Maksim Martynov
In
the Summer of 1954, a Soviet Air Force officer invited
a United States Colonel -- whom he knew through official
contacts -- to lunch with him at his quarters in
East Berlin. The Soviet, who knew the American planned
to retire from the Army, indicated that he wanted
to have a private conversation with him. On the designated
date, in August, the two men met by prearrangement
in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in East
Berlin. It was raining slightly. The Colonel entered
the Soviet's car, which was standing on a side street.
The two then drove off to the Soviet's quarters.
The United States officer told the Soviet that he
had instructed his driver to return to the spot in
front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in an hour
and a quarter. The Soviet replied that would not
be long enough, but the American assured him that
his driver would wait.
The house to which the Soviet brought the Colonel
was unoccupied. The two men sat down for lunch.
There was a knock at the front door. A newcomer,
dressed
in civilian clothes, was introduced to the Colonel. He acknowledged the introduction
by saying, "Hello, Colonel, how are you?" in American English. This
Soviet civilian stated he had been in New York during the war and inferred
that he had worked at Amtorg. He appeared to be about 38 years of age, weighed
about
175 pounds, and was 5 feet 10 inches in height. Though the Soviet civilian
claimed he would not drink, he accepted a glass of wine and ended up by drinking
the
entire bottle.
After
eating, the American indicated that he must leave,
but the Soviet officer insisted that he stay for
a cup of coffee. The Soviet officer then left the
room for the coffee and was gone about 30 minutes.
During his absence, the Soviet civilian asked about
inconsequential things and then asked the Colonel
if he planned to live in Leavenworth, Kansas*, upon
his return to the United States. The Colonel indicated
that he did. (The Colonel had not mentioned his place
of retirement to the Soviet civilian, though he had
previously mentioned it to another Soviet officer
at another meeting.)
The
Soviet civilian then asked, "Colonel, if I come
to the States, could I come and see you there?" The
Colonel's reply was, "Why, certainly." The
Soviet then remarked that he was a man with a wife
and child and wanted security for them. He asked
the Colonel if he would help him if he (the Soviet)
came to the States. Again the Colonel replied that
he would. The Soviet then made a chart of downtown
Manhattan. He marked the northeast corner of 86th
Street and Madison Avenue with a dot. The Soviet
then asked if the Colonel could come to New York,
and the Colonel replied that he might do so in the
fall. The Soviet then indicated that if the Colonel
would come to the northeast corner of 86th and Madison,
he would meet him there at 4 p.m. on any of the following
alternate dates: October 15, 25; or November 5, 15,
or 25; January 1; February 1; March 1.
*
Location of Army Command and General Staff School
The
Soviet then indicated that though he himself would
probably not meet the American in New York, someone
would do so and would make the following statement, "Seems
to me that I have met you at Spechstrasse, Colonel.
What is the number of your house there?" The
Soviet continued, "You should reply: Oh,
yes, I have lived there at Spechstrasse 19.'"
The
Soviet then asked if the Colonel could bring some
books, pamphlets and maps from the school in Leavenworth
with him. The Colonel replied that since he would
be retired, he would have nothing to do with the
Leavenworth school. The Soviet suggested that he
could perhaps get some material anyhow. The American
Colonel stated he "would have to think it over." The
Soviet asked the Colonel if he needed any money,
and he replied in the negative.
At
about this time, the Soviet officer returned and
again excused himself to brew some coffee. The Colonel
then made a copy of the sketch of the Manhattan area
which the Soviet civilian had done, since the Soviet
refused to give him the original sketch. After coffee
the Army Colonel announced that he had to leave since
it was getting late. The Soviet asked him if he could
return again in a couple of days, but the Colonel
replied he would be very busy packing and would be
unable to make another appointment. With that, the
Colonel left the house and returned to where his
driver was waiting for him.
The
American Army officer immediately reported this meeting
to appropriate authorities and indicated his willingness
to cooperate in any way with the proper intelligence
agencies in connection with any future meetings with
the Soviet.
Shortly
thereafter, the American Colonel returned to the
United States; and the full details of the approach
made to him by the Soviets were made available to
the FBI. On October 15, 1954 -- the first meeting
date set by the Soviet civilian -- FBI Agents took
inconspicuous positions near the intersection of
86th Street and Madison Avenue in New York. At the
same approximate time as the Colonel's appointment,
these Agents observed Soviet officers attached to
the Soviet representation at the United Nations.
They obviously were looking it over for the contemplated
rendezvous and seemed to be expecting another party
to appear.
The
FBI made arrangements to effect a meeting on the
next scheduled date of October 25, 1954. Plans were
made for a Special Agent of the FBI to act as a substitute
for the Army Colonel at the meet. Accordingly, a
Bureau Agent who came closest to resembling the Colonel
was selected for the assignment. (The FBI Agent was
5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed about 178 pounds and
had brown hair with a receding hairline, hazel eyes,
a ruddy complexion, and a rather full face with a
round chin. The Colonel was 5 feet 10 inches tall,
weighed about 180 pounds and had brown hair with
a receding hairline, brown eyes, a ruddy complexion,
and a rather full face with a round chin. The Colonel
wore a mustache, and there was 10 years' difference
in their ages.)
The Agent was made up by a New York professional make-up artist. The make-up
work was done on the basis of a photograph of the Army Colonel, as well as
a detailed description of him. The make-up included a false mustache made of
crepe hair which was held in place by spirit gum. (This type mustache is extremely
difficult to make inasmuch as it must be put on hair by hair to appear natural.)
The Agent's hair was also touched up to make it appear to be considerably graying.
After the application of make-up, a strong resemblance between the Agent and
the Colonel could be seen, particularly in the mustache, mouth, nose, eyebrows,
chin, and shadows under the eyes.
Since
the Army Colonel was known to have worn loose-fitting
tweed-type clothing, the Agent taking his place wore
a tweed sport coat which was loose-fitting.
The
Agent also had to familiarize himself to a considerable
extent with the background of the Colonel, his family
background, the family's activities and whereabouts,
the Colonel's previous assignment in Germany and
any other details which might be necessary to further
convince the Soviets that the Agent was the actual
Colonel. Appropriate identification data was also
furnished the Agent in the event the Soviet might
request it.
On
October 25, 1954, the Special Agent posing as the
Army Colonel arrived at the intersection at approximately
4:05 p.m. Two Soviet nationals (identified as members
of the Soviet delegation to the United Nations) were
observed in the area closely scrutinizing the Agent
posing as the Colonel; however, they made no attempt
to contact him. Again on November 5, 1954, the Special
Agent was present at the meeting place; however,
no Soviets were seen in the area.
On
November 15, at approximately 4:05 p.m., the Special
Agent disguised as the Colonel arrived at the designated
intersection by taxicab. He noticed a man standing
on the corner who was obviously watching him. The
stranger appeared to be about 5 feet 10 inches in
height; weight about 190; husky build; about thirty-five
to forty years of age. He wore a dark blue overcoat,
blue suit and dark gray hat. For five minutes the
stranger studied the Agent intensely, then walked
up to him and mumbled something. The "Colonel" didn't
hear him and queried: "Pardon me?" The
Soviet national then gave the prearranged code phrase: "Seems
to me that I have met you at Spechstrasse. Colonel,
what is the number of your house there?" The
Agent replied: "Oh, yes, I have lived there
at Spechstrasse 19."
The
Soviet national then introduced himself as "Schultz" and
suggested that they go for a ride. ("Schultz" was
immediately recognized by FBI Agents who had concealed
themselves in the area as Maksim Martynov, attached
to the Soviet delegation of the United Nations.)
The substitute Colonel declined and suggested instead
that they take a walk to Central Park. The Soviet
agreed to this proposal.
As
they walked along, the "Colonel" inquired
as to whether he could meet the Russian whom he had
been introduced in East Berlin. "Schultz" indicated
that he would not, but that he (Schultz) was a friend
of his carrying out the mission for him. The "Colonel" then
showed the Soviet an identification card, which he
examined.
Upon
arrival in Central Park, the two began looking for
a park bench on which to sit. Unable to find one,
they crossed the bridle path and walked along the
reservoir. "Schultz" then posed questions
concerning Fort Leavenworth, and the substitute Colonel
furnished him innocuous answers and nonclassified
data. The Soviet then indicated that he would need
specific information about the Army post and asked
the "Colonel": "Are you willing to
help me?" The "Colonel" replied that
it would be a difficult job to obtain necessary data,
but that it might be possible.
The
Soviet national then commented about the "Colonel's" heavy
expenses in having to come to New York to make the "meet." He
reached into his overcoat pocket, pulled out a roll
of paper and handed it to the "Colonel." Without
looking at it, the Agent quickly placed the roll
in his pocket. It turned out to be 25 ten-dollar
bills.
"Schultz" stated
that he would like to see the "Colonel" again
and set the next meeting for January 15, 1955, at
4 p.m. at 86th and Madison Avenue. He added that
if he (Schultz) did not contact him on that date,
the Colonel should appear on the first Saturday of
each succeeding month for four months at another
address indicated on a paper he handed to him. The
paper proved to be a cash register receipt from a
Fifth Avenue book store.
"Schultz" noted
that if he himself did not appear, another Soviet
would take his place. Accordingly, he gave the following
instructions so that the "Colonel" would
be easily recognized: he was to carry a red and blue
pencil, sharpened at both ends in his left hand and
a street guide of Manhattan and the Bronx in his
right coat pocket. The "Colonel" was to
enter the designated book store and browse around
in the scientific and medical section of the store.
If another person, other than "Schultz," would
appear, he would greet the "Colonel" with
the words: "Are you interested in theory?" The "Colonel's" reply
was to be: "I am interested in elementary theory." With
that, the two men separated after spending about
35 minutes together.
At
about 4:01 p.m. on January 15, 1955, the substitute
Colonel drove up in a taxicab to the corner of 86th
Street and Madison Avenue. When he alighted from
the cab, he noticed "Schultz" standing
on the corner and walked over to him. "Schultz" gave
a smile of recognition, and the two shook hands.
The Soviet then said, "Let's take a walk."
The "Colonel" suggested
that they go to Central Park. The Soviet refused
and insisted on walking up Madison Avenue. The two
then agreed to go to a nearby hotel bar, with "Schultz" indicating
that he would buy the "Colonel" a dinner.
As they walked toward the hotel, the "Colonel" told
the Soviet that he had been successful in getting
the information he desired and that some of the data
was in the briefcase he (the "Colonel")
was carrying.
On
entering the bar, the substitute Colonel selected
a vacant table located in a corner of the dimly lit
bar. The two sat down and the "Colonel" placed
the briefcase on the seat beside him. They then ordered
a drink. "Schultz" leaned over and cautioned
his companion to speak in a low voice. The "Colonel" then
noted that he had everything the Soviet wanted him
to get and asked if "Schultz" had any paper
on which to make notes. When the Soviet replied, "No," the "Colonel" stated: "You
will just have to remember what I have to say to
you."
The "Colonel" further
noted that he could also give him some data contained
in the briefcase; and as the "Colonel" talked,
the Soviet looked around the bar. Then the Soviet
whispered, "I don't like this place." The
Soviet appeared to be extremely eager to leave the
bar and get possession of the briefcase.
At
this point, the substitute Colonel placed the briefcase
on the table in front of him. This was the signal
for Special Agents who were observing the meeting
to approach the two men.
When
these "intruders" identified themselves
as FBI Agents, "Schultz" appeared to be
visibly shaken. His face paled considerably, while
he protested that he was just having a drink. Upon
request, "Schultz" displayed credentials
identifying him as Maksim Martynov, a member of the
Soviet delegation to the United Nations. As such,
he had diplomatic immunity. FBI Agents then confronted
him with the knowledge of his act of espionage.
Martynov
regained his composure and refused to talk further
with the Agents. He snapped his fingers for the waiter's
attention and upon the waiter's arrival handed him
two bills in payment for the drinks. Martynov didn't
bother to wait for his change -- 50 cents -- but
immediately picked up his hat and left the lounge
at 4:13 p.m. He was subsequently identified as proceeding
by bus directly to the Soviet United Nations delegation
headquarters.
On
February 21, 1955, the Department of State declared
Martynov persona non grata in connection with his
espionage activity, and he departed the United States
on February 26, 1955.
Biographical
Data Re: Martynov
Maksim Grigorlevich Martynov was born February 17, 1915, at Leningradskaya
Oblast, USSR. He entered the United States on November 12, 1951, as a member
of the Soviet delegation to the United Nations. He made several visits to Russia
and last re-entered the United States on November 3, 1954, carrying a Soviet
diplomatic passport. He held the rank of Colonel in the Soviet military establishment.