 | |
 | |
| Branch overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 13, 1942 |
| Dissolved | October 1, 1945 |
| Superseding agency |
|
| Jurisdiction | Executive branch of the United States |
| Branch executives |
|
| Parent department | Deputy Director Intelligence Service |
The Research and Analysis Branch (R&A) was a branch of the Office of Strategic Services. (OSS) Established in the OCOI with the appointment of James Phinney Baxter III as the first Director of Research and Analysis, July 31, 1941, the branch became operational within the Office of the Coordinator of Information on August 27, 1941.[1] With OSS General Order 1 on October 17, 1942, R&A was absorbed into the new structure of the OSS. On January 4, 1943, with the restructuring of the OSS in OSS General Order 9, R&A was placed under the leadership of the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Service.[2]
The idea of R&A was originally envisioned by Archibald MacLeish and William Donovan. [3]
R&A is the predecessor of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.
The primary mission of this OSS Branch was to "to collect, analyze, and disseminate foreign intelligence."[4] Responsible for collecting open source intelligence, and evaluating all types of intelligence, R&A was tasked with identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the Axis powers in all of the active WWII Theaters of Operation.[5] R&A was "widely recognized as the most valuable component of the OSS." Also known as the "cornerstone of the OSS," R&A made significant contributions to the Allied victory. [6]
Staffed by "some of the best minds in America,"[1] the branch provided timely assessment of the Allied bombing campaign in Europe, studied operations in countries where Allied forces were fighting, and developed preparations for the occupation of Germany. [1] It used notable historians, economists, geographers, anthropologists, political scientists, and subject matter experts to research and prepare reports for senior policy makers.[7]
This work was done by "pouring through papers, cables, reports, photographs, maps, journals, foreign newspapers, and other materials – laying the foundation of modern intelligence research and analysis."[1]
Over 900 academics were recruited into R&A before the end of the War. [8]
Upon its dissolution in 1945, R&A assets and personnel were transferred to the State Department, forming the Office of Intelligence Research.[9]
- ^ a b c d "The Office of Strategic Services: America's First Intelligence Agency - CIA". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ "Records of the office of Strategic Services [OSS]". www.archives.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ History Project, Strategic Services Unit, Office of the Assistant Secretary of War, War Department (1976). "WAR REPORT OF THE OSS (Office of Strategic Services)" (PDF). Washington D.C.: Walker and Company.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "PRIMER". www.soc.mil. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ "The Office of Strategic Services: Research and Analysis Branch — Central Intelligence Agency". 2017-04-29. Archived from the original on 2017-04-29. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ "Secret Agents, Secret Armies: The Short Happy Life of the OSS". The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ "The Office of Strategic Services (OSS): A Primer on the Special Operations Branches and Detachments of the Office of Strategic Services". arsof-history.org. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Heaps, Jennifer Davis. "Tracking Intelligence Information: The Office of Strategic Services" (PDF).
- ^ "OSS Legacy". www.soc.mil. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
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