Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Brits Used Astrologer Against Hitler

Declassified files tell of 'star wars' strategy in WWII

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 9:10 AM CST
Email

(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.

Newly declassified MI5 files relate the story of Louis De Wohl, a German-born astrologer the spy agency hired to predict Hitler's moves.
Newly declassified MI5 files relate the story of Louis De Wohl, a German-born astrologer the spy agency hired to predict Hitler's moves.
Newly declassified MI5 files relate the story of Louis De Wohl, a German-born astrologer the spy agency hired to predict Hitler's moves.
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)
Adolf Hitler is shown in this official 1937 photo.(AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
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 of Louis De Wohl, a German-born astrologer the spy agency hired to predict Hitler's moves. (AP Photo)
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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

UK spies hired astrologer to predict Hitler's moves
Associated Press

MI5 enlisted star-gazer to predict Nazi strategy
Independent (UK)

 
Germany • espionage • England • Adolf Hitler • World War II • MI5 • Astrology

More Newser Stories

Bones of Hitler Deputy Exhumed, Burned

Hitler Aimed to 'Steal' Turin Shroud

Jewish Engineer Designed Beetle: Historian

Germany Torn Over Reviving Iron Cross

Turks Find Hitler's 'Lost Fleet'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne