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July 25, 2008 10:06:50 PM CDT

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Brits Used Astrologer Against Hitler

Posted Mar 4, 08 9:10 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Some British strategists saw the outcome of World War II written in the stars, according to newly declassified documents that reveal the role of an astrologer in predicting Adolf Hilter's moves. An intelligence agency employed a colorful character who claimed to be able to use astrological readings to, as one supporter put it, tell "when his aspects are bad," the Guardian reports.

Detractors considered the German-born "seer," who claimed to be a Hungarian noble and was apparently a cross-dresser, a "dangerous charlatan and confidence-trick merchant." His only prediction that materialized was that Italy would enter the war—which was "quite patent to anybody with the slightest knowledge of international affairs," said an agent.

Source Guardian (UK)

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Newly declassified MI5 files relate the story of Louis De Wohl, a German-born astrologer the spy agency hired to predict Hitler's moves.
National Socialist troops with torches marching in Berlin to celebrate Hitler taking over the power on Jan. 30, 1933. In background the Brandenburg Gate. Newly declassified MI5 files relate the story...   (Associated Press)
Newly declassified MI5 files relate the story of Louis De Wohl, a German-born astrologer the spy agency hired to predict Hitler's moves.
Adolf Hitler is shown in this official 1937 photo.(AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
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Germany  • England  • World War II  • Adolf Hitler  • espionage  • MI5


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