Page 73 - All About History - Issue 09-14

10 dirty tricks of World War II

851 608 CA classified

Frosted glass cream

he Descriptive Catalogue of Special Care was taken to ensure that the newly
Frosted glass cream could be used on
Devices and Supplies of 1945 was created replica packaging was of a brand
optical equipment such as binoculars
a top-secret manual produced by available in the country in which the
the SOE. In a section labelled ‘toilet agent was residing. Operatives of the SOE
T articles’, items perfect for concealing then placed substances that they wanted
other materials were listed, each one to conceal either within the tube itself
something a typical student would carry, or inside a rubber balloon that was then
including bath salts, a razor box, lipstick, inserted into the tube.
sponge, talcum powder, shaving soap, toilet Additionally, some of the toothpaste
roll and toothpaste. The document also would then be placed into the top of the
described the various substances that could tube, so that should a soldier from the
then be concealed within the packaging. Axis powers ever become inquisitive, the
Ointment that could be used to frost only thing they would find would be fresh,
glass was typically hidden inside tubes of minty goodness. If a larger space was
Devised by: Britain toothpaste. The cream could be smeared needed in order to hide something, then
over the glass of optical instruments such agents would be handed shaving cream
Did it work? Concealing items within as binoculars or cameras. Within five tubes instead of toothpaste but again with
other items was a widespread practice minutes, the glass would be fully frosted, the same attention to branding detail as
and enabled the flow of underhand goods rendering the item useless. with the toothpaste.
but there is no evidence the cream was
widely used with success. Warning
16 -- 30853 --2
Disclosing this information will result in Court Martial

851 609 CA classified

Exploding suitcases

lthough suitcases with false case have fallen into the wrong hands, placed within the case and carefully
bottoms were perfect hiding places then upon opening, the item would have hidden, all it needed was something to
for weapons and radios, some exploded, killing any soldier or policeman make the Thermite heat up.
were made to have a real impact nosy enough to want to check for any Within the case lining was an electric
A if opened by the wrong person. It documents inside. This protected the battery and wiring. This was connected to
was very important to keep particular items documents and ensured no embarrassing the case locks. They then acted as switches.
safe when being transported, otherwise the secrets or war techniques were leaked. If the knob of the right-hand lock wasn’t
war effort could have been compromised. SOE experts inserted two Thermite pressed and held to the right when the
Made to look like an ordinary suitcase, charges into the lid and the case bottom. case was opened and closed, it would fire
they were, in fact, explosive devices and Thermite, a mixture of metal powder fuel the charges. The Thermite would heat and
became the perfect places for the Allies to and metal oxide, is ignited by heat. Not all ignite the potassium nitrate, turning the
store secret documents when they were on varieties are explosive. unassuming case into a fiery incendiary
the move. Opened correctly and carefully But potassium nitrate is – it is found in device. Agents would therefore take care
by the agent, they posed no problem fertilisers, rocket propellants and fireworks. when opening and closing the case. Safety
and they were widely used. Should the With five quilts of potassium nitrate also comes first, after all.
Devised by: Britain The conference room at Hitler’s headquarters lies in
ruins after a bomb plot against his life, 20 July 1944
Did it work? Incendiary briefcases were
also used for transporting documents.
The explosions prevented potential leaks.
Incidentally, one of the most famous
uses of a bomb-containing briefcase
came on 20 July 1944, when such a
GHYLFH H[SORGHG LQVLGH +LWOHUnV :ROInV
Lair field headquarters near Rastenburg
in East Prussia. Hitler survived this
assassination attempt.

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