Espionage in WWII Essay

Spies have always been popular in fiction and history. As kids, we perceive them as people dressed in black with spy gadgets that we could never even imagine, but then as we get older we start to realize there is more than just gadgets and black uniforms. Everyday, spies risk their lives. This made me think what it would be like to be a spy during a war, and specifically during World War II.

The Battle at Midway was a critical turning point of the war in the Pacific during World War II. Attribution to American success is in direct relation to their ability to conduct signal collection and crypto-analysis leading to the battle. The elimination of this capability from consideration during the preparation for this battle will drastically influence the outcome. Through critical reasoning and battle analysis, this paper will determine the level of effect of the capability. The analysis will also seek to understand the change in outcome as a result of this change to history. The product of this analysis will be a thorough understanding of the importance of intelligence capability to United States success during World War II.

On both sides of the Revolution, the art of espionage was responsible for discovering military movements, tactics, and fortifications of the opposing side. Spies often relied on invisible ink to protect messages, along with a unique cryptogram of over 700 number-to-word codes for common words, names, and phrases. Even fake letters were created to be purposely intercepted, thus throwing off the enemy.

When you think of the Civil War you think of bloody battles, muskets exploding, bayonets sinking into enemy soldiers, and people giving their lives for the sake of either the Union or Confederate States and what they believed in. But most people do not think of one very important factor in the Civil War. Espionage. Throughout this paper we will be exploring the secretive world of espionage in the Civil War from both of the opposing sides.

When people are reminded of World War Two, they usually refer to all the stupendous and spectacular fights that took place. The thing that people do not know is that those stupendous and spectacular fights could not have been done without the courage's people who risked their lives to gather information to give their alliance an upper edge against the opponent. Some examples of spies are Mata Hari and Major Robin Stephens who risked their lives to gain information on their enemies. Spies did not only have their minds, but they also have gadgets that aided them to help gather information. Ultimately, all the outcomes that come from World War Two could not have been possible if people did not risk their lives to give their side and advantage against their opponent.

American history retells World War II (WWII) stories about heroes, and their contribution to the success in ending the conflict between Japan and the United States (U.S.). The U.S. Military’s attempt to seize key islands in the South Pacific seem futile as Japanese Imperial Intelligence Teams (JIIT) monitored U.S. communications systems. Messages intercepted by the JITT compromised U.S. Military synchronization activities, putting their efforts and the lives of American Soldier’s at risk. The Navajo Code Talker program is the U.S. Marine Corps’ solution to secure communications.

On the gloomy Friday night of June 19, 1953, a man named Julius Rosenberg was led into a room containing an electric chair; he was strapped in and then executed. After his body was removed, his wife suffered the same fate. This marked the end of one of the biggest espionage cases from World War II and the Cold War. This fascinating and complex couple were double agents, who worked for both the American and Russian governments. During the mid 20th century, it was not uncommon for American and British citizens to become enamored and sympathetic with communist ideals. However, only a few wanted them so badly that they turned against their own countries. Some of the most famous spies during this time included, the Rosenbergs, David Greenglass, and the Cambridge Five. Each decided to undermine the democratic and capitalist ideals of their countries and work for the Soviet Union. A spy’s role during World War II and throughout the Cold War was to gather information from the opposing side, and during this time, that information mostly related to weapon developments. Initially, the United States used people to spy and gather information, similar to the Russians. However as the Cold War progressed, the United States decided to go a step further and use technology to carry out their espionage. Spying played a critical role in the nuclear arms race which took place throughout World War II and the Cold War. The actions of American and British double agents contributed to tensions and

Looking at the impact of spies throughout history, it is easy to focus on the adversaries’ spies and the impact they have had on America. However, more important is the impact that American spies have had on shaping the country and the world. There have been many spies that have benefited America throughout our brief history; however, none may have been as impactful as Virginia Hall was in the events surrounding World War Two. Examining Virginia Hall’s background, efforts leading up to war, actions during the war, and postwar career show Hall’s vast impact on not only on American, but also World events.

There were many uses of technology specialized for spies during WWll. Great tactics and innovation were developed to create such equipment that would later on benefit them. These pieces of equipment ranged from rodent bombs—bombs embedded in rat carcasses which would be placed near boiler rooms in the opponent's camp; to carrying counterfeit documents such as passports; a stealthy and cunning weapon like the sleeve gun; and a knife concealed in a fountain pen. Other devices included the Fog Signal, the Compass fly button, lethal pills used for suicide in case caught. Devices of communication were carrier pigeons, the Wireless Telegraphy, and the German device Enigma. Technology specialized for spies during WWll were disguised to appear ordinary

Espionage is the practice of using spies to collect information for political or military reasons and has been around since wars have been fought. Sun Tzu speaks about gathering intelligence and deception in The Art of War. The Egyptians had a large espionage service that has been recorded in books such as the Bible and the Liliad. Espionage is still being used to collect information today. The tools for spies and their missions have been extremely dangerous and creative ; World War Two is a great example of this.

Espionage in World War 2 to Post-War was a rampant epidemic that involved high levels of trickery, psychological tactics, and incognito infiltration; consequently, many different countries were involved in retrieving various pieces of information that could have been detrimental had the Axis or Allies retained these blueprints, documents, and possibly voice recordings. In World War 2 every piece of evidence was needed. The war efforts in various countries were at somewhat of a hault considering how similar every territories technology was. A new spin on an old tactic was needed to gain upper hands in this monumental battle of bulk. So many countries turned to spying as a last resort. Though spying has its immense share of dangers,

Canadian and American spies helped to advance spy schools, change society's gender roles, and develop and further technology throughout the Second World War, all the while retrieving foreign information and secrets. All of these additions to war and society led to the extensive use of espionage in the Cold War. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines espionage as the actions that are done to find out secrets from enemies or competitors; the activity of spying. This is exactly what Canada and the United States did in the second World War, and eventually the Cold War. The main reason there was a need for spies in World War II was to stealthily retrieve important information from the enemy. Although the ways of obtaining this goal are limitless, they all fall under the common category of espionage. It is evident that useful information, such as foreign secrets, could not simply be obtained by asking the enemy. Thus, a need for spies was developed. Agencies such as the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), formerly the OSS (Office of Strategic

A few faultfinders contend that undercover activity disregards the standards of global law and the United Nations contract, as it includes "interfering" in the undertakings of another sovereign country state without an honest to goodness command or determination to do so. Moreover, covert activities might be viewed as a demonstration of war by the objective country. There is some worry that the mystery of secret activity makes an absence of responsibility and straightforwardness, notwithstanding the oversight prerequisites. Undercover promulgation raises the apparition of "blowback," which alludes to the danger of a story planted in remote media that then gets got by the U.S. media and reported in American media. At long last, especially with bigger paramilitary operations, there is a danger of revelation and open exposure, which might have antagonistic outcomes for the U.S. organization. Public divulgence of a secret activity could humiliate the U.S. government, and in addition the legislature of the objective nation, and could successfully restrain or even switch the outside approach increases looked for from the secretive activity in any

The American intelligence community (such as it was) of 1941 was underdeveloped and too divided to function effectively in the interwar era. This lamentable state was the product of a decade of neglect. Modern U.S. intelligence capability was born during the First World War, when the Army set up MI-8, a military intelligence section focused on cryptology. Herbert Yardley was put in command of the section. He was an interesting man, known for his self-promotion, poker playing, and womanizing. By war's end the cryptologic services had become the equal of any in the world.2 Despite the groups efficacy, the Army demobilized it after the war. This was merely the first in a series of set-backs for U.S. cryptography and intelligence in general in the interwar period. Prior to MI-8, U.S. intelligence capabilities consisted of diplomatic reports, which were highly limited and unequal to the task of apprising leaders of threats during the era of electronic communication.

In 1940, American cryptanalysts used the “Magic” decoding system to break the Japanese code “Purple” that was being sent out to all of their spies and embassies both in Hawaii and in Washington. The decoded message talked about a Tokyo-to-Honolulu dispatch that requested the Japanese spies to divide the island of Hawaii into 5 sections and locate all important navy vessel and air craft carriers. Multiple “Magic” decoding machines were sent out to important political and military figures in America and Britain, such as Roosevelt, the Secretary of State, War, and Navy, but none were sent to Hawaii. The Naval and Army commanders on the island, Admiral Kimmel and General Short, requested further information about the decoded message and for a