The Spies who Underwent Plastic Surgery

It sounds like something out of a Hollywood film, but it really did happen! In the shadowy world of wartime espionage, an elite group of spies and secret group of plastic surgeons worked together to sculpt new faces and new identities during World War II.

Recently de-classified documents from Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) have revealed this fascinating chapter in medical history.

The Changing Faces

So what did these plastic surgeons do? They operated on noses, pinned back ears, removed scars and other identifying features. Harley Street dentists were recruited to make sure that teeth looked suitably European. While we know a few names of men who underwent these procedures, many more are still unknown as documents are slowly de-classified over time.

The men in the below photographs are both unidentified, but show a catalogue of the type of work that was done at the time to help disguise their features.

Unknown spy who underwent a rhinoplasty to disguise his appearance

Anonymous spy who underwent plastic surgery to disguise his appearance with a rhinoplasty and and ear pinning.

The SOE wanted to ensure that their agents would not be recognised from photographs or mugshots the enemy may have obtained. Many secret agents were nationals of the countries they were infiltrating, so there was a danger that they could be recognised by someone who knew them. The SOE also needed to disguise any features that were unusually distinctive.

Frederick Lowenbach, one of the few identified agents known to have undergone plastic surgery, showing his altered appearance.

The Surgeons

So who were the surgeons who were trusted with these delicate procedures and secret identities? We do, in fact, know some of their names.

Sir Harold Gillies

Sir Harold Gillies, one of the most famous plastic surgeons of all time and indeed, the man often considered the father of plastic surgery, has been named as one of those involved in these procedures. One of his biographers described two such incidents of him being involved in surgery to disguise the facial features of spies.

We also have the name of Dr Rainsford Mowlem, who worked closely with Gillies. Originally from New Zealand, he was heavily involved in plastic surgical practice for injured soldiers returning from the front. He was one of the most innovative and skilled surgeons of his generation.

For more information about this incredible topic, be sure to read Dr Roderick Bailey’s wonderful article here.

References

Bailey R. Special operations: a hidden chapter in the histories of facial surgery and human enhancement. Med Humanit. 2020 Jun;46(2):115-123. doi: 10.1136/medhum-2019-011792. Epub 2020 Jul 6. PMID: 32631975; PMCID: PMC7402463.

Bailey R. The secret scalpel: plastic surgery for wartime disguise. Lancet. 2014 Oct 18;384(9952):1421-2. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61855-9. Epub 2014 Oct 17. PMID: 25390317; PMCID: PMC4888936.