Black Sheep Spy Scandal: the story of Bill Sutch
Sep 26, 2024
Sarah Gaitanos, a historian and author known for her work on Shirley Smith, dives into the dramatic life of Bill Sutch, an economist accused of spying for the Soviets in 1974. She explores Sutch's turbulent romance with Smith, their intellectual bond, and the influence of their differing political views. The discussion sheds light on Sutch's controversial legacy, the emotional toll of espionage on his family, and the complex realities of New Zealand's Cold War intelligence operations. New evidence and evolving interpretations add further intrigue to this historical scandal.
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Sutch's Tramping Mishap
- Bill Sutch, a keen tramper, got lost with friends in the Tararua Ranges in 1933.
- A massive search and rescue operation ensued, prompting the foundation of NZ Land Search and Rescue.
Socialism in the 1930s
- Bill Sutch's socialist views in the 1930s, amidst the Great Depression, weren't unusual.
- Socialism then encompassed a broad spectrum, from revolutionaries to moderates.
The Stalin Divide
- Khrushchev's 1956 speech denouncing Stalin's brutality caused a divide between Sutch and his wife.
- Shirley Smith left the Communist Party, while Sutch dismissed the atrocities as "a lot of old cobblers."