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Signal intelligence is the most secret, and most misunderstood, weapon in the modern espionage arsenal. As a reliable source of information, it is unequaled, which is why Government Communications Headquarters, almost universally known as GCHQ, is several times larger than the two smaller, but more familiar, organizations, MI5 and MI6. Because of its extreme sensitivity, and the ease with which its methods can be compromised, GCHQ's activities remain cloaked in secrecy.In GCHQ: The Secret Wireless War 1900-1986, the renowned expert Nigel West traces GCHQ's origins back to the early days of wireless and gives a detailed account of its development since that time. From the moment that Marconi succeeded in transmitting a radio signal across the Channel, Britain has been engaged in a secret wireless war, first against the Kaiser, then Hitler and the Soviet Union.Following painstaking research, Nigel West is able to describe all GCHQ's disciplines, including direction-finding, interception and traffic analysis, and code-breaking. Also explained is the work of several lesser known units such as the wartime Special Wireless Groups and the top-secret Radio Security Service.Laced with some truly remarkable anecdotes, this edition of this important book will intrigue historians, intelligence professionals and general readers alike.… (más)
West's book is a fairly comprehensive history of SIGINT and the intel business from the British side, from the earliest days of radio and Marconi, through both World Wars and the Cold War. As an American reader, I was especially interested in what he had to say about GCHQ's long alliance with the National Security Agency, from the 50s onward. Accounts of little known, early spy plane shootdowns by the Soviets are revealed, as well as the more famous U2 incident and the capture of Francis Gary Powers. Various spies and turncoats are discussed, both from England and the United States. West gives espionage aficionados much to chew on here. Makes me want to take another look at James Bamford's PUZZLE PALACE and its sequel. Highly recommended for history buffs.
Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, SOLDIER BOY: AT PLAY IN THE ASA ( )
Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
SIGINT is a much-misunderstood abbreviation used by the intelligence community for the term 'signals intelligence'. Nisunderstood because invariably, whenever SIGINT is mentioned in a wartime context, people say, 'Oh yes, ULTRA and all that business'. In fact decryption is just one part of the SIGINT spectrum. This, the most secret asoect of covert information gathering -and the most difficult to research- also includes interception, direction-finding and traffic analysis.
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Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
Once [First World] war had become a reality, the bureaucrats responded in typical fashion: first banning the wireless amateurs; then prosecuting them; finally enrolling them and claiming all the credit. (pp. 25)
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Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
The secret wireless war will continue for as long as there are any communications to be intercepted and signals to be intercepted. Accordingly, GCHQ will remain an invaluable source... and a tempting target.
Signal intelligence is the most secret, and most misunderstood, weapon in the modern espionage arsenal. As a reliable source of information, it is unequaled, which is why Government Communications Headquarters, almost universally known as GCHQ, is several times larger than the two smaller, but more familiar, organizations, MI5 and MI6. Because of its extreme sensitivity, and the ease with which its methods can be compromised, GCHQ's activities remain cloaked in secrecy.In GCHQ: The Secret Wireless War 1900-1986, the renowned expert Nigel West traces GCHQ's origins back to the early days of wireless and gives a detailed account of its development since that time. From the moment that Marconi succeeded in transmitting a radio signal across the Channel, Britain has been engaged in a secret wireless war, first against the Kaiser, then Hitler and the Soviet Union.Following painstaking research, Nigel West is able to describe all GCHQ's disciplines, including direction-finding, interception and traffic analysis, and code-breaking. Also explained is the work of several lesser known units such as the wartime Special Wireless Groups and the top-secret Radio Security Service.Laced with some truly remarkable anecdotes, this edition of this important book will intrigue historians, intelligence professionals and general readers alike.
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Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, SOLDIER BOY: AT PLAY IN THE ASA (