Early 20th Century

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Early 20th Century
Systematic espionage aided the Japanese in defeating the Russians in the Russo-Japanese
War of 1904-5. In preparing for World War I the Germans again flooded France with a
host of espionage agents, some of whom were disguised as trade representatives, teachers,
agricultural laborers, or domestics. The most famous of these agents was Mata Hari, who
posed as an Indian dancer in Paris. German agents also engaged in attempts to sabotage
American national defense both before and after the U.S. entry into World War I.

Most nations, however, entered World War I with inadequate espionage staffs, and the
war was frequently fought on the basis of poor intelligence. The lessons of that war, along
with rapid advances in technology, especially in communications and aviation, spurred a
major growth in intelligence agencies. This was further stimulated by the advent of Fascist
governments in Europe and a military dictatorship in Japan, all of which had expansionist
foreign policies, and the creation of counterespionage agencies such as the Gestapo in
Nazi Germany. These developments led other, democratic countries to establish
counterespionage systems as well.


World War II.

World War II was the great stimulus to intelligence services worldwide. Modern military
and communications technology put a premium on accurate and quick information, as well
as on efforts to protect the security of sensitive information. Some of the great battles of
World War II were actually intelligence and counterintelligence battles. Only in recent
years have some of the exploits, and failures, in this secret war been disclosed. Notable is
Operation Double Cross, in which the British captured practically all the German spies in
Great Britain during the war and turned them into double agents who sent false
information back to Germany. Also, the British and their allies were able to break the
German secret code, providing access...