Cold Open

It’s almost midnight on July 10th, 1985, aboard the ship Rainbow Warrior at port in Auckland, New Zealand.

Fernando Pereira and his crewmates raise their beer bottles in cheers. Fernando flashes an impish smile before downing the last of his drink. Tonight the ship’s crew have been celebrating a birthday. And while most of the party has died down, Fernando is determined to keep it going.

But before he can grab another drink, an explosion rocks the Rainbow Warrior.

Bottles roll off the table, shattering on the ground while the boat shakes with the force from the blast.

As the explosion subsides, a crewmate goes to check the engine room. He discovers that it’s filling with water, the order is soon given to abandon ship.

But as the crew evacuates, Fernando pauses. He remembers his camera. As a photographer, it’s his livelihood. And hoping he can quickly grab it before joining the rest of the crew on the dock, Fernando rushes down to his cabin. He grabs his camera bag but as he turns to leave the room… a second explosion rocks the Rainbow Warrior, knocking Fernando unconscious as water floods into the ship.

In 1977, environmental activism organization, Greenpeace, bought the Rainbow Warrior to draw attention to a range of issues. Through its protests against nuclear testing and confrontations with seal and whale hunters around the world, the ship has generated big headlines. But it has also made powerful enemies.

Five years ago, the ship was confiscated by the Spanish Navy. Three years later, members of the crew were arrested by the Soviets. Now, its mission to protest a nuclear bomb test has drawn the ire of the French government, who will prove to be behind the explosions that sink the Rainbow Warrior, killing 35-year-old Fernando Pereira in the process and launching an international investigation on July 10th, 1985. 

Introduction

From Noiser and Airship, I’m Lindsay Graham and this is History Daily.

History is made every day. On this podcast—every day—we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world.

Today is July 10th, 1985: France sinks Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior.

Act One: Planning the Bombing

It’s June 22nd, 1985, at a hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, less than three weeks before the attack on the Rainbow Warrior.

Commander Alain Mafart steps up to the reception desk, joined by Captain Dominique Prieur. Both are agents of the French secret service, here to carry out a secret mission to sink Greenpeace’s famous protest ship.

For years, the organization has been fighting against nuclear testing, becoming a nuisance for several countries, including France, who has decided to retaliate by sabotaging Greenpeace’s flagship boat. Earlier this spring, a French agent infiltrated the organization’s New Zealand office. While there, she discovered that the Rainbow Warrior plans to lead a flotilla to stop one of France’s upcoming nuclear tests in the Pacific.

Upon learning of this information, France’s intelligence agency sent Alain and Dominique to support a team who will sink the Rainbow Warrior while it’s docked in Auckland. It’s not an easy mission, Greenpeace is widely known for its pacifism and New Zealand is a French ally. So Alain knows that this mission, codenamed Operation Satanic, must go smoothly to keep France’s actions a secret and avoid ruining international relations.

So far, it’s off to a good start. The hotel receptionist greets Alain warmly as he and Dominique approach. Alain runs a hand through his hair, flashing a charming smile before getting to business. He slides two Swiss passports across the counter, checking in himself and Dominique under the pseudonyms Alain and Sophie Turenge.

When the receptionist asks what brings the couple to New Zealand, Alain responds calmly with their pre-planned cover story, explaining that he and Dominique are newlyweds, here to explore New Zealand on their honeymoon. The receptionist smiles and assures them they’ll have a wonderful visit, encouraging Alain to ask for anything they need during their stay. Alain shrugs politely and says, for now, they just need some rest.

Taking their room keys, the two agents retire to their room for some much-needed sleep. After the 27-hour journey from France, they want to be sharp as they execute their part of Operation Satanic. Over the coming days, Alain and Dominique perform some vital reconnaissance. And as they explore the Auckland harbor, they’re happy to discover very little security, ensuring it will be easy for the rest of their teammates to enter the harbor by boat.

All they have to do now is wait for the Rainbow Warrior to arrive.

And on July 7th, the familiar protest ship pulls into the harbor, receiving a warm welcome from local and indigenous residents, appreciative of the causes it fights for. Alain and Dominique are just as excited by its arrival. With the Rainbow Warrior berthed in Auckland, it’s now their job to ensure it doesn’t leave before the French secret service has time to destroy it.

The plan is simple enough. One agent will attach several mines to the Rainbow Warrior that will then be detonated and sink the ship. But there’s plenty of preparation that must be done beforehand. So, Alain and Dominique begin seeking supplies. First, they need to secure an inflatable boat and diving equipment to help their teammates stealthily approach the Rainbow Warrior. And once they acquire that gear, they need to find a way to hand it off to the diving team without attracting attention. So, Alain and Dominique decide to rent a camper van to help them move the equipment around.

After getting all this in order, the pair then rendezvous with the other members of the team who have just arrived in Auckland. Together, the crew finalizes their plan. Alain and Dominique take responsibility for preparing and transporting the inflatable boat and diving gear, while the rest of the team preps the explosives.

A few days later on July 10th, the members of Operation Satanic attach their mines to the Rainbow Warrior. Within a few hours, the first mine blows a hole about the size of a car into the hull. And ten minutes later, a second explosion goes off, sinking the ship.

The mission will seem like a resounding success until the agents learn that the attack killed one member of the Greenpeace crew. The death of photographer Fernando Pereira will pose a serious complication. The goal of Operation Satanic was to sink the Rainbow Warrior without casualties. But now there’s been a murder, and there will be a vigorous search for the culprits behind the attack.

In the wake of the tragedy, Alain and Dominque will try to flee New Zealand as quickly and inconspicuously as possible. They will feel confident that if they keep their heads, they can get out of New Zealand, and safely home soon enough. But Alain and Dominique will not realize that they have left a trail of clues. And once the investigation into the Rainbow Warrior's sinking starts, it won’t be long before detectives track the French agents down.

Act Two: Tracking down the Bombers

It’s the morning of July 12th, 1985, in Auckland, New Zealand, just two days after the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior.

21-year-old Rebecca Hayter walks into work at a car rental office. As she does, she can’t stop puzzling over the week’s mysterious events.

News of the Rainbow Warrior’s sinking has captivated and confused the nation. The morning after the ship was sunk, investigators determined that it had been bombed from the outside. This meant they could officially rule out an accident. They subsequently asked for anyone who had information about suspicious persons or activities to get in touch with authorities.

Since New Zealand is a small and often tight-knit country, it wasn’t long before leads began pouring in. With their thick accents, France’s secret agents drew attention practically everywhere they went. And then last night, Rebecca received a call from one of her coworkers at the rental agency. The police wanted to know about a Swiss couple who rented a camper van. Rebecca remembers the newlyweds well. But it’s hard for her to imagine that the supposed lovebirds were dangerous criminals, still, she’s determined to help the police any way she can.

So as Rebecca enters the office this morning, she asks her colleague if they remember the Swiss honeymooners who came in a few days ago. Her coworker immediately knows exactly who she’s talking about, adding that the couple is actually here again right now.

Rebecca struggles to remain calm as she checks in with the newlyweds she knows as Alain and Sophie. Wearing a stiff grin, she tries to act naturally as the couple tells her they’ve come to return the van, explaining they need to cut their trip short. Rebecca tells them she’s sorry to hear that, but assures them it won’t be a problem. She just needs to check with her manager. She asks them to wait patiently while she steps away.

Covertly, Rebecca and her coworkers contact the police and promise to delay the French couple until officer can arrive. Rebecca tells the pair she’s happy to accept the van early, but she needs to process their refund. She drags out the process as long as possible. And as Rebecca stalls, she can see the couple begin to fidget, their gazes growing more intense. But the two French agents fail to escape before detectives arrive and place them under arrest.

Over the next few days, authorities uncover more clues about the bombing. It becomes increasingly clear that the attack on the Rainbow Warrior was not a random attack, but likely an act of state-sponsored terrorism. At first, France denies any involvement in the bombing. But the New Zealand government is unconvinced. Determined to get to the bottom of this plot, they refuse to rest until they can find and punish whoever set off the bombs that killed Fernando Pereira.

Soon, New Zealand authorities trace a number of clues to other members of Operation Satanic. And on July 13th, they track down a yacht that was seen around Auckland at the time of the bombing. Upon boarding the boat, they find three Frenchmen who they promptly place under arrest. But problems arise as the detectives find themselves rushed. Though they discover evidence linking the yacht to the bombing, since the boat is in waters under Australian jurisdiction, local law dictates that they only have 24 hours to charge the Frenchmen with a crime.

Detectives race to process the evidence, but they can’t do it quickly enough, and they are forced to release the three Frenchmen. And once out of police custody, the agents link up with a French submarine and sink their yacht before vanishing.

By July 24th, every member of Operation Satanic has successfully fled New Zealand, except for Alain and Dominique, who are charged with arson and murder.

After weeks spent condemning the bombing and feigning innocence, France’s government slowly begins to admit that they sent spies to New Zealand, but they still don’t confess to the bombing, acknowledging their role in the attack would be both a huge embarrassment and a grave insult to New Zealand. So, the French continue to try to conceal the full extent of Operation Satanic, but they can’t hide this information forever.

Eventually, a French newspaper publishes a damning expose, reporting that French secret service agents were behind the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. This revelation will cause France’s defense minister to step down and its head of secret service to be fired. But these measures will not satisfy New Zealand. Demanding greater punishment for the attack, the nation will try to track down other members of Operation Satanic. But France will refuse to cooperate, leaving New Zealand to make an example of the only spies they do have in custody.

Act Three: Guilty

It’s November 3rd, 1985, at the High Court in Auckland, New Zealand.

French secret service agent Alain Mafart sits up in his seat, waiting for the judge to enter the room. At his side is co-conspirator Dominique Prieur.

After Alain and Dominique were arrested for the attack on the Rainbow Warrior, they were charged with arson and conspiring to commit murder, to which they pled not guilty. After initially denying any involvement in the bombing, the French government tried to pressure New Zealand to drop charges and return Alain and Dominique to France. But after France's role was exposed in the news, the French Prime Minister admitted his country's secret service had planned the attack. While it's widely understood that Alain and Dominique acted as part of a team, they are the only ones New Zealand authorities were able to arrest and now must answer for their actions in court.

As the judge enters the room, Alain and Dominique rise to their feet. They listen as the court reads out new charges of arson and manslaughter. The lawyer for New Zealand’s government explains that they are ready to accept a lesser charge since they cannot prove Alain and Dominique personally placed the mines on the Rainbow Warrior, or that they intended to kill anyone on the boat.

When asked for his plea to these charges, Alain responds firmly, guilty. And when it’s her turn, Dominique pleads guilty too. The whole trial is over in less than 30 minutes.

Alain and Dominique are sentenced to 10 years in prison, but France applies intense pressure on New Zealand to let the agents go, threatening an embargo which would harmed New Zealand’s economy. New Zealand appeals to the United Nations, who mediates the dispute and eventually declares that France must apologize and compensate New Zealand. The UN also orders Alain and Dominique to serve their full sentences, but both will be released within a few years. When they return to France, the agents receive honors and promotions.

The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior will have a lasting impact on Greenpeace and New Zealand. It will show the environmental organization that their struggle against nuclear proliferation faces powerful adversaries, and it will intensify New Zealand’s support for their fight. While Greenpeace will buy a new Rainbow Warrior, New Zealand will advocate for a nuclear-free Pacific, and eleven years after the Rainbow Warrior’s bombing, France will end its nuclear testing program in the Pacific Ocean.

But the fight to bring the other members of Operation Satanic to justice will continue. Decades later, one of the members of the team will come forward to apologize. But for many, including Fernando Pereira’s family, the apology will be long overdue and insufficient, unable to compensate for the tragedy of the bombing that killed Fernando and sank the Rainbow Warrior on July 10th, 1985.

Outro

Next on History Daily. July 11th, 2001. After being sued by the music industry, the popular file-sharing service, Napster, closes down.

From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily, hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsay Graham.

Audio editing by Muhammad Shahzaib.

Sound design by Mollie Baack.

Music by Lindsay Graham.

This episode is written and researched by Ruben Abrahams Brosbe.

Executive Producers are Alexandra Currie-Buckner for Airship, and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.