The Spy Who Duped Hitler | Episode 2: Washed Up
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey
Produced by Wondery
Introduction to Operation Mincemeat
“Operation Mincemeat was an ambitious deception strategy crafted by British intelligence to mislead Nazi Germany about the Allies' true invasion plans during World War II.”
In this gripping episode of The Spy Who, hosts Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey delve deeper into the clandestine Operation Mincemeat. The operation aimed to convince Hitler that the Allies intended to invade Greece and Sardinia instead of the true target, Sicily. Central to this deception was Glyndor Michael, a lifeless corpse repurposed to carry fake intelligence.
Preparing the Corpse
At the heart of the operation were intelligence officers Charles Cholmondeley and Ewan Montague. The episode opens on April 17, 1943, in the Hackney Mortuary, London, where Cholmondeley struggles to fit military boots onto Glyndor Michaels’ frozen feet. The task appears Sisyphean until Coroner Bentley Purchase arrives with a solution.
“He’s doing more for his country dead than he ever did when he was alive.”
— Cholmondeley [00:59]
Purchase suggests using an electric heater to thaw Glyndor’s feet, allowing the boots to fit properly. Despite the gruesome nature of the task, the team works meticulously to prepare Glyndor as Major William Martin, complete with a Royal Marine uniform and a deceptive briefcase containing falsified invasion plans.
The Transportation Challenge
With the body prepared, Cholmondeley and Montague face the daunting task of transporting Glyndor to Scotland. They board a specially adapted van driven by the reckless race car driver-turned-MI5 chauffeur, Horsefall, whose erratic driving nearly jeopardizes the mission.
“I thought you were in a hurry.”
— Montague [04:54]
The journey is fraught with peril as the van speeds through blacked-out streets, narrowly avoiding accidents. Upon reaching Greenock Docks, they transfer Glyndor to a motorboat destined for a British submarine, the HMS Seraph.
Arrival and Deployment
Lt. Bill Jewell, captain of the HMS Seraph, oversees the final loading of the canister containing Glyndor. Montague briefs Jewell on the critical timing of releasing Glyndor's body near the Spanish coast, emphasizing the need for secrecy to ensure the Germans receive the misleading intelligence.
“Operation Mincemeat is on the brink of failure, and they both know the cost will be counted in the lives of Allied soldiers on the beaches of Sicily.”
— Montague [18:23]
The Crucial Drop Off
As night falls on April 30, 1943, the submarine surfaces off Punta Umbria, Spain. Jewell and his trusted officers prepare to dispose of Glyndor's body into the sea. However, complications arise when the canister refuses to sink, threatening to expose the operation.
Desperate to prevent the Germans from intercepting the briefcase, Jewell orders his men to fire upon the stubborn container, successfully destroying it but risking the mission's secrecy.
“What the hell did they make this thing of? Bloody dolphin skin.”
— Jewell [17:00]
Discovery by Locals and Spanish Intervention
Jose Maria, a local fisherman, discovers Glyndor floating near the coast. Despite the gruesome condition of the body, he retrieves it, along with the briefcase, and brings it to La Bota Beach. Lieutenant Mariano Pasquale de Pobil Bell Susan of the Spanish Navy oversees the handling of the corpse, ensuring that the briefcase does not fall into German hands.
“These items will be handed over to the naval commander of the port of Huelva for safekeeping.”
— Pascual de Pobil [12:30]
German Intelligence's Pursuit
Adolf Klaus, the local Abwehr chief in Huelva, becomes obsessed with uncovering the contents of the briefcase. Despite his extensive network, Klaus faces hurdles as the Spanish Navy remains staunchly anti-German, complicating his efforts to seize the briefcase.
“Nothing happens in Huelva without him knowing about it. Yet a mysterious briefcase belonging to the British has managed to elude him...”
— Narrator [12:57]
Klaus's frustration mounts as his attempts to infiltrate the Spanish Port Authority and access Captain Elvira’s safe prove futile. Meanwhile, British Vice Consul Francis Hazelden navigates the delicate situation, trying to maintain the integrity of Operation Mincemeat amidst growing tensions.
Double Cross and the Brink of Failure
Back in London, the Double Cross Committee receives alarming news that potentially jeopardizes the entire operation. An intercepted cable reveals that the Spanish Navy is taking the briefcase to Madrid, putting the deception at risk.
“Operation Mincemeat is on the brink of failure, and they both know the cost will be counted in the lives of Allied soldiers on the beaches of Sicily.”
— Montague [18:23]
Montague and Cholmondeley confront the grim reality that their meticulous plans may unravel, endangering the lives of countless soldiers awaiting the Sicily invasion.
Conclusion: The High Stakes of Espionage
Episode 2 of The Spy Who Duped Hitler masterfully illustrates the intricate dance of deception, risk, and high-stakes espionage during World War II. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous attention to historical detail, Wondery brings to life the desperate measures taken by British intelligence to outwit Nazi Germany. The episode leaves listeners on edge, anticipating whether Operation Mincemeat will succeed or succumb to the relentless pressures of war.
Notable Quotes
- “He’s doing more for his country dead than he ever did when he was alive.” — Cholmondeley [00:59]
- “I thought you were in a hurry.” — Montague [04:54]
- “Operation Mincemeat is on the brink of failure, and they both know the cost will be counted in the lives of Allied soldiers on the beaches of Sicily.” — Montague [18:23]
- “What the hell did they make this thing of? Bloody dolphin skin.” — Jewell [17:00]
Production Credits
- Hosted by: Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey
- Produced by: Vespucci and Yellow Ant for Wondery
- Writing and Story Editing: Yellow Ant
- Episode Written by: Judy Cooper
- Researched by: Louise Byrne
- Thanks to: Marina Watson and Cat Whitehouse
- Managing Producer: Jay Priest (Vespucci)
- Senior Producers: Ashley Clivery and Philip Aguirre
- Sound Designer: Iver Manley
- Supervising Producer: Rachel Byrne
- Music Supervisor: Scott Velasquez (Frisson Sync)
- Executive Producers: Johnny Galvin and Daniel Turcom (Vespucci), Tristan Donovan (Yellow Ant)
- Senior Managing Producer: Rachel Sibley (Wondery)
- Executive Producers for Wondery: Estelle Doyle, Chris Bourne, and Marshall Louis
The Spy Who continues to unravel the hidden narratives of wartime espionage, offering listeners an immersive journey into the shadows where history's most daring secrets were forged.