Operation Pilgrim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Operation Pilgrim |
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| Part of the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War |
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Location of Canary, Azores and Cape Verde islands relative to Spanish mainland
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| Operational scope | Atlantic Ocean, Spanish and Portuguese island territories |
| Location | Canary Islands |
| Planned by | Lt. Gen. H.R. Alexander and R.Adm L.H.K Hamilton |
| Commanded by | Major General V. W. Odium |
| Objective | Contingency plan to invade and occupy Canary Islands |
| Date | April 1941 - February 1942 |
| Outcome | Eventual cancellation and re-assignment of Allied forces |
Operation Pilgrim was a secret plan by the British during World War II. It was a plan to invade and take control of the Canary Islands.
This invasion was a backup plan. It would only happen if Germany went ahead with its own plan, called Operation Felix. Operation Felix aimed for Germany to help Spain take over Gibraltar, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and the Cape Verde Islands.
The British worried that if Germany controlled these islands, it would be harder for Allied ships to get into the Mediterranean Sea. It would also make it dangerous for British ships carrying important supplies to its Dominions (countries that were part of the British Empire).
So, Operation Pilgrim was a way to stop Germany from getting control of these islands first. However, Germany's invasion plan never happened. Because of this, Operation Pilgrim was never put into action.
Contents
Why the Plan Was Made
Germany's War Ideas
After France surrendered in World War II, German leaders thought about how to continue the war. They had two main ideas. One was a direct attack on Great Britain to take over the British Isles. The other was an "indirect strategy." This meant attacking parts of the British Empire. They especially wanted to control key points that helped Britain keep its shipping routes open. These routes were vital for connecting with its Dominions and allies.
Hitler was worried when the United States and Britain made a deal. The US got some British naval bases in the Atlantic in exchange for 50 old destroyers. Hitler thought that either the US or Britain might try to take over Spanish or Portuguese islands in the Atlantic. To stop this, German military leaders started planning to occupy the Canary Islands themselves.
They looked at two ways this could happen. First, Spain might peacefully give access to the islands to Britain. Second, the local Spanish army might fight against an invasion. The first idea was dropped after talks between Spain and Germany in September 1940. Germany offered to send troops to help defend the islands. But Spain said no, insisting its own army could handle a British attack.
German Plans for the Islands
Germany was told that Spain would defend the islands. So, in November 1940, Hitler issued a directive (order) for Operation Felix. This order said Germany should first take the Azores islands (which belonged to Portugal) before attacking Gibraltar. Gibraltar was the main goal of Operation Felix. The order also suggested sending German air force (Luftwaffe) and navy (Kriegsmarine) help to the Canaries.
In December 1941, Germany sent Commander Fritz Krauss to the islands. He was allowed by the Spanish government to check what was needed for defense. The Cape Verde Islands were not well protected. They had been used by British ships to shelter survivors from attacks. Their defenses were old, and supplies were often moved by camel. Krauss suggested many improvements.
However, in February 1941, the German navy ordered all reinforcements to stop. This was because Spain had not yet joined the war. A few months later, Germany changed its mind. By May 1941, Hitler agreed to send four artillery batteries (groups of cannons) to Spain. These 12 guns were placed on Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
German help continued until the summer of 1942. But the islands still lacked enough soldiers and equipment. Germany was also concerned by two British amphibious operations (landings from the sea) in 1942. Operation Ironclad captured a naval base in Madagascar. The soldiers for this operation had trained to attack the Port of La Luz in Gran Canaria. Operation Jubilee attacked Dieppe. These operations showed Spain and Germany how capable the British were at landing troops and taking islands. By late September 1942, there were 34,000 troops on the Canary Islands.
Allies Start Planning
On April 18, 1941, the United States announced a line in the Atlantic Ocean. This line, at 26° West, became a kind of sea border for the US. It included Greenland and the Azores. Even though the US was not yet fighting in the war, its warships would patrol this area. They would tell Britain about any German activity. But they would not directly protect British convoys (groups of ships). That was still Britain's job.
Both British and US naval leaders worried about the Azores. They thought Germany might try to seize them to set up submarine and air bases. Having such bases in the central Atlantic would be a huge threat to Britain. So, Britain and the United States began planning their own operation. They planned to occupy the Azores, Canary, and Cape Verde Islands. This would happen if Hitler moved into Spain to support his allies and threatened Gibraltar and these Atlantic islands.
Gibraltar was extremely important for Britain's war efforts. Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, said that "Spain held the key to all British enterprises in the Mediterranean." The real chance of losing Gibraltar made the British government create backup plans. Churchill also wrote: "If we are forced from Gibraltar, we must take the Canaries immediately. This would let us control the western entrance to the Mediterranean."
The Invasion Plan
The plan to take the Canaries was first called "Operation Puma." But it changed over time as threats grew and planning developed. It combined three separate invasion plans:
- Operation Thruster: The first plan to take the Portuguese Azores islands.
- Operation Springboard: The first plan to take the Portuguese Madeira island.
- Operation Puma: The first plan to take the Spanish Canary Islands and Portuguese Cape Verde islands.
On March 12, 1941, the Joint Planning Staff signed a document. It was called "J. P. (41) 202 (E) CAPTURE OF THE CANARY ISLANDS." This document was a study on how to protect sea communications. It also reviewed existing plans for if Spain resisted or helped Germany. It also looked at the benefits of capturing the islands.
The final order for Operation Pilgrim was signed on September 20, 1941.
The goal of Operation Pilgrim was to "capture and hold, for our own use, the Island of Gran Canaria with the Harbour at La Luz and aerodrome at Gando." The invasion was to be led by Major General V. W. Odium. His Canadian 2nd Division was training in Britain. A small group of SOE special forces would also join.
The total force would be about 24,000 men. They would be escorted by Rear Admiral L. H. K. Hamilton's naval force. This force included one battleship, four aircraft carriers, three cruisers, and 27 destroyers. Five supply ships (RFA's) would also be part of it. The first troops for the landings would be carried on HMS Queen Emma. Two squadrons of RAF fighter planes would support the entire force.
The operation would start with a night approach. Landings would happen at first light at Puerto de la Luz. This was the main port on Gran Canaria. Two Canadian infantry battalions would land from special landing-craft. Royal Navy planes from an aircraft carrier would provide air support. Naval ships would fire their guns to help. Once the coastal defenses were quiet, Canadian forces would enter the Bay of Gando. They would capture Canaria's airport at Gando. More troops would land in the Bay of Arinaga to help. The airport would then be used as a base for another attack on Tenerife. A group of 30 commandos from SOE were trained to parachute onto Tenerife. They would carry out sabotage to help the British invasion of the island.
A submarine would be placed near Gando before the operation began. Its job was to scout the area. It would also help guide the ships if the navigation lights on the coast were turned off or damaged.
Why the Plan Was Cancelled
The soldiers and landing craft for Operation Pilgrim were kept ready for the last six months of 1941. The plan became simpler after the Allies got new information. They learned that if Germany invaded the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal), the Portuguese Government would move to the Azores islands. From there, they would ask British or US forces to protect the islands.
In 1942, Francisco Franco, the leader of Spain, declared that Spain was neutral. This was a change from its previous status of "non-belligerent" (not fighting but leaning towards one side). The Allies agreed to respect Spain's neutral status. This meant that Germany could not use Gibraltar. Also, the German navy (Kriegsmarine) was not allowed to use the Canary Islands for its submarines or other ships.
Because of these changes, Operation Pilgrim was cancelled in February 1942. This allowed the landing craft and naval forces to be used for other, more important missions.
