Operation Underworld: The Secret WWII Alliance between The Navy and the Mafia

Episode Release Date: July 22, 2025
Podcast: REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana
Host: Luke Lamanna
Produced by: Wondery | Ballen Studios

Introduction

In this riveting episode of REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries, host Luke Lamanna unravels the clandestine collaboration between the United States Navy and the Italian Mafia during World War II, a partnership known as Operation Underworld. This alliance aimed to safeguard the strategic Port of New York from Nazi sabotage and espionage, highlighting a unique intersection between military intelligence and organized crime.

Background: The Threat to American Shores

[00:00 - 03:57]
World War II, particularly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, instilled fear among American civilians and military personnel that Nazi Germany might extend the conflict to U.S. soil. The Port of New York, a critical hub for deploying troops and supplies to Europe, emerged as a primary target due to its strategic importance.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt delegated the Navy with the responsibility of protecting the port. However, by early 1942, vulnerabilities surfaced when Nazi spies infiltrated the city, and Allied ships were being torpedoed near American shores by German U-boats, sometimes utilizing U.S.-supplied materials. The Navy's inability to effectively monitor and secure the vast network of docks highlighted the need for unconventional assistance.

Forming the Alliance: Navy Seeks Mafia Help

[03:57 - 18:23]

Faced with persistent threats and internal shortcomings, Naval Intelligence officers took a bold step by reaching out to the Mafia, the unofficial rulers of the Port of New York. This strategic move led to the inception of Operation Underworld, an uneasy but necessary collaboration between the Navy and organized crime figures.

Key Figures:

• Lieutenant Commander Charles Haffenden: Head of the investigative branch of the local Naval Intelligence office.
• Joseph "Socks" Lanza: A high-ranking member of the Luciano crime family, controlling the Fulton Fish Market.

Notable Moments:

• Commander Haffenden's Determination: Despite skepticism from his superiors, Haffenden was resolute in leveraging Mafia influence to bolster port security. He states, "I just wondered if the devil would make a deal with him." [33:58]

• Initiating Contact: District Attorney Murray Gerfein identifies Socks Lanza as a potential ally, navigating the delicate balance between prosecuting him and securing his cooperation for national security.

Operation Underworld in Action

[18:23 - 33:58]

With Socks Lanza on board, Operation Underworld leveraged the Mafia's extensive network to monitor and secure the waterfront. Key activities included:

• Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering: Mafia-controlled dock workers and union members acted as informants, providing critical insights into suspicious activities and potential sabotage.

• Infiltration of Rival Territories: Efforts to penetrate the Mangano crime family in Brooklyn and the Irish-controlled docks on Manhattan’s west side were met with resistance due to existing rivalries and mistrust.

Critical Incidents:

• The SS Normandy Fire Incident: A devastating fire at the SS Normandy, a ship being converted into a warship, raised suspicions of sabotage. Haffenden's investigation hinted at German involvement, prompting deeper collaboration with Mafia contacts to uncover espionage operations.

• Bribery and Espionage: An incident where Coast Guard officer John Cullen was approached and bribed by German agents underscored the immediacy of the threat. Cullen's integrity led him to alert Naval Intelligence, resulting in the discovery of German spies and explosives on Long Island.

Quotes:

• Commander Haffenden on Trusting the Mob: "They worked with them to manipulate me." [19:54]

• Gerfein's Convincing of Socks: "If there was anyone who could find out and help America, it was Sachs." [00:00]

Key Outcomes and Successes

[33:58 - 35:04]

The collaboration yielded significant results:

• Neutralization of Threats: The arrest of German spies, including George Dasch, who attempted to smuggle explosives and plan terror attacks in New York City, highlighted the effectiveness of the alliance. Haffenden remarks, "There were no major attacks on the Port of New York once the Mafia got involved."

• Expansion of Operations: Encouraged by initial successes, Operation Underworld extended its operations overseas, utilizing Luciano's connections in Sicily to aid the Allied invasion and dismantle Axis strongholds from within Europe.

Impact on Luciano and Haffenden:

• Lucky Luciano's Role: Despite serving a prison sentence for organized crime, Luciano's cooperation with the Navy not only expedited his release but also reinforced his leadership within the Mafia. However, his deportation to Italy post-war marked the end of his direct involvement in American affairs.

• Commander Haffenden's Legacy: Though highly effective, Haffenden's contributions remained classified, leaving him unrecognized during his lifetime. His dedication to national security, often at personal cost, underscores the complexities of wartime alliances.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Operation Underworld

[35:04 - End]

Operation Underworld stands as a testament to the extraordinary measures employed during World War II to safeguard American interests. By bridging the gap between military intelligence and organized crime, the Navy effectively protected one of its most vital assets— the Port of New York. While the partnership blurred moral and legal lines, the absence of significant sabotage attempts thereafter suggests a measure of success.

The episode wraps up by pondering the ethical implications and the secrecy surrounding such alliances, emphasizing that in times of dire need, unconventional partnerships can emerge to ensure national security.

Final Reflection by Luke Lamanna: "Operation Underworld shows us how war can push us to build bridges where we never thought we could, and that being a criminal doesn't mean that someone can't also be a patriot."

Additional Resources

For those interested in delving deeper into the subject, Luke Lamanna recommends:

• Books:

  • Operation How: The Mafia and US Government Teamed Up to Win World War II by Matthew Black

• Articles:

  • Strange Bedfellows by Michael Whitehouse, U.S. Naval Institute
  • Project: The U.S. Navy Secret Pact with the Mafia by Gregory Peduto, Warfare History Network

Credits

• Written by: Amin Osman
• Sound Design: Andre Plews
• Producers: Christopher B. Dunn, John Reed
• Associate Producers: Ines Renick, Molly Quinlan Artwick
• Fact Checking: Sheila Patterson
• Script Editing: Scott Allen, Luke Baratz
• Coordinating Producer: Samantha K. Collins
• Production Support: Avery Siegels
• Executive Producers: Mr. Ballin, Nick Witters
• Wondery Senior Producers: Laura, Donna Palavota, Dave Schilling, Rachel Engelman
• Senior Managing Producer: Nick Ryan
• Managing Producer: Olivia Fonti
• Wondery Executive Producers: Aaron O'Flaherty, Marshall Louie

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