Allied Museum: RETROSPECTIVE

The story of the Berlin Spy Tunnel has long been shrouded by legend and myth. What was really behind this tunnel concealed underneath Schönefelder Chaussee in Berlin’s Soviet sector, which was “coincidentally” discovered on April 22, 1956? The Soviet Union and East Germany accused the USA of ruthless spying on the Communist states. They purposely spread rumors that the information gathered in the espionage operation against the Soviet forces in Germany was worthless. The KGB had been briefed in advance by George Blake, a mole in the British Secret Service. British historian David Stafford has now for the first time presented the whole story of “Operation Stopwatch/Gold,” the American/British code name for the endeavor. The book, Spies Beneath Berlin – London 2002 – will soon be published in a German edition as well.

In 1997 the Allied Museum initiated the excavation of the spy tunnel and integrated an approximately 6-meter-long segment into the permanent exhibition. The necessary research and restoration work was performed by British historian Willian Durie, a former member of the British forces who now lives in Berlin. He cooperated in organizing a highly interesting event featuring contemporary witnesses. Three British veterans, Robert Merrell, Leslie Sparks and David Stanley, were directly involved in building the espionage chamber at the end of the tunnel and wiretapping Soviet telephone lines. British intelligence was thus much more deeply involved in “Operation Stopwatch/Gold” than previously supposed. Facilitated by David Stafford, the British contemporary witnesses reported on their activities directly underneath Schönefelder Chaussee. All three were impressed by the excellent restoration of the tunnel segment. The fourth guest, David Learned, came from the USA. As a student, he experienced firsthand the discovery of the tunnel and strolled through the opened tunnel as a representative of his university newspaper. He was even allowed to take photographs, which he donated to the Museum. Based on the newly-discovered information, the Museum plans to work up a brochure on the history of the Berlin Spy Tunnel.

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