Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – ESPIONAGE IN NEW YORK 1942
EARLY VOTING IS TAKING PLACE IN THE RIVAA GALLERY, 527 MAIN STREET
ON THESE DATES:
| Wednesday, November 1 | 10am-8pm |
| Thursday, November 2 | 10am-8pm |
| Friday, November 3 | 8am-4pm |
| Saturday, November 4 | 9am-5pm |
| Sunday, November 5 | 9am-5pm |
ELECTION DAY-TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 AT PS 217
FROM THE ARCHIVES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023
FACT AND FICTION:
THE FOILED WWII ATTACK
ON
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL
UNTAPPED NEW YORK
There are many myths and legends surrounding Grand Central Terminal. We have an entire list that we’ve debunked. One of those myths, which contains slivers of truth, involves a clandestine World War II operation led by German spies, also known as saboteurs. The story goes, that these spies were sent to the United States to disrupt train travel by throwing sand into the giant rotary converters below Grand Central in the secret M42 basement power station. The truth is a bit more complicated.
TheGrand CentralM42 Basement
During World War II, there was a German plot to disrupt wartime operations in the United States. It was well documented and railroad infrastructure sites were targeted. The plan was called Operation Pastorius. Operation Pastorius involved eight saboteurs with a mission to “slow down production at certain factories concerned with the American war effort.” To do so, they were instructed to “interfere with transportation systems, including railways and canals,” according to a 1943 report. The main targets were aluminum factories and cryolite plants, materials vital for wartime necessities like artillery, ammunition, and aircraft construction.
Many railroad infrastructure sites were targets of this plot including Hell Gate Bridge and Newark Penn Station. Routes traveling through those two sites were vital links for the movement of military supplies and personnel, so taking out those hubs would have been a strategic move. However, in the many extensive reports about the operation that came out later, Grand Central Terminal was never mentioned as a target. In a list of targets published by the New York Times in 1942, Grand Central is not listed.
The saboteurs had extensive training on the most effective ways to achieve their goals of sabotage. According to the 1943 report, they were advised to attack the most vulnerable parts of a train including the pressure pipes that control the brake system, signals and switches, and parts of tracks that curve or go over bridges and are therefore harder to repair. No mention of power plants.
The saboteurs had extensive training on the most effective ways to achieve their goals of sabotage. According to the 1943 report, they were advised to attack the most vulnerable parts of a train including the pressure pipes that control the brake system, signals and switches, and parts of tracks that curve or go over bridges and are therefore harder to repair. No mention of power plants.
The saboteurs of Operation Pastorius arrived in the U.S. via U-boats in the summer of 1942, landing in Florida and Long Island. From the shores of Amagansett, they traveled into New York City, taking the LIRR and arriving at Penn Station. Two saboteurs, Heinrich Heinck and Richard Quirin, stayed at the Martinique Hotel in Midtown, now Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton. Two other saboteurs on the New York team, including leader (and eventual whistleblower) George John Dasch, stayed at the Hotel Governor Clinton, now the Stewart Hotel. According to Martinique New York’s resident historian Tara Williams, Heinck and Quirin felt exposed in the public space, and found the room rates to be quite expensive!
You can learn more about the spies’ hotel stay, and how they were eventually caught, at our upcoming after-dark tour of Martinique New York! At this Halloween week experience, you’ll hear tales of the many spirits alleged to linger at the 125-year-old landmark, from the daring but doomed acrobat who met his demise while promoting a 1923 silent film, to the mischievous guest, Sara, whose spectral pranks have been caught on film.
| WATCH OUR I AM PRESERVATION ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/p/CzEn5zPodM1/?hl=enWEDNESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY SEND YOUR SUBMISSION TO: ROOSEVELTISLANDHISTORY@GMAIL.COM  TUESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAYCirca 1904. “Seeing New York.” Electric omnibuses at the Flatiron Building. 8×10 inch dry plate glass … made by the Vehicle Equipment Company of Long Island City, New York.  |
| CREDITS SHORPY THE HISTORIC AMERICAN PHOTO ARCHIVES UNTAPPED NEW YORK JUDITH BERDY MAYA LEVANON-PHOTOS TIK TOK & INSTAGRAM |
WEDNESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
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TUESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
Circa 1904. “Seeing New York.” Electric omnibuses at the Flatiron Building. 8×10 inch dry plate glass … made by the Vehicle Equipment Company of Long Island City, New York.
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SHORPY THE HISTORIC AMERICAN PHOTO ARCHIVES
UNTAPPED NEW YORK
JUDITH BERDY
Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website
Edited by Melanie Colter and Deborah Dorff
MAYA LEVANON-PHOTOS TIK TOK & INSTAGRAM
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