Research Catalog

Title

Régina Diana : seductress, singer, spy / Vivien Newman and David Semeraro.

Author

Newman, Vivien

Publication

Barnsley : Pen & Sword History, 2017.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Semeraro, David

Description

x, 174 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations; 24 cm

Summary

"The Untold Story of Régina Diana tells of the rebellious daughter of working-class French-Italian parents from a run-down area of Geneva who, trained by the most ruthless spymaster of them all, Elisabeth Schragmüller (aka Fraulein Doktor), became a much-adored French 'café-concert' singer, a discreet and highly-prized prostitute plying her trade, and a successful German Great War spy. Regina's spy operations were full of intrigue: a network spanning four countries based in the 'shamed' city of Marseille, with her performing abilities and sexual charms allowing her to lure men from privates to generals into giving her vital information. This book is not just about Régina, but also explodes the much-vaunted myth of Swiss neutrality. Switzerland, a nest of spies, was riven between support for Germany and France; in an extraordinary penetration of the upper echelons of Swiss society, the Swiss Army Commander-in-Chief was married to former German Chancellor Otto von Bismark's daughter. Yet 'exhuming' Régina from her unmarked grave involved a tantalising journey - getting past her disavowal by both France and Switzerland, unravelling the truth behind a three-line report about a "pretty Swiss singer's" execution and overcoming the obfuscation of French military archivists. Even her execution was fittingly exceptional. So determined were the French authorities that she should die, her firing squad numbered not the usual twelve, but twenty-five smoking rifles."--Publisher's description.

Subjects

• World War (1914-1918)
• World War, 1914-1918 > Secret service > Germany
• Secret service
• 1914-1918
• Germany

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

Who was Régina Diana -- 'The second oldest profession' -- A rebellious

Call Number

JFE 18-789

ISBN

• 1473861500
• 9781473861503

OCLC

991098509

Author

Newman, Vivien, author.

Title

Régina Diana : seductress, singer, spy / Vivien Newman and David Semeraro.

Publisher

Barnsley : Pen & Sword History, 2017.

Type of Content

text

still image

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chronological Term

1914-1918

Added Author

Semeraro, David, author.

Research Call Number

JFE 18-789