Located in the eastern Highlands, Britain’s largest national park is as sleepy as it is spectacular.

The Germans on the other hand emphasised technical training in demolitions.It’s hard to imagine an area that would seem to be less of a target than the Cairngorms. The SOE agents were extensively drilled in the tradecraft of spying, supplied with accurate forged documents and provided with clothing and equipment that was would pass the closest inspection. The German agent’s performance demonstrates the priorities of the training they were given, particularly in comparison to Allied SOE agents. What better way could there be to flee German occupied Europe than the Abwehr parachuting you into Britain? Other historians argue that recruits volunteered for the position with the intention of defecting as soon as they reached Britain. Wichmann was close with Wilhelm Canaris – head of the Abwehr later executed for high treason for his opposition to the Nazi Party – adding further evidence to the claim.

They were also sent with German equipment – an obvious tell if they were ever caught or interrogated. Other intelligence operations were sophisticated and successful – why was this one so different? Historians argue Herbert Wichmann, the officer in charge of one of the largest Abwehr posts in Hamburg, deliberately chose inept individuals and did not equip them with the information they needed to succeed, such as basic knowledge of British currency. The almost comical disaster that was Operation Lena has led some historians to believe that the failures were not by accident, but a result of intentional sabotage by intelligence officials opposed to Hitler. Mutt and Jeff Ineptitude or Intentional Sabotage? Karl and Werner were sentenced to be hanged, but Vera managed to survive by testifying against Karl and becoming an agent for MI5. The items they were carrying – weapons, German-made products, and significant amounts of money – were enough evidence to declare them German spies. The spies were arrested and interrogated by the police. Their presence aroused suspicion immediately they had no stamped identification and Karl did not speak any English.

In one group, three agents – Russian Vera Erikson, German Karl Theodor Drücke, and Swiss Werner Waelti – landed in Scotland and attempted to board a train to London. Another tried to buy huge quantities of the precursor chemicals for explosives from a village pharmacy. One operative, after landing in the country by parachute, attempted to order a pint of beer an hour before opening time, an obvious giveaway in a country with strict pub trading hours! Another blew his cover when he tried to purchase a train ticket and demonstrated a lack of understanding of British currency. Ill-prepared, oblivious to British customs, and unaware of the increased surveillance in the country, many spies were immediately captured after disastrous mistakes. The spies were sent across the Channel in groups, some by boat and some by parachute. Several operatives were sent to Britain in the early 1940s, but did not manage to complete any of the missions they were tasked with. Recognising the need for sea and air dominance of the Channel before an invasion could be launched, the Abwehr launched Operation Lena – a spy mission to gather intelligence along the British coast.

Secret agents in ww2