BLACK TOM ISLAND: The Origins of Tactical Espionage

CHAPTER SIX

With careful planning, time seemed to fly by.

After the important meeting that took place with the German ambassador, Johann Heinrich Graf von Bernstorff, things calmed down a bit in the business of blowing up U.S. ships.

The band of newly made international spies kept their heads down, they kept working at the docks as usual, trying as much as they could not to raise any suspicion.

The heat of summer came by, and the season was half way in when the usual working schedule was about to change.

The boys were invited once again to the residence of the ambassador. This time there was a small reception that finished pretty quick, which left the opportunity for the merry band of boys to go about their business.

Bernstorff took them all into his wine cellar for some wine tasting of course.

Bernstorff and Von Rintelen both devised the ultimate plan to put an end to the American business of supplying German opponents with weapons and ammunition.

They were supposed to act very carefully so they don't raise suspicion.

They would use the famous cigar bombs that they used before in order to get things done.

Things would need to be carefully laid out.

Since the storage facility on Black Tom Island was the center of it all, that was their target. Security would be very tight, but they had a plan.

For the past few months, Ernst Happl and Mathias Ljungberg, were working at Black Tom Island. They were tasked with front gate security. That was the perfect opportunity to get something in without making a big fuss.

Since every transport was under close supervision they would need to play smart. That is where Thomas, Joseph and Jurgen would come in. Their job would be to prepare another truck identical to those in charge of transport and load it with crates riddled with cigar bombs.

Michael Kristoff would be responsible for one of the actual trucks. On the way to the Black Tom Island storages, his own truck would suffer some type of malfunction. Since he would be the third person on that transport, the one that would stay in the back to keep an eye on the goods, he would have all the freedom in the world to do whatever was necessary.

At that point, the boys from the dock would come in with their own truck.

Once they would get to their destination, it would be the job of Ernst and Mathias to ensure that the truck can get in with no troubles. Also it was their job to supervise the boys unloading the crates, so nothing would seem suspicious.

After the trucks were unloaded and everyone would leave the facilities, Ernst and Mathias would need to make sure that the bombs were in position.

Since they were designed in a special way that would make them blow up much, much later, their shift would be done by the point of the explosion.

If things were done this way there would be no suspicion on anyone that was involved.

After the steps were laid out, the ambassador had a couple of things to say.

Bernstorff: So, boys... as the plan is all laid out in front of you, thanks to the brilliant planning of our distinguished Franz von Rintelen, there is one more thing I need to tell you.

Bernstorff: Ernst and Mathias are covered in this situation, Michael also since he won't be there, but as for the rest of you... things are different.

Bernstorff: With the help of Franz, we have taken care of the scheduling of Ernst and Mathias's working shift. We did this so it would coincide with a special event for diplomats on the night of July 30.

Bernstorff: That would be a film marathon evening, I think Chaplin movies. Thomas, Joseph and Jurgen will accompany me and Franz. We need people to see you there so we will get you covered.

Bernstorff: When everyone will enter the cinema and get to their seats, the lights will drop and Franz will help you sneak out. From that point you can get to your business and no one will know that it was you.

Bernstorff: Any questions?

Everyone was silent.

Bernstorff: Good!

Bernstorff: You are all dismissed! May God help us all.

With the plan laid out to almost perfection everyone knew their role and got to work.

The night of July 30 finally came and every step of the plan went exactly how it was discussed.

Long after everyone accomplished their own part, on the date of July 30, 1916, Black Tom Island exploded.

The blast was so big that the wave of the explosion was felt outside the city. Shards of glass were spread all over the five boroughs. The effects were so violent in fact, that even the Statue of Liberty was affected... and yet, the responsible people were nowhere to be seen. They got away free.

What they did changed the fate of the entire world forever.