Operation Mincemeat

In 1943, the United Kingdom finds itself deeply engulfed in World War II. As the war intensifies, fears of Nazi Germany reaching London loom large for families, especially those of serving officers like Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu.

Ewen Montagu's wife, Iris, and their children flee to the United States for safety. This separation strains their marriage, leading Iris to consider a divorce, believing Ewen should be with them if he truly cared.

Taking a break from his law career, Montagu is enlisted as a supply officer for the Twenty Committee. He is accompanied by his secretary, Hester Leggett, as they prepare to undertake a crucial mission.

Winston Churchill informs the United States of the Allies' plan for an invasion in Sicily by July 1943. This information heightens the urgency for the Twenty Committee to devise a plan to mislead the Nazis.

Charles Cholmondeley presents the daring plan for Operation Mincemeat, proposing to use a corpse to deliver deceptive intelligence to German forces. The plan involves creating a false identity for the body to mislead the enemy about the Allies' invasion.

Montagu and Cholmondeley acquire the body of Glyndwr Michael, a vagrant who died from poisoning. They fabricate an elaborate backstory, claiming he is Major William Martin, complete with personal details and photographs.

The team composes a series of fake documents and personal items to place with the corpse to back up the deception. This includes the engagement of Major William Martin to a fictional woman named Jean Leslie.

To prevent deterioration, the decision is made to transport the corpse by submarine instead of air. Detailed preparations are made to ensure the corpse is successfully delivered to the Spanish coast.

On April 30, the submarine HMS Seraph drops the body into the Gulf of Cádiz. This critical moment is designed to set off a chain of events that will mislead Nazi Germany into expecting an invasion in Greece.

As the operation unfolds, the Spanish authorities display unexpected resistance to German influence. Complications arise in ensuring the deceptive intelligence reaches the Nazis as intended.

Captain Ainsworth engages with Colonel Cerruti of the Spanish secret police to facilitate the delivery of the key documents. The stakes remain high as Montagu becomes aware of potential threats to their operation.

On July 10, the Allies proceed with the long-awaited invasion of Sicily, resulting in minimal casualties and territorial gains. The successful execution of the plan marks a significant turning point in the war.

Following the war, Montagu reunites with his wife, Iris, while Jean moves on with her life, marrying another soldier. Cholmondeley’s continued service with MI5 leads to a quiet departure from active duty.

Years later, the true identity of the body is confirmed as Glyndwr Michael, who receives recognition posthumously. Operation Mincemeat continues to be viewed as a masterful deception that significantly impacted the course of World War II.