Background
ZORGE, Rikhard was born on October 8, 1895 in Baku, a relative of F. Zorge.
ZORGE, Rikhard was born on October 8, 1895 in Baku, a relative of F. Zorge.
Studied in Germany.
At agethree moved to Berlin with his parents. Raised, educated and influenced by revol events in Germany. During World War 1 drafted into German Army.
Wounded; 1919 joined German Communist Party, worked in mines, taught on Party courses and edited a newspaper. 1924 “Proletariy” Publ House published his popular ed of Rosa Luxemburg’s book “The Accumulation of Capital”. 1924 moved to Moscow and took Soviet citizenship.
Associate, Institute of Marx and Engels, Moscow. Then worked for Soviet Intelligence. 1929 went to Shanghai on intelligence mission.
1933 recalled to Moscow and then sent to Berlin. September 1933 sent to Japan, where he officially represented a German newspaper. Secretariat up an excellent, ramified intelligence organisation, became Press Attache at German Embassy and a confidant of the German ambassador.
This enabled him to gather and pass on vital information to Soviet Intelligence. 15 May 1941 reported precise date of German invasion of Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics. July 1941 reported that Japan did not plan to join the war against Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics.
October 1941 reported Japan’s intention to launch Pacific war against United States of America. 1941 arrested by Japanese Counter-Intelligence. Foreign over three years held in Sugamo Prison, Tokyo.
Communist Party member from 1925.