Operation: Trifle
From NexusWiki
The following was found among recently declassified documents pertaining to covert operations by the British military. Other documents in the file date this paper to late 1940 or early 1941. It appears to be a relatively early draft of a covert mission, although whether the mission being described was ever undertaken is not clear.
PAGE 6 of 31: COUNT YOUR PAGES This document is Number 1 of 12
Summary:
Proposal of an operation to be undertaken by covert troops (SOE) in both an INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING and ENEMY ASSET NEUTRALIZATION role, against a suspected operative of German intelligence (ABWEHR), GERHARD WITTMANN. This operation would be an extension of counter-intelligence operations currently in progress (DOUBLE CROSS).
Requirements for enaction include covert transport to the Caribbean theatre of operations, and generation of multiple plausible intelligence sources for the intelligence on WITTMANN and his activities, for use with personnel not cleared for ULTRA.
Objective:
1)Determine the location and activities of GERHARD WITTMANN, according to recent intercepts now deployed in the Caribbean theatre, specifically SAINT-GERMAINE ARCHIPLAGO.
2) Capture or kill WITTMANN and associated personnel.
- ) Obtain intelligence relevant to KRIEGSMARINE U-Boat operations in this theatre of operations.
Additional to 2): Confiscate equipment, documents, and artifacts in the possession of WITTMAN and associated personnel.
Target and Mission Data: (see photo attached)
GERHARD WITTMANN, born 2/4/1898, archaeologist (D.Phil Oxford) joined National Socialist party 1936. Believed to have become ABWEHR operative as early as 1937.
Known aliased include DENNIS VAN VLAARDINGEN, with Dutch passport, DAVID REISEN, with Swiss passport, and JACOB KRANTZ, with American p Canadian passport.
WITTMAN is not known to have significant combat training but may be accompanied by armed ABWEHR personnel. As with all German intelligence personnel, use of deadly force against this target is automatically sanctioned.
WITTMAN is known to be an ABWEHR operative from a variety of sources, including intelligence obtained via DOUBLE CROSS and Enigma decrypts.
He has been involved in the organization of German pre-war expeditions to Egypt and Alexandretta and operations based out of Schloss Wolfenstein. These activities are believed to be connected to interests in the occult and Biblical prophecy among senior Nazi party members.
It is not known what WITTMAN’s interest in the Saint-Germaine Archipelago is, although it is referred to as DIE VERBINDUNG in numerous decrypts. Whether this is a codename for operations in this area or a reference with wider meaning remains unknown.
WITTMAN and and an accompanying party of unknown number and composition is known to have departed for Saint-Germaine to commence operations there. Possbile ABWEHR objectives in the area include establishment of naval intelligence-gathering cell, support for intelligence and/or sabotage operations against local British and American assets, or establishment of radio intercept operations.
PAGE 7 OF 31: COUNT YOUR PAGES THIS DOCUMENT IS NUMBER 1 of 12
The attachment of WITTMAN to this group, along with other material in ULTRA decrypts (see attached) strongly suggests an archeological component as well.
Given the high priority assigned to WITTMAN’s operation, and the nature of past activities with which he has been connected, disruption of these activities is a high priority.
Insertion of a small covert unit from SOE or No. 1 Commando could be made via submersible, HMS TALISMAN has been detached from normal operations for this purpose.
The remainder of the document is a detailed examination of specific personnel to be assigned to the operation, and suitable arms and equipment to be issued.
