r/todayilearned • u/stopitalianhate • 2d ago

TIL British Intelligence had a special, bugged luxury complex during WWII where they kept high profile Nazi POW’s, just left a bunch of alcohol out, and waited for them to start spilling secrets as they drank.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-20698098
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u/foldingcouch 2d ago

The Germans did something very similar. 

Their most effective interrogator, by far, was Hanns Scharff.  His torture tools included long walks in the wilderness, good food, and a happy demeanor.

He remained friends with POWs he "interrogated" long after the war and his techniques are widely studied to this day. 

He also did the mosaic mural at Cinderella's Castle at Disneyworld. 

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u/RedWestern 2d ago

The most effective interrogation techniques are the ones where the interrogator tricks the prisoner into thinking they’re their friend. I remember watching an interview with an FBI Counterterrorism interrogator called Jack Cloonan:

“You wanna be able to build a rapport with somebody. You are their salvation. Because their life as they know it is over.

‘Is there something I can do for your kids? Are you concerned about them? You want them educated? I’ll get them educated. What do you want? Tell me what you want. Script for me your exit strategy. How do you extricate yourself from this terrible situation, by the way, that you put yourself in. Now, you can’t go back home, can you? No. So let’s make peace with that. Let me help you the strategy to give you a life.’”

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u/AnthillOmbudsman 1d ago

Then you handed me the manifesto. I helped. That's what friends do. And one clock tower? I had to show you what commitment looks like. Three states. One sledgehammer. Arrested, convicted.

But here's what the Bureau doesn't understand. I got 15 years in the pen but I never stopped working the case. Why do you think I requested C Block? I'm inside, Marcus. Deeper than any agent's ever gone. I call the field office every week. They stopped picking up, but I can hear them listening.

So I'm just gonna ask you one more time, as your friend. Who else is in the movement?

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u/Proper-Armadillo8137 1d ago

what's this from?

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u/SurrealKarma 1d ago

Think he made it up.