During the war, Churchill was convinced that fifth columnists were at work in Britain. The UK population had to be on the alert for escaped Nazi prisoners, spies, or anyone with a German accent, but when an escapee speaks fluent English how do you recognise him ?
“ARRESTED A NAZI
SON OF KETTON COUPLE
The recent recapture of an escaped German prisoner by the conductor of a Sheffield ‘bus has a local interest, for the conductor was Mr. Colin Spittle, a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Spittle, of Ketton.
Mr. Spittle was the conductor on one of the Sheffield Corporation ‘buses when it was boarded by a young man, about 25 years of age, who wore a check cap and a sports coat and flannels, and carried a small attaché case. He asked for his ticket in fluent English and handed over a florin, but when he received it from Mr. Spittle he clicked his heels sharply, apparently from force of habit.
Mr Spittle’s suspicions were aroused, but he appeared to take no notice, although he told the driver to stop when he saw a policeman.
When this was done, the young man could not produce an identity card and tried to escape, but finally confessed to being a Nazi. His attaché case contained chocolate !
Mr. Spittle has received a letter of congratulation from the Corporation transport department.”
Stamford Mercury, 31st January 1941.