226
psychology at the Iraqi Royal Medical College (IRMC), and under the
auspices of the US Office of the Surgeon General (SGO), Hans ‘Doc’
Hoff enjoyed solid cover as a medical researcher undertaking a long-term
investigation into sexually transmitted diseases among the Bedouin, a sub-
ject on which Hoff was a genuine expert. Before deploying him, OSS-SI
Washington outlined Hoff ’s remit, stating that his work would give him
free mobility among the tribes, with which he would have unusual oppor-
tunity to establish himself in a favoured position. At the same time, he
would have occasion when necessary to visit Baghdad and, while there,
re-establish his former contacts with influential men.^29 The SGO was asked
to provide a letter for Hoff to carry, stating its approval of his plans for
medical work among the tribes and asking for the cooperation of medical
officers in the field. Approval of the British was not required since this was
to be strictly an OSS-SI operation; it is likely, however, that Chokra Wood
was already well aware of what Hoff was really up to.^30 The quid pro quo
for OSS was that Hoff, a stateless person, would be granted US citizenship
in return for his espionage.^31
For reasons beyond Steve Penrose’s comprehension, the State
Department decided to oppose and obstruct all attempts by OSS to pro-
mote Hans Hoff ’s bid for citizenship. ‘I am infuriated,’ Penrose wrote, ‘at
the arrogant obtuseness of the State Department in refusing to assist in
any way a man who ... assumes considerable risk for the service of the
US.’^32 Penrose was also ‘distinctly annoyed’ that security and cover had
been partially breached because of the needless to-ing and fro-ing of cables
and correspondence on the matter between the Baghdad legation and
State.^33 Meanwhile, amidst ‘the debacle about his partial uncovering,’^34
poor Hoff ’s medical equipment had been sunk by a U-boat en route from
the United States, and it seemed likely that another ship carrying his per-
sonal effects and a gift for the young Iraqi king had also been lost. At the
height of Hoff ’s distress, Archie Crawford in Cairo learnt from Art Dayton
of a blunder that had completely exposed Hoff. Apparently someone in
Washington had displayed Hoff ’s affiliation with OSS on the trunks con-
taining his medical equipment and his personal belongings. Worse yet, s/
he had inscribed the covering bills of lading with the name and address
‘Dr Hans Hoff, OSS, c/o American Legation, Baghdad,’ thereby blowing
his cover to the shipping lines, all shipping agents en route, the Maritime
Commission in Khorramshahr, the American-Iraqi Trading Company in
Baghdad (a suspect Iraqi business), and certain legation officials.^35
Crawford fumed: ‘Some (uncensorable) at home did not make instruc-