T-Force - review

[edwest]

Subtitled: The Race for Nazi War Secrets, 1945, by Sean Longdon. Published by Constable, London. 379 pages.


I cannot claim expertise but consider myself quite well read regarding German secret weapons and related developments. There had been previously published works that included some information about the T (Technical) Forces and 30 Assault Unit, a naval team organized by Commander Ian Fleming (creator of James Bond). These include The Paperclip Conspiracy by Tom Bower and Alsos by Colonel Boris Pash, head of the task force looking for traces of German atomic research. Colonel Pash mentions making contact with the British R-Force which he describes as corresponding to the American T-Force and commanded by a Colonel Strangeways. I would appreciate any information about this "R-Force."


The author begins by acknowledging the assistance of former members of No. 1 and 2 T-Force and veterans of the 5th Battalion of the King's Regiment who formed the infantry element of T-Force. A map is then provided showing key expeditions of T-Force, ranging from mid to upper Germany into Denmark and activity in the Netherlands.

The introduction paints the already rapidly approaching Cold War as of 5 May 1945. It summarizes much of what will be uncovered in Germany that will end up in the arsenals of the post-war world. Throughout this book, remarkable and sometimes, sweeping statements are made that appear to be founded on the direct knowledge of the men involved. I do not wish to reveal all but I will mention a few that are peppered throughout this book. "During the Cold War, the US used radar systems developed from German wartime designs as part of its worldwide 'early warning' system."

Chapter 1 opens with Commander Ian Fleming proposing his idea of an "Offensive Naval Intelligence Group." The goal was to get men behind enemy lines to locate and seize intelligence material that might be of use to the Royal Navy. This is then followed with the plan's travels through the decision making process regarding its composition. By nature, a secret unit, there were already concerns about how commanders in the field would view them. 30AU begins its work in Tunisia in 1943 and then on to Sicily where it uncovered information about Italian homing-beacons which was then used by the RAF. Similar information was discovered about German navigational beacons. Plus: "In total, they discovered information on no less than 14 varieties of torpedoes and mines, including some previously unknown models." In spite of successes and deserved praise, some in the field viewed them as thieves.

Chapter 2 begins on D-Day and we begin to meet the other men who will be attached to 30AU. "On Sword Beach, two men of the 5th King's were killed when a German plane dropped a bomb among the disembarking troops." Life and survival on the beach is given a 'you are there quality.' "The folowing day the officer's platoon lost 14 of its 39 men when a German aircraft bombed the landing craft they were unloading." During a mission to Douvres they found " -- a lorry full of documents the Germans had failed to destroy but, before 30AU could secure it, the lorry was pinched by some unidentified British soldiers." This is followed by reports of looting by others.

But, to add to the mystery, the author sometimes mentions things that are not clearly identified, like when they "uncovered a consignment of experimental high explosives." Meanwhile, due to continued heavy fighting in Normandy, a group of Royal Marines were put in as infantry instead of being passed to T-Force duties. On the way to Paris, Commander Fleming requests, and receives permission, to be freed from their command and continue on without interference, which meant the Americans. Apparently, the British and Americans had some differences in their Target lists and it was agreed that each would guard each other's targets depending on who got there first. "Among the targets within the capital were French scientists who were believed to have a role in the development of the next generation of German rockets, the so-called V3." (And indeed there is a wartime newspaper account published in the New York Times where Mayor La Guardia specifically refers to V3.)

Complications occurred regarding certain Frenchmen as they were considered collaborators and arrested, with at least one having disappeared after his arrest. We are then treated to additional graphic scenes of the war and the men involved.

Chapter 3 is titled the Birth of T-Force. This is when General Eisenhower, mindful of the work accomplished by 30AU, decides to set up units modeled after them. We then learn about the Consolidated Advance Field Teams (CAFT) set up to assess what was found and then call in appropriate scientists from the relevant field of industry. Already, plans are being made to ensure things like communications, switching stations and certain buildings remained intact for the birth of post-war Germany. A bit later, it is revealed that they are looking for unidentified Japanese personnel.

Chapter 4 begins on 23 March 1945. In Osnabruek, they find a "submarine 'Schnorkel' with a radar unit attached, the first of its type to be uncovered." In Cologne, an "opportunity target" was found. It was a factory "producing equipment for use in guided rocket systems, jet- and rocket-propelled aircraft and chemical fuels." "Just ten days after the operation the Admiralty produced a 300-page book of translations of the seized documents." However, once again, T-Force would find that someone else had beaten them to another target and removed valuable material. An order was issued that such teams were to be arrested and expelled from the theatre.

In any case, more successes were on the way. "At Starkshorn, the assessors set to work at a naval depot where they found a new style of marine mine that could be ejected from a submarine torpedo tube." Documents were also located a bit later indicating some of what had been sent to Japan.

Chapter 5 goes on to describe the discovery of a two mile long, underground Focke-Wulf factory. A hidden laboratory is discovered and men working on a "'de-atomisation bomb.'" It is all crated up and sent to England. Later, Professor Otto Hahn presents himself to a soldier from the 5th King's Regiment. We then learn about the discovery of the German nerve agents, including the location of spraying equipment for aircraft. Information about a small hydrofoil craft propelled by a V 1 power unit is also found.


- continued -

[edwest]

Chapter 6 is titled, Kiel - Into the Unknown. Now if you're thinking that as of 4 May 1945, the bulk of what would be found had been found, Kiel is presented as a place where "the Russians would acquire some of the most important military scientists in all Germany." The goal was to "take Kiel before the Russians can get there." Intelligence had been developed that "the Russians intended to fully disregard the Yalta Agreement and occupy Denmark." The story of how one officer with T-Force was held up by another in the signing of a movement order and how the problem was resolved, is presented. The red tape that was encountered throughout the book boggles the mind, especially in light of the fact that not reaching a target quickly heightened the odds of the material being destroyed or taken away before they got there. An example: "The last three Type XVII U-boats had left Kiel at the end of the war -- passing through the Kiel canal just yards from Dr Walter's factory only a few hours before 30AU arrived."

We are then told of new torpedoes called GNAT and LUT, designed to be fired in salvos of three. "In the badly damaged Krupps Germania shipyard, T-Force uncovered a complete Type XXIII submarine..."

Chapter 7 covers work in Denmark. "Among the targets in Denmark was a V2 rocket experimentation plant on the island of Fano (angled line through the o). And more interesting torpedoes. "Other examples of torpedoes included one with a range of 80 miles (130 km) that had earlier been launched from Le Havre to attack shipping arriving at the Mulberry Harbours off the coast of Normandy."

Chapter 8 continues with post-war investigations. "One of the most fantastical weapons noted - and one of which Jules Verne would indeed have been proud - was a flying bomb fitted with scythes that were designed to slice Allied bombers in half."

There was a search for scientists involved in atomic research and a curious comment about them was made by General Groves who was "convinced they were 'superior in all-around ability to the group which had started the New Mexico laboratory.'" How, I wonder, could any of these men be regarding in such high standing since, according to the history on the subject, Germany was far from producing a bomb and had made little progress? This is followed by the hunt for 10,000 tons of Tabun. The Me 163 is mentioned followed by a statement that 25 had been sent to the UK. This is followed by describing some of the work of Dr. Walter.

I could go on and on, but the remainder of the book, the entire book actually, is a story of rather common soldiers being put through the wringer and by hook and crook, getting the job done. They are presented as three dimensional individuals with emotions. This is truly a scholarly work which gets into all the details of how this secret, quick and nimble force had to maneuver not just among the enemy but through a bureacracy that insisted on the signing of various papers, reports and requisitions in 5 copies. It is a little thin on footnotes but the bibliography includes file numbers and titles for those wishing to do further research. The Appendix shows before and after photos of some of the participants.

Highly recommended for those with a desire to fully assemble what the Germans were doing in the way of secret weapons.




Regards,
Ed