What Intelligence Tradecraft Developed During World War 1 - Research Paper Example

The Development of Intelligence Tradecraft during the First World War Introduction Intelligence in the military is of significant importance since it helps in the consolidation of information generated from various sources. This information then helps the Army commanders to make critical decisions concerning the task ahead of them. When wrong or insufficient intelligence is available, the army concerned can terribly loose in the battle and on the other hand, correct and substantial information leads to success.

This Intelligence involves other aspects beyond troop movements and war strategies. These aspects include topography, ecology as well as geography. They are very important to the troops since they prepare for the battle ground in advance (Duty, 3). During World War 1, there was the development of various intelligence tradecrafts for the success of the battle. These intelligence tradecrafts helped the troops to advance well in the war and counter the attacks of their enemies. However, the major ones include Human intelligence, Counterintelligence and signals intelligence.

This paper will analyze each of these three intelligence tradecraft, citing their significant and adoption in the wars that followed. Human intelligence (HUMINT) Human intelligence (HUMINT) was the major and initial source of intelligence information developed during the World War one. The reason for this is that during the war, there were no major developments in information technology; hence commanders had to rely on human intelligence. This occurred before the development of other technologies for instance photography and other communication networks such as radio and telephone.

Human intelligence developed during the initial stages of World War 1, advanced throughout the twentieth century and even commanders in the World War 11 applied this form of intelligence. The U.S. army particularly utilized this form of intelligence more compared to other forms of intelligence (Sayre, 1). HUMINT is the intelligence obtained from data gathered from the population and associated documents. The gathering of this data occurs using submissively and actively developed human sources to collect data for answering intelligence conditions and to cross-cue other intelligence forms (Globalsecurity.Org, 7). In addition, HUMINT activities entail questionings and discussions with individuals having access to relevant information.

Official procedures and the nature of the basis of the information dictate the means of carrying out HUMINT operations (Harris, 11). Although the use of human intelligence in the military is of great importance, its use may also present various challenges to the defense intelligence. For instance, due to the advancement in technology, the current framework of human intelligence entails an automatic systematic procedure developed to feed information, apply logical algorithms to it, and then create a synthetic real-time intelligence-based product for distribution to forces in the field (Rudner, 552).

It is however evident that advancement of sophisticated technology does not entail the entire and sole means of military Intelligence, even in the information age. This means putting much more emphasis on technological advancement of human technology, poses future capability of human intelligence (546). Counterintelligence (CI) Another vital source of intelligence information developed during World War 1 is the counterintelligence (CI). The main role of Counterintelligence is to counteract or deactivate intelligence gathering attempts of the rival through gathering investigation.

This counteracting occurs through procedures, evaluation and generation of data. Counterintelligence comprises all measures taken to sense, identify, follow, utilize and deactivate enemy intelligence measures (Duty, 9). CI is a multidiscipline operation developed to overcome or humiliate threat intelligence and targeting potentials. CI procedures bear force protection through trickery, support to operations security (OPSEC), and rear area procedures across the scope of military operations. CI workers normally work in small groups, and play a significant role in assisting the army commander to perform his mission effectively.

Specifically, CI personnel initiate and enforce trickery strategies that perplex and hinder the enemy's potential to develop positive measures. In addition, CI workers play a particularly vital role in the generation of direct, primary source intelligence (Globalsecurity.Org, 6). Signals intelligence (SIGINT) Another source of intelligence information developed during the First World War, though sparingly utilized was Signals intelligence (SIGINT). The development of this form of intelligence occurred during the end of the First World War, but effectively utilized in the Second World War and proceeding battles.

The development of this source of intelligence occurred because other intelligence forms faced various challenges. SIGINT is intelligence generated from intercepted communication indicators and other device signals. This source of intelligence may entail interrupting enemy radio broadcasts through listening posts on the battleground or the use of satellites (Duty, 5). In any war, commanders try to control the electromagnetic spectrum. In this regard, they locate, aim, intercept, disrupt, humiliate refute or demolish the enemy’s electronic network that support military procedures or disallow the use of the system through friendly forces (Harris, 15).

Due to the diminishing state of human resources in Defense Intelligence, suggestions are that the current prominence on technologies for generating and distributing information is overshadowing human intelligence. The main reason for this is that there is an urgent need of ensuring better quality of the intelligence product. It is of paramount importance for military intelligence to utilize the new and advancing technology improve quality and importance of its product, while also reacting to new and emerging threats (Rudner, 547).

Conclusion It is evident that the development of intelligence tradecraft during the start of World War 1 highly depended on the advancements and developments present at the time. Human Intelligence was the initially developed intelligence, followed by counterintelligence and lastly signals intelligence. This means that these advancements occurred along with developments in information technology. Even though commanders still utilize aspects of Human and counter intelligence, more emphasis have move to other sources of intelligence, which concur with advancements in technology.

Works Cited Duty, Michael. Information on Military Intelligence. 2011. Web. Globalsecurity.Org. Military Intelligence Always Out Front. 2011. Web. Harris, Barry. Intelligence Transition In The United States Army: Are We On The Right Path? 2009. Web. Rudner, Martin. “The Future of Canada’s Defense Intelligence.” International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence 15 (2002): 540-564. Print. Sayre, Robert. Some Principles of Human Intelligence and Their Application. 2004. Web.