Show notes
Operation Postmaster: The Biggest Heist of WWII?
January, 1942 - Britain steals three Axis ships out of a neutral harbour, using a watering can, a bathtub, and a fake party.
The story is so so good, even Guy Ritchie made a film about it.
This is Bloomin' Legends: The Impossible Missions of the Second World War. Over six episodes, Johnny Vaughan and Gavin “The Woodman” Woods tell the story of the Second World War like you've never heard it before - through six impossible missions so ridiculous, so ludicrous, they never should have worked.
Episode one: Operation Postmaster.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
🚢 Why Britain had to break the rules – Britain was being strangled by the Germans in the Battle of the Atlantic, and they were alone in Europe. Churchill needed to send a message to Germany that he was willing to fight dirty.
🛁 The bath, the mistress and the watering can – how British intelligence blackmailed a pro-Nazi governor into lending them his aircraft for surveillance flights, using a photograph we still can't fully explain.
🥂 The party that stole three ships – the Axis crews were tricked and lured off their ships with not one, but two fake parties thrown by the British, leaving the ships entirely vulnerable.
💡 Thirty minutes in total darkness – from start to finish, the whole mission only took 30 minutes.
🕵️ The original 007s – Here we meet the men that allegedly inspired Ian Flemings most famous spy, James Bond.
🇸🇪 Swedish Luxury Yacht - Why sixteen men sailed from Poole harbour in the UK, to Sierra Leone, dressed as Swedish holidaymakers.
🏹 The Viking – Anders Lassen, the commando who carried a bow and arrow and wrote the shortest action report in military history.
If you love daring raids, stories from the Second World War, eccentric heroes and unbelievable true tales, this episode of Bloomin' Legends is for you.
Got a WWII legend you want us to cover?
📩 Send it to: bloominlegends@global.com
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🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bloominlegends
Listen to all episodes on Global Player, download the app, or visit www.globalplayer.com
Bloomin' Legends – WWII: The Impossible Missions is a Global production
Executive Producer – Adem Waterman
Senior Producer - Ben Fairclough
Lead Producer – Elena Guthrie
Producers – Cassie Merrit, Jasmine Feldman, Sam Johnson & Onyi Olisa
New episodes are released every Wednesday & Sunday.
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