MAP BRANCH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00022R000200080003-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 15, 2000
• Sequence Number: 3
• Content Type: REPORT

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MAP BRANCH vr, I LLEG I B
J
In the fall of 1941 an Advisory Committee met to consider the establishment
of a geographic division for the Coordinator of Information. This Committee
of government geographers conferred with the Chief of the proposed division
and other COI officers. The group recommended a divisional organization
that it considered would provide the most efficient means of integration with
various programs of other agencies.
The breakdown of the Geographic Division adopted was as follows:
(1) the Cartographic Section (Oct. 1941); (2) the Geographic Reports Section
(Nov. 1941); (3) the Map Information Section (Feb. 1912). This Division was
placed as a functional unit under the Research and Analysis Branch of COI.
As part of its mission the R&A was "responsible for the collection and
analysis of strategic information of a geographic nature...."
The Cartographic Section was divided into two components for. greater
efficiency, the Compilation Unit and the Construction Unit. The latter was
composed of drafting personnel, a composing shop and a design unit. This
Cartographic Section was charged with the duty of preparing the maps that
would fill the needs of COI. In practice this function was merely one of
providing Donovan and others with presentation material and illustrative maps
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for reports. The need for specialized cartography was soon apparent, and so
there was a shift to the idea of a map as an intelligence document rather
than an illustration.
The second component established was the Geographic Reports Section.
The name would seem to indicate the functions of this office, but at the
outset the major portion of effort was centered on compiling maps. As the
geographic reports began to come into being, attention was given to the
collection and organization of intelligence of a topographic nature.
In theory the Geographic Reports Section worked with information on
industrial locations, local resources, climate, weather and the like; but in
practice many of these same fields were covered by the regional sections in
the Division of Special Information. The line of differentiation between
these two groups was difficult to determine. Yet, the Geographic Reports
Section did produce geographic research of value.
The Map Information Section was primarily a division of service to other
offices. Its three functions were: (1) "to evaluate published maps; (2) in-
ventory of idaps available in the United States; (3) to procure hitherto
unlisted published maps from all possible sources." Since the Section "could
not" at this time become a collection agency, it was necessary to have others
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receive the new maps, for example,
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At first the procurement of maps from outside sources presented problems,
because previous to the establishment of the Map Information Section any
individual or unit in COI procured their own maps according to their needs.
These difficulties were soon relieved by an order that gave this function
exclusively to this Section. All requests went through them.
The Military Order of June 13, 1942 stated that CQI was to be known
hereafter as the Office of Strategic Services. All activities except those
of foreign intelligence were included in this action.
In a memorandum from Donovan to General W. B. Smith dated August 17, 1942,
under the title General Function is listed that of collecting maps and charts,
which is described as an accumulation of cartographic material to supplement
G2, A2, and ONI. Much of this is gathered as the result of research for
various purposes. The project was undertaken of microfilming important map
collections.
OSS was organized according to, I - Administration and II - Operating.
Research and Analysis was a branch of the Operating organizatipn; one of its
functions being the preparation of maps and charts as needed bby~ hh ~T
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and Navy Departments. Subordinate to this Branch was the Geographic Division
composed of three sections. A Map Information Section which microfilmed all
large American collections in addition to gathering its own collection of
maps. A Cartographic Section produced maps to be used as supplements to
reports. Weather, climate, and related topics were the concern of the
Geographic Reports Section. The Division was the largest and most competent
group of its kind in Washington.
In January of 1943, after the general OSS reorganization of December 1912,
there was a reorganization of R3eA to resolve basic problems carried over
from COI. Four divisions were set up that were regional in responsibility
but had functional subdivisions. Each had'as one subdivision a geographic
unit. Personnel of the Geographic Reports Section were used to operate
these subdivisions. As a further aid to these regional divisions, a new
functional division was created. This was the Map Divisions. It was staffed
by the personnel of the Cartographic Section of the former Geographic Division.
The structure of the whole Branch was virtually unchanged thereafter.
The Map Division was composed of four sections: (1) Cartography, (2)
Map Intelligence, (3) Topographic Models, (lj) Special Photography. In the
Cartography Section maps were s t
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These maps were not merely illustrations but involved research that resulted
in intelligence documents that were an essential part of R&A projects. The
cartographers producifg these maps were also trained as geographers and worked
closely with the analysts.
The next section, Map Intelligence,l had an unique function. This unit
had the sole responsibility of collecting in the US and abroad all types of
cartographic material. As a result of this, the Section had one of the
largest collections of maps. This collection was so arranged that maps were
available for immediate reference. The unit also distributed copies of maps
to those in need of such information.
The third Section is Topographical Models. The models turned out by
this group were aids to both strategic and operational planning. Mechanical
aids were used to a great extent. It was here that the most advanced methods
of shadow painting wer inaugurated. Such diligence produced models of great
detail that represented many man hours.
The principal function of the Special Photography Section was to expand
1 According to the ORR book, Tab A P. 19 - V - 31, "the map intelligence
and geographic research functions were organized in OSS in 1914". (?)
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the usefuliness of the topographic models. This was accomplished by reproducing
the models in black and white and color. On these pictures the Daily Situation
was based. The majority of the work was done for the JCS.
An Bxecutive Order from A. S. Truman dated September 20, 19115, to become
effective October 1, 1915, terminated OSS and disposed of its functions.
The functions, personnel, property and records of R&A were transferred to
the Interim.Research and Intelligence Service (IRIS) which was established
in the State Department. IRIS was to be abolished at the close of business
on December 31, 1945, and the Secretary of State was to make provisions for
terminating its affairs.
Although the Executive Order seemed to transfer the whole of the Map
Division, only tow Sections actually went to State. Topographical Models
was taken over by the Army Map Service. Special Photography was completely
abolished and its personnel went to Army. Cartography and Map Intelligence)
were given to State. From October to December 1945 these units were under
IRIS, and in January they became known as the Map Division2of State Which
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called this section Map Library (later to be known as Map Intelli-
gence, Geographic Intelligence etc.), but all references in OSS War Report, Vol. I
identify it as Map Intelligence.(?)
2 Map Division is
p esiignation, ORR book states : these geographic
activities were?fjoi'qd to 1T?9:I-F~~~B$t4lGi~OD-~~e
DepA*19W9d a s Von* Tab A P. 19-V.
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also included Map Intelligence, . a newly created section.1
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As of December 29, 1947 eceived this as the official date
upon inquiry)2 the Map Division of State was transferred to CIA. This action
was approved by the NIA (June 26, 1947). Thus State was without cartograhpic
facilities. However, the Chief Geographer with a staff of approximately four
persond did remain in the Department. This lack of geographic information
in the Department is the basic reason for State's utilization of the CIA
facilities. It was understood from the beginning by both parties that State
Department needs must be met by CIA.
The Map Division first appears on a CIA chart as of October 15, 1947(see
chart book). It becomes the Map Branch of the Office of Reports and Estimates.
The Branch was subdivided into three branches: Cartography, Map Library, and
Map Intelligence, the same makeup as in State.
In 1947 in accordance with its duties of coordination, a committee
for the procurement of mpps was formed having the title of the Inter-Agency
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"newly created section" is in agreement with his
office titles.
2 ORR Book, Tab A P. 19-V: The 3 activities cartography, map intelligence
and geographic research, and map library were transferred to Central Intelli-
gence as of 1 July 1947....
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Map Procurement Coordination Committee. This group receives all requests for
foreign maps from the government agencies, as it is the only group handling
these requests. This means that the group prevents duplication in this
field.
According to a statement of functions for the Map Branch, ORE dated
July 14, 1918, this Branch is to operate as an "interdepartmental map
intelligence facility" and also provide assistance to CIA components. There
are six functions given in short paragraph form. In brief, the first provides for
assistance in the interpretation of geographic information and map intelli-
gence. The second states that maps be constructed for intelligence reports
and any othexineeds that may be required. Third, they prepare cartographic
material under the coordination of Basic Intelligence as support for their (BI)
programs (NIS). Fourth, this Branch coordinates interdepartmental requests
for all foreign maps and the like. In connection with this, it gives its
recommendations for such maps to State for procurement. The fifth paragraph
states that the group maintain a,CITA map collection and provide assistance
in regard to this service. Lastly, the Branch represents CIA on the US
Board of Geographic Names, the Joint Map & Photo Committee, JCS, and the
Committee on Geogra Meal E ii t
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