When I was in the woods, I met a man there. It was Liide’s husband’s brother-Martin’s brother. He was all mixed up. A Communist. I strangled him.
He'd said he had been in New York with Hans Pöögelmann. They organized the Communists there and published the New World newspaper. They were those kind of men. It was a little bit difficult to make sense of his stories; his head whipped around so much that he just stammered, and sometimes he just stopped talking completely, with the spit flying. At first I thought he was some kind of wild animal scrambling past my dugout. Of course he didn’t know about my dugout. His foot went through my trip wire-that’s how I knew something was there. I didn’t go after him right away. I waited until night came and then went to see if there were any tracks. He’d been eating blueberries from nearby-not the way an animal eats at all. That’s how I knew it must have been a person. But he was able to keep so quiet that I didn’t see anything until he had me by the legs. He was an animal-he had those animal eyes-but not much strength, and I quickly pinned him, sat on his chest, and asked him who he was. He howled at first, and I had to hold his mouth shut, but then he calmed down. I had a little bit of rope with me, and I tied his hands just to be safe. He didn’t have any weapons-that was the first thing I checked. I managed to make out that his name was Konstantin Truu. I asked if he was related to Martin Truu. He was. I didn’t say anything about how that meant we were related, because I would never acknowledge a Commie relative. I just said that Martin Truu was known in the village, and Konstantin was delighted-or maybe he was afraid; it was hard to tell from his behavior. He got very worked up, anyway. He started talking about a great misunderstanding that Stalin should be informed of. I sort of suspected that his stutter was a put-on. You see all kinds of people you shouldn’t trust running around in the woods. He asked for help, asked for some food. He was probably one of those city sissies who can’t survive in the woods. The NKVD sends out all kinds to hunt for us Estonian boys. But I heard his story to the end. I thought I might find out something about Liide’s husband. Maybe this Konstantin was actually an agent, and he just went berserk out in the forest. Maybe some kernel of truth would slip out of his mouth.
He had come back from America with Pöögelmann and gone to Russia to work for the Soviets. Then he came back to Estonia with some friend, and his friend was shot at the border, but Konstantin made it to Tallinn. He messed around with the Communists there, but then they wanted to send him to Siberia. So he ran away and came to the forest. He didn’t know what year it was-he just wanted to get a message to Stalin about this misunderstanding that had to be corrected. Then I strangled him. He had seen me alive when I was supposed to be dead.
I searched his pockets. There were letters in them. Letters Martin sent to him when he was in New York. I took them with me and read them. I planned to give them to Liide, but I didn’t do it. There’s no point in making her any more afraid than she already is. I hid them here under the floorboards in the same place that I keep this journal. It wouldn’t be good if anyone found them. Letters like that can get you sent to Siberia, even if they were sent in the thirties. I wonder what Martin had to do to avoid being sent there. Does he even know that his brother came back to Estonia?
Hans Pekk, son of Eerik, Estonian peasant
Ext. No. 2 Activity report on underground operative TRUU, Martin, son of Albert, Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. TRUU, Martin, son of Albert, born 1910 in Narva, Estonia, university student. Underground since 1944. TRUU, Konstantin, son of Albert, born 1899 in Narva, Estonia, university student. Location unknown.
Agent “Crow” infiltrated the criminal underground spy organization known as Future, and learned that criminal Martin TRUU was in hiding in the home of citizen Milja MÄGISTE. According to information provided by Agent “Crow,” the underground spy ring was in constant contact with foreign intelligence agencies. Criminal Martin TRUU’s brother,
Konstantin TRUU, has been to New York, and it is suspected that Martin TRUU may still have contacts there. Konstantin TRUU’s present location is unknown. While in New York, he was active in the expatriate Estonian Communists and edited the New World newspaper, a suspect publication.
The arrest of criminal Martin TRUU with the help of Agent “Crow” is recommended. Martin TRUU is considered eligible for rehabilitation, provided he will consent to collaborate.
Ext. No. 2 Activity report on the suitability of TRUU, Martin, for recruitment as an agent in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
We have investigated Martin TRUU’s interests regarding his brother, Konstantin TRUU, presumed to be living in the United States.
We have also investigated Martin TRUU’s reliability, with the assistance of Agents “Paul” and “Hammer.” Martin TRUU has not yet exhibited any interest in traveling abroad or any anti-Soviet opinions. In order to determine whether Martin TRUU has interests in establishing criminal ties abroad or is indeed already an American intelligence agent, the following operations were undertaken:
We arranged to have Agents “Paul” and “Hammer” establish an acquaintance with Martin TRUU. Agent “Paul” told TRUU he was going to Moscow to see his sister. Agent “Paul” also said that his sister was working in the Swedish embassy in Moscow. TRUU showed no interest whatsoever in this visit. We also actually sent Agent “Paul” to Moscow, and when he returned, he met Martin TRUU again and told him about the visit in detail. TRUU still showed no interest in what Agent “Paul” had to tell him. The mission of Agent “Paul” was to make it clear that he maintained active contact with his sister, and through particular details to make it clear to Martin TRUU that it would be possible to make illegal connections abroad through her. TRUU didn’t take the bait.
Agent “Paul” also succeeded in being left alone in Martin TRUU’s apartment, but he found no transmitters or microfilm devices there. He also found no letters from TRUU’s brother, although there was a blotter on the table with the initials A. V., which could refer to Astra Vari, the sister of Konstantin TRUU’s deceased wife, who lives in America.
More investigation is required to determine whether the subject has any ambitions to collect classified information for a foreign power. If this is the case, he will be fed “classified” disinformation.
The subject is secretly worried about having a brother living abroad and claims that his brother has died, although there is evidence he maintains a correspondence with him. This illegal connection makes Martin TRUU an unreliable subject, but recruitment and rehabilitation are nevertheless recommended. Because of his long ties to criminal activity, he has an abundance of information valuable for identification purposes.
Additional investigation is required to determine if he uses his correspondence to make illegal contacts.
More investigation is also needed concerning whether Martin TRUU is seeking contacts with sailors traveling abroad, through which he would be able to send illegal letters to his brother. Agent “Hammer” is recommended for this operation because of his confidential relations with Martin TRUU.
Ext. No. 2 Report on investigation of anti-Soviet criminal activities in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Because a large number of anti-Soviet criminals under investigation have fled the country, they are being monitored with the assistance of covert postal surveillance. Without this assistance we would not be as effective as is necessary. Investigation of anti-Soviet criminal activity is complicated by the fact that the criminals in question operate through correspondence to multiple addresses, possibly to protect their relatives living in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. Letters are then forwarded from these false addresses to the criminals’ relatives. Some of the criminals in question maintain direct contact with their relatives, without intermediaries, but have sent their letters under their wives’ names.
These circumstances have led us to develop new methods, with which we have determined the family relationships and other close ties of numerous anti-Soviet criminals. Through operations executed in cooperation with postal surveillance, we have also determined the maiden names of the wives of anti-Soviet criminals, as well as their nicknames and terms of endearment.
Although we have obtained encouraging results, the investigation of anti-Soviet criminals is still seriously lacking. Identification of those criminals who, according to our information, are living in the Soviet Union but about whom there is no further information has been particularly slow.
It is necessary to constantly and actively collect identification information.
Agent “X” has proven adequate in operations relating to the United States, because he has an abundance of important information for identifying expatriate anti-Soviets connected to his brother, Konstantin TRUU.
Because criminals under investigation may be hiding in places where employment control is weak, we have infiltrated a number of agents into large construction areas and metalworking centers. It would be best to send Agent “X” to Victory Kolkhoz, since according to our information several anti-Soviets who have returned from America to the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic are attempting to hide there.
Ext. No. 2 Progress report on the investigation of anti-Soviet criminal activities in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Agent “X” has not made any progress in tracking returnees from America. Instead, he has succeeded in forming a very close relationship with an individual who should be recruited if at all possible. The individual’s younger cousin is in Sweden and apparently is attempting to obtain anti-Soviet materials from the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic for publication.
Ext. No. 2 Report on the investigation of underground nationalist activities in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
The more active tasks in liquidating bandit-related operations in Haapsalu and surrounding areas in Läänemaa, Western Estonia, will be delegated to Agent “X.” Nationalist bandits have initiated activities in his area, and we hope to create a network of agents in order to apprehend them. Agent “X” has assured us that if there were criminals in the area who were returnees from America, he would have already identified them. He assumes they have changed their location. For this reason, his talents shall be put to better use in the mission to liquidate nationalist bandits.
Ext. No. 2 Overview of activities in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
We have directed the main emphasis of our activities toward improving collaboration with working agents and building tools for supplementing our agent apparatus through new recruits. The intent is to recruit individuals who know the locals well and have the potential to identify those who are willing to inform. Agents who are familiar with the area can also potentially inform us immediately of any individuals new to the area who may pose a danger.
As a result of strengthened agents’ work, we have begun receiving more evidence concerning suspicious individuals in the area. Over the past month we have received more than a dozen such indications, in the past year more than sixty.
In addition to returned expatriates, individuals who have relatives or other close contacts abroad, and individuals who have been previously accused of antirevolutionary activities are particularly willing to provide information, according to the analysis of our operatives. It is also wise to be on the lookout for young people from politically unreliable groups.
Of the anti-Soviets identified, six have been arrested-four of them were underground, and two were armed. One was killed in connection with Cheka military activities.
In one year’s time, Soviet citizens have provided 120 statements, nine of which were anonymous. The statements were of the following kind: statements concerning individuals hostile to or suspicious of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, statements concerning the opinions of hostile elements and in hostile areas, and statements concerning anti-Soviet criminals in hiding.
All statements were carefully examined and investigated. Methods for investigation of facts disclosed in the statements were developed rapidly to prevent those individuals from betraying their homeland.
Ext. No. 2 Report on the statement of KOSE, Eha, daughter of Matti.
KOSE, Eha, daughter of Matti. Born 1918. Estonian. Resident of Haapsalu.
On March 1 we received a statement from citizen Eha KOSE, daughter of Matti.
In her statement she asserted that her former fiancé, Hans PEKK, son of Eerik, was active in the Omakaitse self-defense league and had exhibited anti-Soviet opinions during the German occupation. Since the dissolution of their engagement, Eha KOSE has only met her former fiancé once, at which time he expressed anti-Soviet opinions to her. Among other things, Hans PEKK implied that the only things being built in Siberia were prisons. Eha KOSE and Hans PEKK broke off contact upon his engagement to Ingel TAMM, daughter of Richard. Hans PEKK subsequently married Ingel TAMM and was reported dead in 1945.
On the basis of this testimony, many witnesses were questioned who confirmed that Hans PEKK had belonged to the above-mentioned organization. One witness, Anton TOOMINGAS, reported that a person resembling Hans PEKK participated in terrorist activities in 1945. TOOMINGAS said that he had heard that a man resembling Hans PEKK had been part of a bandit group that had assaulted members of the executive committee. During this struggle, an unidentified bandit shot and killed executive committee manager Jaani SIREL with a pistol. The same group may have participated in the theft of a truck from the Uue-Antsla butter factory in Vöru Province, in southeastern Estonia. There were no reports of anyone resembling Hans PEKK in Vöru Province, however.
In order to shed light on PEKK’s activities during the German occupation, an operations unit on the matter was established. Among its tasks was an investigation of his purported death and a search for witnesses who could provide information about his possible participation in the murder of Soviet citizens.
Ext. No. 2 Report on the activities of Agent “X,” Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
According to the testimony of Agent “Jootti,” the activities of Agent “X” in the Victory Kolkhoz have been exemplary, and there is no reason to question his suitability for transfer from rehabilitation to recruitment status. Agent “X” has recruited two new agents-“Helmar” and “Gooseberry”-from the inner circle of underground nationalists-i.e., the Forest Brothers (a group which includes Jaan SOOP, among others). “Helmar” has a close relationship with Vambola LAURI, who has assisted with the underground nationalists’ food supply. LAURI has informed “Helmar” that he has weapons hidden in his garden but has not provided their exact location.
It is recommended that Agent “X” be provided with two hundred rubles to give to Agent “Helmar.” “Helmar” and “Gooseberry” do not know the whereabouts of the inner circle of nationalists and have not yet visited the homes of their family members. “Helmar” speculates that he will be able to arrange a meeting with nationalist Jaan SOOP on the pretense of giving financial assistance.
Ext. No. 2 Report on the activities of Agent “X” in the liquidation of underground nationalists in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
PEKK, Ingel, daughter of Richard. Born 1920. Estonian. Married to criminal Hans PEKK, son of Eerik. TAMM, Aliide, daughter of Richard. Born 1925. Estonian. Sister of PEKK, Ingel, daughter of Richard.
According to the testimony of Agent “X,” Agent “Helmar” succeeded in meeting with underground nationalist Jaan SOOP in the forest. SOOP intends to move from the forest to the barn of Vambola LAURI to spend the winter. There is no information on the location of SOOP’s forest bunker. Agent “Helmar” reports, however, that he saw Hans PEKK, who was believed to be dead, on the trail. He is quite certain that it was PEKK. Upon meeting with SOOP, Agent “Helmar” asked him if he had brought a bodyguard with him. Nationalist SOOP denied that he had and expressed surprise. Agent “Helmar” told him that he had seen a man who looked just like Hans PEKK on the trail, to which the bandit SOOP expressed even greater surprise. SOOP said that PEKK was dead, and that he was sure of that fact. Agent “Helmar” did not believe him.
Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM, family members of Hans PEKK, will be presented for another round of interrogation. Previous interrogations did not produce results.
Ext. No. 2 Report on the interrogation of TAMM, Aliide, daughter of Richard.
Agents “X,” “Crow,” and “Fox” observed an interrogation of Aliide TAMM following her arrest for providing food to the bandits. The subject denied committing this illegal act and maintained this position. She also stated that she believed that Hans PEKK had died in 1945. The subject did not provide any new information that would assist in the apprehension of nationalist Hans PEKK. Agents “X,” “Crow,” and “Fox” have known of the subject for a long time, but they were not certain if she was lying or not.
Ext. No. 2 Report on activities for the liquidation of nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.
PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik, born 1913 in Lihula. Former member of the Omakaitse organization. Went underground in 1943. Collaborated in the German occupation. Reported dead in 1945.
According to Agent “X,” the entire village seems to believe that the nationalist Hans PEKK was killed in 1945. Nationalist RISTLA, Hendrik, an eyewitness to the killing, was liquidated at the beginning of this year. There are no other eyewitnesses. According to RISTLA’s testimony, he and Hans PEKK, after years at the front, were traveling home by horse cart when they were attacked on the forest road. Hans PEKK was shot and killed, but RISTLA was only wounded and was able to escape. According to RISTLA, it was an attempted robbery. When men from the village went to the location the following day they found the emptied wagon, but there was no sign of PEKK’s body. The horse had also disappeared. RISTLA reported that he did not recognize the men who attacked them. Comparable crimes have occurred previously in the province, and for this reason the villagers did not consider the event improbable. RISTLA spoke openly of the occurrence and the story remained consistent over time.
RISTLA was interrogated previously, but not concerning the death of PEKK.
During the German occupation, RISTLA was active on behalf of the Germans and continued to commit a series of counterrevolutionary acts against his country following the occupation. Although we tried to prevent him from betraying his country, we did not succeed-RISTLA continued his illegal terrorist activities until his death.
The bandit Jaan SOOP was arrested on the basis of information provided by Agent “Helmar.” In his interrogation, SOOP confessed to being in contact with Hans PEKK when he was in hiding in the forest. SOOP said that PEKK had disseminated anti-Soviet opinions and stolen money and given it to the peasants. In addition, PEKK threatened to use his pistol to kill any and all Communists in cold blood if he ever had the opportunity. Our information indicates that Hans PEKK also has a rifle.
The bandit PEKK’s wife, Ingel PEKK, and his sister-in-law, Aliide TAMM, have been brought in for interrogation three times, but they have repeatedly denied any knowledge of PEKK’s activities and do not believe that he is alive. Linda PEKK, the daughter of Hans PEKK and Ingel PEKK, was also brought in for questioning, but the information provided by this subject did not differ from that given by Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM.
Agent “X” has not verified that the women were telling the truth, however. According to Agent “X,” Agent “Helmar” is certain that Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM have provided some support to the bandits. “Helmar” made the acquaintance of Peeter KUUM, who was in collaboration with Jaan SOOP, and told KUUM that he needed medical help for someone in the forest who was injured. Peeter KUUM encouraged him to go to Aliide TAMM’s house and told him he would also come away with his belly full.
Twenty-four-hour surveillance of the home of Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM is recommended. Any women visitors to the house should also be investigated. Some of the criminals in question come to the house dressed as women.
Ext. No. 2 Report on the activities of Agent “X” for the liquidation of underground nationalists in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Agent “X” has succeeded in forming a close bond with a family member of Hans PEKK-who is believed to be still alive-and has recommended her for agent recruitment. Recruitment was carried out by Agent “Hammer.” Agent “X” felt that he should not carry out the recruitment himself because of his close association with the subject, i.e., Agent “Fly.” Agent “X” will also be better able to observe the methods of Agent “Fly” if she is unaware of his assignment or the nature of his mission. Agent “Hammer” will serve as liaison for Agent “Fly.”
It is known that Agent “Fly” had close relations with the Germans during the occupation. German soldiers often visited her home. According to Agent “X,” however, she had no interest in collaborating with the Germans and did not attempt to keep in contact with them following the occupation. For this reason, she was, in the estimation of Agent “X,” an excellent choice for this operation because we are attempting to locate individuals who are in close collaboration with the Germans. Some of them have been recruited to serve as spies for the Germans. Because of the proximity of her house to the forest and her family connections, Agent “Fly” also has knowledge of the nationalists’ activities. Because of her job as a fee inspector, she also has active access to local homes and is thus in an excellent position to detect any suspicious activities.
Agent “Fly” has observed the lives of Ingel PEKK and Linda PEKK particularly closely, year-round, and she is sure that the bandit PEKK is dead, but she also reports that his wife, Ingel PEKK, has been storing nationalist material (an Estonian flag, newspapers, books) in her home and has assisted the bandits by providing food and by drying food for them to use in the forest. Linda PEKK has shown an interest in nationalist youth organizations. Ingel PEKK has carried on treasonous activities for many years. As a collaborator with nationalist criminals, it is recommended that Ingel PEKK be taken into custody.
Ext. No. 2 Progress report on the mission to liquidate nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.
After the arrest of Ingel PEKK-the wife or widow of Hans PEKK-and her daughter, Linda PEKK, no further signals concerning Hans PEKK have been received. Agent “Fly” has studied the moods and the attitudes of PEKK’s relatives, but there is no indication that anyone has heard from him. However, Agent “Fly” has been monitoring Asta KALVET, who collaborated with Linda PEKK to organize the nationalist youth. This group is unusual in that the youths in question are girls. In our experience, similar treasonous activities have generally been encountered only among politically unreliable boys. More research is needed to determine if this is a growing area for concern or simply an exceptional case. Asta KALVET will be brought in for questioning.
We had hoped that once Ingel PEKK and Linda PEKK were no longer able to arrange food or other assistance for Hans PEKK-whom we presume is still alive-he would wish to rehabilitate or would participate in visible acts of terrorism, robbery, etc. This has not occurred, however.
Ext. No. 2 Progress report on the mission to liquidate nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.
Agent “Fly” has collected evidence of local nationalist activity. We have carefully investigated the evidence and striven to monitor subjects who have been disseminating anti-Soviet views. Agent “Fly” has also provided an outline of individuals to whom Hans PEKK could turn for assistance. There have, however, been no signs that Hans PEKK has done so. We have also been in contact with relatives and family members of Hans PEKK, invited them to our offices, and told them that if Hans PEKK does get in touch with them, they should immediately inform us of the matter. They have also been told that Hans PEKK may be eligible for rehabilitation, but they received this suggestion with suspicion.
Ext. No. 2 Report on the termination of the mission for the liquidation of nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.
According to information received by Agent “Fly,” we have captured nationalists Vello ARRO and Raimond HEIMAN. Termination of the mission to find Hans PEKK is recommended. We have not received any new evidence that would indicate that Hans PEKK is alive and continuing his underground activities. Agent “X” will be transferred to other operations directed at uncovering anti-Soviet activities. Agent “Fly” will continue to collect evidence of nationalism.
Just one more night here. I’ve been talking with Ingel about searching for Linda. Together we’ll find her, no matter how long it takes. Although I’m not free yet, I will be soon, and my heart is as light as a swallow’s.
Soon the three of us will be together.
Hans Pekk, son of Eerik, Estonian peasant