Air Force Intelligence

and finally while our fighter boys were taking care of the main gang one of managed to slip through and come down on us from six o'clock smacking the bills top turret gun we try to teach them they just won't learn might have been a stranger 109 190 as Bella was his got him just before he started the roll sir with a second burst panatela no sir that one night he blew up like a room full of gas good thanks fellows one destroyed one damaged okay gang hey hey wait a minute we go again but the one 9news have a white nose a yellow leading edge and pink ribbons on their tails did they fly in from the north south east west or vice versa yeah and what color with the Jerry's eyes have a heart Mac we went out planted our stuff had a fight and came back so that's all there was to it what good is all that stuff like what's it prove go around some rainy day I'll show you say if you can prove that somebody reads that intelligence chunk and makes it mean something I'll give you my undivided attention for 11 minutes how about okay Joey right as you asked for I'd gather around Jim look we were only fooling all right I've been looking for a chance like this now look what you've done will you ever learn to keep you on come on you've used up one of my minutes already now look at least you've heard of intelligence but we ain't never seen it sir you're going to right now this oversized poop sheet is an aid to chart this shows are all the stuff all this information about the enemy comes in where it goes how it comes back out again as intelligence that is combat intelligence brought in by you combat pilots and crews photo intelligence ground intelligence and other kinds we don't talk much about I'll get to later but this shows you where all of our stuff goes to and what happens to it in the process choose who all right think of it this way think of it as the human body and of intelligence as the bloodstream that keeps it alive let's begin with the fingers that's us squadron intelligence officers we dig out the information yes and tough work it is bits and pieces unverified one man reports everything we can dig out of you details we have been asked to watch out for tactics altitudes directions types combat results and lessons this is the sort of military information that we send back through intelligence channels just as the fingers send back blood through the veins first it goes to the hands group intelligence where the various squadron reports of fused and coordinated in the same way the hand coordinates the activities of its fingers and then on up through the veins or intelligence channels to the arms or wing intelligence for local reasons here in North Africa wing demands are not used although they are part of standard Air Force organization and are used in some of the theaters fight a command Bomber Command Air Support Command special commands these are fed with information by their respective squadrons groups and wings which have to some extent consolidated evaluated and interpreted the information as they pass it along they may and do use the information against their own direct and immediate enemies at the same time they send it on up to the heart of the whole intelligence organization Air Force a2 in the body their heart has the blood charge with oxygen by the lungs giving it new force new value before it is pumped back out to every part of the body intelligence procedures almost identical all this information of the enemy being fed into Air Force Headquarters intelligence is purified in a sense by the processes of consolidation evaluation and interpretation in addition it receives new values and new force from other branches of Air Force intelligence such as photo intelligence technical intelligence from captured material intelligence from prisoners of war from espionage from scientific devices and from other headquarters and now finally has combat intelligence it is pumped out again disseminated two commands two wings two groups and final it to the squadron's to me a squadron intelligence officer and threw me to the major and new fellows at the same time Air Force intelligence pumps this combat intelligence along with other intelligence up to the commanding general Air Force and the other members and departments of his staff just as the heart pumps fresh blood up to the brain for the commanding general in his staff bar the Air Force's brain they direct its contacts with other organizations they do its overall thinking they keep it functioning as a single coordinated unit and they send out the orders that galvanize it into action that's one view of the whole process fellows are still with me for exactly eight and a half more minutes okay now looks like another view of intelligence procedure starting up at Air Force Headquarters for the commanding general and staff when questions arise that must be answered before the commanding general can issue orders for an attack now what I want you tell us to get is the relationship of these major questions to the scraps of information you bring in oh one thing first now don't get the idea that intelligence starts its procedure out fresh with each new attack remember this chart and it's never-ending flow new situations require new information but all this happens against the background of standing Operating Procedure the all-important routine I've just shown you for the perpetual collecting interpreting and disseminating of military intelligence all right now now for an example of how it works starting at the top let's say our North African High Command decides of a new plan of operations here we are then in the brain laying the background for our special intelligence program the commanding general is called a staff together chief of staff a one personnel a two intelligence a three operations a for supply the ground forces Colonel and the RAF group captain alleles on officers the commanding general has just broken the news to them that the attack on Sicily and Sardinia is to be made but sir an operation this large this important doesn't that call for a little more consideration it has been given consideration by GHQ by the Joint Chiefs of Staff by war plans following research and study by all branches of intelligence let me see it is 1900 hours now we've meet here again at 800 hours Wednesday that will give us 37 hours 37 but general I'll need a week why don't take at least a week to in 37 hours gentlemen all right Steve will you take over now yes sir the Sicily half of the combined operations will be handled by the British based in Tunisia the John of the American forces will be sat in here first our strategical force of heavy bombers will go to work on the most vulnerable and important objectives on the island those objectives that's something for a - most of them have already been spotted and photographed also of course for the softening up will continue blasting Genoa Naples Palermo the whole Italian west coast paying particular attention to airfields a three will have to work out his schedule carefully because a two will be needing some of our photo reconnaissance planes for special economist and mapping then as to the attack itself our tactical air forces will participate in the staging of a feint at local enemy positions to conceal our real goal shortly afterwards our medium bombers would begin a 24-hour pasting of Sardinian airfields long-range bombers were found all the mainland air bases to prevent reinforcements and finally the fighters will furnish escort for the troop carrier planes the exact zones of attack of not yet we decided to fall we shall want new mapping of the southern Sardinian coastline particularly the gulps of Thomas and/or Astana and Calgary harbour yes sir and I'll see what we can learn about our probable reception there we've had unconfirmed reports lately about some of the natives revolting against the Nazis a situation like that could be very handy in the landing of paratroops better known that song yes sir GHQ is also had reports with several new fighter squadrons be moving to Sardinia we've had evidence in the mission reports some of the fight knows 190 boys been sent down from France no definite identification of squadron jet but I think we can get that identification for you by tomorrow night sir hey I could also use some dope on the enemy's auxilary fighter drums and landing strips now we'd like to know if the enemy's disposed to hold his southern airfields against attack or whether he's prepared a secondary line of air defense to withdraw - if we can determine this it'll have a most important bearing on our original strategy well that's what's going on in the brain in 37 hours each of these assistant Chiefs of Staff will have to report back to the general a 1 on men a 4 on supplies a 3 on operational plan and a 2 on the intelligence of the enemy necessary to carry out the plan the first step in the intelligence procedure is planning the collection of information bearing on this several particular question the essential elements a 2 will drop on all its sources of information combat photo prisoners of war technical intelligence or espionage and other secret sources and on intelligence from headquarters of our own and allied ground naval and air forces now the Air Force a to intelligence staff the heart of our intelligence system really gets going to some of the essential questions we already have the answer either from previous intelligence missions or from standing operating procedure so these can be satisfied those questions that can't be answered on which our intelligence is dated incomplete or nil are broken down into very specific clues let's take one example the general wants to know if the enemy is disposed to hold his airfields in southern Sardinia against attacked well photo reconnaissance crews can answer that but they can spot certain clues which may enable this headquarters to answer it to get these clues an intelligence mission schedule is prepared assigning the units for specific missions and setting a time limit for their completion this is worked out in conference between a2 and a3 so this completes the mission schedule if you want to check it all right thanks now on that last question gives the enemy prepared to hold on to his airfield Jim you've simply got to give me more planes for photo reconnaissance over-promised Calgarian Elemis I've assigned you all the planes I can spare Dave besides you've already given it's perfect coverage of those air drones that's not the point I'm looking for new construction runways new investments repair facilities new housing anything he's building novels but why what's one or two more revetment simply this Jim he wouldn't be building anything of a permanent nature of these southern airfields if he intended to use them only as a first-line defense and then move his aircraft north to other prepared air domes he might no he wouldn't waste of time the men or the money that does make sense ok fella we'll get the photo boys to scrape the bottom of the barrel I want to find out if he has any unusual concentration of clocks or other transport anything indicating a move I believe if he planned to move north he'd have everything he won't immediately need already on the way I want to see those roads leading north you're right Dave I'm sold anything else yeah I'll go with you we'll get out these orders right now we oftentimes line these polar missions for noon tomorrow at the end of the first step intelligence plan is established in the mission schedulers plan this means putting into effect the intelligence plan in other words getting out the orders intelligence missions are put into operation the same way as any mission directed by the Air Force Headquarters my field orders fragmentary orders giving concise instructions to the unit or units involved right down to the particular photo reconnaissance squadron the squadron CEO and intelligence officer just completing the briefing of pilots and observers listen now you Saunders make a photo strip of anything that looks like runways revetment gun positions and buildings then cover these roads running north even those satellite fields in Section C two five one of them throws heavy flak watch out for what cover we want a complete picture of each section you better go into 24,000 feet are you Avery you might get a strip of that d-19 area from 15,000 feet on your way out if you don't spot any fighters you got your chance good luck at the same time as per a to s mission schedule other officers get orders some to attend to the mapping of sections of the Sardinian coastline others specialists in prison of war interrogation to focus on information about sardinia in questioning captured italian airmen crash intelligence officers who are experts examine a crashed enemy fighter and discover a new gun position this new enemy gun might have given our attacking air force a lot of trouble but not anymore the flash report these men send into a two we'll have our pilot and gun is ready for it here another important role is played in the planning of our invasion the weather officers forecast will be included in a two's final estimate of the whole situation and zero hour might well be tailored to fit meanwhile every combat mission will also serve as an intelligence mission with greater or less effect depending upon the efficiency with which we intelligence officers have briefed you fellows on important things to be looked for and on how intelligently and searchingly we question you on your return enemy convoys the number and kind of ships their speed the direction in which they're traveling such things should be sent as flash reports by radio immediately enemy anti-aircraft defenses are noted their location to that number the accuracy of their prior enemy airplane and thickness spotted for the first time in that area indicating new enemy squadrons this discovery adds to our knowledge of the enemy order of battle finally when collecting missions are completed dozens of squadron intelligence officers like this one will make out their reports and start them on that journey upward that's the end of the third step collect let's have another look at our organization chart now the squadron get out there flash reports admission reports these reports convey their information to Air Force a to either up through the air salons which consolidate them or directly to the top if they contain fresh news like the discovery of that new gun the spotting of the enemy convoy or that insignia of the new enemy squadron now we get to the fourth step of our cycle oh how I am I getting ahead of you go on wait groggy but we're not quite out yet just keep your eye on the list of steps first the intelligence plan second getting out the orders third collecting and for collating after the information has been collected the Air Force a to staff claims that which is textbook camouflage for classifying and recording there's an old army slogan keep your eyes open keep your mouth shut and keep a copy obviously all of this data that pours it must be recorded for the sake of future reference so let's go back to the heart find out how a tube goes about this Kuwait in the first place all reports and communications I entered briefly in a staff journal then the same information is classified according to subject matter tanks enemy airdromes flak etc and placed in a worksheet file ready to be drawn upon at a moment's notice the sergeant here has just received a report on some new runways at Marty Cedro the major is interested he'll post the new information on the situation map in the air room maintenance of this air room is one of the most important functions of the intelligence staff it provides a graphic display for the CJ and his staff of all the information much of it highly secrets which we have about the enemy this includes a situation map changed as often as necessary and an enemy order of battle for airborne showing what we know of his strength units locations a numerous maps and photo mosaics showing special targets flak locations supply routes railroads camouflaged locations and maps showing the location of our own units results of our raids etcetera everything of current interests finds its place on the constantly chains constantly a live situation map so that it provides a quick picture at all times of just what is taking place in this particular theater now for the first step evaluation and interpretation that is a to cross-check set for accuracy and credibility it's already been partially evaluated by each subordinate headquarters as a pass-through but now in the light of information from all it can be finally evaluated at the same time a to performs its most important function interpretation all subordinate intelligence sections interpret as best they can for their own use Air Force a to does it finely and completely thrust transforming all of our information about the enemy into true combat intelligence let's take that essential question the general asked about the airfields in southern sardinia well the enemy try to hold them or not all right let's go back to our situation map in the air room let's see what we've collected here are the air drums here is the new construction a two wondered about photo reconnaissance gave us that here are the reserve ground troops centrally located and within quick striking distance of the most obvious attack zone and here's the enemy's new anti-aircraft defences guns balloon mirages searchlights interrogation of bomber crews pieced together from their mission reports gave us these now here are his major supply lines over land and by sea his ammunition dumps his oil storage tanks and no preparation to move them and remember the convoy spotted by the pilot and that medium bomber well here it is heading into the gulf of Horus tano here are the best beach heads for our ground troops when the attack opens has obtained for us by our photo mappers and here are the enemy's active satellite fields and an accurate accounting of the number and type of planes based at each of them now there was something else we were looking for information which could only be got by somebody actually in the enemy country yes we kid about these agents call them the cloak and dagger boys but they get us information we could get in no other way let's look in on one of these cloak and dagger boys in the Sardinian city of Iglesias - into picture unit prep Roger they got option jig love tariff sales easy said upfront King William Queen all right that's one more question answered and what about the main question well that new structure those new gun positions lack of transport on the road prove the enemy intends to haul those southern airfields the rest of the information answers other questions now for the sixth and last them dissemination that means getting these answers out and up to the people who can use the most out to the unit's up to the general and his staff remember the date aid 2 and the rest of the staff had with the general in 37 hours well let's keep it well that takes care of our gas and bomb supplies now Fred what about your reserve crews will at full strength crews and replacements for every plane that a3 wants to send into action fine good job Fred I remember rightly you thought it would take at least a week well I must admit general that I couldn't have finished the work myself I only managed it through the help of a four well than that it isn't a sin you know four members of this air force staff to cooperate with each other I'd like to see as much of that as possible alright now this here for me to serve before I begin we had a flashed report last night from g2 about our agent in English yes as you know we've had previous indications of unrest there and this report with several others not only confirmed that but plainly and further we landed paratroops in porosus they would receive armed support from the local population tory osis is directly connected with a re by rail isn't it Davis yes and why Air Force has got control of that line that's good news colonel I'll follow it up at GHQ right after our meeting all right what else now well in general sir we find the enemy strongly situated all our intelligence indicates that he will put up a stubborn resistance and he will hold on to his southern air drums rather than withdraw however he has his weak points beside for osis and we've been fortunate in getting a pretty thorough line on them for details on his ground and naval situation I have here for you report from g2 and Naval Intelligence however for the moment let's concentrate on his air situation he has five airfields with in fighter plane range of any south coast landing we could make so a two goes into the meat of his estimate he tells them of the location type and strength of enemy airdromes and of his anti-aircraft defenses the enemy's new equipment and armament and of its supply lines and all other bomber objectives and finally of the enemy's capabilities the different lines of action with which you would be able to respond to our attack yes to MIT of how many air sorties from each of his airfields he can fly against us in the particular line a2 has concluded he would be most favorably disposed to follow all this comprises the Intelligence Estimate we come up to the General Staff and then the other members deliver their estimates by that night everything is fat operations orders located by chief of staff and out they go at the same time a to completes dissemination of his accumulated intelligence back out and down to all the lower echelon from when some of it originally came up in unrelated scraps it is pumped out in an axis to a threes field orders in objective folders on enemy targets and in periodic reports well 11 lunar drop pencil I'll go on Mac finish her up I was just beginning to feel important yeah me too first time I ever felt intelligent how does it end that's up to you and every one of us just as every part of the human body contributes to its functioning as a whole just so every one of us contributes to intelligence when this process ceases in our body the result is death if it ceases in the military organization the result is also death but when it operates continuously and perfectly and the intelligence flow starts again the result is death for our enemy