Operation Seagull (Ireland) facts for kids

Operation Seagull (also known as "Unternehmen Möwe" or "Seemöwe" in German) was a secret mission during World War II. It was planned by a German spy agency called the Abwehr in September 1940. The main goal was to send spies into the UK (United Kingdom). This was to prepare for a much bigger planned invasion of Britain, called Operation Sea Lion.

Why Operation Seagull Was Planned

This mission was part of the Abwehr's job to gather information. They needed details for Operation Sea Lion, which was Germany's plan to invade Britain. Even though Operation Seagull was planned and started, it had to be stopped. The mission was called off while the agents were still crossing the sea to Ireland.

At the time, the head of the Abwehr, Wilhelm Canaris, had already given orders. He told his regional offices, called "Ast's", not to try sending spies into Britain through Ireland. This was because a similar mission, Operation Lobster I, had completely failed in July 1940. However, Operation Seagull was still ordered by the German Army Group North in France and Belgium. It was carried out by the Brandenburger Regiment, which worked with Abwehr II.

The Spies and Their Mission

Two main agents were involved in Operation Seagull. One was Christian Nissen, also known as "Hein Mück." He had already been part of the failed Operation Lobster I. His job was to take another agent, Helmut Clissmann, and a radio operator to the southern coast of Ireland. Clissmann was a non-commissioned officer (NCO) from the Brandenburger Regiment.

The boat chosen for the mission was named "Anni Braz-Bihen". Clissmann was waiting in Westende, Belgium, ready for the operation to begin. Nissen received his orders from his boss, Captain Hollman.

Clissmann's mission had two parts:

• First, he and the radio operator were to land by boat in southern Ireland.
• Once they landed, they needed to contact the IRA.
• After making contact, Clissmann was supposed to get help from the IRA to travel to Britain.
• In Britain, Clissmann's goal was to find people who could guide German invading troops to the Dover area.
• If going to Britain was not possible, Clissmann was to ask the IRA for help. He would search within Ireland for guides to the Dover area.
• If the agents had to stay in Ireland, they were told to contact Captain Hermann Görtz. They would do this through the German Legation in Dublin.

Unfortunately for the German agents, the entire mission had to be stopped. They didn't even reach the Irish coast. Several problems happened during their sea journey from France. The boat's bilge pump broke down. The Danish mechanic became unconscious after an accident. On top of that, a strong storm hit the vessel for three days. Because of all these problems, Nissen had to turn back. They returned to Brest Bay in France.

IRA's Role in the Mission

The IRA in Ireland had no involvement or knowledge of Operation Seagull beforehand. Even IRA agents who were working with Nazi Germany at the time didn't know about it. The mission brief told the German agents to "establish contact with the IRA." This shows that the German Abwehr II staff didn't really understand how strong or present the IRA was in Ireland at that time.

Other German Spy Missions Involving Ireland

• Operation Lobster
• Operation Lobster I
• Operation Seagull I
• Operation Seagull II
• Operation Whale
• Operation Dove (Ireland)
• Operation Osprey
• Operation Sea Eagle
• Plan Kathleen
• Operation Mainau
• Operation Innkeeper

See also

• Operation Green (Ireland)
• Irish Republican Army–Abwehr collaboration in World War II