Walter von Gerich
Encyclopedia
Walter von Gerich was a Finnish civil servant and later an agent in German pay during World War I
.
He posed in 1917 as a German baron and diplomatic courier Walter von Rautenfels and was arrested for espionage
in Norway and planning of sabotage in favour of the German Empire
during World War I
, when several suitcases with explosives were discovered, covered as diplomatic luggage. Among the explosives were more than a hundred explosive bombs and a hundred fire bombs, along with detonators and other supporting equipment.
He was arrested in Kristiania
16 June 1917, but after diplomatic pressure from Germany he was set free and escorted by the police to Germany 27 June 1917, due to his role as courier for the German Emperor. Several other involved persons were eventually sentenced to imprisonment. William Person was sentenced to six years prison, Wäino Pesonen to two years, Hjalmar Wirtanen 1½ years, Johannes Sandvik to 4½ years, and Allan Sandstrøm also 4½ years.
The police investigation was led by the chief of the Kristiania Special Branch, Johan Søhr
.
During police interrogations he admitted that his real name was Walter Harald von Gerich, Finnish military officer and later civil servant. He claimed that after fleeing to Berlin
in 1916 he was allowed to change his name
to von Rautenfels, a name that previously had occurred in his family.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
He posed in 1917 as a German baron and diplomatic courier Walter von Rautenfels and was arrested for espionage
Espionage in Norway during World War I
Norway was a neutral country during World War I, but the country was subject to extensive espionage from both sides in the conflict.-Background:Two proactive Acts had been sanctioned by the Norwegian Parliament in the early phase of the conflict. These were Lov om forsvarshemmeligheter in 1914, and...
in Norway and planning of sabotage in favour of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, when several suitcases with explosives were discovered, covered as diplomatic luggage. Among the explosives were more than a hundred explosive bombs and a hundred fire bombs, along with detonators and other supporting equipment.
He was arrested in Kristiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
16 June 1917, but after diplomatic pressure from Germany he was set free and escorted by the police to Germany 27 June 1917, due to his role as courier for the German Emperor. Several other involved persons were eventually sentenced to imprisonment. William Person was sentenced to six years prison, Wäino Pesonen to two years, Hjalmar Wirtanen 1½ years, Johannes Sandvik to 4½ years, and Allan Sandstrøm also 4½ years.
The police investigation was led by the chief of the Kristiania Special Branch, Johan Søhr
Johan Søhr
Johan Olaus Søhr was a Norwegian jurist and police officer. Commonly known as Joh. Søhr.-Personal life:...
.
During police interrogations he admitted that his real name was Walter Harald von Gerich, Finnish military officer and later civil servant. He claimed that after fleeing to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in 1916 he was allowed to change his name
Name change
Name change generally refers to a legal act allowing a person to adopt a name different than their name at birth, marriage, or adoption. The procedures and ease of a name change depend on the jurisdiction. In general, common law jurisdictions have loose limitations on name changes while civil law...
to von Rautenfels, a name that previously had occurred in his family.