Throughout the history of wars of the entire world together; there is one idea that claims omnipresence- the idea of deceiving the enemy; pulling the wool over the eyes of the foe to misdirect the opposition’s efforts. Then many words, this has turned the tables and made all the difference between winning and losing.
Operation Mincemeat, a 2021 war drama film based on the detailed account of Ben Macintyre’s book; on the British Operation Mincemeat during the Second World War, showcases the best of how a single deception can change the entire course of the War and ultimately the the the entire Modern History.
Operation Mincemeat- The Movie
The movie follows how during the Second World War, The British Intelligence carried out a War changing deception to hoodwink the Germans and Hitler into believing the fib that the Allies would invade Greece, thereby allowing The Allies to take control of Europe through the invasion of Sicily by diverting Hitler towards Greece.
The deception involved the use of a human corpse; being given the false identity of military personnel equipped with fake security secrets divulging the supposed idea of Allies invading Greece instead of Sicily; deliberately being washed over the shore of Huelva, Spain, to make it come in the hands of the enemy.
Cast
The cast included Colin Firth(Ewen Montagu, A Jewish British Intelligence officer), Kelly Macdonald ( a widowed secretary in the intelligence office and the one who agrees to Aly, the fake fiance of the corpse), Matthew Macfadyen ( Charles Cholmondeley, another key intelligent officer on the operation), Penelope Wilton(Hester Legget, loyal secretary to Ewen Montagu), Johnny Flynn ( Ian Fleming who wrote the Trout Memo which included the kernel of the core idea of using a corpse laden with false information), and Jason Isaacs(Admiral John Godfrey) in key roles.
Operation Mincemeat – A Reality
Operation Mincemeat was a reality – an operation in 1943; including the use of the dead body of a Homeless Welsh Man- Glyndwr Michael, being dressed up as a fictitious identity of a soldier named Major William Martin, complete with a fake engagement and false secret papers about plans to invade Greece.
This was one of the key turning points that led to the victory of the Allies in the Second World War.
It was presented in written form by Ben Macintyre’s expansive 2010 book; “Operation Mincemeat: The True Spy Story That Changed the Course of World War II,” which formed the basis of the movie in question.
Movie Vs Reality
Although the movie corresponds to reality to a large extent, there are obvious discrepancies between the two.
The love triangle between Ewen Montagu, Charles Cholmondeley, and Jean Leslie; depicted in the movie does not have any factual data to support it.
It was included in the story solely based on conjecture; and to add something that might have a possibility to an otherwise full-fledged war drama.
Another important difference between the two was the movie’s idea of including a sister of Glyndwr Michael. While the historical records do not mention any kin of the deceased Welsh man; the movie brings her into the story to give the audience an avenue to feel that the person was not just a prop used in the operation but a whole person and to make the audience also empathize with his contribution to the operation even in death.
The Man Who Never Was
Although the movie and reality differ at some points, one common thread runs between the two, the Welsh man.
It’s interesting to know that even after decades, the man’s true identity was not revealed.
In the book by Ewen Montagu in 1953, THE MAN THAT NEVER WAS; the identity was kept secret, and mentioned his name as Clifton Webb.
Even the last of his remains in the Spanish war memorial bore Major William Martin.
It was only in 1998 that the identity of the man -Glyndwr Michael; was added to the tombstone, at last giving back his identity forever.
