Questionnaire, which was attached in capsules to pigeon legs as part of Operation Periwig.

Operation Periwig was a deceptive masterstroke of WWII. The PSYOP operation was conceived in November 1944 by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), in collaboration with the Political Warfare Executive (PWE) and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6. The primary objective was to create the illusion of a large-scale anti-Nazi resistance movement within Germany. This fictitious resistance was intended to confuse and divert the German security forces, tying up their resources and potentially inspiring real acts of defiance among the German populace.

Operation Periwig was run out of the SOE headquarters in London. The SOE’s main headquarters was located at 64 Baker Street, which earned the organization the nickname “The Baker Street Irregulars”. This central location was where the planning and coordination of various covert operations, including Operation Periwig, took place.

Planning and Execution

The planning phase involved devising eight hypothetical scenarios for resistance movements, targeting various groups within German society, including the Wehrmacht, the Nazi Party, the police, the Catholic Church, industrialists, workers, foreign laborers, separatists, and members of the Reichsbahn. The SOE meticulously crafted plans for each group, ensuring that the operations appeared authentic and credible.

To lend credibility to these fictitious resistance movements, the SOE employed several deceptive measures. Containers filled with weapons, ammunition, propaganda materials, and food were dropped by aircraft over designated supply points. These supplies were intended to suggest that the resistance was well-equipped and supported by the Allies.

The SOE also broadcast fake coded wireless transmissions to Germany, simulating communication between resistance cells and their Allied handlers. These transmissions were designed to be intercepted by German intelligence, furthering the illusion of an active resistance network.

Various pieces of agent equipment, such as code books, wireless receivers, and other espionage tools, were deliberately allowed to fall into the hands of the German authorities. This was intended to convince the Germans that they had uncovered genuine resistance operations.

The operation relied on several German prisoners of war, who were specially trained for the mission but kept unaware of their true role. These individuals were parachuted into Germany with the supposed objective of establishing links with the anti-Nazi resistance and undertaking sabotage. It was hoped that they would either surrender themselves or be captured by the Gestapo, revealing their supposed mission under interrogation.

The success of Operation Periwig lay in its ability to create confusion and paranoia within the German security apparatus. By simulating the existence of a widespread resistance movement, the SOE managed to divert German resources and attention away from other critical areas, contributing to the overall Allied war effort.

Propaganda postcard sent in the context of Operation Periwig, calling for the suicide of the recipient.

Challenges and Objections

As the plan for Operation Periwig took shape in January 1945, the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) raised concerns about the potential impact of the operation on their own efforts to indoctrinate the enemy. The SIS feared that the deceptive measures employed in Operation Periwig might interfere with their ongoing intelligence operations and propaganda efforts. Despite these objections, the operation proceeded, albeit with some restrictions imposed by the SIS and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces. These restrictions were intended to mitigate any potential negative impact on other intelligence activities while still allowing the operation to achieve its objectives.

The operation relied on several German prisoners of war, who were specially trained for the mission but kept unaware of their true role. These individuals were parachuted into Germany with the supposed objective of establishing links with the anti-Nazi resistance and undertaking sabotage. It was hoped that they would either surrender themselves or be captured by the Gestapo, revealing their supposed mission under interrogation. This approach was designed to lend credibility to the fictitious resistance movements and further confuse the German security forces.

The success of Operation Periwig lay in its ability to create confusion and paranoia within the German security apparatus. By simulating the existence of a widespread resistance movement, the SOE managed to divert German resources and attention away from other critical areas. This diversion of resources contributed to the overall Allied war effort by weakening the German response to genuine resistance activities and other military operations. The operation’s impact on the German security forces’ morale and efficiency further underscored the effectiveness of the SOE’s strategic deception.

Final Thoughts

Operation Periwig exemplifies the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the British SOE during World War II. Through a combination of deception, psychological warfare, and meticulous planning, the operation achieved its goal of disrupting the Nazi regime and sowing seeds of doubt and confusion within Germany. While the full extent of its impact may never be known, Operation Periwig remains a remarkable example of wartime subterfuge and strategic brilliance.

 

By Eugene Nielsen

Eugene Nielsen provides private sector intelligence and consulting services. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California. His byline has appeared in numerous national and international journals and magazines.

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