MEMORANDUM TO THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE FROM DONALD H. GALLOWAY

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02218604
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
4
Document Creation Date: 
January 30, 2024
Document Release Date: 
November 28, 2023
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
F-2022-00955
Publication Date: 
April 8, 1948
File: 
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PDF icon MEMORANDUM TO THE DIRECTO[16332415].pdf178.24 KB
Body: 
.41.14�1�1�Nyous. Approved for Release: 2023/10/27 CO2218604-- .3 'loupe MEMORANDUM FOR* The Director of Central Intelligence e fr- 74e=4,7-"-� Cepy of copies Page =of =pages April 8# 1948 Referenoes Memo for Assistant Director for Special Operations, dated 24 March 1948 1. For communication planning purposes, the Office of Special Operations has proceeded on the following baseas a. To provide secure means of oommunioations for intelligence reports throughout the world during normal peacetime. b. To provide continuous and secure means of oommunications for intelligence reports in areas of local politioal trouble or vivre normal facilities are inadequate. o. To train and recommend location of radio operators to stay behind, in case of invasion. ds To establish and maintain comMunications bases for the control of agent, stay-behind or clandestine radio operators. e. To provide, in the event of war, continuous and secure means of communications for intelligence reports throughout the world and from the scene of action for the period immediately following the outbreak of hostilities (a matter of weeks and perhaps months). This is to be expanded during the war to long-term strategic intelligence and tactioal intelligence in the immediate support of combat units. 2. The basic responsibilities outlined above are met by utilizing existing facilities where such facilities are adequate or approach satisfactory service, by supplementing existing faoilities in some oases where suoh action can be taken, and by providing facilities when non-existent. The practice of not duplicating existing facilities, except when definitely recpited to afford security for emergency usage, dictates the extent to which CIA installations are made. 3. So far, the Communications Division, OSO, through liaison with State, War, and Navy Departments, has established continuous and Bemire facilities through- out the world, either by using existing facilities or by supplementing them where nooessary. The supplementary stations established to date have been located in an attempt to carry out the basio assumptions. It must be recognised that the job of establishing normal poseetime facilities has had first priority and that wartime aspects of our responsibilities have not been Sully met. 4. The problem of having communications bases available to support clandestine radio operations has led to the establishment by CIA of three main communications bases overseas, one in Europe, one in the Middle East, and one in the Far East. The bases in the addle and Far East have several sub-bases operating under them. The problem is not completely solved by these stations, and it in believed that at: least one more station should be acip,Cto the networks. Approved for Release: 2023/10/27 CO2218604 Approved for Release: 2023/10/27 CO2218604 IN? Noir -2- 6. The base station in Europe was to provide a communications control point for Europe, and to relay the traffic back to the U. S,6 To accomplish this, a location under U. S. control had to be found, which Oer;74'i; Germany. For added security and to utilize Army trans-Atlantic facilities, tfie.altimate looation was decided to be the Rhine-Main Air Station. Until this could be activated, a temporary base Was established at Heidelberg, which has recently boon shifted to Karlsruhe. This base handles the normal daily com- munications services to OSO installations in Europe and serves as a training area for agents and stay-behind operators for this area. In the event of an oznerceni(61(1)- this base would provide an emergency radio terminal and relay point for Europe,' and would sorvioe clandestine operations until overrun., (b)(3) 6. The Middle Eaat Base Station, a network of sub-base stations 'throughout to the U. S. station was originally planned position encountered, Was situated Copy of copies Page of pages (b)(1) ' (b)(3) controls (W(1) the area and serves as a relay station0DX3) L.The location of this base but due to the op- There is now some indication that desires the station removed. This base station and its sub. bases handle the CIA and State Department traffic for thia area and can, in the event of emergency, service limited clandestine operations in the !addle and (b)(1) Near East and the Balkans. (b)(3) 7. The problem of relocating the Middle East Base Station has been studied with several possible solutions being presented as follows: (b)(1) (b)(3) S. Since both the European Base Station and the present Middle East Base station can be expected to be useful only during peacetime, a rear echelon base station should be considered and established. The following locations have been considered with results as follows: (b)1(1) (b)(3) Approved for Release: 2023/10/27 CO22-18604 1771k USIT Approved for Release: 2023/10/27 CO2218604 � *of Copy of copies pace of � pages -3- DONAMD H. CALLOW . Assistant Director Special Operations Approved for Release: 2023/10/27 CO2218604- b)(1) b)(3) I Approved for Release: 2023/10/27 CO2218604 16�44, Itit 3 6 g 24 March 3.960 LIEMORAIIDITII FOR: Assistant 'Amster for Opeoial Operations I poem to remember that one of the difficulties in control- lin2; underground and subversive groups in the early stages of the European war was due to the fact that the base communications centers more not located and on the beam with the radio sets in the hands of Underground units. It seems to me we should inTestigate this condition at ono* with tha view to poSiAbly locating a base radio communication center\ (b)(1) (b)(3) If I am correct in these assumptions it is suggested that the matter be discussed with the proper Air Force officials and the project initiated as early as possible in order that we ma 40 funds now available* would like to have your comment forepart on this matter as soon as anything can be reported* ' R. N. MILLEMETTMR Rear Admiral* WIti LOireetor of Central Xatelligenoe v s Approved for Release: 2023/10127 CO2218604