December 18, 1963 Bogus GPO men tried to grab Nazi papersHistorian tells of trio who came to test phone Bogus GPO men tried to grab Nazi papersHistorian tells of trio who came to test phone Historian tells of trio who came to test phone Three young men tricked their way into historian Mr. David Irving’s flat by posing as GPO engineers, Highgate Magistrate were told today. One of them, David F., was alleged to have told a policeman: “This man is Fascist.
We got in because we wanted to get some of these books and papers of his and he knows a lot of Nazis who are top brass.” Sgt. Tavener said F. pointed at a number of books and papers on the table in the room. Charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony were F., 19, electrician, of Solander Gardens, Stepney, Gerald Gable, 26, electrician, of Lynmouth Road, Stoke Newington, and Manny Carpel, 20, unemployed, of Downs Park Road, Dalston, who appeared on remand.
Opening the prosecution case Mr. Henry Hargrave said:”You might regard this as a rather unbelievable case.” Mr. Irving, of Crescent Road, Hornsey, said that two of the men came to his door and told him they had come about the phone and he invited them in. “Carpel dialled two or three times on the phone and said ‘Hallo, hallo, hallo testing 1, 2, 3, 4.’ Then he put the phone down and made himself comfortable in my armchair, saying ‘Do you mind if a smoke?’ and lighting a cigarette.” Mr.
Irving said, that Gable told him a large rewiring scheme was in hand in the area and said they were increasing the voltage. Mr. Irving said that Gable and Carpel and F. returned about an hour later. In the meantime he had phoned the GPO engineer and the police because he was suspicious. Said Mr. Irving: “Gable began to strip the wire from the wall after cutting the wire by the phone. When I looked at him Gable said ‘I am sorry I forgot to show me my authorisation card.’
He produced a blue GPO card and that satisfied me. I told them that I had asked the police to attend and Gable said ‘that’s all right, Sir. It often happens to us. It happened in a bank once.'” Mr. Mathew submitted that the charge should be dismissed because Mr. Irving agreed that he invited the defendants in although he was suspicious. The three men were committed for trial to Middlesex Quarter Sessions starting
on January 1. Gable is also charged with stealing a G.P.O. pass card. A Company director Leslie Jacobs, of Chatsworth Road, Clapton, stood surety in the sum of 250 for each of the accused and each supplied his own bail of 50. Mr Irving is the author of The Destruction of Dresden.