British Covert Operations In The United States 1939-44: Brassey Intelligence

British covert operations during World War II played a crucial role in influencing the outcome of the war. One intriguing aspect of these clandestine activities was the establishment and operations of Brassey Intelligence in the United States from 1939 to 1944.

The Birth of Brassey Intelligence

Brassey Intelligence was created as an independent intelligence-gathering organization by the British government in order to gather vital information and conduct covert operations in the United States. With the outbreak of war in 1939, Britain understood the significance of American involvement and the need for an agency to manage covert operations in the country to further its war efforts.

The name "Brassey Intelligence" was derived from Sir Basil Brassey, a prominent British intelligence officer who played a key role in establishing the organization. Initially, Brassey Intelligence operated within the framework of the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., but later established a separate office in New York City.

Desperate Deception: British Covert Operations in the United States, 1939-44 (Brassey's Intelligence & National Security Library)

by Thomas E. Mahl(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Objectives and Operations

Brassey Intelligence had several primary objectives. The organization aimed to gather intelligence on American public opinion, political activities, and military developments. They also sought to influence public opinion in favor of British interests and work towards consolidating the Special Relationship between the United States and Britain.

One of the notable operations carried out by Brassey Intelligence was Operation Cockade. Under this operation, British secret agents aimed to infiltrate and gather information from various organizations such as the German American Bund, which sympathized with Nazi Germany. This information was crucial in identifying potential threats to national security and neutralizing them.

Another notable operation was Operation Kilt. This covert mission aimed to gather intelligence on Japanese activities in the United States and provide support for the British war effort in the Pacific theater. Agents were tasked with infiltrating Japanese communities and gathering information on their plans and activities.

Methods and Challenges

Brassey Intelligence employed various methods to fulfill its objectives. These included espionage, code-breaking, propaganda dissemination, and forming political alliances. The organization also collaborated with other British intelligence agencies and their American counterparts to share information and resources.

However, operating covertly in the United States came with its share of challenges. The organization had to navigate strict neutrality laws, public suspicion of foreign espionage, and the constant threat of exposure. To counter these challenges, Brassey Intelligence established a network of reliable informants and utilized innovative techniques to gather intelligence discreetly.

Legacy and Impact

The efforts of Brassey Intelligence played a significant role in shaping British covert operations and strengthening the intelligence network between the United States and Britain during World War II. Their successful infiltration and gathering of crucial information helped protect national security, dismantle internal threats, and shape public opinion in favor of the Allied cause.

Moreover, the establishment of Brassey Intelligence laid the foundation for future intelligence cooperation between the United States and Britain. The collaboration that took place during these covert operations became the basis for the formation of modern intelligence agencies and paved the way for continued strategic partnership between the two nations.

British covert operations in the United States during World War II, specifically those conducted by Brassey Intelligence, remain a fascinating chapter in the history of intelligence and espionage. Their achievements in gathering vital information, neutralizing threats, and shaping public opinion helped shape the course of the war and laid the groundwork for future cooperation between two powerful nations.

These covert operations serve as a reminder of the importance of intelligence agencies in times of crisis and highlight the immense impact that covert actions can have on geopolitical outcomes. Brassey Intelligence's endeavors during the war continue to be studied and provide valuable insights into the world of intelligence and the role it plays in shaping history.

Desperate Deception: British Covert Operations in the United States, 1939-44 (Brassey's Intelligence & National Security Library)

by Thomas E. Mahl(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1304 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	257 pages

FREE

A fascinating study of the efforts of British intelligence to push America out of its isolationist stance and into the Allied camp during the early days of WW II. Freelance writer Mahl has convincingly drawn on a variety of sources--including recently declassified FBI and government files, memoirs, personal papers, and little-known official reports--to weave together a portrait of extraordinary schemes and activities. He argues that such conventional sources as the official British history of the war are misleading and inadequate. Britain, lacking the resources to fight Nazi Germany alone, needed the immense production capacities and vast manpower of the US to save itself. But the British government was deeply concerned about American intentions: The nation seemed both unpredictable and unreliable in its support of Britain. To gain American allegiance, Britain launched a sizable propaganda campaign and a number of intelligence actions, many carried out or managed by William Stevenson (``Intrepid''),Britain's spy extraordinaire. Mahl asserts that British agents had willing accomplices in FDR's White House, filled with an anglophile elite that identified deeply with Britain. His research reveals that foreign money was poured into some congressional elections to defeat isolationist politicians, that British agents spent money freely to ease the passage of the Lend- Lease Act, that they planted pro-British articles in interventionist newspapers and magazines, and that some national opinion polls were rigged to reflect a deeper and stronger pro- British sentiment than existed. British agents set up Bill Donovan's Office of Stragetic Services and helped run it, and they established or influenced a number of organizations pushing for American intervention. Their efforts were ingenious and effective. They were also either dubious or downright illegal, but Mahl argues that, given the desperate situation in Europe, Britain had little choice. A carefully researched, engrossing addition to WW II history and the history of covert operations.