PRINCE NICHOLAS WLADIMIROVITCH ORLOFF

• Document Type: FOIA
• Keywords: ORLOFF
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005605479
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: March 2, 2011
• Case Number: F-2011-00201
• Publication Date: August 11, 1944

cJ"#
OFFICE OF STRAQ IG ..
X-2 BRANCH
MEMOPANDIJN FOR: Mr. C.rron
6
Attached is an eleven page autobiographical sketch by
Prince Nicholas Wladimirovitch Orloff. You requested infor-
mation on the subject on July 31, 1944.
APPROVED FOR RELEASE - CIA INFOr1 DATE:
24-Feb-2011
Horace W: Peters
X-2 Branch
31 AUG81 -
/ ? 3/3413717
 Name:, NICHOLAS W. 0RLOFF
Address: 27 East 62nd Street, New York 21, N.Y. Tel:REgent 4-1242
Nationality: American citizen, naturalized March 9, 1944, District
Court of New York, Naturalization Certificate if 5907568.
Date of birth: February 28, 1895, in St. Petersburg (now Leningrad),
Russia
Parents: Wladimir N..Orloff (prince), Lieut.-General, Chief of
the Tsar's Military Field Chancellery, later Aide to
the Viceroy of the Caucasus for Civilian Affairs.
Deceased.
Marital status: Married.
rst marriage, in 1917, to Princess Nadejda Petrovna
of Russia, daughter of Grand Duke Peter Nikolaievitch
of Russia, and Grand Duchess Militza (born Princess of.
Montenegro, sister to Queen Helena of Italy) ;::terminated
by divorce in 1940.
Second marriage, in 1940, to Miss Mary R.]~Shuck, of
Shenandoah, Penna., American born citized.\\
Children: /From first marriage, two daughters: 14 , b;r,n in
born in Paris 1921, according to last information re-
siding in France, probably at Fontainebleau with
mother.
No children from present marriage.
Family background: Orloffs were traditionally soldiers and dip-
lomats for many generations back, Orloff brothers of
Catherine the Great's time brought the gamily into the
limelight. Greet-grandfather, Alexis Feodorovitch
Orloff, fought in all battles of Napoleonic wars, then
accomplished many diplomatic missions and terminated
career as President of Council of Ministers under Tsar
Alexander II. 6oviet "History of Diplomacy" speaks
highly of his diplomatic ability. Gained reputation
by clever handling of Paris Peace Conference in 1856,
after Crimean war, at which represented Russian inte-
rests as plenipotentiary. Grandfather, Nicholas
Alexeievitch, heavily wounded as Colonel in Crimean
war. turned to diplomacy. was successively Russian Min-
Encyclopedia Britannica, "Orloff").
 Education: Graduated from Imperial Elaxander Lyceum, St.
Petersburg, in spring of 1915. Lyceum was "privileged"
Russian school, preparing chiefly for diplomatic and
state civil service. Tuition consisted of 5 years
0unior Classes (corresponding to American High School)
followed by 3 years of Senior Classes (corresponding
to American University); "ubjects (obligatory) in
university classes of Lyceum covered: Law (Encyclo-
pedia of, History of, Philosophy of; Roman, nussian
State, Russian Civil, Church, Criminal, Financial,
Police, Maritime, International etc); Philosophy,
Political Economy, Statistics; History (Russian, Uni-
versal); Literature (Russian, Universal, French, Ger-
man, English); Languages (Latin, French, German, Lnglish).
Special Military Education: Graduated in December 1915 from
Mikhailofsky Artillery School, St. Petersburg, it 8
out of over 400 candiates.. (School was war-time OCS
for artillery officers). Joined M.A.S. in spring of
1915, promoted corporal summer 1915, first sergeant
autumn 1915. Graduated with rank of Ensign December
1915.
Service: At outbreak of war in 1914, was nearly caught in Ger-
many but managed to reach Paris on one of last trains.
Was immediately employed by Imperial Russian Embassy,
Paris, with rank.-of "Attache A Titre Honoraire", and
assigned to coding and decoding messages between
French and Russian High Commands QOffice of Military
Attache).
In December 1914 returned to Russia via Italy, Greece,
Serbia, Dul,aria & Roumania, carrying diplomatic
valise.
After passing graduation exams at Lyceum, volunteered
for military service and was assignedito Artillery
School. Graduated from latter in December 1915 and
joined. First Battery, Imperial Russian Guard Horse
Artillery, with rank of Ensign. Active service with
Battery during summer and autumn of 1916, Brousiloff
advance (Stokhod River Sector). In autumn of 1916,
was promoted Second Lieutenant and awarded "Sword. of
St. Anne", with inscription "For Bravery". In late
autumn of same year, when Battery was withdrawn to
rear for winter with the entire Guard Cavalry Uorps,
got transferred to Caucasus and was appointed Orderly
Officer to Grand Duke 11 cholas (Commander in Chief of
Russian Armies, 1914-195 and Viceroy of Caucasus,
1915-1917), Commander in Chief of Caucasian Armies.
Carried out two missions: one in Persia, to report on
motor transport and one to Turkish Front (Black Sea
 sector, region of Tireboli) to repobt on artillery
supplies. Awarded St. Stanislas'3rd Class with
swords, persian order of Lion and Rising Sun 3rd
Class.
At outbreak of Revolution in spring of 1917, accom-
panied Grand Duke Nicholas to General Headquarters,
After Grand Duke's dismissal by Kerensky Government,
returned to First.Battery, Guard Horse Artillery, at
Front. Summer & autumn 1917, active service at front,
Stokhod & Tarnopol sectors. Promoted First Lieutenant
autumn 1917. Remained with Battery until end of Decem-
ber 1917, staying on after Bolshevist Revolution as
had been elected by.soldiers C.O. of the Artillery
Division. All other officers left soon after "October
coup d'etat". Being popular with the soldiers, ac-
cepted to stay and help bring batteries back-from
front, organize supplies for men etc. Last days of
December 1917, s:-eing full disintegration of army, went
to Crimea to rejoin family.
Remained in Crimea first under Bolshevist Regime, then
under German, Inspite of offers made by representa-
tives of German Command, refused to have anything to
do with them. When Germans evacuated Crimea after
Armistice, took over arms of local German detachment
and organized "officers patrols" to maintain law and
order. On occupation of Crimea by Volunteer Array of
General Denikin, joined that Army; no active service,
was soon appointed Liaison Officer and Interpreter
to British Fleet in Black Sea (command of Admiral
Calthorpe).
Seeing the hopelessness of the white 'ussian cause,
and disgusted with several wanton murders organized
by white officers, sought to get sent to Paris, where
family had considerable property. 'ppointment to
Staff of "Representative of White ussian Armies",
in Paris, -was received at moment when collapse of
Denikin's Army in Crimea was imminent. Helped Brit-
ish organize evacuation of several thousand refugees.
from Crimea to Malta; amongst these were Dowager
Empress Marie (sister of British queen Alexandra),
Grand duke Nicholas and other members of Russian It-
perial Family. Went to Malta on H.M.S. "Mal-borough",
remained there for a couple of weeks, attached to
Viceroy's (Lord Methuen's) Staff to help organize
refugee camps, then went on:-,to Paris.
From May 1919 served as Liaison Officer between
Representative of White Russian Armies (Gen. Tcher-
batcheff) and British Military Mission (Brigadier-
General Spears), latter attached to High Allied Com-
 mained there till final desintegration'bfWhite Rus-
sian movement in 1921. Promoted to Lieutenant Captain
autumn 1920, Captain on retirement in 1921. Awarded
Interallied Victory Medal. From then on, retired to
private life.
N
Present military status: Enlisted as Private, "F" Comapny, 7th
Regiment New York State Uuard.
Private,Life, 1921-1940: Family had considerable money and prop-
erty in France, uncle (father's brother, Alexis Or-
loff) having lived all his life in France and died there
in 1916. Uncle's house on the Rue Saint Dominique was
sold to "Credit T4ational" in 1920 - at one time U.S.
Government were interested in it, considering it for
LT.S. Erbassy. With capital received, acquired large
country estate in Sologne district, south of Orleans,
with small "chateau", where lived continously with
wife and family till 1932.
Experiences in Russia and insight of Versailles Peace
Conference Through work with British Military Mission
convincingly proved futility of Russian "emigre"
political intrigues, hopeless failure of "White" Rus-
sian ideology. ?'lacing all faith in future evolution
in Russia itself, not in various emigrant political
parties, refused to have anything to do with any of t
them, inspite of numerous solicitations.
Led life of "gentleman farmer", being able to live on
income from capital and adding considerably to latter
by various investments in the then booming stock-
market. Spent lot of time travelling in various parts
of France & Europe by car, chiefly for hunting and
fishing purposes. Took great interest in Russian His-
tory, formed very good Ttussian library on basis formed
by grandfather's library, that had been preserved in
Paris and Fontainebleau Chateau belonging to family
(Chateau de Fellefontaine, par Avon, Seine & Marne).
Numerous trips to Germany, Austria, combined hunting
with research in Russian History, visiting sites,
battlefields, archives. With wife collected material
for book on Empress Elizabeth Alexeievna, spouse of
Alexander I. (Book was. never published).
Wife being niece of Queen Helena of Italy, journeyed
at least twice a year to Italy, staying there, as guests
of Royal Family, at Dome in winter.and summer resi-
dence(St. Anna-di Valdieri, San Rossore). For conven-
ience of travel, King had diplomatic Italian passports
given out to Orloffs. This allowed free travel, with-
out visas and all trouble connected with previously
held Nansen passports.
 During these'years had numerous private political
conversations with King Victor-Emanuel: latter was
convinced of coming evolution in Soviet Russia and
foretold it was.comin,g great Power in Europe.
Another connection was that with Crown Prince Al-
brecht of Bavaria (son of Rupprecht)"'Close friend-
ship commenced with hunting expeditions in Bavaria,
ended by frequent visits to out-of-the-way Bavarian
districts. Albrecht was exceedingly popular among
Bavarian peasantry, spoke only in Bavarian dialect.
Through friendship with him, got insight into life
of lower Bavarian classes and many connections among
Tyrolean and Bavarian r'orest foresters, hunters,
farmers, poachers.
General state of yurope after Versailles brought con-
viction that 1914-1918 was only beginning of conflict.
Peace Treaty was inadequate and there would be a new
upheaval. Began considering going to U.S.A., having
always been interested in that country (probably
through reading of "St. Nicholas" magazine in child-
hood, conversations with american-born aunts - Suzy
Belosselsky, born Iselin and Julia Cantacuzene, born
Grant - also reading of American scientific and en-
gineering books). Visit to U.S. was undertaken with
wife in fall of 1924: several weeks were spent at
Detroit and Dearborn as guests of Mr. Henry Ford.
Latter thought projected Ford plants in Russia would
offer possibilities, as fall of Soviet Government was
expected soon. Ford offered job in U.S. till Russia
"opened up". Unfortunately, wife's determined oppo-
sition to leaving France and Europe forced refusal
of this offer.
Situation in Germany attracted considerable interest.
Beginnigg Hitler movement, first met with in Munich
during stay there, seemed to be the most likely to
succeed in Germany and therefore was followed very
closely from period even before Munich Bierhalle
Putsch. Interest was chiefly with possible develop-
ments as regards German-Russian relations and pos-
sible repercussions on Russia.
General state of decay in France, unreliability of
French politicians and Press made clear that. solution
of European problems, particularly Russian, would not
come from France. Life in French provincial regions
also brought conviction that French are deeply chau-
vinistic and hostile to all foreigners in general.
Hopes were that evolution of Russia towards more dem-
ocratic and nationalistic form of Government might
I
 bring about possibility of Russo-German Alliance.
Krueger crash and deflation in America caused great
financial loss, over 3/4 of capital. This forced
sale of estate in 1932, lived in rented house, at
Chantilly near Paris. At about this period, estrange-
ment with wife began.
Visits to Germany became more frequent, chiefly to
Munich; rate of exchange was very favorable, also
worked in Freiburg, Berlin, Frankfurt on Main and
Munich archives, collecting data on Bismarck book,
based on unpublished letters found amongst gradd-
father's papers. (Book was finally published 1936,
by C.H. Beck, Munich, under title: Burst Nikolai
Orloff - "Bismarck and Catharine Orloff, Lin Idyll
iii 'der Hohen Politik").
Previous friendship in Paris with American corres-
pondent of "Le Figaro", Morton Fullerton, brought
idea of taking to writing and looking for job as
newspaper correspondent. Job was now necessary as cap-
ital was dwindling. Various more or less successful
attempts at freemlancing were made, but chief im-
pulse came after publication of Bismarck book, which
met with success in Germany. Finally, managed to get
job as column writer with "Le Jour", -Paris daily
(Bailby, Director and proprietor). 111iriting was chiefly
on Russian questions.
First scoop was Anschluss: previous information al-
lowed going to Munich two weeks before it, and going
in to Austria with first German columns. French ed-
itors would not believe Anschluss was coming, refused
pay expenses trip to Munich. Trip was undertaken at
own hisk and expense, with understanding that if
events did break would be treated as star correspon-
dent. First telegrams were front-page sensation, but
on return to Paris editors refused pay expense list
or pay any bonus.
This gave rise to considerable ill-feeling towards
French in general. At moment of crisis before Mun-
ich, seeing that if it came to war France would be
destroyed, decided to go to Germany. :Leasons: Sev-
eral thousand marks were in Munich bank for royalties
of Bismarck book, could not be spent by non-resident.
already, for two years previous, had maintained small
flat in Munich, to which transported part of library,
collections etc., to utilise some of this money.
 On becoming resident in Germany, sought to find job
there. Had always sought this on basis of Russian
knowledge and experience. Found, however, that appar-
ently as soon as began exposing ideas of Russo-German
collaboration, met with stalemate. Changed tactics
this time, and went to Berlin, not Munich, playing
up knowledge of languages - English, French. Other
solution considered was to go to U.S.A., but this
seemed exceedingly difficult, due to financial condi-
tions and impending divorce, which was then under way,
In Berlin, shortly after Munich Conference, got work
as translator (English) for periodicals, also commer-
cial-work (catalogs of scientific instuuments, opti-
cal instruments). Soon was offered job of rending
news items on German Rundfunk in English on Koln,
Hamburg and short-wave hook-up (Commentating on sports
events, auto-races, shows, new inventions etc). Job
was highly paid.
Meanwhile, in Berlin met Miss Mary R. Shuck, then
playing as leading lady with the "English Theater" in
Berlin - a troupe subsidised by the British,-Government
for propaganda of latest British plays, C. Miss
Shuck played under stage name of "Marina Marshall".
It was a case of 'love at first sight, an we very
soon decided to marry: I tried to hurry my divorce
as quickly as possible.
While working for the Rundfunk (full report on this
will be found in my depositions before Immigration
Authorities on arrival in this country), and being
only in contact with the English Language set-up of that
organization, was all the time trying to find out
what German plans were as regards Russia. Inside in-
formation had did not at all correspond to the
'Russo-German pact of 1939. At first I thought that
Hitler had been clever enought to really change his
entire attitude towards Russia and search a working
collaboration between the two countries: but offers
that were then made to me to join the Russian section
of the Propaganda Ministry and several inside stories
I got hold of convinced me that the whole thing was a
bluff and mere stalling for time, that Hitler really
had not changed his ideology on Russia (as expressed
in "Mein Kampf").
At the outbreak of War, therefor immediately resigned
my job with the Rundfunk and declared my intention of
leaving the country: Although I had never been a
supporter of Communism or Bolshevism, yet if it came
to war between Germany and Russia my sympathies would
 be with the latter: I could not do anything against
my native land in war, it was rather a case of "right
or wrong, my country"; I could never appgrove of em-
igrants helping foreign countries against their own
People.
Ply passport situation at the time was very unsatisfac-
tory. Owing to the pending divorce, I could not de-
cently use the Italian Diplomatic passport her Royal
uncle had delivered me, and the Nansen passport de-
livered in France on which 1 had come to Germany was
nolonger valid. Indeed, having become a resident of
Germany, the only document I could get was a German
"Fremdenpass", a most unsatisfactory passport for
anyone to have under the circumstances.
However, there being nothing else to do, I managed to
obtain a Fremdenpass from the Berlin police and then
went to Vienna, to try and get a visa to one of the
Balkan countries from there. After considerable
trouble I finally got a visa to Yugoslavia, through
the former Russian Minister there and Prince Paul,
the Regent. Visa to Bulgaria was turned down by Kind
Boris, as I was divorcing his wife's cousin.
I arrived in Belgrade in November 1939. Miss Shuck
joined me there shortly afterwards, to await my di-
vorce. I brought with me a journalistic "scoop" -
the story of attempted suicide by Miss Unity Mitford,
Hitler's "perfect ;Nordic beauty". I sold this story
to the London "Daily Mail" through the Belgrade cor-
respondent of the paper, Mr. Atherton. I sold a few
stories through Atherton, splitting 50-50 with him.
Finally, my divorce came through after considerable
delay: it had-to be brought through the Russian Or-
thodox Church in Belgrade, instead of the Berlin
courts, as my wife was in France. 2
~
As soon as it came through, iniFebruary 1922, miss
Shuck and I were married at the Russian Church in
Belgrade. Shortly after we left for the U.S.A., via
Piraeus, Naples, Genoa, Marseilles, Gibraltar, on the
S.S. "Excalibur", the U.S. Export Lines. ,i+e arrived
in New '.Cork on March 25, 1940.
I was travelling on a visitor's visa, with a Yugo-
slav Nansen passport I had managed to get in exchange
for my German "Fremdenpass".
A few months later I went to Canada to, get a "prefer-
ence quota, and returned to this country as resident.
rC~',9
1'.
 9 -
On March 9th of this year I got my certificate of
naturalization.
Activities in U.S.A. After unsuccesful attempts to get into the
journalistic world, I started out as photographer,
specializing in color work and running (not very
succesfully) a small laboratory for turning out
Carbro prints. I also for several months got a job
as private secretary to a wealthy Yugoslav lady,
Madame de Lipovatz.
My first steady job was With the firm of "A la Vieille
Russie, Inc" of 785 Fifth Avenue. This was an antique
and jewelry concern of very high class, the owners
of which were known to me since old days in Russia,
and had subsequently for many years had a ahmp in
Paris. I was known to them as connoisseur or zussian
Art and specialist in Russian History. I worked with
them for over a year as sales manager.
After this, I was offered a job by Miss lizabeth
Arden, who had got to know me while I was with "A la
Vieille Aussie". She wanted me to be her "Executive
Secretary", and I accepted the job, working in the
offices of the "Elizabeth Arden Sales Corporation",
681 Fifth Avenue.
I left this job a few weeks ago, the reason being
that I could not (confidentially) get on with Miss
Arden, who is extremely difficult to work with. We
parted, however, as friends, by mutual understanding
and with a very satisfactory financial arrangement
for myself.
Reasons for wanting a government job: I have always been inter-
ested in international politics, military matters. I
believe my nature, training and experience lay more in
that direction, than in purely commercial activities.
I have a good command of languages, and decidedly a
facility for them. Besides Russian, I believe I may
claim to speak and write En lish and French perfectly:
German - nearly perfectly (English and French were
learnt in childhood). Besides these, I can make my-
self understood in Spanish, Serbian, Italian; know
Bavarian dialect.
Having become an American Citizen, I consider that I
could be of considerable usefulness in some branch,
as I have more than an average knowledge of European
conditions and life.// Unlike many immigrants, I have
no intention of returning to live in.Europe after the
on
th
ere
War: I would with considerable interest go
visits or service, but as an American citizen, as
 America is now my country and I entend to remain
American.
I believe that I could be of service to our Country,
in a suitable job.
I am, of course, perticularly interested in Russia
and Russian-American relations. As already stated, my
attitude always has been that the future of Russia will
be decided by internal evolution. I have also always
been convinced of the importance of.Russian-American
relations, that must necessarily play a leading role
in the post-war period.
ivy fttitude towards the Soviets, ever since the Russo-
German war broke out, has been one of deep sympathy
with the heroic efforts of the Russian Army and People.
I am completely opposed to the pro-German (or rather
anti*Soviet) train of thought of many White Russian
emigrants, who in their hatred for Bolshevism would
prefer to see Germany win in. Russia, childishly clos-
ins their eyes to the fatal results this would bring
to the United Nations Cause.
However, I have also strenuously avoided such emigre
circles as the Russian War Relief and the "Victory
Club". I cannot ..but think that these organizations
are not "the real thing" for me.
But as an American Citizen, I would gladly work thn
some Government office, where I would be of help in
the relations between our Country and the USSR, from
an American point of view. In such office, I would
not refuse to work in contact with representatives of
the Soviet Government, or even to go to Russia on a
mission if necessary. Indeed, this would deeply in-
terest me.
I fully realize that much depends on whether the
Soviet authorities would consent to accept me. I
have had no contact with Soviet officials anywhere,
eipher in this country or abroad; of course, their
attitude towards me is quite open to question.
However, if my interpretation of the workirEp of th'e
Soviet mind is correct, it may be that the;. would con-
sider me acceptable; I have noticed that they are
playing up very strongly to historical Russian names
Whether I interpret their attitude towards emigres.~with
historical names correctly remains to be seen:. but
 Documents of Identity that can be produced:
, aSi ~?) . -
1
3/ Mr. Norma irmour, U.S. iunbassador to Argentine
(knew family well in Russia, wife is childhood
friend).
4/. Mr. Jukowsk ,Tolinsky, -Senior Partner, American
International Underwriters Corp., 110:7ohn Stree
l/ ve s.eabolensky~; at pres
o ent Major U.S. Army.
te seas.
Mrs. Julia Cantacuzenrant, Columbus Road,
Washington D.C. (relative of f
I;'tfi nk they would have less against me, than a-ainst,
saa socialist of the Kerensky type.
Further detailed information can be supplied on any
particular point of this very sketchy outline.
1/ Naturalization Certificate
t',35h4
2/ Photostatic copy of Birth Certificate (original
filed, with Immigration