1

P G Wodehouse was earning a substantial income from both UK and US sources in the 1920s and 1930s, but as one of the first trans-Atlantic commuters found himself paying full tax on a substantial part of his income to both governments. (Paragraphs 2 & 3)

2

His advisers suggested that he establish his home in France, so he would pay tax to either the UK or the US government on each part of his income, but not both. (Paragraph 3)

3

As part of a substantial British presence in Le Touquet when war broke out, the Wodehouses were promised early warning of the need to evacuate if the German invasion approached. This was never received. (Paragraph 4)

4

The Wodehouses did not wish to leave unnecessarily because their dogs would have to be quarantined on arrival in England. (Paragraph 5)

5

When they did seek to leave, two car breakdowns prevented their departure from Le Touquet. (Paragraphs 6 & 7)

6

Wodehouse was interned as an alien male under 60 and taken via a series of camps to Tost in Upper Silesia. (Paragraphs 8 & 9)

7

Readers of the American Saturday Evening Post sought information on the whereabouts and treatment of one of their favourite authors. The U S A was still neutral, and a petition for his release, signed by many prominent in American artistic associations, was handed in to the German Embassy in Washington. (Paragraph 10)

8

The German Foreign Office had the idea of gaining favour with the U S A, whom they wanted to stay neutral, by releasing Wodehouse a few months early and arranging for him to broadcast to his fans in neutral America. There was no ‘deal’ for him to broadcast in return for freedom. The success of the plan, of which Wodehouse remained completely ignorant, depended on him NOT being viewed as a sympathiser. The broadcasts have been accepted by all who read them as wholly innocuous in nature and make highly humorous reading. (Paragraphs 11 to 16)

9

The Propaganda Ministry hijacked the plan by causing the broadcasts to be sent also to the UK. Because the broadcasts had been recorded, Plum was unable to prevent this. (Paragraph 17)

10

The broadcasts which, as can be seen from their texts (click on this link) were innocuous in content, were received hysterically in the UK. The tabloid journalist Cassandra obtained the approval of the Minister of Information, Duff Cooper, to launch a vitriolic tirade against Wodehouse on the BBC, despite the Governor’s protestations. (Paragraphs 18 and 19)

11

The Wodehouses returned to Paris in 1943 and lived on their own funds and borrowed money, which they later reported in detail to Major Cussen of MI5. (Paragraphs 21 to 25)

12

Wodehouse was interrogated by Major Cussen, whose thorough report to the Government makes clear that he was wholly convinced of Wodehouse’s innocence in matters of treachery. (Paragraphs 27 and 28)

13

Following the acquisition by the Government of a number of files from the German Embassy in Paris, a very determined attempt was made in 1946/47 to find evidence of payments which might have been made to him for services rendered to the German government, presumably to support any prosecution that might take place in the future. Despite thorough research, no such evidence was found, and all the British Government officials involved concurred in the conclusion that he had done nothing treacherous. (Paragraphs 29 to 31)

14

The Wodehouses remained in France until 1947, when they sailed to the US and never returned to Europe. He was knighted in 1975, six weeks before his death at the age of 93.