Operation Sea Eagle facts for kids
Operation Sea Eagle (called "Unternehmen Seeadler" in German) was a secret plan by the German Foreign Ministry during World War II. It was also sometimes known as Operation Dove II ("Unternehmen Taube II"). This plan was created in May 1941. It came about after an earlier plan, Operation Whale, was cancelled.
The main idea of Operation Sea Eagle was to land a special seaplane on a lake in Ireland. This plane would bring money and a radio transmitter to the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
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Planning the Secret Mission
Planning for Operation Sea Eagle happened when German intelligence groups were worried. These groups included the Abwehr (German military intelligence) and a special unit led by SS Colonel Dr. Edmund Veesenmayer. They were concerned that American forces, who were soon to be in Northern Ireland, might invade neutral Éire (the Republic of Ireland).
The Abwehr was supposed to provide technical help for Sea Eagle. However, the Foreign Ministry kept control over the operation. This was because earlier missions to Ireland had not gone well. On June 23, 1941, the day after Germany planned to invade the USSR (called Operation Barbarossa), a new rule was made. All future missions to Ireland would need Dr. Veesenmayer's direct approval.
Who Was Chosen for the Mission?
At first, two agents were picked for the job: Helmut Clissman, who was an Abwehr expert on Ireland, and Bruno Rieger. Later, Frank Ryan was added to the team. This happened when the mission grew to include direct contact with the IRA.
The Germans hoped that with a long-range radio, the IRA could send secret reports back to the Luftwaffe (the German air force). This was because the Irish government had complained about the German Legation (their official office) in Dublin using its radio. This also suggested that there was no active radio link between the IRA and Germany at that time, even though German agent Hermann Görtz was still free in Ireland.
When and Where Would They Land?
The best time for the mission was thought to be between September 15 and 25, 1941. Dr. Veesenmayer talked with Oberstleutnant von Harlinghausen from the Luftwaffe. They decided to use a Heinkel He 59 seaplane. This plane would turn off its engine as it came down and glide silently to land on a lake. The people on board would then use a rubber dinghy to get to shore. They would also have folding bicycles to travel once they landed. The Brandon Bay area in County Kerry was chosen as the best landing spot.
What Were the Goals of Operation Sea Eagle?
The mission had both military and political goals.
Military Goals
- Connect with the IRA: Establish contact with the IRA and help them restart their sabotage operations in Britain. This referred to the IRA's failed S-Plan Campaign from 1939. The Germans also wanted to give them money to operate.
- Set up Radio Communication: Create a way for the IRA to talk to Germany using a radio transmitter.
- Send Military Information: Transmit important military details, including weather reports.
- Prepare for Resistance: Get ready for an underground resistance if British troops reoccupied Ireland or American troops invaded. This would tie down enemy forces.
Political Goals
- Improve IRA-Government Relations: Try to create an "understanding" between Éamon de Valera (Ireland's leader at the time) and the IRA.
- Influence Irish Policy: Affect Ireland's internal and external situations by providing accurate reports.
- Organize Resistance: If Britain or the U.S. occupied Ireland, organize resistance to keep their forces busy.
Why the Plan Was Cancelled
Dr. Veesenmayer's plan was shown to Führer Adolf Hitler on September 6, 1941. Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop recommended the plan. However, Hitler decided to postpone the operation. He suggested delaying it until October or even December of that year.
In the end, the plan was completely abandoned. This was because the feared invasion of Ireland by British or American forces never happened.
See also
Further information and sources
- (reprint)
- (3rd Edition)
