The great MI6 Community JAMES BOND Advent Calendar

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• RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.

  December 22 Posts: 13,944

  

  
  21 Dec 2016
  What links Bond author Ian Fleming, a Norwegian spy on 'a night out in town' and a smuggled Christmas tree?

  Ian Fleming, a Spy and
  the smuggled
  Christmas Tree

  https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/ian-fleming-spy-smuggled-christmas-tree

  

  The story unravels in a document from our Caird Library and Archive written by Sir Norman Egbert Denning. He had set up the Operational Intelligence Centre in 1936 which formed part of the Naval Intelligence Division in World War II. During the war Fleming worked in Naval Intelligence, invited to join in 1939 with no prior experience but the right mix of charm, connections and a talent for administration. Fleming was soon promoted to commander and was given access to the most secret of intelligence and had contacts with other secret services on behalf of his Director, Admiral J. H. Godfrey. In 1941 he even joined Admiral Godfrey on a trip to America to help write a blueprint for the Office of Co-Ordinator of Information which later formed the basis of the CIA.
  
  Our tale took place during the war close to Christmas when a Norwegian agent had recently arrived in London after 'an adventurous journey'. Due to the dangers he'd faced Fleming decided to treat him to a night on the town, including a luxurious meal in the Savoy - 'a dinner rarely come by in wartime London'. It was only after this meal that the group piled into jeeps to notice two Christmas trees among the agent's gear. The trees had been procured from King Haakon's Summer Palace in Oslo and brought all the way to London where the agent intended to present one to his exiled king.

  

  On Fleming's suggestion they decided to put one up in Trafalgar Square with aircraft flares replacing fairy lights. Under the glow of their tree the group shared a bottle of Norwegian Aquavit and toasted to the liberation of Norway. Another document in our Denning collection gives some insight into the creation of James Bond. Fleming used his experiences in naval intelligence as a basis for the books but added the 'in the field' action which he had craved but never seen.
  
  It was at a dinner attended by Denning where we're told Fleming complained of the lack of glamour within the intelligence service. He then went on to recount adventures he would have had during the war if there'd been unlimited freedom, funds and bravery. Similar to the later adventures of James Bond, Fleming concluded 'Alas! I'm not a brave enough man'. Denning admits there was no way of knowing if Bond was already formed in Fleming's mind at the time but it is clear how his experiences led him to create the world's most famous spy.

  

  
  These are just some of the fascinating materials that can be found within our archive
  https://www.rmg.co.uk/node/548340?_gl=1*yk81ik*_up*MQ..*_ga*Nzg1NDQ5NTAwLjE3MzQ4MjkwMzA.*_ga_4MH5VEZTEK*MTczNDgyOTAyOS4xLjAuMTczNDgyOTAyOS4wLjAuMA..*_ga_7JJ3J5DBF6*MTczNDgyOTAzMC4xLjAuMTczNDgyOTAzMC4wLjAuMA..

  
• RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.

  December 23 Posts: 13,944

  Sharing some Seasonal Sentiments. And staples.
  
  

  

  
  
  Christmas cheer past.
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
• muzz100

  December 23 Posts: 90

  No idea if this is the right thread but I’m watching OHMSS for Christmas. My fave, because. Tell you what, though, the audio track what with all its overdubs, is a bit of a shocka. There’s at least one whole book to be written about the great actresses in this film, and their place in this 60s confection.
• RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.

  December 23 Posts: 13,944

  Maybe you'll like this fun item from Christmases past @muzz100 .
  
  Merry Christmas!
  
  James Bond's Christmas Vacation (3:51)
  
  
  
• Fire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!

  December 23 edited December 23 Posts: 25,441

  OHMSS top three Bond film often occupies the number one spot for me.
• QBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.

  December 23 Posts: 14,696

  OHMSS a Christmas favourite for many.
  
  
• Mathis1

  December 23 Posts: 7,624

  No 1 for me for a long time! Always look forward to my annual Christmas viewing!
• Fire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!

  December 24 Posts: 25,441

  Mathis1 wrote: »

  No 1 for me for a long time! Always look forward to my annual Christmas viewing!

  
  OHMSS, FRWL and TB have occupied my top three forever, they rotate in being number1.
• RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.

  December 24 Posts: 13,944

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• muzz100

  December 24 Posts: 90

  Well, those are all superb! Happy Christmas all!
• QBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.

  December 24 Posts: 14,696

  Fireworks have started.. not 12am yet though. Bout to watch OHMSS.
• Fire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!

  December 24 edited December 24 Posts: 25,441

  QBranch wrote: »

  Fireworks have started.. not 12am yet though. Bout to watch OHMSS.

  
  Merry Christmas, enjoy one of the greatest films.

  muzz100 wrote: »

  Well, those are all superb! Happy Christmas all!

  
  Merry Christmas.
  
  @RichardTheBruce DC sure did co star with some incredible ladies.
• ggl007 www.archivo007.com Spain, España

  December 24 Posts: 2,542

  And Merry Christmas from Spain! ;)
  
  
  
• RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.

  December 24 edited December 24 Posts: 13,944

  Merry Christmas All!
  
  
  
  London, England
  
  
  Edinburgh, Scotland
  
  
  Dublin, Ireland
  
  
  Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Wales
  
  
  Hamburg, Germany
  
  
  Sölden, Austria
  
  
  Nittedal, Norway
  
  
  Paris, France
  
  
  Venice, Italy
  
  
  Meteora, Greece
  
  
  Lisbon, Portugal
  
  
  Bilbao, Spain
  
  
  Tangier, Morocco
  
  
  Istanbul, Turkey
  
  
  Antananarivo, Madagascar
  
  
  Cairo, Egypt
  
  
  Udaipur, India
  
  
  Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam
  
  
  Bangkok, Thailand
  
  
  Hong Kong, China
  
  
  Macau, China
  
  
  Panmunjom, Republic of Korea
  
  
  Tokyo, Japan
  
  
  St. Petersburg, Russia
  
  
  Perth, Australia
  
  
  Victoria, British Columbia
  
  
  San Francisco, California
  
  
  Las Vegas, Nevada
  
  
  New Orleans, Louisiana
  
  
  Louisville, Kentucky
  
  
  Miami, Florida
  
  
  Washington, District of Columbia
  
  
  Saratoga, New York
  
  
  Lake George, New York
  
  
  New York City, New York
  
  
  Mexico City, Mexico
  
  
  Havana, Cuba
  
  
  Kingston, Jamaica
  
  
  
• RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.

  December 24 Posts: 13,944

  First posted on the board by @Fire_and_Ice_Returns in 2017, from a 2004 UNICEF promotion.
  
  

  

  The Fly Who Loved Me (2004) (UNICEF)

  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438032/
  3min | Animation, Short, Family | 10 December 2004 (UK)

  Directed by Dan Chambers
  Writing Credits Olly Smith
  
  Cast (in credits order)
  Roger Moore ... Father Christmas (voice) (as Sir Roger Moore)
  Olly Smith ... The Fly (voice)
  Produced by Olly Smith ... producer
  Film Editing by Dan Chambers
  Art Direction by Dan Chambers

  

  In Fly Land it's Christmas every Day!

  
  
  A Christmas message from Roger Moore
  
  

  

  https://www.unicef.org/emergencies

  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  So God bless us. Every one.
  
  

  
  
• Dragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com

  December 24 edited December 24 Posts: 18,348

  Happy Christmas from the late great John Gardner who loved this time of the year:
  
  
  
  (Image courtesy of The Complete Works of John Edmund Gardner Facebook page)
  
  
  
  John Gardner on location in Finland researching his third James Bond continuation novel, Icebreaker (1983).
• QBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.

  December 25 Posts: 14,696

  Merry Christmas everyone!
  

  Fire_and_Ice_Returns wrote: »

  QBranch wrote: »

  Fireworks have started.. not 12am yet though. Bout to watch OHMSS.

  Merry Christmas, enjoy one of the greatest films.

  Merry Christmas to you, mate! Will watch the second half of the film tonight.
• Fire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!

  December 25 Posts: 25,441

  Merry Christmas to all.
  
  Up at 6.30am today may the day go very slowly 🎅
• RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.

  12:17am edited 12:28am Posts: 13,944

  Aston Martin
  
  
  Lotus Esprit
  
  
  Land Rover
  
  
  Moke

  

  
  Ford