Project Eagle: The Top-Secret OSS Operation That Sent Polish Spies Behind German Lines in World War II

by John S. Micgiel

After the Battle of the Bulge—which had begun with a German attack that American intelligence failed to anticipate—the Office of Strategic Service (OSS), forerunner of the CIA, revamped its intelligence operations in Europe. Confronted with staff shortages and needing native language speakers, the OSS decided to enlist the cooperation of volunteers from occupied countries for intelligence-gathering operations. As part of Project Eagle, Polish soldiers were recruited and trained to go behind the lines of the Third Reich. Project Eagle tells this fascinating World War II story of intelligence and espionage that until now has been hidden away in the archives of the OSS.

The OSS had worked with Polish exiles throughout the war, but Project Eagle would mark a new and dramatic chapter in their cooperation. In early 1945, American intelligence recruited thirty-two Poles—a unique group of men who had been forcibly conscripted into the German Wehrmacht, were captured in France and Italy, and were pulled from Allied prisoner of war camps. They were then trained in intelligence gathering as well as espionage to assist the Allies in their invasion of Germany. Not long after—in March 1945—they parachuted behind enemy lines, equipped only with falsified documents and radios. For six weeks, up until Germany’s surrender, the Polish spy teams roved Germany, assisting ground commanders and providing counterintelligence assistance.

Genres: History

264 pages, Hardcover

First published June 18, 2024

Reviews

[Edward Tydda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Author has spent a great deal
Of time researching the facts from numerous, multiple sources, including the families of these brave men. The Eagle teams made a huge difference and influence on ending the war faster and saving no more lives along the way. The story of the Pink Lady team has until now been classified and the records were hidden away in archives. Pink Lady found, observed and pulled Pattons army group directly to the gates of Buchenwald. A story hitherto hidden away. They were the first spies/agents to find solid proof of the death camps and were able to bring relief to the victims without any due regard for their own safety, miles behind enemy lines. The Author brings the operations, plans and the human side to these brave men and for the first time shines a light onto these brave men, their courage and their operations. A damn good read and maybe a new script for a new movie by Tom Cruise, only like Valkyrie, but Project Eagle was even more daring and driven by pure courage. Thank you John for writing a great book and recognizing the hero’s of Project Eagle. A new best seller is born!

[Terri Wangard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poland had an incredible intelligence network. They shared their information with the British and Americans, who found them to be the best players in this intelligence game. The sharing was largely a one-sided affair. The Poles expected future political support from the United States. At the end of the war, Poland was sacrificed to the Soviet Union.

In the last months of the war, the Allies wanted agents sent into Germany for intelligence that would assist in the invasion of Germany and help bring the war to an end. The Poles could do the best job. However, by the time they were on the ground in Germany, war’s end was weeks away and the agents had a hard time getting information out. While they observed a lot, their presence among the enemy didn’t seem to help much.

Interesting history, but it does read like a history book or textbook that can be difficult to slog through. I would have liked more anecdotes.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing read about a little-known event in WW2. The story is interesting and informative. The firsthand accounts added realism to the story and let the reader be there. A good read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.