English Speaking German Spies

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bpfeffer
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English Speaking German Spies

#1

Post by bpfeffer » 14 Nov 2002, 21:57

After watching a documentary regarding the Battle of the Bulge, there was some mention of English Speaking German Spies operating behind the Allied Front. Apparently these spies misdirected Allied forces by giving false information to advancing troops. Does anyone know where I could find more information about this topic or does anyone have any first hand knowledge about this?

Caldric
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#2

Post by Caldric » 14 Nov 2002, 22:14

This was accomplished by the German Commando Otto Skorzeny. It was successful and you can find information about the operation all over the internet by searching for Otto Skorzeny. For some of the commandos the end was a firing squad, international law permits the execution of soldier caught wearing the uniform of their enemy. Many however got away, there is some rumor that during the confusion of the trials and executions that perhaps some Americans were also shot by mistaken identity.

Hitler and Otto
Image

Fate of the German Commandos that were caught:
Image
MPs tie German commando Manfred Pernass to a stake for his execution. Pernass was captured when he was stopped at an American roadblock dressed in GI clothes.

http://motlc.wiesenthal.com


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HaEn
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bastogne

#3

Post by HaEn » 15 Nov 2002, 00:00

Many of us, who were listed as speaking English, were approached and asked if we were interested in a special training; if I remember it well, in about end November '44. There were very few takers, and of those many were rejected as not proficient enough. (they came back to the outfit). There were stories after the war that a number successfully had integrated with the U.S. troops and "repatriated" to the US where they disappeared. Fact or fiction ? who knows. HN

MaPen
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#4

Post by MaPen » 15 Nov 2002, 00:19

I'd like to add to Caldric's post that the unit in question is SS-Panzer-Brigade 150.

If you are interested in the topic than check this book http://www.angelraybooks.com/books/jjfpub/0023jj.htm

regards

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Christian Ankerstjerne
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#5

Post by Christian Ankerstjerne » 15 Nov 2002, 00:53

I've made a small article about it:
http://www.panzerworld.net/Pzdivs/PZB150.htm

Christian

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bpfeffer
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Thank You so much

#6

Post by bpfeffer » 17 Nov 2002, 08:54

Thank you all for the enthusiastic replies and information.
I find this a fascinating topic. :lol:

Caldric
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#7

Post by Caldric » 17 Nov 2002, 12:37

Otto post war life is rather exciting itself.

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Daniel L
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#8

Post by Daniel L » 17 Nov 2002, 14:20

It was called Operation Greif.
Operation Greif was the planned assassination of Allied leaders, notably General Eisenhower, but there is no evidence of such plotting in the plan.

The idea for the ground operation was probably Hitler's and the leader, Lt. Col. Otto Skorzeny, was selected personally by Hitler. Skorzeny had achieved a considerable reputation as a daring commando leader, had rescued Mussolini from the Italians, and had seized the Hungarian Regent, Admiral Miklos von Nagybanya Horthy, when the Hungarian regime began to waver in its loyalties. For Operation Greif, Skorzeny formed the special Panzer Brigade 150 (or Brandenburger) numbering about two thousand men, of whom one hundred and fifty could speak English. [9] Captured Allied equipment (particularly tanks and jeeps), uniforms, identification papers, and the like were hastily collected at the front and sent to Skorzeny's headquarters. The disguised jeep parties did go into action with varying degrees of success on 16 December, but the Brandenburger Brigade would be engaged as a unit only in a single and abortive skirmish near Malmedy five days later.

The airborne phase of Operation Greif, whose code name was Hohes Venn, seems to have been completely an afterthought, for the orders setting up the operation were not issued until 8 December.
from: http://www.army.mil/CMH-pg/books/wwii/7-8/7-8_11.htm

regards

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