Title:
|
Studies in British naval intelligence, 1880-1945
|
This thesis examines, by reference to the political,
institutional, organisational, personnel, operational, methodological
and technical aspects of naval intelligence work, the developmental
aspects of its history from 1880 to 1945. By analysing specific naval
operations and discussing the strategic and tactical ramifications of
intelligence it seeks to throw light on the impact of intelligence on
naval warfare in this period. In so doing it reveals the place of
intelligence in the general naval history of the period. It is not a
definitive history, but rather a discursive analysis of those aspects
considered the most important.
In the pre-1914 era the N.I.D. was the heart of the
emergent Naval Staff, involved in strategic planning at the highest
level. World War I brought the need for an operational intelligence
organisation, with the priority of locating, identifying, and deducing
the intentions of major German units. Experience in war revealed
the necessity for a clear definition of the relationship between the
Operations Division and the N.I.D. The use of radio intelligence
and cryptanalysis gave N.I.D. great operational successes and
Admiral Hall the opportunity to involve N.I.D. in political issues.The latter led to the review of N.I.D.'s role post 1918 and, in part,
its run-down. The inter-war period witnessed N.I.D.'s decline
as the most dynamic and influential Naval Staff department. Until
the foundation of O.I.C. and the coming of war N.I.D. was a backwater.
World War It witnessed a re-vitalisation, a more structured
and tightly controlled N.I.D., and the D.N.I.. as an important
echelon of the C.O.S. and J.LC. organisations. N.I.D. regained
its previous supremacy and was instrumental in the process towards
intelligence integration at the end of World War U. It scored great
operational successes.
The function of intelligence is demonstrated as being
paramount in the naval organisation and critical to the interests
of the State. Its maintenance was contingent upon variables which,
throughout this period, were neither constant nor always recognised.
|