Elyesa Bazna, better known by his code name Cicero, was born in Pristina, Albania in 1904. However, he grew to prominence right in the middle of World War II while working as a valet for the British ambassador to Turkey, Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen.
Bazna was far from an ordinary valet as he used his position to covertly photograph top-secret documents pertaining to the Allies’ war strategies. He sold these stolen documents to the German embassy in Ankara. Thus, he was one of the most influential spies of World War II.
Ultimately, circumstances turned against Bazna when the Allies began winning the war. The large amount of money he received from his espionage activities turned out to be incredibly inflated, thereby making it almost worthless during the post-war period. After his discovery and release from custody due to lack of evidence, Bazna lived the rest of his life in relative obscurity.
Key Takeaways
- Elyesa Bazna, code-named Cicero, was a significant spy during World War II.
- He worked as a valet for the British ambassador to Turkey and stole top-secret documents.
- These stolen documents were sold to the German embassy, providing them with valuable information about the Allies’ war strategies.
- After the war, he suffered a severe financial loss due to hyperinflation.
- Bazna’s life after his spying activities ended was marked by obscurity.
Related Questions
1. How did Elyesa Bazna become a spy?
Bazna was employed as a valet for the British ambassador to Turkey, Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen. This position gave him access to restricted areas in the embassy and to the ambassador’s secret documents.
2. What exactly did Cicero do as a spy?
Cicero secretly photographed classified documents from the ambassador’s office. He sold these photographs and other information to the German embassy in Ankara.
3. How was Cicero discovered?
The Allies grew suspicious after they intercepted coded German messages mentioning a spy named Cicero. Despite the suspicion, they never had enough evidence to convict him while he was still active.
4. What happened to Cicero’s earnings from being a spy?
The money Cicero earned as a spy was in the form of notes which were severely devalued due to post-war hyperinflation, leading him to financial ruin.
5. What happened to Cicero after World War II?
After his spying activities were discovered, Cicero lived the rest of his life in relative obscurity. Due to the lack of conclusive evidence, he was released from custody and never convicted for his actions.