Espionage
In September 1939, a Dr. Gassner visited Sebold in Mülheim and interrogated him regarding military planes and equipment in the United States. He also asked Sebold to return to the United States as an espionage agent for Germany. After additional visits by Dr. Gassner and a "Dr. Renken" (later identified as Major Nickolaus Ritter of the Abwehr), Sebold agreed to spy for Germany, being blackmailed with information that he had omitted spending some time in a German jail when applying for American citizenship. Ritter was the Abwehr officer in charge of espionage against the United States and Britain. Sebold received final instructions from Ritter, including the use of codes and microphotographs. Sebold was then assigned the alias "Harry Sawyer", the code name TRAMP, and Abwehr number A.3549.
Before leaving Germany, Sebold went to the U.S. Consulate in Cologne, Germany. He told the consular officials about his future role as a German spy. He also expressed his wish to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States. The U.S. government agreed.
Sebold sailed from Genoa, Italy, and arrived in New York City on 8 February 1940. There, Sebold (with secret help from the FBI) set himself up as a consulting engineer, with an office on 42nd Street in Manhattan. The FBI, forewarned of Sebold's arrival, set up Sebold's office so that they could record all conversations there, and even observe and film any meetings taking place (via a one-way mirror).
Read more about this topic: William G. Sebold
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