Introduction
In the world of espionage, few names are as infamous as Kim Philby. His story is one of betrayal, deception, and a life lived in the shadows. Ben Macintyre's "A Spy Among Friends" delves deep into the life of this master spy, revealing the intricate web of lies and double-crosses that defined Philby's career.
Kim Philby was a British intelligence officer who, for decades, worked as a double agent for the Soviet Union. His story is not just one of international intrigue, but also a cautionary tale about the dangers of charm, privilege, and the blind spots that can exist even in the most elite circles of power.
This book takes us on a journey through Philby's life, from his early days at Cambridge University to his rise through the ranks of British intelligence, and ultimately to his dramatic escape to Moscow. Along the way, we'll explore the complex relationships, the high-stakes operations, and the personal and political motivations that shaped one of the most notorious spies in history.
The Making of a Spy
Cambridge and the Seeds of Socialism
Kim Philby's journey into the world of espionage began in the hallowed halls of Cambridge University in 1930. Like many of his peers, Philby arrived at Cambridge as an 18-year-old from a privileged background, brimming with academic ambition. However, it wasn't long before his interests began to shift from purely academic pursuits to more political ones.
Initially, Philby's political leanings were relatively moderate. He started by campaigning for the Labour Party, a center-left political organization. However, a pivotal moment came during a trip to Berlin in 1933. There, Philby witnessed Nazi thugs demonstrating against Jewish citizens, an experience that deeply affected him and pushed him further to the left.
Despite this shift in his political outlook, Philby remained discreet about his newfound beliefs. While it's known that he purchased some of Karl Marx's works, there's no evidence that he ever studied them in depth or openly advocated for Communist ideas during his time at Cambridge.
Revolutionary Vienna and a Fateful Marriage
The true turning point in Philby's political journey came in 1934 when he traveled to Vienna, Austria. At the time, Vienna was a hotbed of political tension, with the country under the control of right-wing dictator Engelbert Dollfuss and a growing Socialist movement challenging his rule.
Shortly after Philby's arrival, Dollfuss launched a crackdown on Socialist leaders and banned trade unions. This sparked a brief but violent civil war, plunging Vienna into chaos. It was in this tumultuous environment that Philby met and fell in love with Alice Kohlman, a young Jewish Socialist activist.
Kohlman soon found herself on a list of wanted Socialists, facing imminent arrest or worse. In a move that was part romance and part political activism, Philby married her, allowing her to flee to Britain for safety. Although their marriage ended in divorce in 1946, it's believed that Kohlman remained Philby's one true love.
This experience in Vienna, coupled with his relationship with Kohlman, solidified Philby's commitment to the Socialist cause. When he returned to Britain, he was a changed man, determined to fight for his newfound ideals.
From Journalism to Espionage
After his time at Cambridge and his experiences in Vienna, Philby embarked on a career in journalism. This profession would serve as an excellent cover for his future espionage activities, allowing him to travel and gather information without arousing suspicion.
Philby's natural charisma, which would later become one of his most potent tools as a spy, served him well in his journalistic career. He quickly became a popular correspondent for The Times, but his success wasn't solely due to his charm. Fortune also played a role in elevating his status.
In 1937, while reporting on the Spanish Civil War from within Franco's forces, Philby had a brush with death. A bomb exploded near the car he was in, killing three other journalists but leaving Philby with only minor injuries. This incident catapulted him to the status of a war hero, and he was even decorated by Franco himself.
During World War II, Philby continued his journalistic career, reporting from France on the Nazi advance. His reports were noted for their wry humor and keen observations, even as he found himself fleeing from the approaching German forces.
Recruitment by MI6
While journalism had been an exciting career, Philby harbored ambitions of becoming a British spy. In those days, recruitment into the secret services often happened through informal networks and chance encounters. Philby's opportunity came in 1940 when he shared a first-class train compartment with Hester Harriet Marsden-Smedley, a famous war correspondent.
Impressed by Philby's charm and intelligence, Marsden-Smedley recommended him for recruitment. Just two days later, after a cursory background check and another interview, Philby was officially inducted into MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service.
This seemingly smooth recruitment process, however, masked a crucial oversight. MI6 had failed to uncover a critical fact about their new recruit: Philby was already working for another intelligence agency.
The Double Agent is Born
Unbeknownst to MI6, Philby had been recruited as a Soviet spy years earlier, in the summer of 1934. Shortly after returning from Vienna, Philby met a mysterious man named Otto in London's Regent's Park. This meeting, arranged by his wife Alice Kohlman, would change the course of Philby's life.
Otto, whose real name was Arnold Deutsch, was one of the top recruiters of Soviet spies in Britain. He was largely responsible for enlisting the infamous spy ring known as The Cambridge Five, young men recruited at Cambridge University in the early 1930s to work for Soviet intelligence.
Philby required little persuasion from Deutsch. After a brief introduction to the world of espionage, he was ready to begin his life as a Russian spy. Deutsch provided Philby with detailed instructions on how to proceed:
- Break off all contact with Communist circles to avoid suspicion.
- Create a new persona as a right-wing conservative with Fascist sympathies.
- Pursue a conventional career in bourgeois society.
Along with these instructions, Deutsch provided Philby with extensive training in espionage techniques. This included:
- Arranging secret meetings
- Leaving and retrieving covert messages
- Detecting telephone surveillance
- Identifying and evading potential followers
- Disappearing if necessary
Deutsch also equipped Philby with a miniature camera for copying documents, a tangible symbol of his new double life.
The Perfect Cover
A Rising Star in British Intelligence
As Philby began his career in MI6, he quickly established himself as a competent and trustworthy agent. His reputation grew steadily, particularly during World War II, when his activities painted him as a hero in the eyes of the British establishment.
Philby's responsibilities within MI6 expanded rapidly. His initial assignment focused on the Iberian Peninsula, a neutral region that both the Allies and Axis powers were trying to influence. From there, he was promoted to head the counterintelligence team for North Africa, a critical role given the Allies' plans to invade Morocco and Algeria.
His brief was then extended to cover Italy as well. Finally, Philby's boss, Felix Cowgill, asked him to represent him in all areas while Cowgill was traveling in the United States for MI6. This rapid rise through the ranks was a testament to Philby's skill, both as an intelligence officer and as a master of deception.
Soviet Suspicions
Ironically, Philby's spectacular success within MI6 almost became his undoing with his Soviet handlers. The speed and ease with which he climbed the ranks of British intelligence raised suspicions in Moscow that he might be a double agent working for the British.
Elena Modrzhinskaya, a brilliant but paranoid NKVD analyst who headed the British sector of Russian intelligence, was particularly skeptical of Philby. She believed that the Cambridge spies, including Philby, had infiltrated British intelligence too easily. In her view, it was highly likely that they were actually double agents for the British.
For a time, Russian agents even tracked Philby through London, hoping to find evidence of his betrayal. However, their surveillance yielded nothing incriminating. Philby's act was so convincing that he managed to fool not only the British but also his Soviet handlers.
Head of Anti-Soviet Intelligence
As World War II drew to a close in 1944, Philby faced a new challenge. The alliance between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies was coming to an end, and the Cold War was on the horizon. The British establishment, which had always been wary of Communism, was once again focusing its attention on the Soviet threat.
Recognizing the shift in geopolitical dynamics, Philby made a bold move. He suggested to C, the head of MI6, that a new section be established specifically to combat Communism. This new unit, Section IX, was enthusiastically approved by C, who initially thought Felix Cowgill should lead it.
However, Philby had other plans. Through a series of carefully orchestrated maneuvers, he undermined Cowgill's candidacy for the position:
- He exacerbated existing tensions between Cowgill and his superiors, Valentine Vivian and Claude Dansey.
- He insinuated that Cowgill's relationship with MI5, Britain's domestic intelligence agency, was particularly poor.
- Simultaneously, he cultivated good relationships with all the senior decision-makers in the service.
Philby's machinations paid off. In September 1944, C summoned Philby and offered him the position as head of Section IX. This appointment put Philby in the perfect position to keep Moscow informed about every move made by British intelligence against the Soviet Union.
The Albanian Operation
Operation Valuable
In 1950, Philby's position as a double agent allowed him to sabotage a major British and American operation against Communist Albania. The plan, codenamed Operation Valuable, was an ambitious attempt to overthrow the Communist government in Albania.
The operation involved recruiting anti-Communist Albanian partisans, extracting them to a base outside Albania, and training them for insurgency. These trained rebels would then be parachuted back into Albania to coordinate with other rebels and lead a revolution against the Communist regime.
A Deadly Betrayal
However, when the rebels landed in Albania in late 1950, they were met with a devastating surprise. The Communist government's troops were waiting for them, having been tipped off about the operation's details.
The consequences were catastrophic:
- Many partisans were shot immediately upon landing.
- Others were captured and imprisoned.
- Very few managed to escape.
- Even those who tried to return on foot or by hiding in ships were caught.
- The rebels' family members and associates in Albania were also targeted and massacred.
The finger of blame pointed squarely at Philby. He had provided vital information to the Russian and Albanian governments, including details about the rebels' landing sites, the number of insurgents, their arrival times, and the weapons they would be carrying.
The human cost of Philby's betrayal was staggering. Including the families and acquaintances of the murdered rebels, Philby was likely responsible for the deaths of several thousand Albanians. This operation stands as one of the most damning examples of the real-world consequences of Philby's espionage activities.
Close Calls and Narrow Escapes
The Arrival of Guy Burgess
In 1951, Philby's carefully constructed double life was threatened by the arrival of a fellow Soviet spy, Guy Burgess. Unlike the discreet and charming Philby, Burgess was a loose cannon. He was known for his indiscretion, heavy drinking, and promiscuous homosexuality - all characteristics that made him stand out in the conservative 1950s.
Burgess's arrival caused tension in Philby's household. His second wife, Aileen Furse, was furious about Burgess moving in, knowing he would be difficult to remove once he had settled. Despite the strain it put on his marriage, Philby insisted on accommodating Burgess, a decision that would later come back to haunt him.
The CIA Closes In
While Philby was dealing with personal drama, the CIA was making significant progress in uncovering Soviet spies. In May 1951, Meredith Gardner, a CIA decoder, successfully deciphered a message from 1944 that led to the identification of Donald Maclean, another member of the Cambridge spy ring working in the British Foreign Office.
This breakthrough put Philby in a precarious position. As the head of anti-Soviet intelligence, he was informed about the discovery of Maclean's treachery. Recognizing the danger to himself and his fellow spies, Philby devised an escape plan for Maclean.
He sent Burgess to England to warn Maclean in person. Under cover of night and with false identities, Maclean and Burgess fled together, first to France and then on to Moscow. This escape, while saving Maclean and Burgess, would soon bring intense scrutiny upon Philby himself.
Suspicion Falls on Philby
The flight of Maclean and Burgess set off alarm bells in both British and American intelligence circles. Philby's close association with Burgess immediately made him a person of interest in the investigation.
Philby was summoned back to London by his boss, Jack Eaton, to discuss the disappearance of Maclean and Burgess. It seemed only a matter of time before Philby's connection to the two fugitive spies would be revealed.
However, Philby's charm and the loyalty he had cultivated among his colleagues in MI6 worked in his favor. Many of his friends and coworkers found it difficult to believe that Philby could be involved in any wrongdoing. One colleague even trusted him to hand-deliver an urgent letter to MI6, believing this to be the most secure method of delivery.
The CIA Investigation
As the CIA delved deeper into the disappearance of Maclean and Burgess, Philby's name kept surfacing. This led to a formal investigation into Philby's role, resulting in two conflicting reports:
The first report, produced by counterintelligence officer Bill Harvey, was damning. It highlighted the close association between Philby and Burgess, Philby's strategic position to leak information about the Albanian operation, and his early knowledge of Maclean's exposure.
The second report, written by Philby's close friend and CIA counterintelligence agent James Angleton, was more forgiving. Angleton suggested that the erratic and indiscreet Burgess was the real spy, and that Philby had simply misplaced his trust in a friend.
The conflicting nature of these reports led to a stalemate. While Philby was suspended from service, he avoided more severe consequences. His network of loyal friends had inadvertently bought him some time, but the cloud of suspicion continued to hang over him.
The Public Scrutiny
The Parliamentary Challenge
In October 1955, the simmering suspicions about Philby burst into the public domain. Labour MP Colonel Marcus Lipton, known for his dogged pursuit of controversial issues, used parliamentary privilege to bring the Philby affair into the open.
During a parliamentary debate, Lipton asked the prime minister how long he intended to cover up the Philby affair. This bold move, protected from libel laws by parliamentary privilege, was designed to ignite press interest in Philby's activities in Washington. It succeeded spectacularly, thrusting Philby into the spotlight of public scrutiny.
Philby's Press Conference
Faced with this public challenge, Philby made an audacious move. In early November 1955, he invited the press to his mother's sitting room for an impromptu press conference. This unconventional approach was a masterclass in charm and manipulation.
As journalists crowded into the small room, Philby set about winning them over. He even suggested that a male journalist give up his seat for a female colleague caught in the doorway, a small gesture that nonetheless helped to create a favorable impression.
The filmed interview from this press conference is a remarkable document of Philby's composure under pressure. Facing down the journalists and the TV audience, Philby delivered a stream of lies without the slightest hint of nervousness. He never stammered, stuttered, or showed any sign of discomfort.
A Masterful Performance
Philby's performance during the press conference was nothing short of extraordinary. He calmly explained that he hadn't been able to address the allegations earlier due to his obligations of confidentiality as an MI6 official. This explanation served to paint him as a dutiful public servant, bound by honor and duty.
He then skillfully deflected blame onto Guy Burgess, portraying himself as an unwitting victim of Burgess's indiscretions and poor judgment. Philby categorically denied any involvement with the Soviets, looking directly into the camera as he did so.
The effect of this performance was profound. Not only did it convince the assembled journalists and thousands of TV viewers, but it even satisfied MI6. In the aftermath of the press conference, the intelligence service welcomed Philby back into the fold, seemingly convinced of his innocence.
This episode demonstrated Philby's exceptional ability to manipulate public opinion and even sway his own colleagues in the face of mounting evidence. It was a testament to his skills as a spy and a reminder of how charm and confidence can sometimes override facts and suspicions.
The Beginning of the End
Assignment to Beirut
In 1956, seemingly having weathered the storm of suspicion, Philby was sent to Beirut. Ostensibly, he was there as a journalist on assignment for the Observer newspaper. However, his real mission was to continue his work as a spy, now operating in the complex political landscape of the Middle East.
This assignment might have seemed like a fresh start for Philby, a chance to distance himself from the scrutiny he had faced in London. However, it would ultimately prove to be the beginning of his downfall.
A Past Indiscretion Surfaces
Philby's carefully constructed world began to unravel due to a seemingly innocuous lunch he had back in 1935. During this lunch, Philby had met with Flora Solomon, a department store executive who later introduced him to his second wife. In a moment of indiscretion, Philby had mentioned the Communist cause and even attempted to recruit the left-leaning Solomon as a Soviet spy.
For years, this conversation remained a secret. However, in 1962, Solomon, disgruntled by Philby's behavior over the years, mentioned this encounter to her friend, Lord Victor Rothschild, a former MI5 agent. This casual revelation set in motion a chain of events that would lead to Philby's exposure.
The MI5 Interview
Within days of Solomon's conversation with Rothschild, she was called in to MI5 to formally repeat her statement. This new piece of evidence was the breakthrough that British intelligence had been waiting for. It provided concrete proof of Philby's early involvement with Soviet intelligence, dating back to before his recruitment by MI6.
However, while this evidence was damning, the British secret services were still missing a crucial element: a confession from Philby himself. They needed to hear the truth from his own lips to conclusively prove his treachery and potentially uncover the full extent of the damage he had done.
The Confrontation in Beirut
In late 1962, MI6 decided to confront Philby directly. They sent Nicholas Elliott, one of Philby's oldest friends in the service and a man who had fervently defended him in the past, to Beirut to challenge Philby face-to-face.
This confrontation came at a time when Philby was already under immense strain. The pressure of leading a double life for so many years had taken its toll, leading to anxiety and alcohol addiction. When faced with Elliott's direct questioning, Philby's carefully maintained facade began to crumble.
Elliott offered Philby a deal: immunity in exchange for full disclosure about Russian intelligence networks. Initially, Philby seemed to cooperate, providing some key information. However, in a move that would later be questioned, Elliott then left Beirut for a trip to Africa, leaving Philby behind without surveillance.
The Escape
Whether due to negligence on the part of MI6 or, as some have suggested, an intentional decision to allow Philby to flee, this lack of surveillance provided Philby with an opportunity to escape. In January 1963, with the help of the KGB, Philby slipped away from Beirut and made his way to Moscow.
This dramatic escape marked the end of Philby's life in the West. For the remaining 25 years of his life, he would live in the Soviet Union, never returning to Britain or facing justice for his actions. His flight to Moscow was the final confirmation of his long-standing allegiance to the Soviet cause and the ultimate betrayal of his country and colleagues.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Impact on British Intelligence
The revelation of Philby's treachery sent shockwaves through the British intelligence community. It exposed significant vulnerabilities in the recruitment and vetting processes of MI6, leading to a comprehensive review of security procedures.
The Philby affair also damaged the reputation of British intelligence on the international stage, particularly in its relationship with American agencies. The CIA, which had worked closely with Philby, was forced to reassess years of intelligence sharing and joint operations.
Personal Consequences
For those who had known and trusted Philby, the betrayal was deeply personal. Many of his former colleagues and friends struggled to reconcile the charming, seemingly loyal Philby they knew with the ruthless double agent he turned out to be.
Nicholas Elliott, in particular, was profoundly affected by Philby's deception. Having defended Philby for years and considered him a close friend, Elliott felt the betrayal keenly. The experience left him and many others in the intelligence community with a lasting sense of paranoia and distrust.
Life in Moscow
Philby's life in Moscow was far from the heroic welcome he might have expected. While he was initially treated as a valuable asset, he soon found himself marginalized in Soviet society. His lack of fluency in Russian and his English habits set him apart, and he struggled with alcoholism and depression.
Despite these challenges, Philby continued to work for the KGB, providing training to Soviet intelligence officers and occasionally writing propaganda materials. However, his influence and access to current intelligence were limited, and he lived out his days as something of a relic of the Cold War.
Cultural Impact
The story of Kim Philby has had a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring numerous books, films, and television series. His tale of betrayal and double-crossing has become archetypal in the spy genre, influencing works like John le Carré's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."
Philby's story continues to fascinate because it touches on universal themes of loyalty, deception, and the complexities of human nature. It raises challenging questions about identity, ideology, and the nature of patriotism.
Final Thoughts
Kim Philby's life story reads like a thrilling spy novel, but its real-world consequences were far from fictional. His actions led to the deaths of countless individuals and compromised numerous intelligence operations. The damage he did to British intelligence and international relations took years to repair.
Yet, Philby's story is more than just a tale of espionage. It's a cautionary tale about the power of charm and privilege, and how they can be used to manipulate and deceive. It highlights the dangers of placing too much trust in individuals based on their background or personal connections.
Moreover, Philby's case underscores the complexities of human motivation. What drives someone to betray their country and friends for an ideology? How does a person live with the consequences of such actions? These questions continue to intrigue and perplex us long after Philby's death.
In the end, "A Spy Among Friends" is not just about Kim Philby. It's about the nature of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal. It's about the shadowy world of espionage where nothing is as it seems, and everyone has secrets. And perhaps most importantly, it's a reminder that sometimes the greatest threats come not from our enemies, but from those we trust the most.