Deaths on January 10

Gevork Vartanian, Russian intelligence agent (b. 1924)

Gevork Andreevich Vartanian (Armenian: Գևորգ Վարդանյան, Russian: Гево́рк Андре́евич Вартаня́н; 17 February 1924 – 10 January 2012) was an exceptionally distinguished Soviet Armenian intelligence officer whose impactful career, spanning many decades, remained largely shrouded in secrecy until his later years. Born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Vartanian moved to Tehran, Iran, at a young age with his family, where he began his clandestine work for Soviet intelligence at merely 16 years old. This early start marked the beginning of an extraordinary life dedicated to counter-espionage, culminating in his recognition as a Hero of the Soviet Union, the highest honor bestowed in the USSR, for his unparalleled contributions to national security.

Vartanian is most profoundly remembered and celebrated for his pivotal role, alongside his equally remarkable wife, Goar Vartanian, in meticulously thwarting Operation Long Jump. This audacious and perilously conceived Nazi assassination plot, personally initiated by Adolf Hitler, aimed to eliminate the "Big Three" Allied leaders – Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom, and Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States – during the critical Tehran Conference in November 1943. Had this audacious scheme succeeded, it would have dealt a devastating blow to the Allied war effort, potentially altering the course of World War II by dismantling the coalition's leadership and sowing irreparable disarray.

The Tehran Conference: A Pivotal Allied War Council

The Tehran Conference, held from November 28 to December 1, 1943, represented the very first face-to-face meeting between the paramount leaders of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its central purpose was to coordinate the crucial Allied military strategy against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, with a particular emphasis on the long-anticipated opening of a vital second front in Western Europe. This summit was a highly sensitive and high-stakes event, bringing together the most powerful figures of the anti-Axis coalition in a single, relatively exposed location. Such a congregation made them an irresistible and prime target for aggressive Nazi sabotage and espionage operations, hence the genesis of Operation Long Jump.

Operation Long Jump: Hitler's Audacious Assassination Scheme

Codenamed "Operation Long Jump" (German: Unternehmen Weitsprung), this chilling Nazi plot was meticulously planned at the highest echelons of the Third Reich's intelligence and security apparatus. Its direct strategic oversight was entrusted to Ernst Kaltenbrunner, the formidable head of the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA) and one of the highest-ranking SS officials, widely known for his ruthless efficiency in orchestrating widespread Nazi atrocities. The operational leadership, requiring extreme precision and daring, was assigned to the famed SS-Standartenführer Otto Skorzeny, a commando renowned for his audacious special operations, most notably the daring rescue of Benito Mussolini. The comprehensive plan involved parachuting a team of elite German agents into Tehran, where they were tasked with establishing contact with existing Nazi sympathizers and local networks, ultimately leading to the coordinated assassination of the Allied leaders during the conference.

The Vartanians' Decisive Counter-Operation: Unraveling the Plot

It was Gevork Vartanian, at the helm of a small, highly dedicated group of seven young Soviet intelligence agents, who first detected the ominous signs of the impending German operation. Operating as "legal" agents (meaning without diplomatic cover, blending into the local population) in Tehran, the Vartanians had painstakingly cultivated an extensive network of informants and maintained an exceptionally vigilant watch on all suspicious activities. Their initial breakthrough came from intercepting unusual radio transmissions, which provided the crucial lead that directed them to a safe house used by the German agents already present in Tehran. Through continuous, painstaking surveillance and masterful counter-intelligence work, Vartanian’s team successfully infiltrated the German network, systematically gathering vital intelligence and closely monitoring the arriving German operatives. Crucially, they swiftly identified the advance teams of the German intelligence service (Abwehr) and their local contacts, providing timely information that allowed Soviet counter-intelligence to intercept and neutralize the main assault force before it could even commence its deadly mission.

Goar Vartanian, Gevork's wife and an equally skilled and courageous intelligence officer, worked tirelessly and seamlessly alongside him. Their collaborative efforts were indispensable in unraveling the intricate web of the German plot, leveraging their combined expertise in espionage and counter-espionage. By the time Skorzeny's main assassination team was ready to be deployed, the Vartanians had already supplied the necessary comprehensive intelligence for Soviet and British security forces to swiftly round up the German operatives and their local collaborators, effectively dismantling Operation Long Jump before it could pose any real, tangible threat. This extraordinary feat of counter-espionage not only prevented a potentially catastrophic blow to the Allied war effort but also safeguarded the essential unity and leadership required for the ultimate defeat of the Axis powers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gevork Vartanian and Operation Long Jump

Who was Gevork Vartanian?

Gevork Vartanian was a highly decorated Soviet Armenian intelligence officer (1924-2012) who began his secret service career at the age of 16 in Tehran, Iran. He is renowned for his instrumental role, alongside his wife Goar Vartanian, in foiling a Nazi assassination plot against key Allied leaders during World War II, earning him the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

What was Operation Long Jump?

Operation Long Jump was a top-secret and extremely dangerous Nazi German plan, conceived by Adolf Hitler himself. Its objective was to assassinate the "Big Three" Allied leaders—Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Franklin D. Roosevelt—during the Tehran Conference in November 1943. The plot was headed by Ernst Kaltenbrunner and operationally led by the famous commando Otto Skorzeny.

Who were the "Big Three" leaders targeted in Tehran?

The "Big Three" refers to the supreme leaders of the primary Allied powers during World War II: Joseph Stalin, the Premier of the Soviet Union; Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of the United States. Their collective leadership was vital for the Allied war effort.

How did Gevork Vartanian thwart Operation Long Jump?

Gevork Vartanian, leading a dedicated team of young Soviet agents, successfully detected German radio transmissions and monitored suspicious activities in Tehran. Through continuous surveillance, infiltration, and masterful counter-intelligence, his team identified and exposed the German advance operatives and their local networks. This crucial intelligence enabled Soviet and British security forces to neutralize the threat and apprehend the German agents before the main assassination team could execute its mission.

Was Goar Vartanian also involved in thwarting the plot?

Yes, Goar Vartanian, Gevork's wife, was an equally skilled and indispensable intelligence officer who worked directly alongside him. Her contributions were vital in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and dismantling the intricate Nazi plot, making their partnership one of the most remarkable and effective in the history of Soviet intelligence.