HistoryofSpies.com - Your Resource for Espionage on the Web
  • Spies
    • All Spies
    • Most Wanted
    • Male Spies
    • Female Spies
    • American Spies
    • Russian Spies
    • European Spies
    • Asian Spies
  • Major Events
    • Scandals
    • Spy Rings
    • Spy Missions
    • Great Escapes
  • Media
    • Books
    • Movies
    • Television
  • Spycraft
  • Menu
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Mail

Rudolf Abel - spymuseum.devBorn Rudolf Ivonovich Abel in Russia in 1902 (although some reports indicate that he was actually born Vilyam (Willie) Genrikhovich (August) Fisher in England. He gave the name Rudolf Abel to the FBI as a way of signal the Soviet Union that he had been captured).

Son of a metalworker, Abel moved with his family to England in 1903 and was later educated inn Scotland. Spoke Russian, Yiddish, German, Polish and English (which he spoke with a Scottish accent). Served as a language instructor in the Soviet Red Army and served in Soviet Intelligence in 1930. Ultimately became language instructor for the NKVD. Served as an intelligence officer for the Red Army on the German front during World War II. Was highly decorated for battlefield services and espionage activities, including penetrating the ABWEHR.

After World War II, was selected by the KGB to serve as the resident director (or top spymaster) for Soviet espionage in the United States. Oversaw a spy network in the United States which sought to uncover United States military secrets. Was trained by the KGB in the use and repair of radio equipment, as well as the fundamentals of ciphers and codes, microdots and concealment methods. Had a background in engineering and physics as well as a natural ability with photography and art.

Immigrated illegally from France to Canada in 1947 under the name Andrew Kayotis. Entered the United States in 1948 under the name Emil R. Goldfus, and moved to New York City in 1949, under the codename “Mark” and using a photography studio as his headquarters. Developed a system of intelligence drops, including letterboxes and drop zones throughout New York City. Oversaw the gathering of top secret intelligence information from the United Nations and U.S. military installations and managed the transfer of this information to Soviet agents or directly to Moscow. Oversaw the operations of agents Morris and Leona Cohen.

Rudolf Abel - spymuseum.devAfter his spy network grew too large for him to manage, Abel sought assistance from Moscow. Moscow sent agent Reino Hayhanen to serve as an intermediary, charged with collecting information from members of the spy network. Was recalled to Russia in 1955 for a six-month respite from the stressful work of overseeing the spy network in the United States.

Left the network in the hands of Hayhanen. Upon Abel’s return to the United States in 1956, the network was in shambles, due to Hayhanen’s drunkenness and ineptitude. Hayhanen was recalled to Russia and fearing harsh reprimands instead turned himself in to U.S authorities in France, offering to expose the entire spy network.

Exposed by Hayhanen, Abel fled New York and traveled to Florida but was immediately arrested upon his return. Charged with espionage, Abel was found guilty and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Was exchanged for U. S. U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers on February 10, 1962 on the Glieneceker Bridge, which connected East, and West Germanys. Was honored briefly in 1965 and authored his “memoirs” in 1968. Lived in relative obscurity until his death in 1971. Was honored with a postage stamp in his likeness by the Soviet Union in 1990.

The Amazing Story of Soviet Master Spy Rudolph Abel



Popular Posts

  • Oleg Penkovsky 5 views
  • Richard Miller 5 views
  • Cambridge Spy Ring - spymuseum.dev The Cambridge Spy Ring 4 views
  • Donald Maclean 3 views
  • Robert Hanssen 3 views
  • Ronald Pelton 3 views
  • Aldrich Ames 3 views

Most Wanted Spies

  • Julius Rosenberg

  • Aldrich Ames

  • John Walker, Jr.

  • Kim Philby

  • Mata Hari

  • Richard Sorge

  • Robert Hanssen

  • Rudolf Abel

  • Sidney Reilly

Prev Next

Our Other Sites

 







Affiliate Web Hosting Partner

Bluehost is our Preferred choice for Web Hosting and is our affiliate partner. Click on the button below for more information.



About the Site

History of Spies journeys through time to look at the spies and events that secretly shaped the world. The site looks at individual spies, spy rings, agencies, scandals and missions that often altered wars and often guaranteed peace.

Enjoy a look at 300 years of espionage… Now declassified.

Contact Us

Gaius Chamberlain
Adscape Interntional, LLC

P.O. Box 173 Brandywine, MD 20613
240-244-9660

 gaiuschamberlain@gmail.com 

We would love your feedback. Feel free to share any thoughts or suggestions.

Our Other Sites

Black Inventor Museum

Black History Moments

Bad Fads Museum

Great Black Heroes

Great Female Inventors

Professional Wrestling Museum

Our Social Media

Like Us on Facebook

Tweet Us on Twitter

Watch Us on YouTube

Pin Us on Pinterest

Link to Us on LinkedIn

© Copyright - HistoryofSpies.com - Your Resource for Espionage on the Web - Enfold Theme by Kriesi
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Mail
Scroll to top