Willi Rom Soviet intelligence officer. Date of Birth: 01.12.1911 Country: Germany

1. Soviet spy
2. Revolutionary beginnings
3. Service in Spain
4. Mission in Sweden
5. Radio communication and espionage
6. Imprisonment and escape
7. Post-war activities
8. Later years and death

Soviet spy

Willy Rom was a Soviet spy who played a significant role in military intelligence during World War II. He was recruited by H.-U.Mamsurov to work in Soviet military intelligence.

Revolutionary beginnings

In his youth, Rom joined the revolutionary movement and in the 1930s, he became the leader of the Komsomol organization in the Rur region. After Hitler came to power in 1933, Rom conducted underground work in France and Denmark, gathering intelligence against Nazi Germany.

Service in Spain

From 1936 to 1938, Rom fought in the Spanish Civil War as part of the Telman Battalion of the 11th Interbrigade. His experiences in Spain shaped his skills as a fighter and strategist.

Mission in Sweden

In 1939, Rom was sent to Sweden with a Swiss passport under the name Jonas Gettsinger. His mission was to gather intelligence on German troops in Scandinavia and organize sabotage operations on the railway system. On July 19, 1941, Rom successfully blew up a German train carrying military equipment near Krulbo, despite the risks involved.

Radio communication and espionage

Maintaining radio communication with the Soviet center, Rom often ventured into fjords on rented boats to avoid detection. He managed to establish a network of six agents, including two Swedish women, who assisted him with recruitment and navigation. Unfortunately, a breach in security led to a failure in operations.

Imprisonment and escape

In late 1941, Rom was arrested by Swedish authorities, based on information provided by the Gestapo. He was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment and endured torture, resulting in a damaged left hand. However, in 1945, he successfully escaped and crossed the Finnish border back into the USSR.

Post-war activities

In 1950, Rom was assigned to work undercover in West Germany, where he spent several years. His secret hiding place, where he kept his documents, was discovered by a local forester, forcing Rom to hastily return to Moscow and conclude his intelligence activities. After retiring from the Soviet Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1965, he obtained citizenship in East Germany.

Later years and death

Rom frequently visited Moscow, meeting with Mamsurov and paying tribute to his grave at the Novodevichy Cemetery. He passed away on January 2, 1999, in Berlin and was buried in the Friedrichsfelde Cemetery.