Dušan "Duško" Popov was a Serbian double agent who played a significant role as a spy during World War II. Born on July 10, 1912, in Titel, a town in Austria-Hungary (now Serbia), Popov was raised in a wealthy family. His father was a prominent lawyer, and his mother was a socialite who was close friends with the Serbian royal family. Popov was educated in Germany, where he earned a degree in engineering. He was also a skilled athlete and a talented violinist.
At the start of World War II, Popov was recruited by the Abwehr, the German military intelligence agency. However, Popov decided to become a double agent and offered his services to MI6, the British intelligence agency. The British code-named him "Agent Tricycle" due to his reputation as a playboy who drove a tricycle. Popov was initially tasked with gathering intelligence on Germany's military plans in the Balkans, but he soon became involved in broader espionage activities.
Popov traveled frequently between the UK and the US, using his charm and connections to gather information on German military plans and sabotage operations. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle, which included staying in the best hotels, driving expensive cars, and throwing lavish parties. Popov's lifestyle was an important part of his cover as a spy, as it helped to reinforce his reputation as a wealthy and influential businessman.
Popov was also known for his ability to think on his feet and to improvise in dangerous situations. He was once arrested by the FBI for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, but he managed to talk his way out of the situation and even convinced the FBI agents to buy him a round of drinks. Popov was also involved in several dangerous missions, including a sabotage operation that involved sinking a German ship in the port of New York.
Popov provided critical information to the FBI about a planned attack on the US by Germany, which helped to prevent the attack from taking place. He also played a key role in Operation Fortitude, a deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the location and timing of the D-Day invasion. Popov provided false information to the Germans about the Allied invasion plans, which helped to convince them that the main invasion would take place in Calais rather than Normandy.
Despite his success as a spy, Popov's life was not without its challenges. He was often targeted by the Germans, who suspected that he was a double agent. Popov was also a womanizer, and his affairs with several women, including a German actress, led to several close calls with German intelligence agents. Popov was once forced to flee Germany after a German intelligence officer discovered his affair with the actress.
After the war, Popov worked for various intelligence agencies and continued to be involved in international espionage. He also became involved in business ventures and was known for his success as a businessman. However, Popov's double life as a spy took a toll on his personal life, and he struggled with alcoholism and a failed marriage.
Popov died in 1981 in Opio, France. His role as "Agent Tricycle" during World War II was instrumental in helping the Allies to win the war. Popov's ability to gather critical intelligence and to deceive the Germans played a key role in several important operations, including Operation Fortitude. His life and career as a spy have been the subject of several books and films, including the James Bond novel "Casino Royale," in which the character of Bond is based in part on Popov.
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