THE SECRET WAR - WE WAITED FOR THEM IN DAKAR

At some night in the ends of 1942, the German submarines fleets of the South Atlantic received urgent order for drive at all speed to an encounter point in Dakar. Few days later, a very superior number of those submarines outlined the western tip of Africa. In earth, Vichy French troops occupied the strong coastal defenses that, two years before, had repelled the attack of the British and Free French Armies, commanded by General De Gaulle. The force of American invasion that crossed the Atlantic would fall into a disastrous ambush. That was the opinion of the German High Command.

In the night of November 7, however the German stations of radio transmitted one frightening announce: "Achtung! Achtung! There is a great enemy army in the septentrional coast of Africa..." 

The American forces surprised the Germans. They disembarked 2.000 miles away from distance to the point where the Germans waited for them. 

One of the most important role in this action was made by Donald Q. Coster, a young man from New York that had been administrating of a publicity company in the civilian life. 

In 1940, Coster drove an American ambulance at the service of the French army. Was arrested and passed some difficult weeks in Germans hands, them was freed and returned to America, and joined the navy.

Their knowledge of the French language led him to the cabinet of the Naval Secret Services, where it passed later for the cabinet of Strategic Services of Colonel William Donovan. 

Colonel Donovan gave him a mission of extreme importance; The French Africa one of these would be days invaded by the Germans or for the Americans. There was in Casablanca a German armistice commission to force French to accomplish the conditions imposed by the Nazis in 1940. Coster's mission was to help the preparations in those eventualities. It was necessary to know the plans of the Germans and should try to convince them that the American invasion will be in Dakar. 

The way as the mission would be accomplished was by Coster's criterion. In Washington was submitted to a fast course about the the use of the Intelligence Code, them travel to Casablanca by London, Lisbon and Gibraltar, where collect information about the operation methods of the British Secret Services. 

In Casablanca, Coster knows about General Theodor Auer, Chief of the German Armistice Commission, connected to the Abwher (the German intelligence service). Using is character, ability and contacts with 2 Austrian men also working for the Abwher, Coster insinuated that the American Army would disembark on Dakar. It works! General Auer believed and informed the German High Command. 

A few months later the OPERATION TORCH was on move. No ship was sunk and just some shots were fired...

COSTER, DONALD QUESTED COL US ARMY DATE OF BIRTH: 12/02/1907 DATE OF DEATH: 05/31/1984 BURIED AT: SECTION 1-JJ  ROW 18  SITE 2 ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY Mr. Coster, who had a part in the D-Day landings in World War II, won the Legion of Merit and the North African-European Campaign Medal with five battle stars and two arrowheads. Source: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/dqcoster.htm

Colonel William Joseph Donovan Born: Jan 1, 1883 Died: Feb 8, 1959

Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the Government of France from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic. The Government officially called itself the French State (État Français), in contrast with the previous designation, the "French Republic."

General Theodor Auer was the leader of Gestapo in Maroco and a thorn in the side of counterespionage services. Born in Jan 24, 1899 in Cologne (Germany) – Died Sep 23, 1972 in Bonn (Germany)

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