France's Intelligence Center

Lillin · 19-11-2004, 07:02 AM

This may seem like a vague question, so I apologize in advance if it is. I'm looking to find information on the history of the Ministry of Defense -- particularly prior to the German occupation.

When was it established? What were it's primary functions prior to and during the war? Was it responsible for gathering intelligence outside of France before the war?

I'm having problems finding any information on the web. What I do find is in French, and I can't read that.

Actually, I'm not even sure if the Ministry of Defense is what I should be looking under. I'm not sure what the different military branches were back then.

So if anyone can point me in the right direction -- be it with a website, a book, or any knowledge you may have, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

Paul

angie999 · 19-11-2004, 03:27 PM

The main French intelligence agency was called the Deuxieme (2nd) Bureau, but if you don't read French you will not find much on the web. It is now defunct.

I don't know a good book on the subject.

But if you do manage to dig deeper, you will find the world of French intelligence very complex and mirky indeed, particularly in the 1930s, the early days of WWII and under the Vichy regime.

Free French intelligence is a whole different ballgame, but just as complex.

19-11-2004, 03:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
angie999 Very Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: near Bristol, UK Posts: 1,559	The main French intelligence agency was called the Deuxieme (2nd) Bureau, but if you don't read French you will not find much on the web. It is now defunct. I don't know a good book on the subject. But if you do manage to dig deeper, you will find the world of French intelligence very complex and mirky indeed, particularly in the 1930s, the early days of WWII and under the Vichy regime. Free French intelligence is a whole different ballgame, but just as complex. __________________ Angie "History is lived forward but it is written in retrospect. We know the end before we consider the beginning and we can never wholly recapture what it was like to know the beginning only." C V Wedgewood

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
NSA Publication: Intelligence and The Holocaust	geoff501	The Holocaust	0	21-02-2008 09:47 PM
PEARL HARBOR, CHURCHILL & JN-25: An Expose' of Allied Codebreaking in Pacific Theater in WWII.	Christos	War Against Japan	9	04-12-2007 10:02 AM
Defense Technical Information Center: Search	Jan7	Research Material	0	02-12-2007 05:34 PM
British Intelligence In Wwii	jimbotosome	General	13	04-12-2005 12:24 AM
Polish Intelligence Contribition In Ww 2	marek_pk	Poland	1	05-07-2005 05:26 PM

19-11-2004, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lillin Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 11	This may seem like a vague question, so I apologize in advance if it is. I'm looking to find information on the history of the Ministry of Defense -- particularly prior to the German occupation. When was it established? What were it's primary functions prior to and during the war? Was it responsible for gathering intelligence outside of France before the war? I'm having problems finding any information on the web. What I do find is in French, and I can't read that. Actually, I'm not even sure if the Ministry of Defense is what I should be looking under. I'm not sure what the different military branches were back then. So if anyone can point me in the right direction -- be it with a website, a book, or any knowledge you may have, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Paul

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)