Last survivor tells of operation to monitor Germans
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Gibraltar chamber had the innocuous name of the "Stay Behind"
Cave. But this was no game. This was a top-secret wartime mission,
code-named Operation Tracer, in which six men volunteered to be buried alive
in the cave if the Rock were captured by the Germans, so they could continue
to monitor enemy movements.
More than 60 years after the end of the Second World War, a retired doctor
from Preston has been named as the chamber's last survivor, as researchers
struggle to unlock its remaining secrets.
"I had a telephone call one day and they came over," Dr Bruce Cooper said
yesterday. Only now has the 92-year-old broken his silence on the mission
whose existence was one of the war's best-kept secrets.
The young British navy doctor was called in to see Surgeon-Commander Murray
Levick while on shore leave and told they were looking for a doctor "to do
something special". Commander Levick said: "I cannot tell you what it's all
about yet but you will need an accomplice." Dr Cooper recommended his friend
Arthur Milner, a fellow doctor, and the team was put in place. It included
the two medical officers, the executive officer "Windy Gale" and three
junior seamen, who would function as radio operators.
The team were warned before they left for Gibraltar that they may have to be
sealed inside the operation post for as long as a year, although they were
aware that it could be longer. The operation was so secret that not even
Whitehall knew about it.
Once in Gibraltar, they lived under cover for two and a half years with the
prospect of being moved up to the operation post to be sealed inside. At the
end of the war, the team was disbanded and its members resumed civilian
life. The Rock was never captured.
Hi: 18°C / Lw: 11°C
Nadal powers to title after epic win over Federer
Revealed: Ulster's most dangerous roads
Hammond and May refuse to sign new contracts
Deputy First Minister in Baghdad for peace mission
Thomas Beattie gives birth to healthy baby girl
Iran warns: attack us and we'll strike you back
Visting the city? Check out our guide to the capital
Swimsuit photo shoot in buildup to Vietnam final
Mandela honoured with the class of 2008
Video tribute as Queen's honours James Ellis
Supporters that made Euro 2008 one to remember
Fashion of the wives throughout the tournament
Pop princess Minogue wows fans at Odyssey gig
Try your luck in our GAA 'pick the score' competition
Looking forward to the famous biking event
Ship's Belfast beginnings celebrated in exhibition
Applauding Ulster's most exceptional women
Special report on Northern Ireland's worst house fire
Celebrating excellence at the inaugural awards gala 
Special multimedia report on Belfast Wheel