OSS Operation Greenup team. From left to right: Franz Weber, Hans Wijnberg, and Frederick Mayer. Photo: National Archives.
Operation Greenup was a covert mission by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to infiltrate Nazi Germany and gather intelligence. It was one of the most successful operations of World War II, disrupting Nazi operations and facilitating a mass surrender of German troops. The operation involved three agents: Frederick Mayer, Hans Wijnberg, and Franz Weber. Mayer and Wijnberg were Jewish refugees, while Weber was a former Austrian Wehrmacht officer.
The Team
Frederick Mayer was a German-born Jew who became an American spy. He was born 28 October 1921 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden, Germany. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Mayer’s family emigrated to the United States in 1938. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Mayer enlisted in the United States Army. His knowledge of several European languages made him a good candidate for the OSS.
Hans Wijnberg was born on 28 November 1922, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In 1939, Wijnberg and his twin brother were sent to the United States. He served as Mayer’s radio operator during Operation Greenup.
Franz Weber was a Wehrmacht lieutenant who was born in 1920 near Innsbruck in Austria’s Tyrol region. He had come to his senses about the murderous nature of Adolf Hitler’s war and deserted to the Allies. He made contact with the OSS and agreed to join the team.
The agents parachuted into the Austrian Alps on 25 February 25 1945. Their principal mission was to gather intelligence about Nazi troop movements, train schedules, and ammunition depots that would enable Allied bombers to disrupt supply lines to the battle front in Italy4.
Capture of Frederick Mayer & Surrender of German Troops
Mayer was arrested when a black-market racketeer he dealt with was caught by the Gestapo and named him as a spy. As soon as his interrogation became physical, the black marketer revealed that he knew a high-ranking American agent. When he was arrested, Mayer spoke only in French and tried to convince the Gestapo that he was what he pretended to be. Despite being subjected to brutal torture, Mayer did not give up any information. His resilience under such extreme conditions is a testament to his courage and dedication.
While in German hands, Mayer actually convinced a top Nazi to surrender Innsbruck, Austria, and all German forces in the area. Mayer convinced Franz Hofer, the governor of the Alpine Redoubt, to surrender to the United States.
The Alpine Redoubt, also known as the Alpine Fortress (German: Alpenfestung), was a World War II German national redoubt planned by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in November and December 1943. The plans envisaged Germany’s government and armed forces retreating to an area from “southern Bavaria across western Austria to northern Italy” in the event of military defeat. However, it’s important to note that the scheme was never fully endorsed by Hitler, and no serious attempt was made to put it into operation The concept served as an effective tool of propaganda and military deception carried out by the Germans in the final stages of the war.
Mayer told Hofer that the Nazi supremacy was coming to an end, and surrendering to the United States would be in his best interest. He then met the advancing U.S. Army, crossing German and American lines in a combat zone at great risk to himself, to inform the Americans of the surrender Thus, the German troops in this area surrendered to an American sergeant, a Jewish emigrant from Germany.
Impact and Legacy
Operation Greenup was a daring and successful mission that significantly contributed to the Allied victory in World War II. The mission saved many thousands of lives and deserves greater attention than it has received. The bravery and dedication of Mayer, Wijnberg, and Weber serve as a testament to the power of individuals to make a difference even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Mayer’s actions during Operation Greenup were portrayed in the award-winning documentary The Real Inglourious Bastards and in Patrick O’Donnell’s book, They Dared Return: The True Story of Jewish Spies Behind the Lines in Nazi Germany. His story serves as a testament to his bravery and dedication.
Despite his heroic actions, Mayer was not awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor. His nomination for the Medal of Honor was rejected by the War Department, which recommended him for the Legion of Merit instead. The OSS Society continues to advocate for Mayer to receive the Medal of Honor.
Mayer passed away on 15 April 2016 at the age of 94, with his family by his side. His legacy lives on through the stories of his courage and resilience during one of history’s most challenging periods.
Resource
Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society
OSSSociety.org
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