There's a lot of things that might surprise you about Roald Dahl, children's author and creator of such enduring, magical works as Matilda, The BFG, and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Did you know, for instance, that he wrote books for adults as well - and often pretty smutty ones at that? Or that he produced the screenplay for the Bond film You Only Live Twice, starring Sean Connery? Or that he pretty much despised children, Jews, and minorities? All true! Perhaps the most surprising hidden truth about Dahl's life, however, was the period he spent serving as a spy for the British government during World War II. As part of the same initiative that saw the recruitment of Ian Fleming, Christopher Lee, Noel Coward, and many others on this list, as a matter of fact. Stalling as a writer and frustrated with his lack of progress, Dahl was eager to enlist during the Second World War. Unfortunately, after a brief period as an ace RAF pilot he was injured in action and sent home. Undeterred, he was posted to an RAF training camp in Uxbridge, with instructions to become an instructor upon his recovery. Instead he got drafted into being assistant air attaché at the British Embassy in Washington, a position which later evolved into being a spy keeping an eye on the Americans. Having been promoted to flight lieutenant Dahl began working with Canadian spymaster William Stephenson, having been introduced by mutual friend and famous writer CS Forester. He supplied information to Stephenson and his organisation known as British Security Coordination, a section of MI6, serving to help promote Britain's interests and message in the United States. He also did his best to, ahem, convince various Washington politicians of the importance of getting involved in the fight. By which we mean he slept with a bunch of their wives in order to (figuratively) seduce their husbands. Sure, Fleming had some experience, but if you want your real life James Bond? Look no further than the future writer of James And The Giant Peach. Apparently.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
