Employees of external investigation Service of Russian Federation revere the memory of legendary Soviet intelligence agent Africa de Las Eras well-known as “Patrija”, informed to RIA News the head of Press department of external investigation Service Sergey Ivanov.
He reminded that on April, 26th is 100 years anniversary from the day of birth of “Patrii” - the person of unique destiny and the charming woman.
Africa de Las Eras is a legendary Soviet intelligence agent.
As Sergey Ivanov told, in lines of her biography there were war in Spain, fighting operations in guerrilla group in days of the second World War, Twenty years of work in the countries of Latin America as the illegal agent and many years of sincere love to our country which became her second Native land.
“In total in the Soviet agencies of state security she gave to service more than 45 years”, - said Ivanov.
Africa de Las Eras was born on April, 26th, 1909 in the city of Ceuta (Morocco). The father gave an unusual name to his daughter in honour of the African continent which sheltered him and his family. Till 1923 she studied in Madrid’s college, then continued her education at monastic school in the city of Melilla.
In the middle of 1933 Africa went to Spain, worked in Madrid on a cotton-mill, joined the ranks of communist party and soon took part in preparation of miner’s revolt in a province of Asturia. Carried out the most dangerous orders like distribute the weapon and communication between various groups of the risen. After revolt suppression she was more than a year on illegal position. With the beginning of civil war in Spain in 1936 Africa left to a front line to fight on the side of republicans.
In 1937 in Spain Africa started to co-operate with the Soviet intelligence agency, carried out its special tasks. Then in operative correspondence started to call her as “Patrija” that in a translation from Spanish means “Native land”. She left to the USSR and obtained the Soviet citizenship.
In days of the Great National War “Patrija” became radio operator intelligence-diversionary group “Winners”of a special purpose which ordered by Dmitry Medvedev. From time to time Africa had to participate in war operations of the group, to show boldness and courage at performance of tasks of command.
In the summer of 1944 the former guerrilla becomes the employee of intelligence. Besides Spanish language Africa knew French and Russian languages. In 1947 the Center made decision to send “Patriju” to one of the countries of Latin America. So that is how started the most complicated “business trip” in which she worked for 20 years. All this time intelligence agent successfully carried out responsible tasks of the Center.
“After she returned to Soviet Union in 1967 “Patrija” concentrated her work on preparation of young intelligence officers for illegal work. She helped her pupils to improve knowledge of Spanish language, acquainted with the norms of behaviour in different situations. She called her pupils as my children,” - told Ivanov.
He also informed us, how her former pupils responded about “Patrija”. “In the seventies I studied with her the regional geography and polishing of Spanish language. Meetings and close dialogue with her convinced me that ” Patrija ” was remarkable person and magnificent instructor”, - Ivanov gave us a word of one of her schoolgirls.
In 1976 for merits before our country the Decree of presidium of the Supreme Consil of the USSR Africa de Las Eras was awarded to the Order of Lenin. She also was awarded to the Order of Great National War of II-nd degree, two awards of the Red Star, many medals, including - two medals “For courage”, a breastplate “the Honourable employee of a state security”.
In 1985 the colonel de Las Eras at the age of 75 years retired. Has died on March, 8th, 1988.
