The Third Reichs Intelligence Services

Download or read book SS Intelligence written by Edmund L. Blandford and published by Crowood Press (UK). This book was released on 2000 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In the early thirties Hitler concluded that to achieve his ambitions of power in Europe, absolute control must be established within Germany. He entrusted this task to Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS, who decided that he needed a small intelligence unit within the SS to monitor Nazi Party members and also anti-Nazi factions. The Nazi SS Security Service, the Sicherheitsdienst (SD) was formed for that purpose. It was created by Reinhard Heydrich and under his dedicated, methodical and ruthless hand it grew into one of the most professional and dangerous espionage services in the world. SS Intelligence traces its early beginnings, its struggle against underfunding and the rival organisations--to its triumphs across Europe, including the successful operation of spies in Allied countries. Of particular interest is a series of events that took place in the late summer of 1940 when the exiled Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson were targeted by Hitler as potential allies in his battle to overcome Britain's determination to fight. An elaborate plan was hatched to snatch the ex-royal couple from Portugal before they departed by sea across the Atlantic. It is a fascinating episode involving Hitler's agents, Spain, Portugal, Churchill and the British Secret Service. This book reveals many new facts and gives insights that will fascinate every student of Hitler's Third Reich--and the spying game."--Dust jacket.