ANTON

Abstract

Despite a spectacular false start caused by engine trouble, which entailed the return to Berlin of the entire group,² Gartenfeld’s squadron managed to execute only one accurate and wholly successful drop into Persia: Operation ANTON near Khan-i-Zinian (Khaneh Zenyan), in Qashgai tribal territory approximately 45 km west of Shiraz, on 17 July 1943, thanks largely to expert reconnaissance work by Schulze-Holthus and Jakob, who prepared the clearly marked landing ground carefully. The only major casualty was the pedal dynamo required to power the mission’s W/T equipment, which was damaged on landing; however, it was soon repaired by Conny Jakob. The landing strip near Farrashband, equally carefully prepared by Schulze-Holthus and Jakob for the arrival of the ANTON 2 mission and for other ‘offensive sorties’ and supply drops, and stocked with approximately 5,000 litres of petrol, was of course never used.³

Harbers and Piwonka were efficient operators and technicians but otherwise received no special training for their mission. They did not even do any parachute jumping. (CICI Counterintelligence Summary)¹