Nazis’ secret invasion plans of Ireland come at a price — €2,961
And, 72 years on from the last-minute unravelling of a Nazi plot to invade Ireland, the full details have been sold for €2,961 — almost four times their predicted price.
Top secret plans revealing how close Ireland came to Nazi invasion during World War II were obtained by a private Dublin bidder after going under the hammer in a public auction.
Mullocks in Shropshire, England, yesterday sold “the very first set of invasions plans” they have seen.
The detailed document, which includes maps and analysis of the Irish countryside compiled by Nazi spies, shows how under Operation Green/Sealion, Hitler planned to overthrow the State and turn it into one of six regional hubs for Britain and Ireland.
The plot, which has long been described without firm dossier details, would have seen Germany attempt to convince Ireland it was siding with it against Britain.
German interest in Ireland was because of the Nazis belief this country was a potentially vital strategic launch pad for U-boat attacks on Britain.
The RAF’s war-changing Autumn 1940 Battle of Britain victory ultimately consigned the Irish takeover move to the realms of alternative history.
However, the large number of files contained in the auctioned document show how close neutral Ireland came to being dragged into World War II.
Mullocks Auctioneers’ historical documents expert, Richard Westwood-Brookes, said this explained the high sale price for the lot, which was initially due to go for up to €750.
“A private Dublin bidder was successful, so while Hitler didn’t make it over to you at least his dossier will,” Mr Westwood-Brookes said.
The dossier was sold under its German title ‘Militargeographische Angaben uber Irland’, translated as ‘geo-military information on Ireland’.
The document adds further weight to the concerns raised over Irish-based Nazi spies during the era, including the shocking case of Oskar Metzke revealed by the Evening Echo in the 1990s.
On Thursday, Dec 17, 1942, Mr Metzke arrived in Castletownroche in north Cork, claiming to be a Czech national travelling to work in Mallow.
His actions provoked the suspicions of locals.
Gardaí checking his belongings and found an aerial map of north Cork, a compass, and — crucially — a Luger revolver, which was standard issue for German soldiers.
Officers took him to the local station but, after leaving him for a few minutes, found the suspect slumped over dead after taking a potassium cyanide pill.
Mr Metzke is now buried at grave 130 in Glencare cemetery, Co Wicklow. The exact reasons for his arrival in Ireland remain unknown.
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