Is it true after WWII British agents went to Cologne to forcefully obtain the secret for 4711 eau de cologne,?

threatening the current owner, an elderly woman, with prison even when she was taken ill through their bullying?

Not true.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Italian expatriate Johann Maria Farina (1685-1766) created a new fragrance and named it after his new residence, Cologne, Eau de Cologne (Water from Cologne). In the course of the 18th century the fragrance became increasingly popular. Eventually, Cologne merchant Wilhelm M眉lhens secured the name Farina, which at that time had become a household name for Eau de Cologne, under contract and opened a small factory at Cologne's Glockengasse. In later years, and under pressure from court battles, his grandson Ferdinand M眉lhens chose a new name for the firm and their product. It was the house number that was given to the factory at Glockengasse during French occupation of the Rhineland in the early 19th century, number 4711. In 1994, the M眉lhens family sold their company to German Wella corporation. Today, original Eau de Cologne (German: K枚lnisch Wasser) still is produced in Cologne by both the Farina family (Farina gegen眉ber since 1709), currently in the eighth generation, and by M盲urer & Wirtz, who took over from Procter & Gamble (who had in turn acquired Wella in 2003) in 2006.

Why in hell would they wanna do that? Ever smelled it? It's so bad...
There is a bank in Cologne with a fountain in the main hall scented with 4711. I don't understand how the employees can take working there.

Why would they want to? It smells awful. It's a cologne only old grandmas wear.

Otto, you guys crack me up...I love German stuff, but not that.
I bought it and still have it...I will pass it on just about full to the next generation....YUK.....
Oh yeh and ever since British secret agents have been required to use it...that is why they don't stay secret for long...YUK...