Strange Intelligence : From Dunkirk to Nuremberg

Sidney John Peskett ( 1906 - 1991 ) was born and educated in London ( England ). 

In 1939, he joined the R.A.F.V.R. ( Service Number : 76359 ) and was appointed Pilot Officer on probation on November 13th ( Administrative and Special Duties Branch, for Intelligence Duties ). He first began his military career with an appointment as an Intelligence Officer on the Air Staff. His work in various branches of the British Intelligence Services involved him in some very unexpected activities for a R.A.F. officer : 

- Examination of shot down enemy aircraft. 

- Interrogation of Luftwaffe prisoners in France and Belgium. 

- Liaison with the French Armée de l'Air. 

As the last British officer to leave Brussels ( Belgium ) in May 1940, he then saw the fall of France at first hand. During the Battle of Britain, Sidney J. Peskett used to pick up pieces from shot down enemy aircraft. For a short time, he worked on the product of Enigma at Bletchley Park ( Buckinghamshire, England ). 

His next assignment was as Air Staff Intelligence Representative to the BBC, where he organised for over two years a daily propaganda broadcast from the R.A.F. to the Luftwaffe. He was later appointed lecturer at the Control Commission School ( Air ) training officers for the government of Germany and the take - over of the Luftwaffe. 

After the Victory in Europe, he had the opportunity to visit the Major War Criminals at Nuremberg ( Bavaria, Germany ), and interrogated former Reich Minister of Industry and Production : Albert Speer. 

Wing Commander Sidney J. Peskett resigned from the R.A.F.V.R. in 1946. He moved to Belgium were he lived for some years, and returned to Great Britain were he passed away, at Tunbridge Wells ( Kent, England ). 

As a writer, Sidney J. Peskett has published several stories, such as : The Strange Drama of Cyrus A. Clamm ( 1940 ), Sentence of Death ( 1943 ), Voyage au Pays de Simenon ( 1958 ), Murder or Suicide ? ( 1961 ), The Mystery of the " Meduse " ( 1967 ), Rogues Gallery ( 1980 ). 

( sources : Strange Intelligence : From Dunkirk to Nuremberg, digital.nls.uk, www.thegazette.co.uk, www.philsp.com, Wikipedia )