During the final days of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, Operation Harborage was part of the overall Allied operation to capture German atomic weapons scientists, material and facilities.

Harborage teams were directed toward the cities of Hechingen

Hechingen

Hechingen is a town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated about south of the state capital of Stuttgart and north of Lake Constance and the Swiss border.- City districts :...

, Bisingen

Bisingen

Bisingen is a municipality in the Zollernalbkreis district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.- References :...

 and Haigerloch

Haigerloch

-Geography:-Geographical situation:Haigerloch lies at between 430 and 550 metres elevation in the valley of the Eyach, which forms two loops in a steep shelly limestone valley...

. These centers of the German nuclear effort were all scheduled to be occupied by the French.

By ensuring American technical intelligence units swept the area, the French were locked out of the lively post-war trade in nuclear scientists.