Collage of various gummed labels often carried and distributed by OSS agents
All warfare is based on deception.” — Sun Tzu, “The Art of War.”
Operation Sauerkraut was a series of covert missions carried out by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, from July 1944 to at least March 1945. The primary objective was to disseminate Allied propaganda material rapidly by utilizing German prisoners of war (POWs) as agents.
The OSS was a wartime intelligence agency of the United States established in 1942 under the leadership of William J. Donovan. The OSS played a crucial role in gathering intelligence, conducting espionage, and executing covert operations against the Axis powers. It was responsible for a wide range of activities, including sabotage, propaganda, and support for resistance movements in occupied territories. The OSS’s innovative and daring operations laid the groundwork for modern intelligence practices.
After the war, the OSS was dissolved on September 20, 1945. Many of its functions and personnel were transferred to the Strategic Services Unit (SSU) and later to the Central Intelligence Group (CIG). In 1947, the newly formed Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) inherited these functions, making the OSS a direct precursor to the CIA. The OSS’s contributions to the Allied victory and its pioneering methods in intelligence and covert operations have left an enduring impact on the field of intelligence.
OSS Morale Operations Branch
Formed by Donovan on March 3, 1943, the Morale Operations (MO) branch was a specialized unit within the OSS that was responsible for psychological warfare and propaganda activities. The MO branch played a crucial role in Operation Sauerkraut, leveraging its expertise in creating and disseminating propaganda to undermine enemy morale. The branch was tasked with developing innovative and effective propaganda campaigns, often using creative and unconventional methods to reach their targets.
The MO branch’s efforts included the production of leaflets, magazines, and other materials designed to demoralize German troops and encourage dissent within the ranks. The success of Operation Sauerkraut can be attributed to the MO branch’s meticulous planning, attention to detail, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the ground. Their work not only contributed to the overall Allied war effort but also demonstrated the power of psychological warfare in achieving strategic objectives
Background and Planning
The idea for Operation Sauerkraut emerged in the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. This event, known as the July 20 Plot, was a significant turning point in World War II. The OSS saw an opportunity to exploit the psychological impact of the failed coup by deploying German POWs in Wehrmacht uniforms to spread propaganda. The goal was to create confusion and demoralize the German troops by making them believe that there was widespread dissent within their ranks.
The first candidates for the mission were recruited from a POW camp near Naples. These POWs were carefully selected based on their willingness to cooperate and their ability to blend in with German soldiers. The OSS provided them with extensive training in espionage, sabotage, and propaganda techniques. They were also briefed on the latest developments in the war and the political situation in Germany to ensure they could convincingly play their roles.
Execution
The selected POWs were indeed transported to Rome, where they were equipped with German Wehrmacht uniforms, forged documents, weapons, compasses, money in Italian currency, cigarettes, and first aid equipment. The OSS paid meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the uniforms and documents were as authentic as possible. This was crucial because any discrepancies could lead to the agents being exposed and captured.
The POWs were then smuggled across the river Arno in small groups to penetrate as deeply as possible behind German lines. Their mission was to distribute propaganda material, such as leaflets and magazines, in strategic locations like trees, cars, buildings, and roads. The propaganda material was designed to look like it had been produced by German resistance groups, adding to its credibility.
The agents were instructed to avoid direct contact with German soldiers whenever possible to minimize the risk of capture. They were also given specific instructions on how to behave if they were stopped and questioned. The OSS provided them with cover stories and false identities to help them blend in and avoid suspicion.
The success of Operation Sauerkraut relied heavily on the ability of the agents to remain undetected and to distribute the propaganda material effectively. Despite the inherent risks, the operation was considered a success, as it managed to sow confusion and doubt among the German troops, contributing to the overall Allied war effort.
Propaganda Material
The propaganda material used in Operation Sauerkraut was a critical component of the mission’s success. The OSS understood that the effectiveness of the propaganda depended on its perceived authenticity. Therefore, the leaflets and magazines were deliberately printed in coarse quality to avoid the impression that they were produced abroad by the enemy using high-quality printing presses. This attention to detail helped to make the material more believable to the German troops who encountered it.
The content of the propaganda material was carefully crafted to demoralize German troops and encourage them to take revolutionary measures against the Nazi regime. The messages were designed to exploit existing fears, doubts, and frustrations among the soldiers. For example, some leaflets claimed that Walther von Brauchitsch, a former Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, had taken over command in Germany. This was intended to create confusion and undermine the authority of the Nazi leadership.
Other leaflets contained messages that highlighted the futility of the war and the inevitability of Germany’s defeat. They emphasized the heavy losses suffered by the German military and the hopelessness of continuing to fight. Some leaflets also encouraged soldiers to surrender to the Allies, promising fair treatment and humane conditions as prisoners of war.
In addition to leaflets, the OSS produced magazines that appeared to be the work of German resistance groups. These magazines contained articles and stories that criticized the Nazi regime and called for an end to the war. They also included reports of supposed uprisings and acts of sabotage within Germany, further fueling the sense of unrest and dissent.
The distribution of the propaganda material was strategically planned to maximize its impact. The agents were instructed to place the leaflets and magazines in locations where they would be easily found by German soldiers, such as trees, cars, buildings, and roads. The goal was to ensure that as many soldiers as possible would come into contact with the material and be influenced by its messages.
Challenges and Successes
One of the key challenges faced during Operation Sauerkraut was ensuring the authenticity of the forged documents. The German military constantly changed recognition features for security reasons, making it difficult for the OSS to keep up. Despite this, the OSS successfully improved the documents regularly, ensuring that they remained credible. The attention to detail in forging documents was crucial, as any discrepancies could lead to the agents being exposed and captured. Remarkably, there was only one reported case of an agent being exposed, highlighting the effectiveness of the OSS’s efforts.
In total, about 13 missions of Operation Sauerkraut were carried out. Each mission involved significant risks, as the agents had to penetrate deep behind enemy lines to distribute propaganda material. The success of these missions relied heavily on the agents’ ability to remain undetected and to blend in with the German soldiers. The OSS’s meticulous planning and training played a crucial role in ensuring the success of these missions.
Corporal Barbara Lauwers played a significant role in the success of Operation Sauerkraut. Lauwers joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and was assigned to the OSS Services Morale Operations. She was instrumental in recruiting and training the POWs, as well as creating effective propaganda campaigns. Lauwers’s creativity and resourcefulness were evident in her contributions to the operation. One of her notable contributions was the creation of the “League of Lonely War Women,” a mythical organization designed to demoralize German troops by making them believe that their wives and girlfriends were having affairs with foreign men. This psychological tactic aimed to undermine the morale of the German soldiers and create a sense of distrust and insecurity.
Lauwers’s efforts in training the POWs were also crucial to the operation’s success. She ensured that the agents were well-prepared for their missions, providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their tasks effectively. Her dedication and commitment to the operation were instrumental in its overall success.
Overall, the challenges faced during Operation Sauerkraut were significant, but the OSS’s meticulous planning, attention to detail, and innovative tactics ensured the operation’s success. The contributions of individuals like Barbara Lauwers were invaluable, highlighting the importance of creativity and resourcefulness in achieving mission objectives.
Final Thoughts
Operation Sauerkraut was a unique and innovative approach to psychological warfare during World War II. By leveraging the skills and knowledge of German POWs, the OSS was able to spread propaganda effectively and undermine the morale of German forces. The operation’s success is a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of the OSS and its agents.
Resources
Central Intelligence Agency
CIA.gov
USASOC OSS Website (Official US Army Website)
www.soc.mil/OSS/index.html
The OSS Society
OSSSociety org