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Case By Case: A U.S. Army Conterintelligence Agent in World War II by Ib Melchior
Excellent Book
- GenresMilitary Fiction
Paperback
First published March 1, 1993
33 people want to read
About the author
Ib Melchior
43 books12 followersIb Jørgen Melchior was a novelist, short story writer, film producer, film director, and screenwriter of low-budget American science fiction movies, most of them released by American International Pictures.In world War II, he served with the OSS ,for awhile, then was transferred to the U.S. Military Intelligence Service, spending two years in the European theater of War as a military intelligence investigator attached to Counter Intelligence.
In 1965, he was dubbed Knight Commander of the Militant Order of Saint Brigitte of Sweden.In 1976, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films awarded Ib Melchior its Golden Scroll Award to Merit for Outstanding Achievement.
Melchior's novels include Code Name: Grand Guignol, Eva, The Haigerloch Project, The Marcus Device, Order of Battle: Hitler's Werewolves, Sleeper Agent, The Tombstone Cipher and The Watchdogs of Abaddon.
In 1965, he was dubbed Knight Commander of the Militant Order of Saint Brigitte of Sweden.In 1976, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films awarded Ib Melchior its Golden Scroll Award to Merit for Outstanding Achievement.
Melchior's novels include Code Name: Grand Guignol, Eva, The Haigerloch Project, The Marcus Device, Order of Battle: Hitler's Werewolves, Sleeper Agent, The Tombstone Cipher and The Watchdogs of Abaddon.
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March 8, 2011
Novelist, screenwriter and director Ib Melchior used his experiences as a Central Intelligence Corps officer in many of his novels and screenplays. In this memoir he describes 18 of the most interesting cases that he investigated in Europe during and immediately after World War II.
The book begins by describing his training in the OSS, a civilian spy agency that was a short-lived forerunner of the CIA. Melchior excelled in this difficult training, being one of only six in his group to pass. However, the need for military intelligence officers led to his induction into the CIC and his subsequent deployment to Europe.
Melchior takes us through his two-year stint by describing his itinerary through war-torn Europe. In 1990, 45 years later, he and his wife retraced his steps and noted how many communities had remained largely the same (minus war damage) through the decades.
Melchior was mainly involved in interrogating civilians, former Nazis, prisoners and displaced persons to uncover Nazi arms caches, Nazi resistance fighters, documents and hidden loot, and in two cases, murder suspects. Each case highlights Melchior's keen ability to sniff out lies and read people's faces, gestures and voices, while at the same time analyzing other information at hand to solve each of these mysteries. He opens a bag of interrogation tricks to show us how subjects were duped, persuaded or sometimes bullied into confessing or giving away their secrets. But Melchior was never cruel and although his methods might not pass muster in today's world, his moral compass was clear and he often displays ample kindness in dealing with his informants.
There is plenty of history here--Melchior does a fine job of giving us the background and significance of the investigations he participated in. At times the history is horrifying--several instances of savage Nazi cruelty are described--but Melchior played an important role in saving stolen works of art and in preventing acts of violence.
The writing is candid and often riveting; Melchior makes the most of each mystery, each nagging hunch, each peculiar discovery, adding plenty of humorous asides. He is humble without denying pride in his many impressive accomplishments.
My father served in the CIC with Melchior in Europe and so I was particularly interested in this book. Highly recommended for those interested in WWII and in true spy stories.
The book begins by describing his training in the OSS, a civilian spy agency that was a short-lived forerunner of the CIA. Melchior excelled in this difficult training, being one of only six in his group to pass. However, the need for military intelligence officers led to his induction into the CIC and his subsequent deployment to Europe.
Melchior takes us through his two-year stint by describing his itinerary through war-torn Europe. In 1990, 45 years later, he and his wife retraced his steps and noted how many communities had remained largely the same (minus war damage) through the decades.
Melchior was mainly involved in interrogating civilians, former Nazis, prisoners and displaced persons to uncover Nazi arms caches, Nazi resistance fighters, documents and hidden loot, and in two cases, murder suspects. Each case highlights Melchior's keen ability to sniff out lies and read people's faces, gestures and voices, while at the same time analyzing other information at hand to solve each of these mysteries. He opens a bag of interrogation tricks to show us how subjects were duped, persuaded or sometimes bullied into confessing or giving away their secrets. But Melchior was never cruel and although his methods might not pass muster in today's world, his moral compass was clear and he often displays ample kindness in dealing with his informants.
There is plenty of history here--Melchior does a fine job of giving us the background and significance of the investigations he participated in. At times the history is horrifying--several instances of savage Nazi cruelty are described--but Melchior played an important role in saving stolen works of art and in preventing acts of violence.
The writing is candid and often riveting; Melchior makes the most of each mystery, each nagging hunch, each peculiar discovery, adding plenty of humorous asides. He is humble without denying pride in his many impressive accomplishments.
My father served in the CIC with Melchior in Europe and so I was particularly interested in this book. Highly recommended for those interested in WWII and in true spy stories.
Displaying 1 of 1 review