The Daily Mirror from 1961 covering the scandal / Image: Ruislip.co.uk
After arriving in the UK as undercover agents in the mid-50s, the Krogers (real names Morris and Lona Cohen) chose a bungalow not too far from a military base – hoping that powerful signals would distort their transmissions back home.
The duo then spent the next few years communicating messages to other members of a spy ring via radio (which they hid below their kitchen floor) and tiny dots – which were decoded by magnifying glass or special microdot readers and lenses.
The Krogers also possessed a high-speed tape sender that would transmit morse code in rapid bursts in an attempt to avoid detection.
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Espionage equipment was even tucked away inside their cigarette lighter.
MI5 uncovered the spy ring in 1961, arresting the Krogers along with three others suspected of stealing precious intelligence info.
When the story of the scandal finally broke in the press, it shook the UK to its core.
The Krogers were brought to trial and sentenced to 20 years in prison in total (10 years each), with co-conspirators Harry Houghton, Ethel Gee, and Gordon Lonsdale also receiving lengthy prison terms for their respective roles in the spy ring.
In 1969, the duo were released early as part of a ‘spy swap’ with Russia for Gerald Brooke – a British man who’d been imprisoned in 1965 for distributing anti-Soviet leaflets in the USSR.
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The Krogers were flown back to Russia first class and hailed as heroes upon their return – with Soviet stamps issued in their honour.
Both passed away in the 1990s.
MI5 found espionage equipment hidden in the Krogers’ bungalow in Ruislip / Image: Science & Industry Museum
More than 60 years since their capture, the Krogers remain shrouded in mystery.
Whilst their infiltration became public knowledge in 1961, the world still hasn’t been told the whole tale – and many of MI5’s files on the couple (and the wider spy ring) remain hidden from public view to this day.
What we do know, however, is that the Krogers played a key role in one of the most alarming security breaches in British history – one so serious it prompted MI5 to retrain staff once the case was cracked.
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An entire exhibition is dedicated to this remarkable episode as part of Manchester Museum of Science & Industry’s new event: Top Secret: From ciphers to cybersecurity.
The event invites ticket-holders to take a tour through a typical 1950s home like the one belonging to the Krogers, and learn incredible facts about their covert lifestyle along the way.
Walking through the replica property and past the floral wallpaper, visitors will find newspaper clippings and framed photos revealing The Krogers as an extraordinary duo who posed as un-extraordinary people – causing ‘significant damage’ in the process.
More information on The Krogers, the Portland Spy Ring, and the history of UK cybersecurity (including Alan Turing’s role at Bletchley Park) are now on display at the Science & Industry Museum.
The Top Secret exhibition is currently open to the public and runs until 31 August 2021.
Corn Exchange has a cute new vending machine strictly for pre-loved books
Danny Jones
Every now and again we stumble across a clever little idea and we think ‘why hasn’t someone thought of this idea before?’ That was definitely the case when heard about Corn Exchange’s new vending machine for books.
Having appeared in the popular city centre food hall and trader spot only earlier this week, most people might be unaware of the Corn Exchange‘s fun new initiative and some people might have walked straight past it without noticing what’s actually in it — yet another reason we love stuff like this.
The concept is called ‘Read. Swap. Repeat.’ and the idea is to not only keep people reading when they come into the city or are perhaps staying here in the likes of the Corn Exchange, but also to provide a home for pre-loved books with an added incentive.
It’s a great little idea, isn’t it? You even get a free bookmark for your trouble.
As you can see, all you need to use the vending machine is to bring a book with you, ask a member of staff for a token and then select which generously donated second-hand read you want to select for yourself.
Beyond just being a cool and interesting way to entertain local book lovers and hopefully get more people reading again, it’s also good for the environment as it provides yet another outlet for people to donate their old texts without any waste.
So, if you’re looking for a new read or looking to share one of your favourite old books with someone else, why not give it a try?
Manchester to be filled with fresh blooms as annual Flower Festival returns this summer
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to become one of the most picturesque places in the UK this summer, as the city gets dressed up in celebration of the annual Flower Show.
Back by popular demand for its fifth year, the four-day festival – which is often dubbed the “most Instagramable event of the year” – will see Manchester bloom to life and be draped from head to toe in magnificent floral displays.
Plants and flowers will be seen covering landmark buildings, shop windows, doorways, balconies, statues, fountains, and more right across the city centre.
Taking place over the late May bank holiday, festival organisers say to expect a “fabulous floral spectacle” – with a dedicated ‘Manchester in Flowers’ floral trail gearing up to be the star of this year’s show, and several other stunning show gardens and green installations all set to weave through central streets.
Manchester to be filled with fresh blooms as annual Flower Festival returns this summer / Credit: The Manc Group
Organised annually by Manchester BID, the festival usually sees tens of thousands of people flock to the city centre – and this year will be no different.
With the event now only a few months away, festival organisers are on the hunt for budding and professional gardeners, florists, landscapers, businesses, charities, community groups, and schools across the region to be part of the celebrations.
Manchester Flower Festival is known for offering both seasoned and aspiring gardeners the chance to showcase their talent, while helping to create “a unique floriated experience across the city” – with opportunities open this year to lend a hand with large-scale headline gardens and displays, floristry displays, and smaller ‘Bijou’ gardens.
The annual event gives both seasoned and aspiring gardeners the chance to showcase their talents / Credit: Manchester BID
Local traders can also sign-up to sell the Festival Market, which will feature everything from plants, and produce, to garden decor, street food, art, and so much more.
Businesses in the city centre are also being encouraged to show their support for the festival by creating window, building, or in-store displays, and hosting dedicated events, and food and drinks specials.
Volunteers are also needed to help at this year’s event, with festival organisers promising the chance to “gain valuable experience” and enjoy being part of the team at one of the city’s annual flagship events.
Find out more about Manchester Flower Festival 2023 here.