THE SPYMASTER
Our aim in this series of posts is to build as complete a profile of Pavel Fedosimov as possible, this will include his movements, his appearance in numerous VENONA cables, the complex question of various code names associated with Pavel and why to this point we have only been able to find the one photograph of him. Whilst a man with his name has been mentioned numerous times since 1948, there is no photographic evidence that this the same man. We do have evidence that says Pavel as STEPAN, was under suspicion of planning to betray his motherland and it was this that led to his being recalled to Russia supposedly aboard the POBEDA on July 31st 1948. However, as pointed out, the entire passenger list for the ship on that date was never certificated, no one knows exactly who was on board and in fact if they were on board.
What we don't have at this stage is when and how he went back to Russia to bring out his wife. We do know that he went to work for AMTORG, the Soviet owned American Russian Trading organisation.
FLESHING OUT THE TIMELINE:
In the previous post, we created the beginnings of a timeline that revealed the travel history of Pavel Fedosimov. We know that in 1939 he traveled to America aboard the Queen Mary ex Cherbourg. We know that he traveled again to the US in 1940 but this time accompanied by his wife Vera Fedosimova.What we don't have at this stage is when and how he went back to Russia to bring out his wife. We do know that he went to work for AMTORG, the Soviet owned American Russian Trading organisation.
AMTORG
It later became known that AMTORG was a front for Soviet espionage activities especially for the GRU, Russian Military intelligence. In May 1941, an AMTORG employee and NKVD (Peoples Commissariat for Internal Affairs) resident was arrested by the FBI his name was GAIK OVAKIMYAN his code name was GENNADY, he was also known as the 'wily American'. GENNADY is mentioned specifically in Vassiliev's Black notebook as a network leader. His team included BEAM, IDEALIST, SINGER and TALENT. We do not at this stage know the other identities of the GENNADY network.
What does this have to do with Pavel? Pavel, like GAIK was an Engineer and it was in 1941 that Pavel returned to Russia to act as a Spymaster in the war against Germany.
At this stage we do not have information on how, when and even if Pavel made the trip to his homeland. What we do know from Vassiliev's White notebook is that the man known as STEPAN was involved in running Russian agents in occupied territories:
What does this have to do with Pavel? Pavel, like GAIK was an Engineer and it was in 1941 that Pavel returned to Russia to act as a Spymaster in the war against Germany.
At this stage we do not have information on how, when and even if Pavel made the trip to his homeland. What we do know from Vassiliev's White notebook is that the man known as STEPAN was involved in running Russian agents in occupied territories:
STEPAN (Pavel) September 1941:
“As head of an operational group, participated in massive operation to relocate Volga Germans. November 1941 — handpicked two probationers (“Roman” and “Anna”) from the Germans of Kuybyshev Region to train in radio communications and drop behind German lines 1942 and 1943 — composed cover stories and fabricated documents with which probationers legalize themselves behind German lines January 1944 — departed for the country. (A reference to Pavel's return to the US, he arrived there, according to our notes on February 21st 1944.)
In regards to this, we will be checking out other information sources related to the period 1941 to 1944
8 October 2018 at 15:19
ReplyDeleteFedosimov was born December ll, 1910, in Kirov, Russia. From 1939
to l9AO,}e was employed by Amtorg Trading Corporation, New York City. From
1940 to 19in, he was employed in the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs
in Russia. On April 4, 1944, he re-entered the United States and assumed
duties at the USSR Consulate, New York City. He occupied a commandingposition
in the activities of the Consulate and had the various titles of First Secretary
and Vice Consul. He departed from the United States aboard the S. S. Pobeda on
July 31, 1948. 00 9h5229-2, 9!
By letter dated January 30, 1951, the Washington Field Office
advised that lookout notices had been placed with the Immigration and
Naturalization Service, and that stop notices had been placed with the Bureau
of Customs, in order that the Bureau might be advised of any re entry of
Fedosimovinto the United States.
8 October 2018 at 16:40
ReplyDeleteYes, that's all known and agreed to, we can add other references through until 1959 where a person of that name represented the Soviet Union on various committees for the IAEA. However, and this very important, there are no photographs that we can find of the man named Fedosimov who appeared in a photo alongside Nikolai Novikov: https://tamamshud.blogspot.com/2017/05/somerton-man-pavel-fedosimov-hi-res.html
The date of this image was April 1947, no photos after that time. the man named as Fedosimov in that picture left the US on the Pobeda in 1948 and has not been seen since.
We should also be mindful that it was practice for Soviet Diplomats to use cover names, both Yatskov and Feklisov stationed in NY at the same time as Fedosimov used cover names as did other NKVD agents.
https://tamamshud.blogspot.com/2018/10/somerton-man-soviet-cold-war-cover.html
If you have any knowledge or additional information, especially a photograph of Fedosimov that you can prove was taken after December 1st 1948 that would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to post.
First Posted 8 October 2018 at 16:50
ReplyDeleteMaybe they can not find photos because Fedosimov is not a real name?
first posted 30 August 2020 at 04:53
ReplyDeletePavel = Paul in English
Fedossimov = Fedosimov in English
Same as the name used by someone to enter the USA o 1/1/1939 on the Queen Mary
https://www.geni.com/people/Paul-Fedosimov/6000000148980251830
First posted 30 August 2020 at 07:32
ReplyDeleteThat's correct Pete, We have him tracked on the Queen Mary but couldn't find his wife, Vera Fedosimova on the passenger list.
Strange really given that later in 1944 I think, he was interviewed over a possible offence of Bigamy. That fact may be an indication of someone using other names, what do you think?
He wasn't married.
ReplyDeleteThe confusion about him having a wife was caused by the Venona analysts incorrectly guessing that MAJ was Fedosimov when MAJ was in fact someone else all along. By the time the NSA realised their mistake and realised Fedosimov was STEPHAN they'd already attributed someone else's wife to him. Ignore Vera. I've deleted reference to her on his profile.
30 August 2020 at 12:03
ReplyDeleteHere is the proof that MAJ (May) was not Fedosimov.
https://fayllar.org/index-and-concordance-to-alexander-vassilievs-notebooks-and-so.html?page=5
An update for this post, Kuybyshev Region (Now known as the SOMARA OBLAST) where Pavel had recruited 'Anna' and 'Roman' was about 850 klms from the 1942 German Frontline which was halted at Stalingrad and was in fact the turning point of the war on the Eastern front. It seems likely that they were parachuted in somewhere close to the centre of the action. On reading the notes regarding the use of the Nhilist Cipher, a long list of Soviet/ German agents includes an agent known as 'ANNA'. A group of 4 agents belonging to a group known as THE ROTE KAPELLE based in Switzerland but with groups spread across Europe from Belgium to the Eastern Front, included: Werther, Teddy, Olga, and Anna, who between them were responsible for 42.5% of all the clandestine messages sent to Moscow Centre. Bear in mind that Switzerland was quite some distance from the front at Stalingrad but radio communications were exceptionally good and well organised. At this point it is not known whether the ANNA of the Rote Kappelle network is the same Anna recruited by Fedosimov but we will look further into that.
ReplyDeleteAn example of the extent of the network is the fact that the leader of a group based in Belgium was found to possess plans for 'case blue' a German offensive planned for the Caucasus in June 1942/
There are many links that have been uncovered including some to White Russian organisations. Followers will note that Michael Goreloff, a man found dead near Sydney on December 10th 1948, was a strident White Russian supporter. It is way to early to suggest some kind of 'payback' operation amongst the Red and White Russian forces of WW2. I am working on this with Peter Davidson and his input is extremely valuable.