Ruth Werner German communist, intelligence officer. Date of Birth: 15.05.1907 Country: Great Britain

1. Ruth Werner: German Communist and Spy
2. Communist Party and Early Career
3. Marriage and Move to Shanghai
4. Training and Espionage
5. Activities in Poland and Switzerland
6. Role in World War II
7. Life and Work in Germany

Ruth Werner: German Communist and Spy

Ruth Werner was a German communist and spy who was born into a Jewish family in Germany. Her father, Robert Rene Kuchinsky, was an economist and demographer, and her mother was named Berta. Ruth had a brother named Jurgen Kuchinsky, who later became a well-known German scientist and journalist.

Communist Party and Early Career

In 1926, Ruth Werner joined the Communist Party of Germany and became an active member. She worked at the Prager bookshop in Berlin and later at Ulstein Publishing. Ruth was dedicated to promoting communist ideals and engaging in political activities.

Marriage and Move to Shanghai

In 1929, Ruth married Rudolf Hamburg, an architect. Together, they relocated to Shanghai in 1930, where Rudolf took on a position as an architect in the Shanghai Municipal Council. During her time in Shanghai, Ruth collaborated with Anglo-Soviet spies Richard Sorge and Agnes Smedley, gathering valuable information.

Training and Espionage

In 1933-1934, Ruth underwent training in espionage in Moscow. From May 1934 to the autumn of 1935, she worked for GRU (Soviet military intelligence) in northern China, specifically in Mudken and Beijing. Ruth maintained communication with Moscow through radio transmissions.

Activities in Poland and Switzerland

From 1935 to 1938, Ruth Werner operated as a spy in Poland. In April 1936, she gave birth to her daughter Janina. In 1938, Ruth was sent to Switzerland on a mission. It was during this period that she divorced Rudolf Hamburg and remarried an English communist named Lena (Leon, Leonard) Burton.

Role in World War II

In 1941, Ruth Werner became a part of Shandor Rado's group and served as a radio operator. She played a crucial role in transmitting messages and gathering intelligence during World War II.

Life and Work in Germany

After the war, Ruth relocated to England. Her brother, Jurgen, introduced her to Hans Kale, who provided valuable information for her work. In 1950, Ruth moved to the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and dedicated herself to journalism. She wrote several books and continued supporting communist ideals throughout her life.