Who conceived Operation Himmler?
Heinrich Himmler conceived a strategy to manufacture evidence of Polish aggression before the German invasion. Reinhard Heydrich supervised the project while Heinrich Müller managed its daily execution.
Questions about Operation Himmler
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did German agents dress in Polish uniforms and storm border buildings during Operation Himmler?
German agents dressed in Polish uniforms stormed border buildings on the 31st of August 1939. They fired inaccurate shots to scare locals then retreated leaving dead bodies behind.
What happened at Sender Gleiwitz radio station during Operation Himmler?
Alfred Naujocks led a small group of operatives to seize the Sender Gleiwitz radio station on the night of the 31st of August. Dressed in Polish uniforms they broadcasted a short anti-German message in Polish language.
Why did Adolf Hitler address the Reichstag on the 1st of September 1939 regarding Operation Himmler?
Adolf Hitler addressed the Reichstag on the 1st of September 1939 citing twenty-one border incidents as justification for war. He claimed Germany acted defensively against Polish aggression based on the staged attacks.
How do historians regard Operation Himmler today?
Historians now regard Operation Himmler as the first act of World War II in Europe. The deception set a precedent for future false flag operations including Mukden incident and Gulf of Tonkin incident.