Operation Mincemeat | Hook, Line and Sinker | 3

British intelligence have a peculiar problem: they need a German spy to steal a briefcase, whilst making it look like they're trying to stop him. But when Abwehr agent Kühlenthal finally takes the bait, will Hitler actually fall for it? Do you have a suggestion for a scandal you would like us to cover? Or perhaps you have a question you would like to ask our hosts? Email us at [email protected] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Matt Forde?

  Alice, I'm so sorry I couldn't come to your thing at the weekend.

• 0:02Alice Levine?

  Oh, no, it's cool. You said something important came up?

• 0:06Matt Forde?

  Yeah, Jude, Jude Bellingham invited me to a thing. It was like me, him, Elon Musk, Kate Moss, you know, the usual crowd.

• 0:14Alice Levine?

  Wow, that is a, that's a mad guest list.

• 0:17Matt Forde?

  Yeah, I'm seeing them later this week, actually. We get together quite a lot.

• 0:20Alice Levine?

  What are you doing?

• 0:21Matt Forde?

  Thursday night, we're just going to the Hope and Anchor.

• 0:25Alice Levine?

  That's so funny. I'm going to the Hope and Anchor on Thursday.

• 0:28Matt Forde?

  Ah, they've just, on their WhatsApps. Oh, they can't do it. It's a slight change of plan. We're going to Miami instead. To, you wouldn't know it, it's posh, it's a posh bar.

• 0:40Alice Levine?

  What's it called?

• 0:42Matt Forde?

  Diamond Lounge.

• 0:44Alice Levine?

  Right. Have a good time.

• 0:48Matt Forde?

  9th of May, 1943, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes.

• 0:55Matt Forde?

  Joan places her mug on the counter in the small functional kitchen and waits for the kettle to boil. She raises both arms above her head, tries to stretch out the tightness in her shoulders. Her night shift started eight hours ago. Since midnight, she's been deciphering rough transcripts of Morse code via teleprinter, most of it meaningless and already out of date. She checks her watch, 7:35, less than half an hour until she can go to bed. Joan reaches for the handle of the kettle, stops. She groans as she hears the frantic click clack of her teleprinter stuttering into life. She abandons the tea and hurries back to her desk.

• 1:38Matt Forde?

  Bletchley's once opulent drawing room is crowded. Morning light cuts through the stained glass skylights, illuminating rows of women, two to a desk facing each other, heads down, pencils poised, agonising over jumbled messages. Joan pulls back her chair as the teleprinter spews a thin strip of white tape lined with black dashes.

• 2:01Alice Levine?

  This is very exciting to imagine, isn't it? Bletchley Park, so cool. Apart from the Milton Keynes bit, no offence to Milton Keynes. I just think of a sort of out of town, maybe B and Q. I'm not thinking about a site of extraordinary historical significance.

• 2:15Matt Forde?

  Yes, it's less romantic, isn't it, to go, you know Alan Turing, who cracked the Enigma code? He did it in that Pets at Home over there.

• 2:24Matt Forde?

  Joan works quickly, swapping the combination of dashes for letters. F, E, L, until she has what looks like a Spanish name. She hesitates, checks her notes, Felipe. Joan's grip on her pencil tightens. Felipe is the alias of a German spy in Spain.

• 2:47Matt Forde?

  She starts the next word, H, U, E, until she has a location, Huelva. Then, urgent. I think I've got something. She looks up as the grim faced superintendent races over and glances at her scribbled notes. Keep concentrating. For goodness sake, don't guess. Joan starts to hurriedly translate the rest of the message, but it's full of garbles. Listening into German radio signals is like trying to make out a conversation in a crowded ballroom. Garbles or gaps are common. Shoulders tense, she tries to go back to the beginning, piece together what she's got.

• 3:31Matt Forde?

  Felipe, Huelva, urgent. She drops her pencil, rubs her forehead in frustration.

• 3:40Matt Forde?

  The superintendent leans over her. Joan watches his face cloud as he scans the incomprehensible message. We'll just have to hope the Germans are having the same problem. Joan checks her watch again, it's eight o'clock. Finally, her shift is finished. But just as she's able to get to her feet deflated, the teleprinter starts up again. Leaning over the machine, Joan grabs her pencil. The signal is stronger this time. Her palms sweat as she decodes the message. Agent Kulantal is requesting a flight and hotel in Germany today. He says he has urgent news for the Fuhrer. Joan watches as the superintendent snatches up the telephone.

• 4:26Matt Forde?

  Get me Downing Street, please. Joan feels her chest thumping. I need to speak to the Prime Minister now. We think we've got a mate.

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• 6:18Matt Forde?

  I'm Matt Ford.

• 6:19Alice Levine?

  And I'm Alice Levine.

• 6:21Matt Forde?

  And this is British Scandal, an Audible original.

• 6:36Matt Forde?

  So Alice, Operation Mince Meat, give us a quick military briefing on the plan.

• 6:42Alice Levine?

  Yes, sir. Okay, importantly, first off, it's the Second World War. Everybody on the same page?

• 6:47Matt Forde?

  Very good start.

• 6:48Alice Levine?

  Good, check. The British want to attack Sicily, but they want the Germans to think that they're going to attack Greece. And so they do this by dressing up a dead body as an army captain. With me so far, good. And they give him a briefcase with fake battle plans, saying that they're going to attack Greece. And they hope that that fake information will get back to Hitler and the Nazis. And so then they can take the troops away from Sicily and move them to Greece.

• 7:12Matt Forde?

  Excellent. And how is the plan going so far?

• 7:15Alice Levine?

  So they got the body to Spain. Tick. Good. Now a German spy, a very high profile German spy, who is really eager to impress Hitler, is sniffing around the briefcase. We love this. Good. But the Spanish Navy are planning to give that briefcase straight back to the British, so Hitler could potentially just never even see the fake plans. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad.

• 7:38Matt Forde?

  It does famously equal that, and it's about to get even more complicated and twisty. This is episode three, Hook, Line and Sinker.

• 7:50Matt Forde?

  One week earlier, the Berghof, Bavarian Alps, Germany.

• 7:57Matt Forde?

  Adolf Hitler sinks down into the plush velvet seats in his private movie theatre and loosens his tie. He thumbs his gold swastika ring, then slams his fist into the cushion. It's been another disaster of a day. After defeats in Tunisia and Stalingrad, Hitler has lost close to a million men, an eighth of his army, in just two months. He's even had to delay the start date of his Eastern Front offensive. And he's about to execute one of his top generals for disobeying his explicit orders to fight to the death. Right now, though, Hitler's determined to unwind with his favourite film, Disney's Snow White.

• 8:40Alice Levine?

  You're taking the piss.

• 8:41Matt Forde?

  Adolf Hitler considered Disney's Snow White to be one of the greatest films of all time.

• 8:46Alice Levine?

  I guess it makes sense. And by title alone, you'd think he'd like it.

• 8:51Matt Forde?

  Hitler feels the tension leave his body as soft piano music fills the room and Snow White's gleaming castle flashes onto the screen. The seven dwarfs tiptoeing towards a sleeping Snow White, pickaxes raised, when light floods into the cinema. Hitler jerks his head in annoyance. Only one person would interrupt him here. His head of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, slides silently into the seat beside him. Hitler feels an unease churn in his stomach. He keeps his eyes fixed firmly on the screen. I'm very sorry to disturb you, mein Fuhrer, but we, I, thought you should know. Goebbels leans in close.

• 9:36Matt Forde?

  Hitler can smell his acrid cologne. We've had intelligence that Churchill is mobilising troops. Hitler feels his body tense. Where? We're still trying to ascertain his exact plans. Hitler turns his head slowly away from the screen. Despite recent losses, he controls most of mainland Europe, from the Atlantic coast of France to the western border of the Soviet Union. But he cannot afford to lose any ground. He rises to his feet. I want troops stationed along the southern coast. Any possible access route, Sicily, Greece, Yugoslavia. Sir, I- That's an order!

• 10:20Matt Forde?

  Goebbels keeps his voice steady. Sir, we just don't have the manpower. We have troops stationed in the Soviet Union, Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

• 10:32Matt Forde?

  Hitler's expression darkens. We have to be strategic. Preempt the allied offensive. Position men where we think they will strike. We believe Sicily remains the most likely target. And what if they don't go for the most likely target? Hitler doesn't give Goebbels a chance to reply. We need to collect all the intel we can. I want every spy, every informer we have, on this. On the screen, Snow White drops the apple and falls into a dreamless sleep. Hitler points to a map of Europe hanging beside the cinema door. It's titled, "The New Order."

• 11:10Alice Levine?

  Obviously, we've heard this terminology so many times, but for some reason, in this moment, "The New Order," "The Final Solution," it's just striking me, particularly because he's sat in the cinema watching a cartoon whilst, at the same time, there's this map with his plan in action. And the violence and the horror of that alongside him just kicking back and watching a movie, I mean, those words are just so removed, so euphemistic, so cold.

• 11:41Matt Forde?

  Find me where Churchill intends to land.

• 11:45Matt Forde?

  He walks slowly to the map. Because wherever that is... He runs his finger slowly over Sicily. I'll be waiting for him.

• 11:57Matt Forde?

  The next day, Huelva, Spain. Karl Erik Kullenthal crouches low behind a cypress tree. He squints in the low dusk light, keeping his eyes fixed on the squat, flat-roofed structure of Huelva's makeshift mortuary. Goebbels' voice still rings in his ears. The Fuhrer has taken a personal interest in your findings. See that you don't keep him wanting. Kullenthal wipes the evening heat from his forehead, narrows his eyes. He's been tracking the suitcase washed up with a British soldier for the past few days, and he's finally traced it to this dank mortuary. He's convinced that its contents are his chance to put himself at the heart of Germany's

• 12:41Matt Forde?

  political machine, right by the great Fuhrer's side, and to also finally quash the vicious rumour that his grandmother is Jewish, especially since it's true.

• 12:55Matt Forde?

  He ducks back as the mortuary's wooden doors swing open. Dr. Fernandez, Huelva's pathologist, locks up for the night and strolls across the dusty forecourt to his two-seater sports car. Kullenthal holds his breath, wipes a bead of sweat from his eyes, then moves. He takes a crowbar from his pocket. The mortuary's rusting lock gives way almost instantly.

• 13:20Matt Forde?

  He just has to pray the briefcase is still here. He makes his way down a set of stone steps and lets the cold, damp air envelop him. He pulls a torch from his jacket pocket. A beam of light cuts through the darkness. Tiny dust particles dance in the heavy air. He takes in the peeling paint, the rough-hewn stone walls, dissection equipment on hooks on the far wall. He pans the torch from right to left until the beam of light finally illuminates an old wooden shelving unit in the corner. He pads across, then freezes. He kills the torch, lets the darkness envelop him again until the noise passes.

• 14:06Matt Forde?

  He can hear his own heart thumping in his chest. He flicks on his torch, but jolts backwards as two glinting blue eyes stare back at him. He lets out a small cry, backs away, slamming straight into a metal trolley, until he realises the blue eyes are open and vacant.

• 14:27Matt Forde?

  It's Alice Levine.

• 14:30Alice Levine?

  Oh, wait, and she's deathly white slash blue. It's Alice Levine.

• 14:34Matt Forde?

  An elderly woman lies on the autopsy table. The room is suddenly lit by an overhead light. Who are you? Dr. Fernandez fills the doorway, mouth open. Kullenthal tenses, feels for the crowbar in his pocket. Who are you? Kullenthal's eyes scan the room. I said... Kullenthal takes a few steps towards him. He can't leave empty-handed. I just need the briefcase.

• 15:04Alice Levine?

  Okay, so no cover story, just straight in with that. Mad.

• 15:07Matt Forde?

  Sort of gentleman thief. I'm here to burglar your house. If you guys just want to go into the living room, I'll do the bathroom, and then we can swap rooms. This is Graham from the aftercare team. He can help you with the insurance, and it's basically win-win. What are you talking about? The British soldier's briefcase. I just need the briefcase. I can't help you. The doctor turns, but Kullenthal races towards him, raises the crowbar. I think you can. Kullenthal leans forward and whispers. It will be much better for you, your wife, your son, if you tell me the truth. Where is the briefcase? I know, I gave it to the Navy. Kullenthal takes a step back, stunned. The Spanish Navy?

• 15:52Matt Forde?

  Kullenthal collapses back against the wall. The Spanish Navy are loyal to the British. The briefcase could be leaving the country as he speaks. He pushes past Fernandez, up the stairs, and out into the open air. He cannot let that briefcase leave Spanish shores, because he knows that if it does, it'll be gone forever, and with it, his one true chance of winning favour with the Fuhrer.

• 16:26Matt Forde?

  The next day, 5:00 AM, Madrid, Spain.

• 16:32Matt Forde?

  Alan Hilgarth is jolted awake by the sound of the telephone ringing. Beside Alan, his wife sighs and turns over pointedly.

• 16:41Alice Levine?

  These wives.

• 16:43Matt Forde?

  They can be moody, can't they, wives?

• 16:45Alice Levine?

  I mean, in this show, they're nothing but.

• 16:48Matt Forde?

  Also, this is Alan Hilgarth, the man that James Bond is loosely based on. Bond doesn't get married.

• 16:54Alice Levine?

  He has a string of buxom beauties.

• 16:57Matt Forde?

  That all have euphemistic names.

• 16:58Alice Levine?

  Yeah, because Wendy Hilgarth, that isn't a euphemism.

• 17:01Matt Forde?

  Yeah, what's Connery gonna do with that? Oh, that's a Hilgarth I'd like to die on.

• 17:08Alice Levine?

  That's a Hilgarth I'd like to die on!

• 17:13Matt Forde?

  He fumbles in the darkness for the handset. Hello? The blasted Spanish Navy have the briefcase. It takes Alan a moment to register Ewan Montague's clipped, irate tones. Well, what do we do? They're trying to arrange a safe passage for it, by boat, back to Britain. Alan rubs his eyes as he tries to come to, still groggy from sleep.

• 17:37Matt Forde?

  He's tired of this job. Britain's naval attaché in Spain isn't supposed to be running covert operations for MI5. Alan exhales sharply.

• 17:48Matt Forde?

  Well, that's very efficient of them. Efficient? It will ruin everything. Alan leans back on the headrest. Montague, I did warn you this was a possibility. The Navy are pro-British. If they think they've recovered confidential papers, then they'll protect them. Then stop them. Alan laughs. Stop the Spanish Navy from helping Britain? They'll think I've gone mad, that I'm a spy. There's a pause. Alan, our intelligence is telling us that a German spy is trying to access the briefcase. Alan feels his fist tighten around the receiver. Who is it? Karl Akkoud. Alan cuts in. Karl Erik Kullenthal. He knows the man.

• 18:33Matt Forde?

  One of the Abvers' best officers in Madrid. He's cunning and ruthlessly ambitious. Perhaps Operation Mince Meat is working. Please, we need to give him the best chance of finding it. That briefcase cannot return to Britain. I can't tell a British ally to withhold top-secret British files from Britain. Alan stares in horror at the receiver as the line goes dead.

• 19:01Alice Levine?

  Okay, so this is all turning into a bit of a mess, dare I say. So Alan, his job as attaché has always been to have this relationship, to cultivate this relationship with the Spanish Navy. And now Montague's like, "Yeah, not that. Actually, go in there and make sure that they don't assist you, AKA the British government." Not only is that incredibly confusing for everybody involved, there was such a palpable, heightened suspicion around everybody at this moment. So if Alan starts acting against his usual agenda, then immediately, of course, they're gonna think that he's a double agent, and then they'll have no goodwill with the Navy whatsoever.

• 19:42Alice Levine?

  And all of this for a plan that we have no idea if it's gonna work anyway. There are so many more things that could go wrong after this point.

• 19:51Matt Forde?

  Four hours later, Alan tenses as he takes in the Spanish Navy's warships in the harbor. Captain Elvira, senior navy officer in Huelva, slaps him on the back and ushers him inside, offers Alan a scotch. Alan takes a long swig. Don't worry, we can help you. Elvira is assuring him, gesturing to a locked safe in the corner of the room. We'll ensure no one can access the papers, and as we speak, a safe passage is being arranged by boat.

• 20:25Alice Levine?

  So I don't want to be a burden, and you've got so much on. So what I recommend is, plop that back in the water. Save your space in the safe, because you're gonna need that. And let me take the admin off your hands.

• 20:41Matt Forde?

  Alan grits his teeth and tries to force a smile. This cannot happen. If the briefcase leaves Spain by boat, Kullenthal will have no hope of recovering it. I'm afraid that won't do. Alan sees Captain Elvira's bushy brows furrow. He tries to think on his feet. It will take too long. His voice comes out fast as his brain scrambles. I mean to say that, well, my superiors in Britain are anxious that the papers be returned as soon as possible. I don't need to impress upon you their importance. Captain Elvira nods sympathetically. Then, given their importance, you'll want to send them back via the most secure route?

• 21:23Matt Forde?

  My superiors feel train would be the most suitable route, cross-country, via Madrid. Captain Elvira stares at Alan dumbfounded. I really do feel a safe passage on one of our ships would... Alan bites himself time with a mouthful of scotch.

• 21:45Alice Levine?

  How long can I swill this for, so I can think of a plan?

• 21:51Matt Forde?

  Ah, the bird is really peaty, ugh! He can't eat Pepto Bismol. An idea comes to him. Ships have so many men, how do we know we can trust them all? No, a train passage with one guard, two at most, would be much better. The fewer the people who know about this, the better. Aren't you worried the letters could be intercepted? Alan Reddins, realising how stupid he sounds. Captain Elvira leans across the desk. I don't want to worry you, but a German agent has been making inquiries. Alan feels sweat trickle down his forehead. He tries to feign surprise. Oh, good God, well, even more reason then.

• 22:36Matt Forde?

  The sooner these papers are back in British hands, the better. Captain Elvira nods slowly. Very well. Alan rises shakily to his feet, trying to keep his face perfectly neutral. But inside, relief floods his body. The briefcase isn't going home, yet, it's heading to Madrid. Straight into the hunting ground of one of Germany's best spies. Now, he just needs to ensure Kullenthal gets wind of it.

• 23:11Matt Forde?

  Four days later, Ministerio de Marina, Madrid. Karl Erik Kullenthal keeps his head down and his collar up as he climbs the stone steps of Madrid's naval headquarters.

• 23:26Matt Forde?

  Looking about him, he takes a folded telegram from his pocket, double-checks its contents. British naval attaché Hilgarth orders urgent return of classified documents. Journey scheduled, 12:33 Madrid service. Kullenthal smiles to himself. He couldn't believe his luck when he intercepted the message. He glances at his watch, 1200. He has just half an hour before the briefcase is collected for the next leg of its journey. If he's going to get his hands on the contents, it will have to be now. A young, fresh-faced security officer waits by the reception desk. Kullenthal takes out a thick envelope and slips it into the man's pocket.

• 24:10Matt Forde?

  He's managed to bribe the guard to leave early, the rest is up to him. The officer swallows. My replacement will be here in 10 minutes. Kullenthal checks his watch. 10 minutes? That's not enough time, I thought we... Kullenthal ducks back as a secretary enters the lobby. The security officer shrugs helplessly. He hurries outside, leaving Kullenthal alone in the cavernous hall.

• 24:38Matt Forde?

  Kullenthal's face sets in determination. He tries to remember the floor plan he's memorised as he races up the ornate central staircase. He takes a left, weaves through a maze of darkened corridors, until he recognises the Admiral's office. He twists the handle and slips inside. His eyes frantically search the panellled walls until he sees it, the safe. Relief floods his body, the door is ajar as planned. He slides out the battered briefcase, the leather is flaking with water damage. It's covered in a film of white salt. He lifts it onto the desk.

• 25:19Matt Forde?

  Kullenthal tries to keep his hands steady as he takes out its contents and places them on the large mahogany desk. Letters to family, a wallet. He starts to panic as he realises this briefcase may not contain files of import. That he might have over-promised. When finally, a letter, still damp to the touch, appears under a photograph of a sweetheart.

• 25:44Alice Levine?

  Shout out to Pam.

• 25:46Matt Forde?

  He slides it out and turns it over. Despite hours in the water, the seal is intact. If he breaks it, the British will know the letter has been read. It could even force them to change their military plans. He opens his canvas bag, takes out a heat lamp, and begins to gently dry the delicate paper. He glances at his watch, less than five minutes until the guards change over. Beads of sweat are running down his forehead, 30 seconds, 60 seconds. He feels the letter start to finally dry in his hand and begin searching desperately for a possible way in.

• 26:27Matt Forde?

  His heart rate quickens, the seal is stuck down steadfast, but the gum from the envelope has been washed off, leaving a tiny opening.

• 26:38Matt Forde?

  Rummaging again in his bag, he produces a thin metal double prong. He chews his lip as he slides the prong into the gap. With a steady hand, he snags the bottom of the letter with the hooked end of the probe, then he twists. He slowly begins to pull, the prong begins to emerge with the letter wrapped around it.

• 27:00Matt Forde?

  Down the corridor, he hears footsteps, the new guard, he must be here already.

• 27:06Matt Forde?

  Kullenthal extracts the prong a little too quickly, he feels resistance, checks with a shaking hand for signs of a rip, but the envelope is still intact. He unfurls the letter, eyes racing across the page.

• 27:22Matt Forde?

  I am taking advantage of sending you a personal letter by hand about Mediterranean operations and their attendant cover plans. Kullenthal's pulse quickens. We had proposed to select Sicily as the cover target for Husky. We stand a very good chance of making him think we will go for Sicily. Kullenthal desperately scans on. But we propose the target be instead... His eyes dart to the next paragraph. Greece. Greece, my God, the British intend to strike Greece! Kullenthal pulls out his camera and snaps hurried photographs of the letters. His whole body fizzes with adrenaline.

• 28:04Matt Forde?

  He quickly tucks the paperwork back into the briefcase, then slips it into the safe, before he ducks out of the room as the new guard appears at the far end of the corridor. Kullenthal keeps his gaze lowered as he passes, but inside, his heart is battering against his ribs. Because in his top pocket, he has proof that Churchill's forces intend to attack Greece in one month's time and not Sicily. He's going to ensure Nazi forces are waiting to obliterate them. And in doing so, cement his place in history as the greatest spy Germany has ever known.

• 28:51Speaker 03

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• 29:08Speaker 04

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• 29:12Speaker 05

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• 29:26Matt Forde?

  9th of May 1943, the Berghof, Bavarian Alps, Germany.

• 29:33Alice Levine?

  For a show called British Scandal, we aren't half here a lot.

• 29:37Matt Forde?

  We are, this property has featured in many previous series. It's Hitler's holiday home, and it featured in our series on Lord Hallhall. Edward and Wallis Simpson came here, and Diana Mosley came here in our series Hitler's Angels.

• 29:51Alice Levine?

  The Nazi equivalent of Airbnb, he's the super host.

• 29:55Matt Forde?

  Karl Erik Kullenthal shifts nervously in his seat as the black Mercedes climbs the winding track. Everywhere he looks, brooding, snow-covered mountains loom over him. A vast wood-panellled chalet comes into view. He leans forward, drinking it all in. The neat boxes of geraniums lining the windows, the huge red swastika flag flapping in the breeze. Hitler's inner sanctum.

• 30:23Alice Levine?

  Oh, it gives you the shivers, doesn't it, just that image?

• 30:26Matt Forde?

  Not into geraniums.

• 30:28Alice Levine?

  Hate them.

• 30:30Matt Forde?

  He clutches his bag of photographs tight to his chest as he steps out of the car, into the compound. A German shepherd bounds across the gravel, bears its teeth. Behind it, the Fuhrer. Kullenthal takes in Hitler's immaculate grey tunic with thick lapels, his black tie, his golden party badge and cropped moustache, his piercing, pale, clear blue eyes.

• 30:59Matt Forde?

  Kullenthal snaps into a salute. Hitler, it is a real honour to meet them. But the Fuhrer cuts him off with a dismissive wave. You have my documents? Next to him is an impossibly thin man, no more than five foot five. Goebbels. Coulenthal feels his beady, dark eyes fix on his bag. He immediately crouches down. His fingers trip over themselves as he lays out the photographs across a bench. My Fuhrer, Britain's invasion plans. Coulenthal can feel his heart thudding as Hitler studies them. Sicily, merely a deception? Coulenthal can't help but let out a slight smile.

• 31:42Matt Forde?

  Yes, my Fuhrer, they intend to strike Greece. Goebbels snorts. Huh, these letters, they were found on a corpse, is that right? Have you had them verified? Coulenthal swallows. I, I explained on the phone, there wasn't time. I had to intercept the letters on their journey across Europe. But they're real, I have spent over a week. But Goebbels takes a step towards him. How do you know? They were extremely difficult to access, and the British were desperate to get them back. I've intercepted frantic radio messages. The naval attaché travelled from Madrid after the body was found. Goebbels raises an eyebrow.

• 32:27Matt Forde?

  How negligent of them. Coulenthal feels a flash of annoyance. He's put everything on the line to get these papers. To his horror, Hitler's expression also begins to cloud. Could the British have planted them? Coulenthal's stomach drops. Could this corpse have been deliberately planted? Uh, no. The words pour out of Coulenthal's mouth before he can stop them. I, I'm sorry, my Fuhrer, I, I just mean, it wasn't just the letter in the bag. There were receipts, tickets, even a photo of the soldier's sweetheart. The Fuhrer snatches the photographs. They must be properly analysed, they should already have been done. Coulenthal reddens.

• 33:12Matt Forde?

  There is a great deal of intel that Churchill is mobilising troops. The tally's with— But Hitler raises a dismissive hand to silence him. Coulenthal feels himself bristled. He knows these papers are real. He can't let Goebbels convince his Fuhrer otherwise. There is too much at risk, too much to lose. He has to do everything he can to prove it to Hitler. His future and the future of the fatherland depends on it.

• 33:48Matt Forde?

  Two days later, The Times offices, Printing House Square, London. Ewan Montague shoulders through the underground newsroom towards the editor's office. Around him, rows of reporters, their ties loosened, shirt buttons undone, type furiously and shout into phones. Every newspaper in Britain is printing casualty lists. In the last few days, dozens of British soldiers have been killed off the coast of southern Spain. And Montague knows it'll look suspicious if Major Bill Martin isn't on that list.

• 34:23Alice Levine?

  Oh yeah, of course, so Major Bill Martin, obviously being the name, the persona, the whole backstory they've given the corpse. He's a major, so naturally he would get a mention.

• 34:33Matt Forde?

  Yeah, so during the war, newspapers would just print names of the dead. That's how you'd find out if your husband, your dad, your son had been killed at war. It's a heck of a way to find out. And obviously, part of the plan has to involve them continuing to behave as if Major Bill Martin is a real person. Bletchley has just informed Montague that Coulenthal has travelled to Germany to see Hitler. He hopes with details of the briefcase. But Montague has realised that one key piece of Major Martin's story is still incomplete. And he isn't going to take any risks. A grey-faced man pulls open the door. Montague! There's a man I want you to add to your casualty list, a soldier.

• 35:18Matt Forde?

  The editor stares at him, surprised. There's a chap you're missing. I assure you, our records are up to date. The official death list is the— But Montague continues. Major Bill Martin, William. Montague's jaw is tight, his tone firm. Do you have a death certificate? Montague hesitates. I just need you to publish this, as a favour. He sees a puzzled expression appear on the editor's face. Are you asking me to invent a dead soldier? Montague steps closer. I'm asking you to save living ones. Now the editor's eyebrows raise.

• 36:02Matt Forde?

  Sounds like there's a story in that. I'd be thrilled to publish that— Montague grabs the edge of the desk. If you don't want blood on your hands, you do as I say and add him to the goddamn list. Montague watches as the editor reaches for a pencil, then stops. The phone on his desk begins to ring. The editor answers it, his face clouds in confusion. He holds out the receiver to Montague, eyeing him suspiciously. It's for you.

• 36:33Matt Forde?

  Montague presses the receiver to his ear. You need to get back here, it's arrived.

• 36:41Matt Forde?

  Half an hour later in room thirteen, Montague and Charles Chomley crowd around a water-damaged briefcase. Montague reaches for its clasp, but his hands shake, taking in its frayed edges. He steadies himself and begins to remove the contents.

• 37:01Matt Forde?

  It's intact, isn't it? It hasn't even been opened. Montague takes out the photograph of Pam, the theatre tickets, and finally, the letter. He anxiously turns it over to look at the seal. His face falls, and his shoulders sink. Ah, maybe Coulenthal got spooked up, ran out of time. Maybe the Spanish Navy's security was just too much for him. Montague slams his hand on the desk. Charles begins to turn away, grey-faced. But Montague is still staring at the envelope. It must have been read! He holds the envelope under his desk lamp, desperate to make out any sign of damage. Nothing.

• 37:47Matt Forde?

  He takes a knife from his desk and slices the seal, pulls out the letter, scans it, turns it over. Then he peers inside the envelope. His pulse quickens. Charles has sunk down onto his desk chair, his head in his hands. We have to tell Churchill, immediately. All those men are already— He sounds close to tears. But Montague turns to him with almost manic excitement. It's been read! How can you possibly know? Montague hands Charles the envelope. The eyelashes! Charles looks at him in confusion. Eyelashes?

• 38:29Matt Forde?

  When the letter was sealed, I planted two eyelashes in it. They're gone, look! Montague flashes Charles the empty envelope. But Charles shrinks back, wary.

• 38:42Alice Levine?

  Okay, you kept that lovely detail from me, that is genius!

• 38:47Matt Forde?

  Didn't they used to put a hair over the door?

• 38:49Alice Levine?

  Yes.

• 38:49Matt Forde?

  It would snap if someone had been in. Although, depending on how often you were doing this, you'd run out of eyelashes.

• 38:54Alice Levine?

  You'd run out of eyelashes, and can you imagine leaving the house? Oh, gotta put hairs on every doorway, bear with.

• 39:01Matt Forde?

  I put two pubes in that envelope. I know it sounds awful, but all my eyelashes are gone. And the ones on my head hurt.

• 39:11Matt Forde?

  Well, couldn't they have just, I don't know, dropped out? It's been in the sea, for God's sakes! But Montague is shaking his head. He is sure the contents have been read. And now he will stop at nothing to keep Bill Martin's story alive. Because he knows if the Nazis believe what's in that letter, Britain might just be on the way to winning this godforsaken war and defeating Hitler once and for all.

• 39:41Matt Forde?

  Three days later, the Berghof, Bavarian Alps, Germany. Adolf Hitler leans over the vast operations map, grave-faced, tracing the enemy lines. He runs a finger along a blue line from the Gulf of Finland in the far north to the Black Sea in the south, the eastern border. He traces his finger westward, towards Greece and to Sicily. He's heard through his intel that Churchill has referred to Sicily as Europe's soft underbelly. It's been five days since he received the documents from Kulenthal, but his experts haven't been able to verify the letters from the photographs alone.

• 40:23Matt Forde?

  Sicily seems so obvious, well-placed to launch an attack on mainland Italy. But Greece, it's less direct, further from their Allied air and naval bases, and packed with mountainous terrain. Unless that's exactly what they want Germany to think.

• 40:50Alice Levine?

  Oh, this is such a mind meld for me. So lord knows what it's like for Hitler. So he's going, okay, so I thought they wanted to go to Sicily, but they're telling me they want to go to Greece, but that probably means that they're going to Sicily. But actually, would they go to Greece even though it's mountainous? Because I would think that they wouldn't go to Greece, but maybe they would go to Greece, because although it's difficult, then I probably wouldn't go to Greece. But then, is that exactly what they think? Because if I'm supposed to intercept this thing, or am I not supposed to intercept this thing? So if I'm not supposed to intercept this thing, then probably they are going to Sicily. But actually, if I am supposed to intercept it, probably they are going to Sic-- are they going to Sicily?

• 41:22Matt Forde?

  Hitler hears the door open behind him. He's taken aback to see Kulenthal. Quivering slightly, he places a British newspaper on the mahogany desk. Mein Führer, sir. I don't know if you'd seen-- Hitler glances down at it. Kulenthal points with a shaking finger to a name he's underlined: Major William Bill Martin. Major William Bill Martin is the British soldier, mein Führer, found with a briefcase in Spain. Hitler fixes him with a look. I've cross-checked his address with a letter I found from his father in his wallet and tickets to a play in London, just days before he must have set sail. Everything fits, mein Führer.

• 42:07Matt Forde?

  Hitler sees Kulenthal swallow before anxiously placing a wad of letters on the table. There's the letter Major Martin was carrying from the general, too. I've been through any recent correspondence we've intercepted from him. The style matches, the phrasing, even the typing errors. Hitler holds up a hand to silence him. I don't care what you think. Germany doesn't give a damn what you think. He eyes Kulenthal suspiciously. Tell me, Kulenthal, where is your family from? He sees a flash of a shadow on Kulenthal's face. He's heard rumours that this man might have Jewish blood.

• 42:49Matt Forde?

  Perhaps all this is a plan to humiliate him, to bring down the Axis. The fatherland, mein Führer. Koblenz, in the Rhineland. I'm so very sorry if I've overstepped. Hitler steps towards him, leans in. When his German shepherd appears in the doorway, Hitler reaches out to smooth the head of his dog, takes a breath. Do you know how I lost in North Africa, Kulenthal? Kulenthal freezes. A British officer died. He turns back towards the map. My advisers insisted the papers he was carrying, papers outlining the Allied invasion, was a deception.

• 43:34Matt Forde?

  But they were wrong. The documents were genuine.

• 43:39Alice Levine?

  Okay, this is fascinating. So the British are also preying on Hitler's self-doubt, because he's made a mistake in the past, a really, really significant mistake, where he thought that the intel that he found was fake, but in fact it was real. So Operation Mince Meat are assuming, hoping, that any intel that falls into his lap again, he'll be inclined to think of as genuine, so he doesn't make that error again.

• 44:03Matt Forde?

  Yeah, and it's just great that there's always a long game, and that all these things, these previous decisions are the things that he would have been mulling over when deciding, and the British would know that. Each attempt kind of reinforces the other one.

• 44:19Alice Levine?

  Yeah, you think that all of these things are sort of maths or sciency in their strategy. So much of it is about human psychology and trying to second-guess what someone will do in these high-pressure situations.

• 44:34Matt Forde?

  He stares at Greece, then at Sicily. Hundreds of thousands of Allied troops landed exactly where those papers said they would. The British are so dry, so staid, so unimaginative. Is Churchill really capable of conceiving such an elaborate hoax? Hitler turns back to the map. He has to make a decision. The future of the war and the fatherland depends on it. And as he looks into Kulenthal's fearful eyes, he thinks he has his answer.

• 45:11Matt Forde?

  The next day, 10 Downing Street, London. Winston Churchill takes out his pocket watch and checks the time. All morning, he's been stuck in last-minute planning meetings for Operation Husky, the codename for the Allies' planned strike on Sicily. And now, he's late for his next briefing. Churchill pushes open the doors to his cabinet office. Most of his ministers are already inside. The atmosphere is tense and fraught. Some refuse to meet his gaze. What on earth is the matter? His aide edges towards him, carrying a telegram. We've just received this from Bletchley, Prime Minister. Churchill scans the message.

• 45:55Matt Forde?

  Large troop movements, intercepted German signals. The telegram falls out of his hands as he collapses into a chair. Hmm. How many men in the mix? He can't believe it. After all their work, the Germans are reinforcing Sicily. One of his generals jumps up. We're going to be bloody slaughtered, and all because of some bloody theatrical game. Churchill rubs his temple. Mince Meat has clearly failed, and we're sending 100,000 men into a death trap. I take full responsibility. It was always a long shot. He feels his head start to pound. He nods. He has to get out of this room, has to think.

• 46:38Matt Forde?

  He staggers outside onto the terrace, lights himself a cigar with shaking hands. He was so impressed by Operation Mince Meat, the audacity of it, but he should have realised how unreliable it was. Everything that needed to go right to make it a success. And now, 100,000 young British men are crossing the Mediterranean to what might be a massacre. A shout goes up from inside the cabinet office. Prime Minister! Churchill looks up to see the teleprinter is working away furiously at another message. His ministers crowd around it, trying to make it out. It's from Ewan Montague.

• 47:21Matt Forde?

  Churchill leans in, reads. Our double agents believe the message about Germans reinforcing Sicily is a double bluff. Evidence suggests they're actually moving troops towards Greece. Come on! Churchill's chest thumps. Around him, his ministers are wide-eyed in disbelief. His general blinks. Churchill watches dumbfounded as Ewan Montague signs off his message, victorious. Mince Meat is swallowed. Hook, line, and sinker.

• 48:05Speaker 04

  Journalist Tristan Redman goes where no son-in-law should ever go, deep into his wife's family history, digging up the cold case of who murdered her great-grandmother. Because, I should mention, he thinks the murderer might actually be the beloved family patriarch. For the best bingeable series like Ghost Story, listen to the Audible True Crime Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Ghosts aren't real. At least, that's what journalist Tristan Redman always believed. Sure, odd things happen in his childhood bedroom, but ultimately, he shrugged them off. Until he discovered that he wasn't alone, that everyone who lived thereafter him also had bizarre experiences they couldn't explain. And it gets even weirder. It just so happens that his wife's great-grandmother was murdered in the house next door.

• 48:50Speaker 04

  Is this ghost somehow connected to her murder? He decides to go where no son-in-law should, digging up a cold case and asking questions that nobody wants answered. Like, could his wife's great-grandfather have gotten away with the perfect crime? This is a podcast about family secrets, overwhelming coincidence, and the things that come back to haunt us. For the best bingeable series like Ghost Story, listen to the Audible True Crime Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can get all episodes early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.

• 49:31Matt Forde?

  10th of July 1943, Piquino Peninsula, Sicily. Captain James Michaels squints through the spray as the landing craft careers towards the Sicilian shore. Saltwater clings to the back of his throat. His numb fingers grip onto the guardrail as a long stretch of white sand, lined with barbed wire and Czech hedgehogs, finally comes into view.

• 49:57Alice Levine?

  I'm guessing that's a nickname.

• 49:59Matt Forde?

  Czech hedgehogs.

• 50:00Alice Levine?

  Yes.

• 50:01Matt Forde?

  A Czech hedgehog is those really terrifying-looking, big, black, X-metal things that they would put on the beaches that, you know, they start saving Private Ryan. So it's to scupper any military vehicles trying to get up the beach.

• 50:15Alice Levine?

  Menacing. Menacing little hedgehogs.

• 50:19Matt Forde?

  Captain Michaels' stomach twists, but he can't let his men see his apprehension. Clearing his throat, he shouts over the roaring engine. "Secure the beachhead! That will move north and take Syracuse!" He and his men have been charged with carrying out Operation Husky, taking Sicily, the soft underbelly of Europe, as a crucial base for the Allies. If today goes well, the Allies will launch an attack on Mussolini and break the Axis. The fact that, like the fate of democracy, around the world rests on you having a good day at work is a tremendous amount of pressure, but it's a pressure I carry with a privilege.

• 51:02Alice Levine?

  I was waiting for it. I was waiting for it.

• 51:08Matt Forde?

  Captain Michaels can't help but be filled with apprehension. His men's lives depend on whether a dead man fooled Hitler. He glances around at his men now, realises how young they look. A fresh-faced boy of no older than 18 has a stoic expression, but is quietly muttering a prayer. Another vomits over the side of the craft. Captain James swallows his doubt as the beach gets closer and the adrenaline kicks in. He breathes in sharply as the landing craft shudders to a stop on the sand. "Go, go, go!" His men start pouring out of their crafts, tearing up the beach.

• 51:51Matt Forde?

  Captain James braces himself, ready for the rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun fire, the first bottle to fall. And then it starts. Gunfire echoes around the island. Everyone dives. Captain James's whole body tenses, but when he crawls to the top of the dune, he sees his whole section standing up, rifles mounted on their shoulders. He follows their gaze. A single, lone, German utility car races away in retreat.

• 52:22Alice Levine?

  Oh my god, I think they've done it. They've actually done it! Oh! I've honestly got shivers.

• 52:33Matt Forde?

  An officer turns to him, gleefully wiping his brow. "Just a couple of lone lookouts, sir." Relief floods James's body. He takes out his field radio and prepares a message to his superiors. "Five Bravo, five Bravo, five Bravo, from Two Alpha, in Torgative, clear so far." He allows himself a smile. "Piquino Peninsula secured, sir. Permission to advance."

• 53:15Matt Forde?

  Two weeks later, Room 13, Admiralty Building, London. Charles Chumley carefully removes the final map of Spain off the damp brick wall and rolls it into a tube. He glances around the basement office. The walls are bare, and most of the desks are covered with boxes. Montague pours himself a Scotch and leans back in his green leather chair. "I suppose this is it, then." For the last 10 months, this operation has consumed their lives. And now, it's over. The Allied invasion has proved to be a huge success. Together, they have carried out one of history's largest amphibious assaults.

• 54:00Matt Forde?

  They'd had lighter resistance than anyone dared hope, and now the battle for mainland Europe is wide open.

• 54:06Alice Levine?

  This is incredible.

• 54:08Matt Forde?

  Charles pours himself a glass, too. When Montague jolts up, Scotch splashes onto the concrete floor. "Prime Minister!" The stench of cigar smoke fills the air. Charles turns, wide-eyed, to see a round figure in a three-piece chalk-stripe suit. Charles momentarily panics that something has gone terribly wrong, before Churchill smiles. "I wouldn't mind one of those." Churchill marches into the room and helps himself to Montague's decanter. "Our offensive in Sicily has exposed the weakness of the Italian military. Mussolini's Grand Council has voted against him. He's gone."

• 54:53Matt Forde?

  Charles's mouth falls open. Churchill raises his glass. "The Axis is broken. I wanted to inform you personally of your success. I'll see that you're recognised for your hard work." He drains his Scotch, then turns to leave. Pauses. "Well played, gentlemen." Charles and Montague stare at each other in stunned silence. Then, they burst out laughing. Charles looks around the empty room. His eyes fall on the photo of Pam. "It's funny how we spent 10 months creating this man." Montague looks up. "But all along, we never really knew the real one."

• 55:38Matt Forde?

  Montague raises a glass. "To Glinda Michael, the man who saved Britain." Charles raises his glass. "To Glinda Michael!" The Allies are on the verge of crushing the Nazis. Britain is on the brink of victory. Charles has helped depose a world leader from a pokey basement in London, become a war hero without ever leaving his desk.

• 56:05Matt Forde?

  And it's all thanks to Operation Mince Meat. Charles Chumley received an MBE in 1944. He remained secretive about his intelligence work. He wasn't named as being the brains behind Mince Meat until his death in 1982. Ewan Montague was awarded an OBE for his role in the plan. He went on to become judge advocate for the Fleet, Navy, in 1945.

• 56:47Matt Forde?

  He was much less private about his role in Operation Mince Meat, writing a book, The Man Who Never Was, about the experience, and acting as an adviser on the subsequent film. He died in 1985. For his work in Operation Mince Meat, Ian Fleming described Alan Hilgarth as a war winner. It is alleged that he inspired his future character, James Bond. When files were declassified, the identity of Bill Martin's corpse was revealed to be Glinda Michael. In 1997, a postscript was added to his grave in Huelva.

• 57:24Matt Forde?

  Glinda Michael served as Major William Martin, R.M. If you'd like to know more about this story, you can read Operation Mince Meat: The True Spy Story That Changed World War II by Ben McIntyre. You can watch Operation Mince Meat, a BBC Two documentary, or go and see Operation Mince Meat: The Musical. You've been listening to British Scandal, an Audible original, produced by Audible with Samistat, hosted by me, Matt Ford.

• 57:57Alice Levine?

  And me, Alice Levine.

• 57:59Matt Forde?

  Written by Lydia Marchant. The story editor was James Maniac. The senior producer was Chica Ayers. The assistant producer was Louise Mason. The production manager was Louis Blathwick. Recorded by Jai Williams. Sound design by Rich Evans. The executive producers for Samistat were Joe Sykes and Dashalisa Sina. Executive producers for Audible were Theodora Leludis and Destel Doyle. Imagine you're reading Pride and Prejudice, except you're not reading it. Harris Dickinson and Marissa Abella are reading it to you on Audible. Her barbs sting you.

• 58:42Matt Forde?

  His coldness sends a shiver up your spine. Your heart aches. Your ears burn. You yearn for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to profess their undying love for one another. You can't bear it any longer. Well, maybe a chapter longer. Performance is so good, you'll give love a second chance. Audible: Stories That Speak to You. On January 24, 2023, in Duxbury, Massachusetts, Patrick Clancy called 911. He had found his wife Lindsay badly injured and his three children dead and dying. What followed would become one of the most searing and complicated cases in recent memory, raising hard questions about motherhood, mental illness, and how far our justice system

• 59:27Matt Forde?

  will go to understand what really happened. I'm Candice DeLong, host of the podcast Killer Psyche. In our latest episode, we take you inside the case of Lindsay Clancy, the postpartum psychosis defence, the courtroom battle, and the trial that just ended in a stunning mistrial. Follow Killer Psyche wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Killer Psyche one week early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.