"OpJB: The Last Great Secret of the Second World War" is an eye-opening exploration of the fate of Martin Bormann, Hitler's personal secretary, and Nazi Party Chancellor, who mysteriously disappeared at the end of the Second World War. This gripping book, written by Christopher Creighton, uncovers an astonishing truth about the infamous Nazi war criminal, who was condemned to death in absentia at Nuremberg in 1946 but was never found or brought to justice.
Countless theories have been proposed regarding Bormann's fate, from dying in the ruins of Berlin to escaping to South America. However, Creighton reveals a far more extraordinary truth in this enthralling account. As per his narrative, on the final night of the war, Bormann was extracted from Berlin by a Commando team led by Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, and Creighton himself. This daring operation, known as Operation James Bond, navigated the treacherous waterways of besieged Berlin to meet the Allies on the River Elbe. By mid-May 1945, Bormann was safe in England under a new identity.
The operation was authorized by Major Desmond Morton, head of the ultra-secret M Section of naval intelligence, and supported by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, King George VI, and President Roosevelt. Its ultimate goal was not just to capture Bormann but also to reclaim the massive fortune the Nazis had hidden away in Swiss bank accounts, to which Bormann alone had the keys.
Despite the operation's monumental significance, it was shrouded in such secrecy that even other government intelligence and security organizations were kept in the dark.
"Millions of words have been written about the fate of Martin Bormann, Hitler's indispensable private secretary, and head of the Nazi Party Chancellery, who vanished at the end of the Second World War. In October 1946, the most-wanted Nazi war criminal was condemned to death in absentia at Nuremberg, but he was never found or brought to justice.
Some historians claim he died near the Weidendamm Bridge, in the ruins of Berlin, on the night of 1-2 May 1945. Others believe he escaped from Germany to South America, where he lived and died. In 1973 a court in Frankfurt pronounced him officially dead. The truth is far more extraordinary. Christopher Creighton now reveals that in the final night and day of the war, as the Soviet armies closed in on the capital of the Third Reich, Bormann was lifted from Berlin by a Commando raiding party, led by Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, and himself.
The team spirited their captive down the waterways to meet the Allies on the River Elbe, and by mid-May 1945 Bormann was safe in England, where he assumed a new identity. Operation James Bond was ordered by Major Desmond Morton, head of the ultra-secret M Section of naval intelligence. Its ulterior purpose was to recover the immense fortume appropriated by the Nazis and salted away in numbered Swiss bank accounts, to which Bormann alone had access.
It was approved not only by Prime Minister, Winston Churchill but also by both King George VI and President Roosevelt; yet it was so highly classified that even other government intelligence and security organizations knew nothing of it. After the war, thanks to the British capture of Bormann, 95 percent of Nazi funds were recovered and restored to their former owners."
