In August 1978, Alexander Achenbach, who describes himself as the Prime Minister of Sealand, hired several German and Dutch mercenaries to spearhead an attack on Sealand while Bates and his wife were in England.
En agosto de 1978, Alexander Achenbach, que se proclama a se mesmo como o primeiro ministro de Sealand, contratou a varios mercenarios alemáns e holandeses para atacar Sealand mentres Bates ea súa esposa estaban en Inglaterra.