Surprise was lost at Dieppe and the Allied landing failed.
German firepower was distributed with deadly effect
because the port's defenders knew where the assault
would take place. It was information gained in advance
through the work of spies.
You don't have to be someone buried deep into your
enemy's military command to access information.
You pick up valuable tips just by hanging out at pubs
that are frequented by troops of a nearby base.
A few drinks always lubricates the conversation.
Maybe the table behind you talks of water sealing
their tanks. It's not a big deal by itself but it matters.
Casual references here and there eventually adds up
to making one big picture as to what's going on.
It's like the war poster says:
Loose Lips Sink Ships.
Analyzing the data gained from spying involves more
than your powers of deduction. Separating truth from
fiction makes up a sizable portion of the challenge of
knowing what is real. You could be fooled into investing
your time into sizing up a lie. As a result your leaders
are moving their forces to defend where their enemy isn't.
Your conclusion was based on the slight of hand
of a funhouse mirror.
One night a seaplane flew a courier bearing Top Secret
information for the commander of forces at Gibraltar.
German fighters patrolling the coast of Spain spotted
the plane and knocked it out of the sky and into the sea.
The courier's body washed ashore within a couple
of days, the satchel still attached to his chest.
A bomb designed to destroy the military documents
failed to explode, leaving sensitive Operation Torch
planning open for all eyes to see.
The body and satchel were eventually returned to
British authorities. Nazi sympathizers had the time
and opportunity to pass along critical military information.
Had the Allied invasion of North Africa been fatally
compromised? A new element of doubt was introduced
into further backing the venture. Still, they had gone
too far now to stop the landing. Cross your fingers and Go.
Wilhelm Canaris was head of German counterintelligence.
His job was to hunt down enemy spies. Maybe he did.
Eventually Hitler decided he didn't and Canaris was executed.
His allegiance was with the Allies. He was a mole in a
position to protect Allied spying. It's difficult to keep your
mind on your job when you have to wonder just how high
up the treachery goes in your organization.
Who can you trust?
Major General Mark Clark wore the silver oakleaf
designating a lieutenant colonel. He didn't want to be
identified were he captured by the Vichy. He was among
a small group that launched dinghies from a submarine
lying in darkness off the coast of Algeria. A clandestine
meeting with French leaders was arranged to
coordinate their strategy with American plans.
There was the risk it could be a trap.
Vichy police were tipped off and the house was raided.
Clark and his group made a mad dash for the surf
to evade capture. The venture was important enough
for the risk of capture to be worth taking.
Sometimes you have to place your trust in those you'd
rather not be around. It comes with the territory.
* * * * *
OVER EASY
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