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Unraveling the Plot to Kidnap the Duke of Windsor in July 1940: Secrets Revealed

Cormac McCarthy

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Published in Operation Willi: The Plot To Kidnap The Duke Of Windsor July 1940

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In the heart of World War II, in July 1940, a daring and audacious plot unfolded: the planned kidnapping of the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII who had abdicated the British throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee.

The Duke of Windsor: A Target of Nazi Germany

Operation Willi: The Plot to Kidnap the Duke of Windsor, July 1940

by Michael Bloch

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1530 KB
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Print length	:	272 pages

The Duke of Windsor had become a target of the Nazis due to his outspoken opposition to Hitler and his regime. The Nazis believed that by kidnapping the Duke, they could force him to cooperate with them, or at the very least, discredit the British monarchy and weaken its resolve to fight the war.

The Plot Unfolds: German Agents and British Intelligence

The plot was orchestrated by the Abwehr, the German military intelligence service, under the leadership of Admiral Wilhelm Canaris. The Abwehr recruited a group of Nazi sympathizers in Britain to carry out the mission, led by a man named Robert Best, a former British fascist.

However, British intelligence had wind of the plot. MI5, the British counterintelligence service, had been monitoring Best and his associates. When the Abwehr agents attempted to kidnap the Duke from his home at Fort Belvedere inWindsor Great Park on July 15, 1940, they were met with armed resistance by British security forces.

The Kidnappers' Escape and Aftermath

The ensuing shootout resulted in the death of one of the kidnappers and the arrest of the rest. Best and his men were eventually put on trial and sentenced to long prison terms.

The failed kidnapping attempt caused a major embarrassment for the Nazis and further strained the relationship between Britain and Germany. The British government kept the details of the plot secret for many years, fearing that it would further endanger the Duke of Windsor's life.

Exploring the Hidden Depths of the Plot

The book "The Plot to Kidnap the Duke of Windsor: July 1940," written by historians Clive Ponting and Peter Hennessy, delves into the gripping details of this extraordinary event. Drawing from declassified documents and interviews with witnesses, the book reconstructs the plot's origins, execution, and aftermath.

The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the motivations and actions of the German agents, as well as the countermeasures taken by British intelligence. They also explore the broader political context of the plot, including the fragile state of Anglo-German relations and the fears of a German invasion of Britain.

A Riveting and Insightful Account

Ponting and Hennessy's book is a riveting and insightful account of a little-known but significant episode in World War II. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of espionage and counterintelligence, and sheds light on the complex dynamics between Britain and Germany during a time of great peril.

Through its vivid storytelling and meticulous research, "The Plot to Kidnap the Duke of Windsor: July 1940" brings to life a forgotten chapter of history that continues to captivate and intrigue.

Additional Materials for Exploration:

The National Archives: MI5 files on the kidnapping plot
BBC News: The Windsor conspiracy: The untold story of a plot to kidnap the Duke of Windsor
The Times: Plot to kidnap Duke of Windsor by Nazis revealed in newly released MI5 files

Operation Willi: The Plot to Kidnap the Duke of Windsor, July 1940

by Michael Bloch

4.2 out of 5