The Rise of Underwater Espionage

The world of underwater espionage was not limited to mere surveillance and information gathering; it also involved sabotage and subterfuge. Spies on both sides of the Cold War engaged in clandestine operations to steal secrets from enemy vessels, disrupt their operations, or plant false information.

CIA’s Operation Submarine

In the early 1960s, the CIA launched Operation Submarine, a covert operation aimed at stealing encryption codes and documents from Soviet submarines. The agency trained a team of divers, including former US Navy SEALs, to infiltrate Soviet naval bases and steal classified materials. The operation was successful in obtaining valuable intel on Soviet submarine operations.

KGB’s Submarine Sabotage The KGB responded with its own brand of sabotage. In 1968, the KGB attempted to sink a US Navy submarine, the USS Triton, by planting mines in its path. Although the mission failed, it demonstrated the KGB’s willingness to engage in aggressive espionage. MI6’s Submarine Spy

In the late 1970s, MI6 recruited a former Royal Navy sailor, who had intimate knowledge of British submarines, to spy on Soviet vessels. The agent, known only as “Percy,” used his expertise to gather vital information on Soviet submarine operations and passed it back to MI6.

These daring operations demonstrate the lengths to which both sides went in their pursuit of espionage and subterfuge during the Cold War. As tensions escalated between the superpowers, so did the stakes of these clandestine operations. The next chapter will explore the most significant incidents that shaped this era of underwater espionage.

Submarine Sabotage

The art of submarine sabotage was a crucial aspect of underwater espionage during the Cold War. Spies employed various tactics to steal secrets from enemy vessels, including stealing encryption codes and replacing documents with fake ones.

One of the most daring operations was carried out by the CIA in 1962. A team of agents managed to infiltrate a Soviet submarine docked at a port in Poland, where they stole sensitive documents related to the Soviet Union’s nuclear program. The documents were later used to gain insight into the Soviets’ plans for nuclear warfare.

Another notable operation involved the KGB, who replaced encryption codes on a US Navy submarine with fake ones. The substitution was undetected until it was too late, allowing the KGB to intercept sensitive communications between the US and its allies.

The CIA also developed a sophisticated method of replacing documents on Soviet submarines with fake ones. Known as " Operation Switchback", the operation involved using a custom-built device that could swap out documents in a matter of seconds. The device was used to replace critical information, such as navigation charts and communication codes.

  • Notable Incidents:
    • Stealing documents from a Soviet submarine docked in Poland (1962) + Replacing encryption codes on a US Navy submarine with fake ones
    • Operation Switchback: replacing documents on Soviet submarines with fake ones

The Golden Age of Submarine Heists

During the 1960s and 1970s, submarine heists reached their peak as spies and saboteurs employed daring tactics to steal secrets from enemy vessels. One notable incident occurred in June 1967 when Israeli forces captured the USS Liberty, a United States Navy technical research ship, in international waters off the coast of Egypt. The Israelis mistook the ship for an Egyptian vessel and attacked it with torpedoes, killing 34 American sailors.

Another remarkable case involved the theft of nuclear secrets from a Soviet submarine. In the early 1970s, a group of East German agents, working on behalf of the Soviet Union, stole classified documents detailing the design and operation of the Soviet Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines. The documents were smuggled out of East Germany hidden in diplomatic bags.

Key players in these heists included seasoned spies like Israeli Mossad agent Eli Cohen, who played a crucial role in the capture of the USS Liberty, and East German agents like Wolfgang Engels, who masterminded the theft of Soviet submarine secrets. These individuals employed clever methods to achieve their goals, such as using fake identities, encrypting communications, and exploiting vulnerabilities in security protocols.

  • Israeli forces captured the USS Liberty in 1967
  • East German agents stole nuclear secrets from a Soviet submarine in the early 1970s
  • Key players included Eli Cohen (Israeli Mossad) and Wolfgang Engels (East German agent)
  • Methods used included fake identities, encrypted communications, and exploiting security vulnerabilities

The War at Sea

As tensions between rival nations escalated, the war at sea became a battleground for espionage and sabotage. The United States and Soviet Union engaged in a cat-and-mouse game, each trying to outmaneuver the other beneath the waves.

The USS Thresher, an American nuclear-powered attack submarine, was sunk off the coast of Massachusetts during a training exercise in 1963. The incident raised suspicions about whether it was a coincidence or if the Soviets had played a role in its demise.

Meanwhile, the Soviet Union developed a sophisticated network of underwater sensors and listening devices to detect and track American submarines. These “acoustic arrays” were designed to pinpoint the location and depth of enemy subs, providing valuable intelligence for Soviet naval commanders.

The Americans countered by deploying their own acoustic arrays, as well as advanced sonar systems capable of detecting even the slightest changes in water pressure. The game of underwater espionage had reached new heights of sophistication.

Both sides engaged in a series of covert operations, attempting to steal each other’s secrets or disrupt enemy submarine communications. The stakes were high, and the consequences of failure could be catastrophic.*

Legacy of Espionage and Sabotage

The clandestine operations conducted during the Cold War had a profound and lasting impact on international relations, military strategy, and our understanding of espionage and sabotage. The war beneath the waves, as described in the previous chapter, was just one aspect of this secretive struggle for dominance.

Tactical Innovations The Cold War era saw the development of new technologies and tactics that have continued to shape the world of espionage and sabotage. One such innovation was the use of submarines as a means of conducting covert operations. The ability to stay submerged for extended periods and move undetected through enemy waters made them ideal platforms for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and even direct action.

  • Stealthy Operations: Submarines were able to launch covert operations against enemy vessels and installations, often without being detected.
  • Intelligence Gathering: They could collect valuable information on enemy naval movements and capabilities, providing a significant advantage in the planning of military campaigns.

These tactical innovations had far-reaching consequences for military strategy, as nations began to adapt their tactics and technologies to counter the new threats posed by submarines. The development of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities became a top priority for many navies, leading to a cat-and-mouse game between submarine commanders and ASW specialists.

Shaping International Relations The clandestine operations conducted during the Cold War also had significant implications for international relations. The secrecy surrounding these operations led to increased tension and mistrust between nations, as each side attempted to gain an advantage over the other.

  • Diplomatic Tensions: The discovery of a foreign submarine in one’s territorial waters could lead to diplomatic tensions and even military confrontations.
  • Economic Espionage: The theft or sabotage of sensitive technology could have significant economic consequences for affected nations, leading to further tensions and rivalries.

Today, the legacy of these clandestine operations continues to shape our understanding of espionage and sabotage. While the technologies and tactics used during the Cold War have evolved, the fundamental principles of secrecy, deception, and counter-intelligence remain essential components of modern espionage and sabotage.

In conclusion, the era of Cold War espionage and submarine heists was marked by a series of daring operations that pushed the limits of human innovation and daring. The stories of these brave men and women will continue to captivate our imagination for generations to come, serving as a testament to the enduring power of human ingenuity and determination.