to corroborate much of the reporting from the German embassy. His
code name in GRU cables was “Ramzei” (Ramsey). In early 1941 he
repeatedly provided detailed reporting of German plans for war, in-
cluding the date of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union (22 June).
Joseph Stalindisregarded Sorge’s warnings in the spring of 1941
that Hitler was poised to invade the Soviet Union. However, the dic-
tator believed Sorge’s reporting in the fall of 1941 that Japan was not
planning war with the Soviet Union but was moving toward war in
Southeast Asia. As a result of this information, Stalin deployed in-
fantry and tank formations from Siberia to the west in time to win the
critical Battle of Moscowin December 1941.
Sorge handled sources with sophistication, living his cover in
Japan as a jaded journalist. He had a reputation as an alcoholic and a
womanizer, and apparently paid little attention to tradecraft. He was
arrested in October 1941 and executed in 1944. The Soviet govern-
ment disavowed him, and no effort was made to rescue him. When
the Japanese government made an effort to trade Sorge, Stalin re-
sponded that he “did not know that name.” Following the war, Sorge
was made one of the Soviet intelligence heroes of World War II.
Stamps were issued with his picture, and several books were written
about his exploits.SOUTHER, GLEN MICHAEL (1957–1988).A civilian employee of
the U.S. Navy with access to highly sensitive technical intelligence,
Souther volunteered to work with the KGBwhile serving in Italy.
While Souther worked for the Soviet services for a short period of
time, he provided important information on U.S. military satellites.
He apparently worked for the Soviet Union out of a highly romantic
view of Russian culture and espionage. When he felt in danger in
1986, Souther defectedto the Soviet Union, where he was national-
ized under Soviet law as “Mikhail Orlov” and made a commissioned
officer of the KGB. He committed suicide three years later, however,
for reasons that have never been well explained. The official newspa-
per of the Red Army reported: “he had a short but full and brilliant life
totally devoted to the struggle for removing the threat of nuclear war
hanging over mankind and for a better life for ordinary people.” The
report added: “Over a long period he performed important special
missions and made a major contribution to ensuring state security.”SOUTHER, GLEN MICHAEL (1957–1988) • 24706-313 P-Z.qxd 7/27/06 7:57 AM Page 247