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Agents, Spies and British Intelligence
UH222
| TUE |
| 10 |
| JAN |
The course explores the diversity, excitement and dangers of British Intelligence from its early inception at the turn of the 20th century to the end of the Second World War. Agents often found themselves drawn into the murky world of double spies and betrayers. When two world wars broke out, ‘creative’ intelligence operations would prove essential to any Allied victory.
10 January: Jews, diamond mines and the art of spying
During the Boer War, the British government sent ‘agents’ into South Africa to look for suitable spies. A number of spies, whether engaged in military or industrial espionage, were taken from amongst the diamond mining community and were prominent Jews in the field. A fascinating insight into a little known area of the nascent British secret service.
17 January: British Intelligence & WW1
Little is usually known about intelligence operations during WW1. However, some of the most daring missions behind enemy lines during WW1 were to prove to be as significant as later operations in WW2. This includes the clandestine network ‘La Dame Blanche’, as well as balloons, pigeons and ‘The Suicide Club’.
24 January: The Changing Face of Europe
This week examines developments within MI5 and MI6 to deal with ‘the Bolshevik threat’, Mussolini, as well as the crisis of Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s. From Berlin to Vienna, it explores how Passport Control Officers Foley and Kendrick respectively helped Jews out of Nazi Europe whilst trying to penetrate Hitler’s Secret Service and being the eyes of the government in Europe.
31 January: War and Clandestine Operations
Focusing from 1939, this session looks at the formation of Special Operations Executive, as well as creative ways by MI5/MI6 to dupe the enemy. As well as SOE operations, this week includes topics such as Operation Mincemeat, and the invention of the Double Cross system.
7 February: Britain’s secret houses
During WW2 some of our best stately homes became the centres of key operations of British intelligence: including Bletchley Park, Milton Bryan, Woburn Abbey and ‘PO Box 25’ at Arkley, near Barnet. Whilst much may already be known, there are aspects which have only been declassified in recent years.
14 February: Honour or Dishonour? Double Agents, Traitors and Betrayers
The final week explore the likes of agents Kim Philby, ‘the Cambridge spies’, and Charles ‘Dick’ Ellis who were passing secret to the Russians or Germans respectively. A look also at the suppression of Right-Wing politics and attempts by MI5 under Maxwell Knight to infiltrate groups like The British Union of Fascists from 1936 until 1945. An opportunity for a rounding-off discussion.
You might also be interested in Helen Fry's course on Sigmund Freud and Harriet Cohen. Click here for more info.
10 January: Jews, diamond mines and the art of spying
During the Boer War, the British government sent ‘agents’ into South Africa to look for suitable spies. A number of spies, whether engaged in military or industrial espionage, were taken from amongst the diamond mining community and were prominent Jews in the field. A fascinating insight into a little known area of the nascent British secret service.
17 January: British Intelligence & WW1
Little is usually known about intelligence operations during WW1. However, some of the most daring missions behind enemy lines during WW1 were to prove to be as significant as later operations in WW2. This includes the clandestine network ‘La Dame Blanche’, as well as balloons, pigeons and ‘The Suicide Club’.
24 January: The Changing Face of Europe
This week examines developments within MI5 and MI6 to deal with ‘the Bolshevik threat’, Mussolini, as well as the crisis of Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s. From Berlin to Vienna, it explores how Passport Control Officers Foley and Kendrick respectively helped Jews out of Nazi Europe whilst trying to penetrate Hitler’s Secret Service and being the eyes of the government in Europe.
31 January: War and Clandestine Operations
Focusing from 1939, this session looks at the formation of Special Operations Executive, as well as creative ways by MI5/MI6 to dupe the enemy. As well as SOE operations, this week includes topics such as Operation Mincemeat, and the invention of the Double Cross system.
7 February: Britain’s secret houses
During WW2 some of our best stately homes became the centres of key operations of British intelligence: including Bletchley Park, Milton Bryan, Woburn Abbey and ‘PO Box 25’ at Arkley, near Barnet. Whilst much may already be known, there are aspects which have only been declassified in recent years.
14 February: Honour or Dishonour? Double Agents, Traitors and Betrayers
The final week explore the likes of agents Kim Philby, ‘the Cambridge spies’, and Charles ‘Dick’ Ellis who were passing secret to the Russians or Germans respectively. A look also at the suppression of Right-Wing politics and attempts by MI5 under Maxwell Knight to infiltrate groups like The British Union of Fascists from 1936 until 1945. An opportunity for a rounding-off discussion.
You might also be interested in Helen Fry's course on Sigmund Freud and Harriet Cohen. Click here for more info.
Course Dates
- Tue 10th January 12
- Tue 17th January 12
- Tue 24th January 12
- Tue 31st January 12
- Tue 7th February 12
- Tue 14th February 12