Can anyone give me any info, or guide me to a book that may have information on what involvement the U.S. government had in Britain before the war started. I know the U.S. founded the O.C.I., then the O.S.S., and that was in Britain, but I'm looking for something that pre-dates that. What did America have in Britain to acquire intelligence, if anyhting, is the question that I need answered. So if anyone could help, It would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Paul P.S. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, so if it's not, I apologize in advance.
Sorry, I should have beeen more specific with my question. I believe the O.C.I and O.S.S. were founded in 1941. I need to know what was around before that, during the attacks on Britain. What did the U.S. have in Britain as far as government agencies, and what was their role? Again, thanks for any responses you guys and gals may have.
Originally posted by Lillin@May 24 2004, 02:58 AM Sorry, I should have beeen more specific with my question. I believe the O.C.I and O.S.S. were founded in 1941. I need to know what was around before that, during the attacks on Britain. What did the U.S. have in Britain as far as government agencies, and what was their role? Again, thanks for any responses you guys and gals may have. Apart from a couple of military attache's within the embassy, they didn't. The US intelligence system in Britain was so poor that in July 1940 Roosevelt was forced to send a political ally 'Wild Bill' Donovan on an intelligence mission to find out Britains chances of survival. In fact the US didn't even have a proper secret service at this time and in 1941 they were forced to ask the British for help in setting up and training the O.S.S.
Donovan was sent to find out after Ambassador Joseph Kennedy said ' Britain was finished ' Aye MalcolmII
The American Embassy was the main intel-gatherers for the US Government before 1941. US Naval/Army attaches that served in the UK also recieved some amounts of intel. The US Government did get some help by the American Press that were in London/Europe at the time.
Thanks for all the help. I posed the question to a friend of the family and he pointed me to read on Joseph Kennedy, saying he was the main man most responsible for the U.S. intelligence at that time. And from what I've gathered, he was very controversial in his views and methods. Everyone has been great in helping me in my research with this question and the other I posted. Thank you so much. I wish I had more to contribute, but I'm just starting to learn about these subjects. The wealth of knowledge on this board is a great resource!
There is a superb book by Professor John Lukacs -- an eminent historian and prolific writer -- that covers the events and portents of this period in meticulous detail .......... Five Days in London - May 1940, John Lukacs, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1999. .......... it is an absorbing but chilling read. I don't think most people realize just how close Britain came to capitulating to Hitler in 1940. The book contains extensive information relating to the role played by the US during this period including some interesting information relating to Joseph Kennedy, the Ambassador to Britain.
Jamesicus, Thanks for the book recommendation. I just got the last one you recommended, LONDON AT WAR. I'll be sure to check this one out, too.
