Victory in World War II didn’t hinge solely on weapons or troops—it also depended on intelligence gathered behind the scenes. Espionage played a central role, with both the Allies and Axis powers deploying spies, breaking codes, and launching covert operations to gain the upper hand. While today’s spy stories often feature high-tech gadgets, some of the war’s most critical secrets came from far simpler sources. Among the most influential was weather intelligence. Timely and precise forecasts could dictate when to launch invasions, position fleets, or conduct airstrikes—turning meteorology into a quiet but powerful force in the outcome of the war.
Weather played an important role in World War II
Accurate weather forecasting played a pivotal role in naval operations, especially in the harsh and unpredictable conditions of the North Atlantic. These forecasts were essential for ensuring safe navigation of ships and convoys, as well as providing the ideal conditions for air raids and reconnaissance missions.
This led to what became known as the “North Atlantic Weather War,” a battle of intelligence where the Allies held a distinct advantage. Since weather patterns in the Arctic and North Atlantic typically moved from west to east, the Allies were in a favorable position. Early in the conflict, they set up a vast network of weather stations across North America, Greenland, and Iceland, giving them access to far more reliable data compared to the Germans.
As with all intelligence operations, the goal wasn’t only to collect this critical information but also to safeguard it, preventing it from falling into enemy hands.
Germany was far behind the Allies
Lagging behind the Allies in gathering crucial weather intelligence, the Germans turned to risky alternatives. They deployed used specially-modified aircraft, naval ships, and even U-boats in daring missions to collect meteorological data. But these efforts often ended in failure—lone weather ships were vulnerable targets for Allied forces, and aircraft had limited range and effectiveness for such specialized tasks.
Realizing they needed a more reliable solution to close the gap, the German military devised an audacious plan: establish their own weather stations on North American soil. This led to the development of the Wetter-Funkgerät Land (WFL)—a covert, automated weather station designed for enemy territory.
Wetter-Funkgerät Land
Scientists at Siemens developed an automatic weather station capable of transmitting data every three hours via radio waves on 3940 kHz. Known as the Wetter-Funkgerät Land, twenty-six were manufactured; 14 were placed in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, including Allied-occupied Greenland, and five were stationed around the Barents Sea. Two were designated for North America.
The WFL featured an array of specialized instruments, including two masts. One of these masts held the anemometer, which measured wind speed and direction. It also included a telemetry device that automatically recorded data and transmitted it via a radio signal. Powered by rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, it could operate for up to six months.
Two U-boats were assigned to install the automatic weather stations in North America. U-537 was the first and only one to successfully deploy the WFL, codenamed “Kurt.” The second, U-867, was sunk in 1944 near the Norwegian coast by a Royal Air Force (RAF) bomber.
Installing the Wetter-Funkgerät Land on North American soil
U-537, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Peter Schrewe, carried two German meteorologists—Dr. Kurt Sommermeyer and Walter Hildebrant—on a mission unlike any other during World War II.
The journey to their destination was treacherous, not because of Allied patrols, but due to harsh Arctic weather. The U-boat encountered a violent storm and collided with an iceberg, causing serious damage. It lost its anti-aircraft gun and suffered a leak in the hull—problems that would have to be addressed once they reached land.
On October 22, 1943, U-537 arrived off the northern coast of Labrador. Captain Schrewe was determined to install the weather station in a remote location, far from any population centers. This was a challenge, as the region was inhabited by the Inuit, who frequently traveled through the remote areas while hunting. The success of the mission depended on keeping the weather station hidden for as long as possible, so Schrewe selected a secluded spot in Martin Bay, at the northeastern tip of the Labrador Peninsula.
Once anchored, a scouting team went ashore to survey the area. Soon after, the meteorologists and several crew members began assembling the 100-kg automatic weather station, known as Wetter-Funkgerät Land. Armed guards were posted around the perimeter to protect the operation from any unexpected visitors. Meanwhile, the rest of U-537’s crew worked on repairing the submarine to prepare for the journey home.
Camouflaging Weather Station Kurt
Weather Station Kurt was cleverly disguised to avoid detection. The Germans labeled the equipment with the logo and name of a fictitious group—the “Canadian Meteor Service”—and even littered the area with empty American cigarette packs to give the illusion that Allied forces had installed it. At the time, most civilians had limited knowledge of military operations, and German intelligence believed that lower-ranking Allied troops, if they stumbled upon the station, would likely overlook it to avoid drawing attention.
The submarine U-537, which deployed the station, spent less than 30 hours on the coast of Newfoundland before beginning its return journey. During the voyage home, the sub was attacked three times near the Grand Banks by Canadian aircraft. Despite the dangers, the U-boat survived each encounter and made it back to the port of Lorient in German-occupied France on December 8, 1943—70 days after its mission began. Though U-537 didn’t claim any Allied vessels on that patrol, the mission marked a rare instance of German activity on North American soil.
Becoming a forgotten part of World War II-era history
Weather Station Kurt only worked for a few weeks before failing, and it remained undiscovered long after World War II was over. In 1977, geomorphologist Peter Johnson was conducting research near Martin Bay when he stumbled upon the site. He thought it was a Canadian military outpost and simply marked it as “Martin Bay 7” on the map he kept during his research.
Around that same time, a retired Siemens engineer named Franz Selinger was writing a history of the company. He went through Kurt Sommermeyer’s papers and learned of the station’s existence. He subsequently notified the Canadian Ministry of Defence.
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In 1981, Weather Station Kurt was officially discovered, standing on the same spot where the Germans had left it over 30 years prior. It was dismantled and taken to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, where it remains on display to this day.