L'affaire Ike -- Kate Summersby: Lauran Paine's take

Adapted from this source: D - Day, by Lauran Paine. Pages 140 - 142.

"The Dwight Eisenhower affair, on the other hand, had fewer overtones of inadequate betrayal to it, but to security officials it was equally sensitive and embarrassing.

"When General Eisenhower first arrived in England he was assigned as chauffeuse a woman named Kate Summersby, who was in her thirties, divorced, formerly a model and actress.

"She was engaged to an American Colonel who was later killed in Tunisia.

"She became Eisenhower's companion, official hostess, confidential secretary and long - time associate.

"He arranged for Mrs. Summersby to be granted a commission in the American Women's Army Corps.

"She accompanied the Supreme Commander on many social occasions, and although she was in fact a British citizen she had been born Kathleen McCarthyMorrogh, off the shore of County Cork in Eire, upon ths island of Inish Beg.

"Technically, as a British subject, she was ineligible to become an officer of the united States Women's Army Corps.

"Also, technically, as an Irish woman, she did not qualify for knowledge of top - secret plans.

"Yet, she kept the Supreme Commander's secret diary, and officers at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) openly discussed restricted topics in her presence."

ENTER U.S. INTELLIGENCE!!

"Intelligence officials learned that she occasionally visited the bar at the Savoy Hotel where newsmen congregated.

"Here she frequently met the American newsman Frank McGee, who formed an attachment for Mrs. Summersby, and in fact became jealous of her close association with General Eisenhower.

"Eventually the Supreme Commander's infatuation reached a point where he wrote General Marshall for advice concerning a divorce from Mamie Doud Eisenhower so that he and Kay Summersby could be married.

"Marshall's reaction was predictable.

"He not only refused to consider the divorce but told Eisenhower that unless he ended his affair with Mrs. Summersby his career would be ruined.

"Churchill, too was greatly upset.

"Nor did official disapproval deter the Commander.

"Until he was called back to the United States in July 1945, General Eisenhower and Mrs. Summersby remained very close.

"Security was not breached, nor in fact, after a minute investigation of Kay Summersby, did the security people feel that it would be.

"Yet the possible effects of pubic disclosure of this affair never ceased to worry them."