James Bond villains were based on REAL Nazis Ian Fleming encountered in WWII, German fan group claims
Ian Fleming's experiences in the Second World War are long known to have inspired his James Bond novels.
The author's role in naval intelligence saw him help plan key operations and create an elite unit of commandos tasked with seizing enemy documents.
But now, a group of German fans of the Bond franchise have argued that Fleming based Moonraker villain Hugo Drax on a real military industrialist he encountered in Nazi Germany.
The group, whose name translates as the 'Bond Club', say that Fleming obtained top secret papers which he used to craft fictional versions of men he came across.
In the Moonraker novel Drax poses as a British army veteran working on a rocket project for Britain, before he is unmasked as Graf Hugo von der Drache - a Nazi seeking revenge for his country's defeat.
The villain is depicted as having worked for Rheinmetall-Borsig, a real Dusseldorf-based firm which manufactured artillery and ammunition for the German war effort.
The Bond Club believes Fleming saw filed seized from Rheinmetall and other firms, such as Krupp.
Tobias Schwesig, the club's chairman, said: 'In the films you have these characters - they look like normal Englishmen or industrialists, and then it turns out they're bad guys, Nazis, who want to destroy England or America.'
Ian Fleming's role in naval intelligence saw him help plan key operations and create an elite unit of commandos tasked with seizing enemy documents
'He often had a real, probably a real person back in mind, I think.'
On Drax, he added to The Times: 'The villains in Bond feel so real because Fleming knew exactly how Nazi companies operated.
'This is particularly clear in the character of Hugo Drax in Moonraker.'
The Bond Club's members also believe that the town in which they are based, Wattenscheid in western Germany, was the fictional Bond's birthplace.
Fleming himself was always vague on the subject.
While working in his clandestine role, Fleming founded what was known as 30 Assault unit (30AU).
In early 1945, as Allied forces were fighting their way through Germany, the group were ordered to seize enemy documents and gathering any more information that might prove useful.
Fleming also worked in another unit, T-Force, which captured German scientific and technical know-how and brought it to the Allies.
They also brought Nazi rocket scientists to Britain before they were captured by the advancing Russians.
The special unit was lightly armed, highly mobile and, following the D-Day landings, tasked with seizing anything of military value.
The Bond Club also claim that one of the key henchman in Moonraker - Dr Walter - was based on the real scientist Dr Hellmuth Walter, who ran the Walterwerke factory in Kiel, Northern Germany, which was secured by T-Force in 1945.
It was responsible for the design of the engines used in V1 and V2 rockets.
The link was previously highlighted by military historian Sean Longden, who revealed many other resemblances between Fleming's work and the plot of Moonraker.
He also highlighted how, in the book, 50 German scientists – described as 'more or less all the guided-missile experts the Russians didn't get' – are working on the Moonraker project.
T-Force had extracted Nazi rocket scientists from the Soviet zone and Dr Walter assisted in this.
The 1979 film, starring Roger Moore as 007 and Michael Lonsdale as Drax, bears little resemblance to Fleming's book.
The Walter character does not feature at all.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Rita Ora looks incredible in a black lace bra and tiny hot pants as she performs at a summer concert in Hamburg
Rita Ora looked incredible as she performed at a summer concert in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday. The singer, 34, wore a black lace bra and tiny hot pants as she celebrated the season opening at Westfield Hamburg-íœberseequartier. She teamed her outfit with a semi-sheer snake print blouse and a pair of knee-high leather boots. Rita accessorised her outfit with oversized sunglasses and some chunky silver jewellery. The musician played a number of chart-topping hits such as Hot Right Now and Your Song. Rita was recently left cringing after a ukulele busker hopped in her car to give an impromptu performance of his original tune, Dolla Dolla. The musician known as 'Liam C', real name Liam Cowan, went viral last year for his 'cringe-worthy' serenade of Dua Lipa, 29, and has also bombarded fellow stars including Stormzy, 31, at Glastonbury Festival. Now, a new video shared by Liam on Instagram sees the musician enthusiastically playing his tune to an uncomfortable-looking Rita. At the beginning of the clip, Rita gets escorted to her car by security as she is mobbed by fans and photographers shouting out her name. Meanwhile, Liam could be seen pushing his way through people to get into Rita's car as well with his cameraman. Once inside the car, Liam introduced Rita to the camera and said: 'We just had an absolute madness.' He continued: 'Very very lovely of her to just let me come in her car so I can play her a good tune. Is that alright? Rita simply replied: 'Always.' Liam then explained what his song is about, he said: 'This is called Dollar Dollar. So, like I'm living out my rucksack, running around doing the whole Ed Sheeran thing, doing everything I can to get noticed. So this is my song about that.' As he began to strum on his ukulele, Rita's unimpressed expression said it all, and she appeared lost for words. Following his quick performance, Liam asked Rita: 'Was it good?' and she politely replied: 'I loved it.' After posting the video to his Instagram, several people flocked to the comment section to share their opinions on the 'cringe-worthy' moment. One jokingly quipped: 'Her face says it all (laughing emojis); 'She was stressed (crying emoji)'; 'She's kool but she don't like it (laughing emoji).' Last year, Liam claimed he 'blagged' his way into Glastonbury Festival without a ticket in a bid to promote his fledgling music career.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit rising star becomes unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as race to be new 007 heats up
Industry insiders and bookmakers are taking serious notice of the new contender RACE GEARS UP Brit rising star becomes unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as race to be new 007 heats up A BRITISH rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up. Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role has been heating up, and fans all have their own theories. 5 A British rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up Credit: Alamy 5 Aaron Pierre is emerging as a front runner for the iconic Bond role Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 The star is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad and Rebel Ridge Credit: YouTube British actor Aaron Pierre, 31, is now emerging as a frontrunner for the iconic role. And industry insiders and bookmakers are taking serious notice of the new contender. Following a leak by industry insider Daniel Ritchman, it has been revealed Aaron is in talks for the role reported GBNews. Aaron is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad, Rebel Ridge, and Disney's upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. And rising betting odds are putting the young actor firmly in the frame for the coveted spot. Bookmakers now have Aaron gaining ground, as his odds narrow to place him alongside all the familiar contenders. Currently, Theo James leads the pack with odds of 5/2 followed by Henry Cavill at 3/1 and Jack Lowden at 4/1. While, Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, a huge favourite, has fallen to 5/1. Aaron, 34, fuelled rumours he'd bagged the role after signing a deal with Omega - the brand of watch the 007 spy wears. Omega has been supplying timepieces to the iconic literary and movie character since the release of 1995 flick, Golden Eye. For Your Eyes Only, Official Trailer The Sun told last year how Aaron had been offered the job - with insiders saying at the time Eon Productions were keen to snap him up. Despite that, still at the top is fellow Brit hunk Theo who fans are convinced will lead the race to victory. Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy is a current favourite to be named as the next 007 baddie. It's also been confirmed that Bond will still be a British man despite being sold to 'woke' Hollywood streaming site Amazon. Timeline of James Bond actors Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007. The first ever James Bond film was in 1962, and this is who has played the lead role over the years: Sean Connery - The late star was the first ever actor to play Bond, and reprised the role for seven movies. George Lazenby - The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy. Roger Moore - The late movie star spent 12 years making seven films in the famous franchise. Timothy Dalton - The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Pierce Brosnan - The handsome star played Bond for four movies from 1995 to 2002. Daniel Craig - The British star was the first blonde James Bond and the sixth actor to win the role in 2005. Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007's stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson insisted the spy would retain his nationality and gender. Barbara, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal. Insiders have hit back at fears the streaming giant - owned by Jeff Bezos - will turn Bond 'woke'. An insider told the Mail on Sunday: 'Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth - and he has to be male.' 5 Aaron Taylor-Johnson is thought to already have agreed to the Bond role Credit: Getty
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Brit rising star becomes unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as race to be new 007 heats up
A BRITISH rising star has become an unexpected new frontrunner to play James Bond as the race to be the new 007 heats up. Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role has been heating up, and fans all have their own theories. 5 5 5 British actor Aaron Pierre, 31, is now emerging as a frontrunner for the iconic role. And industry insiders and bookmakers are taking serious notice of the new contender. Following a leak by industry insider Daniel Ritchman, it has been revealed Aaron is in talks for the role reported GBNews. Aaron is best known for his performances in The Underground Railroad, Rebel Ridge, and Disney's upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. And rising betting odds are putting the young actor firmly in the frame for the coveted spot. Bookmakers now have Aaron gaining ground, as his odds narrow to place him alongside all the familiar contenders. Currently, Theo James leads the pack with odds of 5/2 followed by Henry Cavill at 3/1 and Jack Lowden at 4/1. While, Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, a huge favourite, has fallen to 5/1. Aaron, 34, fuelled rumours he'd bagged the role after signing a deal with Omega - the brand of watch the 007 spy wears. Omega has been supplying timepieces to the iconic literary and movie character since the release of 1995 flick, Golden Eye. The Sun told last year how Aaron had been offered the job - with insiders saying at the time Eon Productions were keen to snap him up. Despite that, still at the top is fellow Brit hunk Theo who fans are convinced will lead the race to victory. Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy is a current favourite to be named as the next 007 baddie. It's also been confirmed that Bond will still be a British man despite being sold to 'woke' Hollywood streaming site Amazon. Timeline of James Bond actors Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007. The first ever James Bond film was in 1962, and this is who has played the lead role over the years: Sean Connery - The late star was the first ever actor to play Bond, and reprised the role for seven movies. George Lazenby - The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy. Roger Moore - The late movie star spent 12 years making seven films in the famous franchise. Timothy Dalton - The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Pierce Brosnan - The handsome star played Bond for four movies from 1995 to 2002. Daniel Craig - The British star was the first blonde James Bond and the sixth actor to win the role in 2005. Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007's stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson insisted the spy would retain his nationality and gender. Barbara, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal. Insiders have hit back at fears the streaming giant - owned by Jeff Bezos - will turn Bond 'woke'. An insider told the Mail on Sunday: 'Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth - and he has to be male.' 5
