During the desperate winter months of 1944, as the Allied forces pushed deeper into Europe, Adolf Hitler conceived a bold and risky plan: the Ardennes Counteroffensive, better known as the Battle of the Bulge. Central to this ambitious operation was the capture of vital bridges across the Meuse River. Speed was paramount; any delay would allow the Allies to regroup and thwart the German advance. To achieve this crucial objective, Hitler entrusted Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny with a highly secretive and audacious mission: Operation Greif. This operation hinged on deception, most notably the use of German Uniforms Ww2 soldiers disguised in American uniforms to infiltrate and sow chaos behind enemy lines.
Hitler personally summoned Skorzeny to his headquarters in October 1944 to outline Operation Greif. Skorzeny, already known for daring exploits like the rescue of Benito Mussolini, was tasked with forming a special commando unit. This unit would operate ahead of the 6th Panzer Army, the spearhead of the German offensive. Their objectives were multifaceted: seize Meuse bridges, conduct espionage, and create widespread disruption in the Allied rear echelons. The key to Skorzeny’s plan was audacity and disguise – utilizing English-speaking German soldiers clad in German uniforms ww2 styled as American Army uniforms and equipment. Hitler, referencing alleged Allied tactics, assured Skorzeny that donning enemy uniforms was permissible as long as combat was avoided while disguised. This justification, however, would later be heavily scrutinized under the laws of war.
Skorzeny established his command post at Grafenwöhr, Germany, facing a daunting six-week deadline to prepare. Hitler promised unlimited resources, a characteristic exaggeration that proved far from reality. The promised American equipment was scarce, amounting to a few jeeps, trucks, halftracks, and a single Sherman tank. To compensate, Skorzeny’s Panzerbrigade 150, the main combat force, was equipped with approximately 70 German tanks cleverly camouflaged to resemble American armored vehicles. These “Ersatz M10s,” Panther tanks modified to mimic the appearance of American M10 tank destroyers, became a striking symbol of the deception at the heart of Operation Greif.
A knocked out Ersatz M10 with both its hull and turret American markings displayed. Photo Source
In a significant security lapse, Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel issued a Wehrmacht-wide appeal for English-speaking volunteers for Skorzeny’s special unit. Around 2,000 men responded, inadvertently alerting Allied intelligence to the operation. However, the linguistic skills of most volunteers were rudimentary at best. Only a handful were fluent in English, with a few dozen capable of basic conversation. Skorzeny formed Einheit Stielau from the most proficient English speakers, a reconnaissance element composed of small teams equipped with jeeps, radios, and demolition gear. Despite their crucial role, most lacked commando experience, and their training was necessarily rushed due to the tight timeframe.
Rumors circulated among the commandos during training, fueled by the secrecy and unusual nature of their mission. The most persistent rumor alleged that Operation Greif included the assassination of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Despite Skorzeny’s efforts to dispel these rumors, they reached American intelligence. Ironically, this unintended consequence became arguably the most impactful aspect of Operation Greif. When the Ardennes Offensive commenced on December 16, 1944, reports of German uniforms ww2 soldiers disguised as Americans spread rapidly through Allied lines. These reports, often exaggerated, created widespread confusion and paranoia. The capture of several disguised commandos amplified the perceived threat. Many captured soldiers, under interrogation, repeated the assassination rumors, leading to heightened security measures. Generals Eisenhower and Bradley significantly curtailed their public appearances, hindering their command effectiveness during the crucial early stages of the German offensive.
While the threat to Allied generals was overstated, Einheit Stielau commandos successfully sowed chaos. Disguised as American military police, one team redirected an entire American regiment, sending them miles off course. Another team severed vital communication lines between General Bradley’s headquarters and the First US Army command post. Although the number of disguised commandos was small, their actions, combined with the pervasive fear of infiltration, significantly disrupted the American response and negatively impacted Allied morale. The psychological impact of German uniforms ww2 being used deceptively was arguably more potent than any direct military gains.
The Ardennes Counteroffensive initially caught the Allies off guard but soon faltered against unexpectedly strong resistance. Panzerbrigade 150’s effectiveness depended on a swift breakthrough, which never materialized. By the second day, Skorzeny recognized the operation’s faltering momentum and repurposed his brigade as a conventional unit attached to the 1st SS Panzer Corps. Skorzeny’s direct involvement ended abruptly when he was wounded by artillery fire near Ligneuville, Belgium.
Wilhelm Schmidt, Günther Billing, and Manfred Pernass, after their capture by American troops. Courtesy of The National World War II Museum.
Meanwhile, the scattered Einheit Stielau teams continued their mission, but most were captured or killed by American forces. Only a single team managed to return to German lines. On December 18, 1944, in Awaille, Belgium, US troops apprehended three members of Einheit Stielau: Oberfähnrich Günther Billing, Obergefreiter Wilhelm Schmidt, and Unteroffizier Manfred Pernass. A military commission convened on December 21 at the First US Army’s Master Interrogation Center in Belgium. They were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death on two charges: violating the laws of war by wearing German uniforms ww2 styled as American uniforms in a combat zone, and espionage for gathering intelligence while disguised.
German infiltrators lined up for execution by firing squad after conviction by a military court for wearing U.S. uniforms during the Battle of the Bulge. December 23, 1944. Photo: https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/german-commandos-captured-american-uniform-1944/
Colonel E. M. Brannon, the Staff Judge Advocate, reviewed the proceedings, upholding the court-martial’s decision. Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges, commander of the First US Army, approved the sentences. The executions were carried out by firing squad on December 23, 1944, highlighting the severe consequences of using German uniforms ww2 for deception in warfare when captured.
Otto Skorzeny’s accountability for Operation Greif came after the war. He surrendered in May 1945 and spent two years in prison awaiting trial at Dachau in August 1947. He admitted his role in Operation Greif but argued that American troops had also used enemy uniforms, citing instances during the fighting in Aachen. He further claimed he instructed his commandos to remove their American uniforms before engaging in combat.
Unexpectedly, Wing Commander Forest Yeo-Thomas, a British RAF officer and agent known as “The White Rabbit,” provided crucial testimony in Skorzeny’s defense. Yeo-Thomas recounted his own wartime escapes from German captivity using disguises, including enemy uniforms. He argued that Skorzeny’s actions were similar and not inherently criminal. The court at Dachau, operating under international laws of war, differentiated between simply wearing enemy uniforms and engaging in combat while disguised. Based on this legal interpretation and Yeo-Thomas’s compelling testimony, the charges against Skorzeny and his co-defendants were dropped.
Skorzeny (left) with President of Argentina Juan Perón (center). Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Skorzeny remained imprisoned until his escape in July 1948, reportedly aided by former SS officers in US military police uniforms. He later claimed US assistance in his escape. His post-war life was shrouded in intrigue, from training the Egyptian army to alleged involvement with Argentinian President Juan Perón and even collaboration with Mossad. Otto Skorzeny died of lung cancer in 1975, a figure of enduring controversy. His legacy remains complex, viewed by some as a war criminal and by others as a daring commando pioneer, forever linked to the audacious and deceptive use of German uniforms ww2 in Operation Greif.
