Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

Defence Security Officer Tehran, Security Intelligence Middle East (SIME), Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

October 7th, 1943

Original summary of events, dated August 1943, send to The Under Secretary of State, The War Office, LONDON, S.W. 1.:

"I have the honour to, submit herewith my recommendation for an immediate award of the D.SO. to Major (Local/Lt-Col.) E.L. SPENCER, R.A., Defence Security Officer, TEHRAN, for particularly distinguished service and gallantry leading to the arrest of a notorious German agent, FRANZ MAYER, who has been causing great damage to the Allied Cause in PERSIA during the past two years.

Mayer, who was assisted by a number of other German agents dropped by parachute within the past six months, had the active sympathy of a considerable number of Persian officials both in the Army and Police, through he has been able to exercise considerable influence among the tribesmen, with results which have adversely affected the security of the Aid to Russia Routes.

The importance of the arrest of MAYER cannot be overestimated, accompanied as it has been by the capture of documents giving detailed information of the activities of Mayer and his associated. In the course of his investigations and particularly in making the arrest, Lt-Col. SPENCER has knowingly and continuously risked his life, and I consider that his action is one which, both from its nature and from the public importance of the result, fully justifies a gallantry award, for which I strongly recommend him.

I would request that if my recommendation be accepted and the award made, no details of the action be published in the London Gazette or elsewhere, as the necessity for continued secrecy in the matter is of the greatest importance.

H.M. Minister Tehran has addressed to me a letter of commendation of Lt. Col. Spencer's services, with the suggestion that they should be recognised by an award."

Original recommendation:

"For distinguished service and gallantry in PERSIA particularly on the night 14-15 August 1943.

This officer holds the appointment of Defence Security Officer, TEHRAN, and has lately been particularly engaged in measures to counteract the activities of a group of German agents headed by one FRANZ MAYER who, working in conjunction with certain officials with Axis sympathies, had done much to foment tribal unrest and to interfere with the security of the convoy routes for Aid to Russia. The agent, Franz Mayer, had been active in Persia for the past two years and had, within the past six months received a reinforcement of some half dozen or more Germans dropped by parachute.

All these agents had the sympathy of certain sections of the population, were hidden and protected by them, and could only be trached down by small parties or individuals who necessarily incurred the greatest risk in their investigations.

As a result of patient work extending over soem months Lt-Col. Spencer on the 12 Aug 1943 obtained information as a result of which he hiding places, first of one of the German parachutists, and finally of Mayer himself, were ascertained and their arrests effected.

Knowing the vital importance of the capture of Mayer, Lt-Col. Spencer personally undertook his arrest. He entered the house in the early hours of the morning and climbed to a room on the upper floor escorted only by a sergeant of the Field Security Section. He entered the room in the dark and was fortunate in finding Mayer asleep. Mayer was held up at the point of the revolver. He was known to be armed and a desperate character and had he not been surprised, as he was, would undoubtedly have put up strong resistance.

Throughout the investigation Lt-Col Spencer has worked patiently to get his results and in the final capture of Mayer he displayed a complete disregard of danger and has set a fine example to his men of fearlessness and devotion to duty.

The capture of Mayer is an important step on the disruption of the German Intelligence System in Persia.

I consider that his action fully justifies the award of the D.S.O. for which I strongly recommend him."

H.R. Pownall
Lt.-General.,
Commander-in-Chief,
Persia-Iraq Force.

Aug. 43.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

G-2 Division, HQ Berlin District, SHAEF Mission Germany, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1947

"Lieutenant Colonel Ed Leslie Spencer, DSO, 148405, Royal Artillery. For exceptionally meritorious performance of outstanding service as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 (Br), HQ Berlin District during the period 19 February 1945 to 28 April 1945, as a Chief, Counter-Intelligence (Br) thereafter to 10 May 1945. Having keen appreciation of the task involved and complete familiarity with Intelligence Staff procedure and operation, he was of invaluable assistance in organizing the Intelligence Staff of US and British officers on an integrated field and of enemy Intelligence systems enabled him to assist materially in completing the Outline and later the Detailed Plans. Throughout the period, he contributed such to the accomplishment of cordial relationship and mutual understanding between US and British elements of this integrated staff, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and his service."

Unit:

Security Service (MI5)

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1953

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Awarded on:

May 10th, 1973