Secret channel to Berlin : the Masson-Schellenberg connection and Swiss intelligence in World War II / Pierre-Th. Braunschweig ; translated by Karl Vonlanthen ; with additional translations for the 2004 edition by Frances Stirnemann-Lewis
2004, First Edition. Philadelphia : Casemate. An exceptional copy; fine in an equally fine dw. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Literally as new. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 522 pages; Physical desc.: xxii, 521 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. Contents: The "Masson affair" -- The tasks and characteristics of an intelligence service -- The structure of Swiss army intelligence -- The French bureau--allied section -- The German bureau--Axis section -- The initiator of the connection -- Early stages of the Masson-Schellenberg connection -- Extending the connection: Masson establishes contact with Schellenberg -- General Guisan's involvement in the connection -- Test case for the connection: the alert of March 1943 -- Assessment of the connection -- Epilogue. Summary: Masson's extraordinary secret channel to Berlin was not, of course, the only Swiss intelligence operation during the war. Braunschweig outlines in detail the gradual build-up, tasks and functions of Swiss Intelligence during World War II. Furthermore, he describes conflicts between Swiss Intelligence and the Federal government in Bern and within the Intelligence service itself. During World War II, Switzerland was famous as a centre of spies and espionage fielded by Allies and Axis alike. Less has been known, however, about Switzerland's own Intelligence activities, including its secret sources in Hitler's councils and its counterespionage program at home. With this intensely researched, scholarly yet exciting book, that gap in the history of wartime intelligence operations has been filled. Item #186698
ISBN: 1932033394
Price: €10.95