PsyWar.Org - Psychological Warfare, PSYOPS, Black propaganda, and aerial propaganda leaflets

The History of NID 17Z

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 03:23:55 MST

Following frustration in the Admiralty’s Naval Intelligence Department that naval matters were not receiving adequate attention in propaganda to Germany, in September 1941 NID established a new propaganda section designated NID 17Z. The section was overseen by Commander Ian Fleming with Lieutenant Donald McLachlan in command. The history of the section and its collaboration with the Political Warfare Executive and Ministry of Information is reproduced below. The author of this short history and the date it was written are not identified. Furthermore, regrettably, the annexes mentioned within are missing from the record.

MI7 Summary of Work in 1917

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 00:54:07 MST

From the archives, a brief summary of the work undertaken by MI7 through 1917.

A British Army Officer's Account of Psychological Warfare in Tunisia 1943

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:20:52 MST

In 1943 Captain Con o’Neill, Intelligence Corps, organised on his own initiative a psychological warfare campaign against German forces in North Africa. In the process he re-invented the propaganda artillery shell for leaflet dissemination, conducted prisoner of war interrogations and formulated a war establishment for a field propaganda unit. He experimented with new propaganda techniques such as man-mobile loudspeaker broadcasts with a “Portavox” and direct signalling to enemy troops across the frontline. Here is his first report sent from Tunisia back to the Political Warfare Executive in London. It highlights many of the difficulties experienced and suggestions for future campaigns. Many observations are insightful and others perhaps more controversial. After the war Con o’Neill joined the civil service becoming a distinguished diplomat.

A Tale of Two U-Boat Commanders or Fenn v. Jeschonnek

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 09:28:37 MST

"The genesis and handling of the story of Oberleutnant Fenn of the German U-Boat service is of some interest as an example of the way in which Black and White propaganda can be dove-tailed and used to support each other." How both white and black propaganda combined with the exploitation of first-class intelligence sources could be used to incite disaffection amongst German U-boat officers and crews.

NEW ARTICLE: IRD Special Operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 02:33:30 MST

IRD Special Operations: An Initial Survey of the Covert Propaganda Activities of the Information Research Department by Lee Richards

Over the last year, new operational files related to the covert propaganda activities of the Information Research Department (IRD) have been released to the National Archives. IRD was set up under the Foreign Office in 1948 to counter Soviet propaganda and to form the nucleus of a new Political Warfare Executive in the event of a global war.

A large part of IRD’s work centred around providing articles and unattributable background briefings to the press and other interested individuals and grey publishing activities to counter hostile Communist propaganda and expose Soviet front organisations. It maintained indirect control of, or had close relations, with a number of international press agencies. The department also analysed Communist disinformation and propaganda activities. Close liaison was maintained with the Ministry of Defence’s Directorate of Forward Plans on psychological warfare planning and training

The Special Operations Section (SOS) conducted what were described as black operations, the production of propaganda material which claims a false origin and can be disavowed by the Her Majesty’s Government. The recent releases to the IRD archive reveal details of these black propaganda activities, particularly those undertaken throughout the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

East German Propaganda to Britain, October 1961

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 03:27:36 MST

This Information Research Department unattributable press brief outlines East German propaganda distributed in Britain through 1960/1961.

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS: Lecture given by Sir Leslie Glass to the National Defence College

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 14:13:18 MST

Sir Leslie Charles Glass was an Army officer in the Psychological Warfare Division in South East Asia in the Second World War, Director-General of Information in Cyprus during the Emergency and later Chairman of the Counter Subversion Committee. In this lecture, given at the National Defence College in March 1973, he discusses the meaning of psychological operations, gives a brief history of these activities and his thoughts for the future at a time when the Information Research Department has been severely cut back, the Northern Ireland troubles are approaching their height and the United Kingdom has joined the European Economic Area. The end of the Cold War is still not in sight and the Falkland Islands war is not foreseen.

SIBNET - Underground Propaganda Committee Rumours Archive

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 08:05:22 MST

A full-text searchable database of rumours produced by the Underground Propaganda Committee, (UPC), between 1940 to 1945. The Committee consisted of representatives of the Political Warfare Executive, Special Operations Executive, Secret Intelligence Service, the Foreign Office and other interested parties. Rumours, code named "Sibs", were spread by word of mouth using rumour networks or through the international press. SOE became the principle agency for rumour dissemination. To learn more about the Underground Propaganda Committee and the spreading of propaganda rumours throughout the Second World War see Whispers of War by Lee Richards.

This database has been compiled by Lee Richards using the archives of PWE, SOE, the Joint Intelligence Committee, Foreign Office and Cabinet Office. Additional information has been provided by the archives of the Museum of World War II and through Freedom of Information requests. Initial work on this database began in 1988 and continues.

The database currently records over 5,500 rumours of around 9,000 produced by the UPC and other agencies. The missing rumours is mostly due to the very incomplete nature of the UPC archives, the records of the N, P, Q series of Sibs are particularly deficient. A handful of rumours still remain classified.

Lt Col George Lowther Steer, Intelligence Corps

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 00:27:40 MST

Remembering today George Lowther Steer (22 November 1909 – 25 December 1944). Died on this day 75 years ago.

George Steer was a journalist for 'The Times' and later the 'Daily Telegraph'. He famously reported on the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935 and the Spanish Civil war, particularly the bombing of Guernica on 26 April 1937. During the Second World War Steer organised forward propaganda in Ethiopia and then worked for the Special Operations Executive in the Middle East. In 1943 he was transferred to India and working with Alec Peterson set up the Indian Forward Broadcasting Units (IFBU). He and three others were killed in a vehicle accident on Christmas day 1944. The following letter written by Alec Peterson puts on record his valuable contribution to the forming of the Indian Field Broadcasting Units.

MI7 Press Control Historical Sketch

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 01:27:57 MST

A short history of MI7 Press Control taken from an historical sketch of the Directorate of Military Intelligence during the Great War.

NEW ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT - SOE: Subversion and Propaganda: The Fourth Arm.

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 10:20:55 MST

Most secret Foreign Office report by Gladwyn Jebb on the organisation of Special Operations Executive. The report includes, as an annex, Hugh Dalton’s “Fourth Arm” memorandum which espouses his vision for the role of subversion and clandestine propaganda in the liberation of Nazi Occupied Europe.

Report on Kuching Psychological Operations/Propaganda Post April-November 1966

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 23:40:59 MST

Major William H Crafter’s report on psychological operations conducted in Sarawak, Borneo from April to November 1966. The report highlights problems encountered, what was done to resolve these problems; and to suggest certain improvements which could be helpful in a similar situation in the future. The report was written at the request of Information Research Department.

Intelligence, Psychological and Public Relations Aspects of Internal Security Operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 03:21:35 MST

Chapter seven “Intelligence, Psychological and Public Relations Aspects of Internal Security Operations” of War Office pamphlet: 'Keeping the Peace' Part I – Doctrine, 1963. The pamphlet was written to “give guidance in the conduct of those operations in which the British Army is called upon to ‘Keep the Peace’. Such operations cover a wide variety of circumstances and may range from the task of suppressing an unlawful assembly on the one hand to operations against Communist insurgency on the other.”

Propaganda by Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell, C.B.E. D.Sc., F.R.S.

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 01:31:58 MST

Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell, (1864-1945), can rightly be described as the father of modern British military psychological operations. From June 1916 until the end of the First World War, Chalmers Mitchell headed the MI7(B)4 branch of military intelligence conducting propaganda against enemy forces on the Western Front. Following the war he authored this article for Encyclopædia Britannica on the development of propaganda in the war.

The article begins with a discussion on the meaning of propaganda. Chalmers Mitchell defines the difference between propaganda and information in terms of propaganda being communication principally for the benefit of the communicator whereas information, or knowledge, being communication for the benefit of the recipient. Although, of course, overlap of the two is common where the communication is mutually beneficial. The article also acts as a corrective to recognise the efforts of Military Intelligence in the propaganda field in the First World War, where the full extent of its activities were not acknowledged and with much of the credit for its accomplishments being “assigned to organizations more accustomed to work before the floodlights”. Here Chalmers Mitchell is referring to the Ministry of Information and Lord Northcliffe’s Crewe House organisation of propaganda to enemy countries.

Final Report on the Bulgarian Broadcasting Station New Europe, (Research Unit X.2)

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 08:42:37 MST

New Europe was a clandestine black propaganda radio station operated by the Political Warfare Executive. The station pretended to be a German station directed to the Bulgarian population. It closely followed the style of the real German service to Bulgaria but presented news and talks in an arrogant and boastful way intended to antagonise its Bulgarian audience. For most of the time the station operated it was directed by Wing Commander Charles Burt-Andrews. Reproduced here is his final report on New Europe.

Cooperation between Political Warfare and Combined Operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 04:18:20 MST

From the Fall of France in June 1940 until the Allied landings at Normandy in June 1944, the Political Warfare Executive conducted a ‘war of nerves’ seeking to undermine the morale of enemy coastal troops. It sought to keep them constantly on edge and to expect attack from land or sea at any time. The small and medium scale raids, such as the St Nazaire and Dieppe raids, executed by Combined Operations Headquarters were a key element of this plan. The following document, transcribed from the PWE archives, discusses the useful cooperation between political warfare and combined operations. It points out that an optimum raid would be one in which strategical, political, subversive and economic objectives were combined.

The Battle of Political Warfare during the Dieppe Raid

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:44:44 MST

19 August 1942, a large raiding party of Allied troops land on the northern coast of France at Dieppe. The raid, organised by Combined Operations Headquarters, numbers around six thousand troops, mostly Canadian. The Political Warfare Executive had some envolvement in the planning of Operation Jubilee, principally in order to ensure the operation was clearly publicised as a coup-de-main raid rather than a full-scale invasion to open up the Second Front. As the raid begins to stall, so does the political warfare plan. This report was written several days after the raid to analyse “the battle of political warfare during the Dieppe Raid”.

IRD Paper: History of Information Research Department

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 10:13:15 MST

A brief history of the Information Research Department, prepared by Mr Peck in late 1967, outlining the first twenty years of the department.

IRD Paper: Forgery as a Weapon of Subversion

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 02:50:34 MST

This paper was prepared by the Information Research Department in January 1965 to highlight the attempts of Communist regimes to use forgery as a means of political warfare and subversion.

IRD Brief: The East Berlin Lie Factory, August 1961.

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 12:27:40 MST

This Information Research Department brief was prepared in August 1961 as the Berlin Wall was being constructed to divide the city. It outlines how the East Germans had conducted subversion activities in West Germany, including the use of forged documents, fake newspapers, and the slandering of West German leaders. It notes that this activity may be hindered by the closure of the border between East and West.

IRD Circular: The Role of the Russian Intelligence Service in Subversion, March 1964.

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 12:14:22 MST

The extent of the espionage activities conducted by the Soviet Union has been brought home by the numerous “spy” cases in the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere since the war. Much less attention has been focused on another essential aspect of the Soviet campaign against the West, namely the use of subversion. Soviet subversion is carried out through a number of organisations and may be likened to the technique of a “pincers” movement of which the upper jaw is operated by the Soviet authorities and the lower jaw by local Communist parties and front organisations, where such exist...

PWE Lecture - Sibs: What they are and how they work

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 04:08:48 MST

At the start of the year a number of new files were added to the Political Warfare Executive’s archive at the National Archives. The files mostly relate to the work of Arthur A Foss. The document below was discovered amongst some of these papers, mixed with miscellaneous others associated with the PWE Military Training Depot and School and Force 133 at Bari, Italy. The document is undated and unsigned but appears to be a transcript of a lecture given to the PWE School around the beginning of 1944. The author is undoubtedly John Baker White, a member of PWE military wing and sometime lecturer at the school, he later gave a similar account in his book “The Big Lie”. The document discusses the spread of rumours, known as Sibs, for political warfare and deception purposes with some examples given. Enemy rumour-mongering is also mentioned with examples of German attempts to malign Churchill as a drunkard and to claim that Polish General Sikorski had been murdered on Churchill’s orders. The original document is a rather faded, badly-typed, carbon copy on yellowed, brittle paper. Part of the text is difficult to read and there are numerous spelling mistakes; for readability these have been corrected and obviously missing words have been added here in square brackets.

Earlier Forgeries of High-Level Government Documents

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 07:21:10 MST

An Information Research Department note from July 1960 summarising attempts by the Soviet Union to spread propaganda and disinformation through the forgery of American and British Government documents. The note was written in response to the dissemination across Africa of a forged British Cabinet paper on alleged trade union policy in the region.

Political Warfare: Its Meaning, Objects and Development

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 11:25:47 MST

These lecture notes by Lt Col R L Sedgwick were put together for the Political Warfare Executive Training School. Although undated they were likely produced at some time between mid-1943 to mid-1944. Despite being written for a 1940's audience the thoughts expressed certainly contain lessons for today.

Interrogation of Oberleutnant Franz von Werra at the London Cage

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 01:40:24 MST

Report on the interrogation of eight German Air Force prisoners of war conducted by Cyprus Brooks at the London Cage, between 16th and 19th September 1940. The report was passed to the Special Operations Executive for potential use in British propaganda.

The report is notable because it includes the opinions of Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, a Luftwaffe fighter ace shot down over Kent a couple of weeks previously. His exploits were immortalised in the book and film, starring Hardy Krüger, “The One That Got Away”. Following several escapes attempts, he managed to escape on route to a POW camp in Canada. After crossing the border in to the then still neutral United States, he finally managed to make a home run back to Germany. The interrogation report shows that von Werra was an arrogant, ardent and determined Nazi.

NEW AUCTION: PsyWar Leaflet Auction Number 184

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 08:55:32 MST

The next PsyWar.Org aerial propaganda leaflet auction is now underway.

Psychological Warfare Research: Its Role in Cold War

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 06:29:33 MST

Army Operational Research Group report based on work carried out in Malaya to establish requirements for psychological warfare research for future conflicts in the context of Cold War. Published in March 1956.

The Unavowable Information Services of Her Majesty's Government Overseas

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 01:32:45 MST

NEW ARCHIVAL DOCUMENT: A report on the early history, the function, costs and future of the Information Research Department by Lord Strang, dated July 1963. A heavily redacted version of this report was first released to the public in July 2018. (HTML and PDF versions)

Archive Video: U.S. Army Training Film - Propaganda Leaflets

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 12:23:35 MST

U.S. soldiers load 105mm artillery smoke shells with propaganda leaflets. Scenes show loading of leaflets into shells, transport to and firing by field artillery. 19 May 1944, Italy.

The Effects of Allied Propaganda on Japanese Prisoners of War

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 06:23:18 MST

The following article summarises Allied propaganda activities for the month of June 2944 in the Far East and is taken from the Air Ministry Weekly Intelligence Summary, No. 259, 19 August 1944, pp. 37-39.

Counter-Measures against Soviet Propaganda in the Middle East

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 01:52:27 MST

"...to weaken the non-Soviet world, Soviet propaganda tries to undermine the confidence of peoples in their Governments, to aggravate class conflicts ... to foment discord between the great Powers of the West."

A November 1947, Foreign Office analysis of Soviet Propaganda in the Middle East including a discussion on how it should be countered by exposing Soviet falsehoods with an aggressive and disruptive, rather than defensive, policy.

DAMBUSTERS 75: Allied Psychological Warfare to Capitalise on the Dambusters Raid By Lee Richards

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 15 May 2018 17:30:00 MST

On this night seventy-five years ago, 19 specially modified Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron took off from RAF Scampton. The now famous Operation Chastise had begun. Commanded by 24-year-old Wing Commander Guy Gibson, their mission was to attack the major dams of the Ruhr and Weser valleys in Germany's industrial heartland. As well as striking a severe physical blow to the war making capabilities of the Third Reich, the morale effect of the raid was also of prime importance. Not just the depressing of enemy morale but also bolstering the people of Occupied Europe and on the home fronts, to show to the world that the British Commonwealth was fighting back and had the means and will to defeat the Axis.

(This article was originally published at the time of the 70th anniversary of Operation Chastise, the famous Dambusters raid. It has since been updated and reposted to coincide with the 75th anniversary on 16th May 2018.)

Subscribe to the PsyWar.Org Monthly Newsletter

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 15 May 2018 09:31:19 MST

Subscribe to the PsyWar.Org monthly newsletter. The newsletter is sent out not more than once a month. It contains recent news, important announcements, notification of new content, and perhaps the occasional advertisement.

Soviet Propaganda Against NATO

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 07:14:40 MST

An Information Research Department analysis of Soviet propaganda directed against the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in the run up to and following the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. On the one hand Soviet propaganda proclaims NATO to be weak, its existence unnecessary and on the brink of break-up. On the other it accuses NATO of being militaristic, complains of increased defence spending by member countries and that it is threat to the peaceful coexistence of Eastern European countries. Soviet propaganda also sought to divide and conquer by suggesting that the alliance is dominated by, and ran purely for the political objectives of, the United States, that Europe would be America’s battlefield; it accuses Germany of seeking to be the dominate European country in the alliance; and suggests that the smaller Baltic countries are being sidelined and exploited.

Communist External Propaganda in the Period 1969 - June 1970

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 09:58:09 MST

Restricted Information Research Department paper summarising developments in Communist external propaganda through 1969 to June 1970.

DIGITISED: Allied Information Service on the Western Front

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 06:18:51 MST

Allied Information Service on the Western Front: Historical Survey of Operations of the 6805th Allied Information Service Group

The invasion of Northwestern Europe by the combined armed forces of the United States and Great Britain brought to the Continent not only the physical weapons of war, but also the weapon of the spoken and written word. Psychological combat, though not a novel instrument of war, was developed in World War II to truly gigantic proportions. Within its broad framework was a form of psychological warfare called “consolidation,” conducted in support of military operations in liberated territory by the Allied Information Service in conjunction with indigenous national authorities. Consolidation propaganda activities — which were to consolidate the socially disorganized liberated areas — aimed at ensuring the friendly cooperation of the civilian populations, particularly in such matters as the restoration of essential public services, and at influencing opinion favorable to the conduct of the war and the post-war aims of the United Nations. When they were conducted in the immediate combat zone, the consolidation activities were tactical in scope and nature, but once the military emergency period was over they became more ambitious and acquired a long-term or strategical character. In other words, consolidation work meant psychological warfare designed to stabilize — to consolidate — the friendly populations in and behind the fighting areas and to ensure their willing compliance with the measures of army commanders conducting military operations.

The Soviet Communist Party's External Propaganda Activities

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 03:52:01 MST

This background brief was prepared by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Research and Analysis Department in July 1989. The brief gives an overview of Soviet Communist Party (CPSU) external propaganda activities in light of President Gorbachev’s policies of perestroika and “new thinking” on foreign policy.

Soviet Party's Role in External Propaganda and Policy

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 03:47:52 MST

This background brief was prepared by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Research and Analysis Department in March 1985. The brief gives an overview of how the Soviet Communist Party (CPSU) coordinates external propaganda and policy, in particular through the sponsorship of international front organisations.

White Bombs: The Leaflet Raids

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 14:14:06 MST

The following account of early RAF Nickel Raids in the Second World War is taken from Chapter 4 - 'White Bombs: The Leaflet Raids' of 'Bomber Command: The Air Ministry Account of Bomber Command’s Offensive Against the Axis, September, 1939—July, 1941', published by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, London, 1941, pages 30 to 34.

17th Annual Countering Violent Extremism

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:38:03 MST

From Paris and Brussels to Manchester, in 2017 we saw an alarming increase in successful terrorist attacks on major European cities. European nations have been stepping up security-led countermeasures to combat violent extremism yet prevention methods and soft influence must be improved dramatically if we are to make full use of the resources available to us.

In this context, I am delighted to announce that Defence IQ’s 17th Annual Countering Violent Extremism event will be taking place on the 22-24th May 2018, in London. Here, an opportunity to examine the tools and strategies available to the CVE community for improving intelligence and prevention will be explored in full.

>> Download the full agenda and speaker line up here

Featured thought-leaders and CVE experts speaking at the event include:

Alexander Ritzmann, Executive Director, European Foundation for Democracy (EFD)
Commodore Brian Santarpia, Director General Plans Strategic Joint Staff, Department of National Defence, Canada
Dr Usama Hasan, Head of Islamic Studies, Quilliam
Brigadier Timothy Hodgetts CBE, Medical Director of the Defence Medical Services and Honorary Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Birmingham, MOD, Director, Citizen Aid
Lucinda Creighton, Senior Advisor and fmr. Irish Minister for European Affairs, Counter Extremism Project (CEP), The European Foundation for Democracy
Wing Commander Keith Dear, Influence and Persuasion, Royal Air Force
Gregory C. Radabaugh, Director, Joint Information Operations Warfare Centre

Join us for the regions only conference addressing the challenges of countering violent extremism and hear thought leading presentations and discussions. Register before the 9 March and save up to £300, for more information, please visit cveevent.iqpc.com, contact our enquiries team on +44 (0)207 036 1300 or email enquire@defenceiq.com. Please note that the earlier you book, the more you will save.

Warmest regards,

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T: +44 (0) 207 036 1300

FM 33-1 Psychological Operations U.S. Army Doctrine - June 1968

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 12:37:40 MST

US Army Field Manual. “This manual provides doctrinal guidance for commanders and staff officers for the conduct of psychological operations (PSYOP), discusses U.S. Army PSYOP objectives, roles, and missions, and serves as the doctrinal basis for development of PSYOP techniques and procedures. This manual is applicable to general, limited, and cold war operations to include stability operations. Consideration is given to the employment of, and protection from, nuclear munitions and chemical, biological, and radiological agents.”

Soviet Active Measures in the West and the Developing World

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 14:04:44 MST

A forgery purporting to be an official U.S. Government document appears in a West European country. In a developing country, false rumours are spread of U.S. involvement in a coup attempt. A clandestine radio station beams anti-Western broadcasts into Iran. A Western firm is warned that its commercial ties with the Soviet Union will suffer if it also sells equipment to China... This anonymous and undated report circulated to NATO in Autumn 1981 gives a concise overview of the use and techniques of Soviet Active Measures.

DIGITISED: FM 33-5 Psychological Operations Techniques and Procedures - 20 October 1966

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:52:56 MST

US Army Field Manual. “This manual provides detailed psychological operations techniques for psychological operations commanders and staff officers. It discusses relationships, capabilities, tactics, and techniques of psychological operations during general, limited, and cold war operations... The techniques and procedures discussed in this manual augment doctrine published in FM 33-1. By integrating the tactics and techniques described in this manual with those concerned with general and limited war, counter insurgent operations, and guerrilla warfare, the commander and the staff officer will gain maximum benefit from psychological operations as a weapons system.”

DIGITISED: FM 33-5 Psychological Warfare in Combat Operations - August 1949

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 03:52:26 MST

US Army Field Manual. “As a military weapon, psychological warfare is no newer than the rumors whispered about Hannibal, the wave of terror spread in advance of the armies of Genghis Khan, Philip of Macedonia, and Attila the Hun, and the methods used by George Washington to increase desertion among the Hessians. What is new about psychological warfare is the manner in which it recently has been systematically organized and used as an integral part of military operations. Experience has demonstrated conclusively that psychological warfare is a highly effective weapon which can be used to minimize expenditure of human life and destruction of property. It is not a substitute for battle, but a supplementary means of combat which can facilitate and exploit success on the battlefield. Psychological warfare has limitations and disadvantages. One American army commander who achieved outstanding success in World War II expressed this idea when he said, “Psychological warfare had an important place in the European Campaign. It can accomplish much good. It can also be extremely harmful.” It is the duty of commanders to understand how to secure the beneficial effects and to avoid those which are harmful.”

Our new propaganda leaflet auction is now live

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 11:48:42 MST

This sixth auction of the aerial propaganda collection of the late Dr Rod Oakland. Lots include more Second World War German propaganda to Allied troops, OSS and PWE black propaganda, EH/SOE leaflets to Germany, propaganda to South East Asia, Soviet Front-Illustrierte colourful magazines for German troops, and US leaflets dropped in the Korean War.

CLOSING DATE 9 DECEMBER 2017 MIDNIGHT GMT

Retrospective Account of the Counter Subversion Committee by Sir Leslie C Glass

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 09:07:04 MST

In this 1972 report Sir Leslie Glass gives a brief retrospective on the Counter Subversion Committee with discussion on its future. The Defence and Oversea Policy (Official) Ancillary Measures sub-committee, DOPO (AM), would become its lineal descendant.

Pro and Anti-Nasser Clandestine Radio Stations Broadcasting to the Middle East, 1956-1958

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 04:47:03 MST

An overview of clandestine radio stations broadcasting to the Middle East, divided between those taking a pro and anti-Nasser line. The notes were compiled by the Information Research Department in 1958.

The Types of Research Units and What is Black, Grey and White Propaganda

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 04:50:24 MST

Recently I have been re-examining PWE and SOE archives in even greater depth with a vague idea in mind of writing a greatly expanded version of my book ‘The Black Art’. The document below was found during this renewed trawling. It is a definition of terminology included as an appendix to a draft memorandum discussing the current situation of Research Units in November 1943. One member of PWE comments that the draft memorandum is not only excellent but “the first comprehensive and lucid treatment of this subject.”

PSYWAR AUCTION 182

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 07:38:36 MST

This next PsyWar.Org auction of Dr Rod Oakland's propaganda leaflet collection includes more very rare OSS Morale Operations and British PWE black propaganda items, German leaflets for Allied troops, and PsyWar leaflets from the Korean War. Other items include a small selection of colourful Japanese leaflets for Allied troops and PWE leaflets dropped over Occupied France.

(As the start of this auction was delayed, it will run for a shorter time than previous ones)

CLOSING DATE 4 AUGUST 2017 MIDNIGHT GMT

Falkland Islands Conflict - PSYOPS Lessons Learned

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 10:26:28 MST

Last week the Ministry of Defence released a further batch of documents to the British National Archives relating to the Falkland Islands Conflict (Operation Corporate). One document in this batch covers the role of psychological operations. Although much has already been written on this subject, the document provides new details regarding the planning of psychological operations and the difficulties experienced. Lessons learned are outlined in the paper reproduced below.

Black Propaganda - Memorandum by Reginald Leeper

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 26 May 2017 03:35:28 MST

Black propaganda covers all those forms of propaganda which are not identified with HMG and which have the appearance of springing spontaneously from the local population without British inspiration or connection. A memorandum by Reginald Leeper, head of the Political Warfare Executive’s Country Headquarters, July 1942.

Raymond Schuhl - America's Secret WWII Weapon in Switzerland

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:00:18 MST

Raymond Schuhl is the stuff of legends. Hardly anyone knows his name and yet in WWI as a member of the French Army he went to Switzerland and produced anti-German leaflets. In WWII, after the fall of France, he did it again. He faked his death, went to Switzerland where he joined with the American OSS to head their propaganda campaign against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

Too big for our boots

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 23:28:49 MST

So PsyWar.Org has finally got too big for its boots. In order to progress current plans would mean migrating to a dedicated, read very expensive, hosting solution. As that is a not a practical long-term option, effective immediately the Psyona archive is off line. Going forward plans for the leaflet archive, and other database projects, will need to be scaled back and probably video content will also be removed.

Existing articles and other content will not be affected by this scaling-back. The Rod Oakland leaflet collection auctions will also continue until the whole collection is disposed of. Thanks to all those that continue to support the website, the site is not disappearing but we just have to curb our ambitions.

Lee Richards

British Army Political Warfare Field Units: An Overview by Lee Richards

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 05:12:36 MST

A full record on the use of political/psychological warfare field units by the British Army is a conspicuous omission in the history of Political Warfare in the Second World War. A brief overview of the majority of those field units is attempted here, although due to the fragmentary nature of existing records it should be considered incomplete.

PsyWar Leaflet Auction 181

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 10:49:03 MST

New auction now active. As in previous auctions, offered here are many examples of rare German leaflets dropped on Allied troops in the Second World War, British underground black propaganda and American OSS clandestine leaflets, stickers and forged newspapers. This auction additionally includes a large set of CT series leaflets produced by the Psychological Warfare Division, US 1st Army for German troops in Northwest Europe, 1944/45. The last lots consist of a small group of fabric MI9 Escape and Evasion maps.

Underground Propaganda against Nazi Germany - A talk by Lee Richards, May 2014

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 02:36:36 MST

An overview of British underground propaganda against Nazi Germany - transcript of a talk, with accompanying slides, given by Lee Richards, London, May 2014.

PsyWar Leaflet Auction 180 Completed

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 01:13:09 MST

Thanks to all those who took part in the PsyWar Leaflet Auction. Email notifications have now been sent to all successful bidders.

PsyWar Leaflet Auction 180

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 09:51:31 MST

Our third auction is now underway to sell the leaflet collection of the late Dr Rod Oakland. Rod was renowned for his expert knowledge of the subject and his considerable collection of leaflets covering a wide variety of fields. Rod held regular leaflet auctions and this and the following ones will proceed in the same vain. The auction has numerous rare and beautifully illustrated leaflets from the Second World War, Korea War, Suez Crisis and Aden.

Falkland Islands Conflict: Radio Atlantico del Sur PSYOPS Programming - Interim Assessment

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:21:41 MST

Radio Atlantico del Sur (RAdS) was the psychological operations radio station broadcast by the Ministry of Defence to Argentine troops during the latter part of the Falklands Islands Conflict. This is a draft OD(SA) interim assessment suggesting possibilities for the radio station, it dates from around 12 May 1982.

Examples of Psychological Warfare in Limited and Cold War

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 08:50:22 MST

This short overview of several psychological warfare operations conducted in the early Cold War period was submitted as an annex to a British Defence Coordination Committee (Far East) meeting to discuss the requirements of psychological warfare equipment for Cold and Limited War in the Far East. The paper was submitted in the autumn of 1958.

PsyWar Leaflet Auction 179

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 09:31:17 MST

The second PsyWar.Org auction is now active. Listed for sale is part of the leaflet collection of the late Dr Rod Oakland. Rod was renowned for his expert knowledge of the subject and his considerable collection of leaflets covering a wide variety of fields. Rod held regular leaflet auctions and this and the following ones will proceed in the same vain. The auction has numerous rare and beautifully illustrated leaflets from the Second World War, Korea War, Vietnam, Algeria, and the Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan. More Escape and Evasion Blood Chits also included.

CLOSING DATE 13 AUGUST 2016 MIDNIGHT GMT

Air Dissemination Devices for leaflet dropping

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 30 May 2016 08:41:38 MST

An analysis by Captain John C Lyons of leaflet dissemination devices released from aircraft as developed through the Second World War. Descriptions of the various methods employed to drop leaflets from planes are given including the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Not all methods employed or experimented with are detailed in the article but nevertheless it gives a good overall picture of the means used to drop leaflets. The article is undated but appears to have been written in the closing months of the war in Europe, around April or May 1945.

WHY DROP NICKELS?

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:45:46 MST

Instructional notes issued to Royal Air Force Intelligence Officers to assist them with their talks to aircrew under training regarding the effectiveness and importance of dropping propaganda leaflets. (The codeword 'Nickel' was assigned by the Air Ministry to refer to propaganda leaflets.)

PsyWar Auction 178 now open for bidding

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:01:08 MST

The first PsyWar.Org auction is now active. Listed for sale is part of the leaflet collection of the late Dr Rod Oakland. Rod was renowned for his expert knowledge of the subject and his considerable collection of leaflets covering a wide variety of fields. Rod held regular leaflet auctions and this and the following ones will proceed in the same vain. The auction has numerous rare and beautifully illustrated leaflets from the Second World War. Not only aerial propaganda leaflets but other military ephemera including MI9 Blood Chits for downed aircrew and Montgomery's famous messages to the troops.

The 15th annual Information Operations Summit: Countering Violent Extremism

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 02:38:34 MST

The 15th annual Information Operations Summit: Countering Violent Extremism has been designed from the ground up to provide influence and communications professionals with a forum to discuss their biggest challenges in countering extremist messaging and preventing the radicalisation of the next generation of terrorists. Taking place in London, UK from 15th-17th June, the symposium will address the communication challenges faced by both the Armed Forces and the domestic agencies when countering violent extremism. Some of the experts that will be sharing their insight include:

* Abby Johnson, Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning, National Counter Terrorism Centre
* Harron Ullah, Senior Adviser to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, US State Department
* Colonel Mike Lwin, Director, Military Information Support Operations
* Jonathan Russell, Head of Policy, Qulliam Foundation

Download the full programme and speaker list for more information.

A Survey of Leaflet Propaganda, 1939-1945

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 13:36:09 MST

An analysis of British air-dropped leaflet propaganda in the Second World War published in an issue of the Air Ministry Weekly Intelligence Summary.

A Century of British Military Information Operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 06:04:40 MST

PsyWar.Org Director, Lee Richards' new paper, "The Rainbow in the Dark: Assessing a Century of British Military Information Operations" has been published in the inaugural edition of Defence Strategic Communications, the peer-reviewed official journal of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence. The article begins at page 42.

Psychological Warfare - Malaya - 1948-1955 - Notes by Major R J Isaac

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:06:05 MST

Notes by Major Reginald J Isaac for the Directorate of Forward Plans outlining the development of psychological warfare and information operations through the first years of the Malayan Emergency.

Obituary: Dr Rodney Oakland, (1940-2015)

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 11:06:02 MST

A mentor and a good and wise friend. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Radio Atlantico del Sur Summary of Programme No. 2, 20 May 1982

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 09:00:06 MST

Radio Atlantico del Sur was a Spanish language radio station operated by the UK Ministry of Defence as part of its psychological operations campaign conducted for Operation Corporate – the recapture of the Falkland Islands following the Argentine invasion in April 1982. The radio station, known as ‘Project Moonshine’ within the Ministry of Defence, was operated by a specially created group called the Media Assessment Team (MAT). The station broadcast from studios in Mayfair, London, via a requisitioned BBC transmitter on Ascension Island. Its first broadcast was on the evening of 19 May 1982 and continued for 47 broadcasts until 15 June.

Britain Serves Europe: II. The Written Word - The Development of the Leaflet, 1939-1943

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 10:00:49 MST

A Political Warfare Executive memorandum charting the development and improvement of British air-dropped leaflet propaganda to Europe from the start of the war until 1943.

Indian Field Broadcasting Units: Their Purpose and Activities

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 02:34:54 MST

The five Indian Field Broadcasting Units now operating in Burma had their origin in a single Forward Propaganda Unit which operated in the Arakan campaign of 1943. This Unit – like the present five units – was under the command of Major G L Steer who had considerable previous experience of forward propaganda work in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The main purpose of the units is to carry out front-line propaganda against the enemy, and also behind the enemy lines.

Black Propaganda: REPORT ON SPECIAL OPERATIONS DURING OVERLORD

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 08:58:53 MST

Submission to the Chiefs of Staff, SHAEF, outlining covert propaganda techniques being applied in support of Operation Overlord. Further assistance is requested from the Royal Air Force to take German radio stations off air so to allow intruder broadcasts and to increase dissemination of the Nachrichten für die Truppe newssheet, 4 August 1944.

PWD/SHAEF Latest Reports of Leaflet Reactions

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 06:14:15 MST

Brief reports published by the Psychological Warfare Division of SHAEF giving current reactions to Allied leaflet operations in North West Europe taken from Prisoner of War interrogations, enemy reactions and press reporting.

Report on the Organisation of Field Propaganda by George L Steer

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 10:51:58 MST

Following his highly-regarded direction of forward psychological warfare in Ethiopia in 1940-1941, George Steer authored this report giving his personal opinion on how further Army field propaganda units should be organised in the North Africa campaign. Within a year the 1st Army Field Propaganda Company was established on broadly similar principles as outlined here. Steer would later form the Indian Field Broadcasting Units under the direction of the Special Operations Executive. Tragically Steer was killed in a vehicle accident in Burma on Christmas Day 1944.

The Future of the BBC

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 02:37:45 MST

The Government public consultation on the future of the BBC closes this Thursday.

Have your say on the future BBC

Keep Calm and #BackTheBBC

The BBC in WW2 - Draft Chapter from Political Warfare Training Manual

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 12:06:28 MST

In the Autumn of 1943 the Political Warfare Executive initiated the compilation of a Political Warfare Training Manual. The contents were agreed with the intended manual covering such topics as the history of Political Warfare and the formation of PWE; Political Warfare directed against the enemy and allies; intelligence, instruments of Political Warfare including visual (leaflets) and oral (broadcasting); training schools, and Political Survey. The manual’s progression soon reached deadlock following disagreement over the quality of the first chapter drafted dealing with Political Survey. Within several months the project was effectively abandoned. The only other part of the draft manual that appears to have survived in the files is a portion of section 6: Instruments of Political Warfare. It covers the role of broadcasting in Political Warfare and specifically that of the BBC’s contribution. It is reproduced here.

PsyWar Photograph Archive Updated

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:58:57 MST

The Psychological Warfare Photograph Archive has been updated with a batch of Second World War images from the Office of War Information Archives. New additions include leaflet dropping using Monroe bombs and the use of combat mobile loudspeakers.

The archive now contains over 160 images on the theme of PsyWar and psychological operations from the First World War to recent operations in the Middle East.

The 13 Amplifier Unit in the Liberation of Cherbourg

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:16:19 MST

The 13 Amplifier Unit was mobilised on 14th April 1944. Along with four other Amplifier Units and their accompanying Leaflet Units, its function was to provide mobile loudspeaker support for Allied psychological warfare, consolidation and civil affairs activities for Operation Overlord. The 13 AU landed in France on the late afternoon of 10th June, a fortnight later it made probably its most valuable effort when broadcasts by the unit directly netted around 1,200 German prisoners of war and was instrumental in the capture of the French port of Cherbourg. The after action report reproduced here from the 21st Army Group Publicity and Psychological Warfare war diary recounts these events.

BBC Coast, 6 August 2015

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:10:18 MST

Last night's episode of Coast is now on BBC iPlayer. I'm talking about ‪setting the sea on fire and British anti-invasion psychological warfare rumours spread during the Second World War. The segment starts at 45 minutes in.

Just ten days to Countering Violent Extremism event

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 03:43:03 MST

Your very last invitation to join the world's leading experts and opinion formers to discuss and debate violent extremism

Taking place in London from 29 June - 1 July 2015 the Countering Violent Extremism event focuses on how military influence professionals as well as senior government, intelligence professionals and charities and agencies can work to counter the spread of Violent Extremism. The symposium looks at the use of open source intelligence to pursue non-state actors (including social networks etc.) and the subsequent utility of strategic communications activity for both military and cross-government entities. Download the agenda >>

Book Online Now

Call +44 (0)20 7036 1300 to Secure Your Place Now

Email to Secure Your Place

Who is attending?
US Marine Corps Information Operations Command, NATO, British Army, HQ ARRC, French Army, Italian Army, NATO Rapid Deployment Corp, NATO SHAPE, AFRICOM, Bundeswehr, UK MoD, US Army, National Security Council of Ukraine, ISAF, EUCOM, Active Change Foundation, National Crime Agency, Royal Danish Defence College, InCoStrat, Embassy of Ukraine, SOCEUR, University of Exeter, Canadian Armed Forces, National Ground Intelligence Centre, University of Cardiff, Levant 7, EUREKA Research, Leonie Industries, Promo-Fix, DSTL, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, Mission Media, APCO, TSN.

Download the Agenda

Dominican Republic PsyWar Operation, May-June 1965

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 03:13:20 MST

Fifty years ago today the US Government authorised Operation Power Pack. It was the start of a four month military intervention in the Dominican Republic to suppress a left-wing uprising following from years of internal dispute in the country. David Hagen, US Army Broadcast Specialist E-4 with the 1st Psychological Warfare Battalion, recalls here the PsyWar support provided to the operation.

IO Global: Countering Violent Extremism 2015

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 10:33:02 MST

The full agenda for this year's IO Global: Countering Violent Extremism event is now available. For more details and related content see here.

OSS Morale Operations in the European Theatre of Operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 11:18:30 MST

As the Office of Strategic Service Morale Operations branch in the European theatre of operations was liquidated in the summer of 1945 following Germany's defeat, the Chief of the branch wrote this final report outlining the branch's propaganda activities run from London since late 1943. OSS-MO in the ETO worked closely with the British Political Warfare Executive in the development of "black" propaganda. It contributed all the entertainment programming on the Soldatensender West clandestine medium-wave radio station, supplied editorial staff for the production of the "grey" daily airdropped newspaper Nachrichten für die Truppe, and invented a large number underground rumours. The Morale Operations branch later also operated its own black radio stations and produced its own subversive propaganda literature for infiltration into Occupied Europe.

The Falling Leaf Search Engine

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 07:08:43 MST

Since its inception in 1958 the PsyWar Society has published a quarterly magazine, The Falling Leaf, which is an invaluable source of news, articles, and information about the history of psychological warfare and aerial leaflet propaganda. After editing the magazine for nearly forty years Reg Auckland, a co-founder of the Society, retired at the end of 1997. Many of the articles are written by Reg Auckland and collectors and historians alike owe him a great debt for publishing the results of his researches. He was succeeded for a number of years by David Minshall. The editorship of The Falling Leaf was handled over to Lee Richards in 2004. Due to declining membership and a lack of volunteers to take on key positions within the Society, The Falling Leaf ceased publication in 2012. The final issue was a special edition, printed in full colour and numbering 136 pages.

As his last act as Editor of the PsyWar Society journal, Lee Richards has created this full-text search engine of The Falling Leaf.

Final report of the Special Investigations Group (SIG), Cyprus

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:53:03 MST

Throughout the Cyprus Emergency of the late 1950's a constant theme of EOKA and Greek Nationalist propaganda was to accuse British Security Forces of conducting a campaign of brutal repression against the Greek Cypriots. Detention Centres were labelled as Nazi concentration camps, Greeks, it was claimed, were erroneously accused of terrorist activities, and British soldiers blamed for beating up and whipping children and for trashing the homes of innocent Greek families. These allegations were not only spread locally on the island but also pursued on the international stage. To counter this particular stratum of pernicious propaganda, in June 1958 the Cyprus Government formed a Special Investigations Group to document the activities of the Security Forces and expose EOKA lies and exaggerations.

IO Global: Countering Violent Extremism

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 03:44:08 MST

As you may be aware the Countering Violent Extremism Event is taking place in London between 29 June - 01 July 2015.

Brought to you by the same people as the famous Information Operations Summit the event broadens the remit of that past symposium by inviting senior government, military and intelligence professionals to create a forum focused on countering violent extremism, the use of open source intelligence to pursue non-state actors (including social networks etc.) and the subsequent utility of strategic communications activity for both military and cross-government entities.

<< Download the Draft Agenda now >>

BBC1 Heir Hunters, 16 March 2015

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:29:12 MST

Today's BBC1 Heir Hunters show featured an interview with PsyWar.Org Producer Lee Richards discussing PsyWar in the Second World War.

The interview focused on Major Ronald Glue, Royal Engineers, who commanded a mobile printing unit in Europe. The unit printed PsyWar leaflets and various other things like Union Jacks for use in the liberation of Paris, maps and passes for the Potsdam Conference and the very first editions of 'Soldier' magazine.

The interview was filmed at the Royal Engineers Museum last summer. Watch online through BBC iPlayer (UK only) for the next seven days:

The Leaflet Propaganda Front, August/September 1944

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 08:10:57 MST

Following the Operation Overlord landings in France, the Psychological Warfare Division of SHAEF issued monthly reports titled 'The Leaflet Propaganda Front'. The reports gave a brief overview of military operations with a review of leaflet production and dissemination during the period. Intelligence received on enemy reactions to the leaflets from prisoner of war interrogations or captured documents was also included. The first report issued that www.psywar.org is aware of covers the August/September 1944 period and is reproduced below.

The MoD evokes the spirit of the Chindits in new 77 Brigade

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 18:04:30 MST

Evoking the spirit of the Second World War ‘Chindits’ special forces, the British Ministry of Defence has established a new 77 Brigade.

The Ministry of Defence says 77 Brigade, formally to be created on 1 April 2015, is responsible for the integration and delivery of all non-lethal and non-military effects on military operations. Specifically it will support "the delivery of Information Operations, including psychological operations and deployed media operations looking at the traditional and unconventional means of shaping behaviours through the use of dynamic narratives. It is also responsible for providing specialist capabilities to integrate the full range of national levers with deployed military operations ranging from reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to support to political, economic and commercial operations and the integration of local forces that can support desired effects. 77 Brigade will play a key part in enabling the UK to fight in the information age."

The Brigade, based in Hermitage, Berkshire, is 42% reservist and is also finding "new ways of allowing civilians with bespoke skills to serve alongside their military counterparts".

Soviet Propaganda in Western Europe

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 09:49:23 MST

The following background brief was prepared by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Research and Analysis Department in March 1982. The brief gives an overview of Soviet propaganda directed to Western Europe. The suggested principle aims of Soviet propaganda being to portray NATO as a threat to world peace, to cause division amongst NATO members and other European countries, to create fissures in the alliance between Europe and the United States, and to shape the Nuclear disarmament debate in the Soviet Union’s favour.

Je suis Charlie

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 04:02:00 MST

Soviet Propaganda Organisations: A Survey

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:07:39 MST

First site update for 2015. An FCO background briefing document from 1989 outlining how the Soviet Union used international front organisations for foreign policy and propaganda purposes.

Summary of Radio Caledonia broadcast, 26 August 1940

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 07:57:56 MST

Radio Caledonia was a clandestine Nazi radio station broadcasting to Britain and operated by the Büro Concordia. The only speaker and main writer was Scottish-Fascist Donald Alexander Fraser Grant. The station attacked the British establishment and fomented Scottish Nationalism. After the war Grant was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for aiding the enemy. Of all the convicted British renegades this was the shortest prison sentence imposed.

Nazi Clandestine Radio Broadcasting: Workers' Challenge transmission, 23 August 1940

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:07:39 MST

Workers' Challenge was a clandestine radio station broadcasting to Britain throughout the Second World War. It purported to be run by a group of socialist British workers disaffected by the way the capitalist bosses and establishment were directing the war. The radio station called for a working class revolt through national strikes and disobedience in order to seek peace with Germany.

The RAF's Contribution to the Psychological Warfare Campaign during the Malayan Emergency

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 11:02:31 MST

In June 1970, by command of the Defence Council, the Ministry of Defence issued a restricted history of the Royal Air Force's role in the Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960. Chapter 4, reproduced here, includes an analysis of it's contribution to the psychological warfare campaign.

Psychological Warfare Aspects of the Propaganda Campaign in the Federation of Malaya

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 09:42:33 MST

This report produced by the Federation of Malaya's Department of Public Relations documents its efforts to combat the Chinese Communist insurgency through psychological warfare and information campaigns. It covers the first six months of the Emergency from June to the end of December 1948.

Collecting Now Video

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 15:43:15 MST

A clip from the 1980's BBC television show 'Collecting Now' takes a look at Reginald Auckland's impressive collection of aerial propaganda leaflets.

Report on the British Army's Deputy Directorate of Information and Propaganda, 1940-45

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:53:07 MST

Taken from the War Diary of the Deputy Directorate of Information and Propaganda, this report outlines the history of the British Army's liaison with Government civilian information departments, how it gave guidance to the press on military matters throughout the Second World War, and organised Amplifier and Leaflet Units in North-West Europe.

Ian Fleming Malingering Memorandum

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:06:19 MST

Towards the end of 1942, the German section of the Political Warfare Executive developed a new black propaganda campaign to undermine the morale of U-boat crews. On the outside the small booklet they produced was a facsimile of a genuine German Navy physical training manual. However, after a few pages the text dropped the sports advice and instead gave step-by-step instruction in the faking of illnesses and disease. This was the first edition of a range of disguised malingering manuals to be clandestinely disseminated inside occupied Europe by the Special Operations Executive and dropped from the air by Royal Air Force free-floating balloons.

Ian Fleming, personal assistance to the Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI), recognising the value of such psychological warfare, was eager that this malingering booklet should be quickly in the hands of the German submariners. He wrote the memorandum below to the chief of the Special Operations Executive urging for the organisation's assistance to disseminate the booklets. Fleming also suggests that the Soviet NKVD might also help.

OWI in the ETO booklet

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 07:55:42 MST

A report on the activities of the Office of War Information in the European Theatre of Operations from January 1944 to January 1945.
During 1944 OWI faced two major tasks in the European theatre: first, to provide personnel and material with which to attack enemy morale on home front and firing line; second, to spread accurate and dispassionate information about America and her Allies and thus to build confidence among occupied and liberated countries.

PsyWar and Propaganda eBooks price slash

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 04:27:27 MST

All prices on my psychological warfare and propaganda eBooks have been slashed. Books are directly available through Google Play for your tablet, PC or phone.

e.g. The Black Art: British Clandestine Psychological Warfare against the Third Reich now only £2.69

The Psychological Warfare Division/SHAEF official history now only £1.98.

NATO Operation Unified Protector PSYOPS Product

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 12:04:14 MST

NATO PSYOPS leaflets dropped over Libya in 2011 to assist Operation Unified Protector.

70th Anniversary of Soldatensender Calais

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:44:47 MST

On this day 70 years ago, 14 November 1943, Sefton Delmer's clandestine radio station Soldatensender Calais broadcasts on medium wave for the first time, relayed by Europe's most powerful transmitter codenamed Aspidistra.

Evidence of Reception Reports

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:41:10 MST

In an attempt to ascertain the effects of its clandestine psychological warfare, the Political Warfare Executive routinely monitored neutral and enemy media looking for comment and reaction to its radio broadcasts, underground rumour-mongering and leaflets. The comments of enemy prisoners of war, captured documents and other intelligence sources were also studied. Any comebacks to PWE propaganda campaigns were circulated to interested parties through the following "Evidence of Reception" reports.

Proposed use of the Aspidistra transmitter for psychological warfare purposes

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 11:37:57 MST

These two proposed uses of the powerful medium wave transmitter known as Aspidistra for psychological warfare purposes were suggested by Sefton Delmer in late August 1943. The first proposal was acted upon in November 1943, to relay the shortwave Atlantik station on medium wave under the Soldatensender Calais name. Intruder radio operations had to wait until the closing months of the war with Germany.

The controversy between the BBC and PWE over Soldatensender Calais

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:53:08 MST

Of all PWE clandestine radio stations broadcasting in German, undoubtedly Soldatensender Calais developed the furthest reach and acquired the largest audience. This was due in part to being broadcast on Europe's most powerful medium wave transmitter, known as Aspidistra, because of its high production values with much of its programme devoted to specially recorded Jazz dance music and because of its frank news reporting and comment. The combination of these elements, however, made it difficult for Soldatensender Calais to maintain the pretext of being a real German forces station. The BBC in particular was against the concept of a "grey" propaganda radio station that could be identified as being of British origin and could by association damage the BBC's reputation for trustworthiness.

The Case of the Viennese Infanticidal Doctors

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:55:26 MST

A Gestapo Investigation into British Clandestine Radio Broadcasts.

A seemingly unpleasant series of stories on British clandestine radio broadcasts denouncing two Viennese doctors for killing 20 newborns and infants could easily be dismissed as mere atrocity propaganda, if it were not for the fact that the core premise of the stories was actually true. The shocking nature of the revelations instigated the Gestapo to investigate the enemy allegations.

Christ the King Daily Monitoring Transcripts

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:19:04 MST

Translated monitoring reports of broadcasts made by the British clandestine radio station known as G.7, Christ the King. The station was on the air from mid-September 1942 until the last days of the war in Europe. Broadcasts of this radio station were monitored by the U.S. Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, the transcripts of which make up this collection. The originals are held by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 262. This online archive currently contains reports from December 1942 to May 1943.

Christ the King Black radio station: Object, Method and Effect

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:18:06 MST

This Political Warfare Executive report is an appraisal of the object, method and effect of the Catholic clandestine radio station known as Christ the King.

MAJOR UPDATE: Soldatensender Calais Daily Transcripts

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 09:50:07 MST

Daily summarised transcripts of the PWE/OSS clandestine 'grey' radio station G.9 Kurzwellensender Atlantik / Soldatensender Calais.

These daily summaries have been transcribed from the Political Warfare Executive's archive and record the propaganda component of the broadcasts which was interspersed amongst straight news reporting and musical interludes.

This archive currently contains transcripts from 3 July 1943 until the end of March 1944. Text in italics was based on the truth.

A Cold War visit to Potsdam by Sefton Delmer

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 04:43:45 MST

"I had not visited Potsdam since July 1934 when Hitler expelled me from his Reich. I very much wanted to see what that pretty little Prussian town looked like now thirty years later. Irresistible bait for me too were the Central Archives, where they store the mountains of files recovered from the salt mines and other caches in which the Nazis had hidden them... The drive to Potsdam turned out to be one long demonstration of what the Ulbricht wall means for East Berliners, in both its negative and its positive aspects."

Written c.1964, in this article Delmer takes a trip behind the Iron Curtain to view the Third Reich's captured archives held at Potsdam. He notes the Berlin Wall's impact on the lives of East Germans and laments on the re-employment of middle-ranking Nazi officials in the West German administration.

A report on the WWI leaflet-newspaper Le Courrier de l'Air

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 04:37:21 MST

Le Courrier de l'Air was an airdropped leaflet newspaper for occupied France and Belgium. Printed in London, it was dropped over the First World War western front by free-floating paper balloons. Courrier was the production of a branch of Military Intelligence known as MI7b and from May 1918 edited by Edward Heron-Allen. Here follows a report written by Heron-Allen in November 1918 giving the production history of Courrier. The same title would be resurrected for a new airdropped newspaper in the Second World War.

Video: Leaflet Drop over Southern Afghanistan, August 2013

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 11:25:36 MST

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) and U.S. Army Soldiers with 303rd Psychological Operations Company (33rd POCO) conduct a leaflet drop over southern Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2013. The leaflet drop was conducted to help counter insurgent influence in the area.

OSS Morale Operations - The Story of Cornflakes, Pig Iron and Sheet Iron

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 13:48:48 MST

'The Story of Cornflakes, Pig Iron and Sheet Iron' is a booklet produced and printed in Rome in April 1945 by the Office of Strategic Service Morale Operations. It tells the story of the infiltration of subversive black propaganda into the German postal system by dropping fake mailbags beside shot-up railway trains and the widescale aerial dissemination of fake underground newspapers. Some additional illustrations have been added here to the original text.

OSS Morale Operations - History of Das Neue Deutschland

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 16:07:11 MST

Das Neue Deutschland – The New Germany – was a fake freedom movement created by the U.S. Office of Strategic Services Morale Operations branch in the summer of 1944. Its main organ was a clandestine newspaper which was disseminated through Europe by resistance fighters, by turned German Prisoners of War sent back through the frontline and ingeniously introduced into the German postal system by dropping fake mailbags, full with pre-franked letters containing subversive propaganda, alongside shot-up German railway trains. The following candid and detailed history of Das Neue Deutschland was submitted to the Morale Operations reports office by Eugene Warner, Chief of European and Mediterranean MO section on 1 October 1945.

The names of German POWs have been changed by PsyWar.Org plus a few other minor alterations and corrections. Supporting illustrations have also been added to the narrative.

Information Operations Global, 24 - 26 June, 2013

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:52:44 MST

Delivering Effects through Influence Activity

PsyWar.Org is again privileged to be partnering with this year's Information Operations Global event. Building on the strength of previous events, IO Global 2013 will provide a holistic analysis of the contemporary challenges facing IO professionals worldwide, ranging from per-emptive engagement to developing effective IO campaign assessments. With four individual themes structured to provide briefings on strategic, tactical and non-military approaches to communication and influence campaigns, Information Operations Global will once again deliver an unrivalled opportunity to enhance your communication efforts by taking on board best-practise from our expert panel.

24 - 26 June, 2013
Grand Connaught Rooms, London, United Kingdom

MAJOR UPDATE: Gustav Siegfried Eins Daily Monitoring Transcripts

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:44:46 MST

Translated monitoring reports of broadcasts made by the British clandestine radio station known as Gustav Siegfried Eins (GS1).

GS1 pretended to be the mouthpiece of a group of disaffected German soldiers. The main announcer is referred to as "der Chef", the Chief, who revels in the use of foul language to attack the murderous British enemy and to complain about the clique of Nazi bosses (the Party Kommune) who are mismanaging the war while profiteering and living a comfortable life at the expense of the German people. The station was on the air from May 1941 until November 1943.

Broadcasts of this radio station were monitored by the U.S. Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, the transcripts of which make up this collection. The originals are held by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 262.

A cryptological challenge

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:06:53 MST

Any cryptologists want to try to crack this radio message code?

The British black radio station Gustav Siegfried Eins would include short coded messages in its broadcasts like this.

The text will be in German and suspect either it will be quite easy to break or totally meaningless!

Sefton Delmer explained the code's purpose thusly:

"There followed a message in a number code. It was not a high grade cypher and when broken and decoded by the monitors of the Reich Central Security Office, as it was bound to be, I reckoned it would produce quite an acceptable flurry in the Gestapo's dove-cotes all over Germany. For the message said: "Willy meet Jochen Friday row five parquest stalls second performance Union Theatre". There were hundreds of Union Theatre cinemas all over Germany, and I fondly imagined leather-coated Gestapo thugs attending every one of them on the look-out for 'Willy' and 'Jochen'. The Gestapo with their radio detection instruments would be quick to fix our signal as coming from Britain. They could not ignore the possibility that Willy and Jochen were British agents, and that the message to them was genuine."

DAMBUSTERS 70: Allied Psychological Warfare to Capitalise on the Dambusters Raid

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:45:35 MST

On this night seventy years ago, 19 specially modified Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron took off from RAF Scampton. The now famous Operation Chastise had begun. Commanded by 24-year-old Wing Commander Guy Gibson, their mission was to attack the major dams of the Ruhr and Weser valleys in Germany's industrial heartland. As well as striking a severe physical blow to the war making capabilities of the Third Reich, the morale effect of the raid was also of prime importance. Not just the depressing of enemy morale but also bolstering the people of Occupied Europe and on the home fronts, to show to the world that the British Commonwealth was fighting back and had the means and will to defeat the Axis.

George Lowther Steer (22 November 1909 � 25 December 1944)

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 13 May 2013 02:24:11 MST

George Steer was a journalist for The Times and later the Daily Telegraph. He famously reported on the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935 and the Spanish Civil war, particularly the bombing of Guernica on 26 April 1937.

During the Second World War Steer organised forward propaganda in Ethiopia and then worked for the Special Operations Executive in the Middle East. In 1943 he was transferred to India and working with Alec Peterson set up the Indian Forward Broadcasting Units (IFBU).

He and three others were killed in a vehicle accident on Christmas day 1944.

The following letter written by Alec Peterson puts on record his valuable contribution to the forming of the Indian Field Broadcasting Units.

Monitoring Transcript of Gustav Siegfried Eins, 13 March 1943

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 05 May 2013 13:16:59 MST

This is a translated monitoring report of a broadcast made by the British clandestine radio station known as Gustav Siegfried Eins (GSI).
GSI pretended to be the mouthpiece of a group of disaffected German officers. The main announcer is referred to as der Chef, the Chief, who revels in the use of foul language to attack the murderous British enemy and to complain about the clique of Nazi bosses (the Party Kommune) who are mismanaging the war while profiteering and living a comfortable life at the expense of the German people.

History of SOE Political Warfare Section, Force 136

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 04 May 2013 11:35:22 MST

This document is taken from the Special Operations Executive historical records of Force 136. It documents the role of S.O.E. political warfare in South East Asia, including the setting up of a rumour-mongering network in India and the organisation of the Indian Field Broadcasting Units for the production of frontline propaganda.

OWI/OSS Berne Black Propaganda Catalogue, 1943-1945

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:12:46 MST

Originally published in The Falling Leaf in October 2008, here is Lee Richards' detailed and illustrated catalogue of black propaganda material produced by Gerald M Mayer and Allen Dulles at the OWI/OSS Berne, Switzerland, outstation in World War II.

The RAF Bombs Paris with Banknotes

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:15:35 MST

On the night of 25/26 April 1942, the Royal Air Force on a mission to Occupied France, dropped not just bombs but a rather more unusual package over Paris. The package contained 600 French Francs and the following message. Its intention was to publicise the radio propaganda broadcasts of Colonel Britton and his 'V' army.

The Sefton Delmer Archive

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 14:30:39 MST

Psywar.org is pleased and proud to announce a major new addition to the website: The Sefton Delmer Archive. Working with Delmer's family we reprint online all his books, Trail Sinister, Black Boomerang, Counterfeit Spy and Weimar Germany and many unpublished articles and documents including the first three chapters of the third instalment of his autobiography Tail of a Tale.

As foreign correspondent for the Daily Express in pre-war Germany, Delmer was on personal terms with Hitler and the Nazi major players. One of the highlights of the Archive is a previously unseen home movie shot personally by Delmer on board Hitler's 1932 electioneering aircraft tour. Here we see Hitler with cotton wool stuffed in his ears, Goebbels munching a hardboiled egg and Hitler's black uniformed SS bodyguards sharing private photographs.

During World War II Delmer was appointed Director of Special Operations to Enemy and Satellite countries for Britain's secret propaganda department, the Political Warfare Executive. Under his leadership and inspiration, his team produced the renowned clandestine radio stations Gustav Siegfried Eins, Soldatensender Calais and others, the daily newspaper for German troops Nachrichten für die Truppe, and over a thousand covert black propaganda leaflets.

Over the coming months www.psywar.org will expand the archive with much more material from Delmer’s pre-war, wartime and post-war career.

Words at War - Leaflets and Newspapers in World War Two

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:05:52 MST

In almost all military conflicts, as well as a war of bombs and bullets there is a war of words. Words can be disseminated via a number of different media. They can be spoken, e.g. via radio, loudspeaker, or even by mouth-to-mouth communication as news and rumours, sometimes supplied by one's enemies as well as ones allies, are spread. Here in the 21st C the social media are coming to play a very important part in the spread of information. But in the 20th C the main medium was the printed word, and newspapers had a huge role to play. This article is perhaps overambitious in that it aims to provide both a short introduction to the role of airdropped leaflets in war and conflict and within that to focus on news and airdropped newspapers in WW2. For reasons of space its emphasis will be mainly upon Western Europe, but it should be realised that news-based leaflets featured hugely in all theatres of WW2, from Europe to North Africa and then Russia through to the Middle East and to Asian countries, especially the countries of East Asia such as China and Japan, and in Southeast Asia such as Burma, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaya, Indonesia and Papua and New Guinea.

New Article - Propaganda Leaflets of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:49:28 MST

Dr Rod Oakland's article on the propaganda leaflets of the Spanish Civil is to date the most in-depth look at this subject in the English language. As well as giving a background to the cruel and bitter civil war, Dr Oakland's article analyses and illustrates numerous airdropped propaganda leaflets from both the Nationalist and Republican sides of the conflict.

Communist Chinese Propaganda to the Kinmen Islands

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:22:16 MST

A new illustrated article on People's Republic of China propaganda directed towards the Kinmen island group in the early 1970's. It includes some nice photographs of dissemination devices including a model boat, kite and glass flotation spheres.

Propaganda Leaflet Archive New Design

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 07:35:40 MST

Nearly there with the overhaul and redesign of the propaganda leaflet archive. Leaflets are now displayed using a tabbed layout and there are enhanced features to catalogue your own leaflets.

Soon leaflets will also be offered for sale through the PsyWar.Org leaflet archive.

The Poppy Salute - 28 June 2012

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:33:25 MST

The RAF Lancaster of the 'Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' drops 55,000 red poppies over the opening ceremony of the Bomber Command Memorial, Green Park, London, 28 June 2012. Each red poppy represents one of the RAF Bomber Command aircrew who lost their lives in the Second World War.

SOE Guidance for the Production of Rumours

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 03:09:46 MST

This document circulated to Special Operations Executive propaganda agents in 1942 gives guidance on the creation of rumours, what are the qualities of a good rumour and some of the pitfalls to avoid.

SOE Rumour Organisation

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 03:48:30 MST

This document, intended as a brief introduction, was provided to Special Operations Executive propaganda agents tasked with setting up a rumour spreading organisation.

Vietnam War: Dai Doan Ket National Reconciliation Program

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 05 May 2012 02:14:26 MST

During the early years of the Vietnam War the term 'Dai Doan Ket' was used in the south as 'The National Reconciliation Program'. Republic of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky instituted Dai Doan Ket by proclamation on the 19 April 1967. It was meant to reinvigorate the Chieu Hoi (Open Arms) defector program in place since 1963. While Chieu Hoi targeted foot soldiers, the new initiative promised government aid in finding careers for top-level defectors. Further, it offered full participation in political activities to all who agreed to renounce force, abandon communism, lay down their weapons, and abide by the constitution of Vietnam. Unfortunately, the concept was really American and not Vietnamese and as a result had little backing and was destined for failure.

Counter-Propaganda: A Basic Analysis

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:01:58 MST

A new item added to PsyWar.Org taken from the recent release of Colonial Office files to the National Archives. Interesting reading on how the head of the British Government's Information Research Department viewed the threat from the Soviet Union to not only the West but its affect on the hegemony of the whole world. The document is an extract from a secret series of lectures on Communism made in September 1952.

Information Operations Global 2012

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:59:31 MST

PsyWar.Org is happy to be partnering again with DefenceIQ for this year's Information Operations Global conference.

Information Operations Global 2012 is the must-attend global IO event of the year, consistently attracting a truly international audience to discuss a diverse range of PsyOps, StratComs and influence issues.

It will be held at Charing Cross Hotel, London, UK between 26th to 29th June 2012.

The 2012 event is arranged around four specific themes - each of these themes will feature presentations from military and non-military subject matter experts, providing a fantastic opportunity for the cross-pollination of ideas between sectors. This will be reinforced by the introduction of dedicated discussion sessions at the end of each theme which will help to summarise the learning outcomes. The four themes are:

* What role should the information operations community play in combatting the influence of extremist groups?
* How has the growth of social media and technology influenced Information Operations?
* How can we create a cohesive, overarching strategic narrative that can be used to derive positive "stories" for multiple audiences?
* What role should Information Operations play in contingency planning and conflict prevention?

Download the full conference programme at www.InformationOperationsEvent.com

And to receive a 15% discount quote reference IGC_IOS_PSY when registering for the event.

The Poppy Salute

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:01:31 MST

Appreciation of the Situation, 17 June 1940

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:09:01 MST

This is a draft report written in June 1940 by a member of the British Government's 'Department for Publicity in Enemy Countries', also known as 'Department EH'. The report is an appreciation of the situation Great Britain finds itself in following the defeat of France and looks at ways to successfully continue the fight against Nazi Germany, particularly from the point of view of the propaganda war.

Video: Black trash bag leaflet drop over Afghanistan

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:16:41 MST

VIDEO: U.S. Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (VMM-162), perform a leaflet drop, undisclosed location, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. VMM-162 performs this action to provide information to local populace who can receive it in no other manner.

Commando Solo PSYOP/MISO Radio Broadcasting in Libya 2011

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:19 MST

Throughout Operation Unified Protector, the NATO intervention in the 2011 Libyan civil war, the U.S. Air Force Commando Solo airborne broadcasting platform provided military information support to the operation. Following a rather protracted Freedom of Information Act request by PsyWar.Org the following 47 transcripts of radio broadcasts transmitted across Libya by Commando Solo have now been released to the public.

30% off The Black Art - Today Only!

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:42:57 MST

Today only, 30% off list price of "The Black Art" hardback, full colour edition, use coupon code 20DEC at checkout. That's a saving of about $46.00.

The Black Art is a profusely illustrated history and catalogue of British "black" propaganda literature produced by the Political Warfare Executive during the Second World War by Lee Richards. 450 pages and over 350 illustrations.

Psychological Warfare in the Mediterranean Theater

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:30:07 MST

A report to the U.S. War Department on the part played by the United States Army in the development of Psychological Warfare organization, policy and operational technique in the North African, Sicilian, Italian and Southern France campaigns by Colonel Donald F Hall, August 1945.

White Bombs booklet

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:11:13 MST

"There are two ways of winning the war - breaking the enemy's will to fight, and removing his means. If you succeed in doing either you win the war. If you work on both you do it all the better."

A quote from "White Bombs", a restricted WWII U.S. Office of War Information illustrated booklet which highlighted the value of airdropped propaganda leaflets.

Google eBooks not yet available in Australia and Canada

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:47:34 MST

OK a problem has been brought to my notice. The eBooks are not available in Australia or Canada yet.

When Google gave me the option of activating sales in those two countries, I naively concluded that Google actually sells eBooks there. Apparently not, well just not yet. Hopefully they will be available in a few weeks time. But who knows, Google isn't telling any one!

So at the moment eBooks are only available in the U.S. and UK. Sorry!

Black Art and Whispers of War eBook editions

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:01:49 MST

All of our psychological warfare and black propaganda books are now available for sale in the UK, US, Canada and Australia as eBook downloads. Prices are significantly less than the printed versions. Ideal for reading on your iPad or notebook PC.

20 percent off all books today only

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:09:37 MST

For today only receive a 20% discount off listed prices of all PsyWar.Org books. Use this coupon code on checkout: BURIED305

SOE Covert Broadcasting

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:27:29 MST

A report written by Ralph Murray of PWE's Middle East Mission outlining covert broadcasting by Special Operations Executive from Jerusalem to the Balkans. At the time this report was written in November 1942, SOE and PWE were locked in debate over which organisation should control and operate clandestine radio stations. PWE argued that they were responsible for all psychological warfare to enemy, satellite and enemy occupied territory. SOE maintained that they should be in charge of covert operational propaganda which directly supported their subversive activities.

Video: Creating MISO/PSYOPS Leaflets in Afghanistan

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:20:06 MST

Video package describing the process of creating and distributing a Military Information Support Operations (MISO) leaflet at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan on June 21, 2011. The leaflets are used by MISO personnel to effectively pass information and messages to target audiences in remote areas of Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Cpl Charles T. Mabry II / Released).

Video: U.S. MISO Loudspeaker Broadcasting in Afghanistan

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:58:35 MST

Video package describing the process of how Military Information Support Operations personnel help broadcast the district governors message in Kajaki, Afghanistan on Aug 10, 2011. The broadcasts are designed to easily spread important messages to multiple areas throughout Kajaki. (U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Cpl. Charles T. Mabry II/Released).

PAPER BULLETS - Combat propaganda booklet

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 06:43:57 MST

Reproduction of a short WWII confidential booklet produced by the Psychological Warfare Branch of Allied Forces Headquarters to explain the policy and techniques of frontline combat propaganda, circa 1943. (PDF File, 2.8MB)

Colonel Britton and the V-for-Victory Campaign

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:15:30 MST

The "V-for-Victory" campaign began three years to the day before another famous invasion of Europe was launched. On 6 June 1941—Friday, 23:15 BST,—the first shot was fired in the "V-for-Victory" series, which continued for a year, and unquestionably aided during a very critical period in bolstering the morale of enslaved peoples in a score of occupied countries... Article from 'Army Talks' magazine, September 1945.

Follow PsyWar.Org on Facebook

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:36:10 MST

Operation Huguenot - PsyWar plan to encourage desertion of Luftwaffe pilots to Britain.

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:39:39 MST

Documents from the archives: Operation Huguenot was a psychological warfare plan intended to instruct German Luftwaffe pilots on how to desert with their aircraft to Britain. The plan was intended not so much to encourage genuine desertions of Luftwaffe personnel but to convince the German authorities to suspect the loyalty of their aircrew and, therefore, to take repressive counter-measures against them.

The idea was originally set out in a memorandum by Sefton Delmer at the end of 1943. But it was not until January 1945 that the details were worked out and submitted to the Chief of the Psychological Warfare Division of Supreme Headquarters for approval. Huguenot was implemented throughout late February and early March, principally through the clandestine radio station Soldatensender West.

Policy and Methods of Black Propaganda against Germany

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:21:52 MST

Official Memorandum signed by Brigadier-General Robert A. McClure, Chief of PWD/SHAEF, regarding policy and methods of black propaganda against Germany. Although signed by McClure the author of the memo is almost certainly Sefton Delmer.

14 Amplifier Unit & 19 Leaflet Unit War Diary

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:50:47 MST

Extracts from the war diary of the 14 Amplifier Unit and 19 Leaflet Unit, Intelligence Corps, in North-West Europe, 1944-45. It was one of the first British units to enter Belsen concentration camp.

Watch BBC's The One Show feature on black propaganda from Woburn Abbey

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:31:46 MST

Presenter Dan Snow interviewing psychological warfare historian Lee Richards (right) at Woburn Abbey, the wartime home of the Political Warfare Executive (PWE). Lee Richards is describing the range of black propaganda material sent from Britain to Nazi Occupied Europe in order to subvert German troops.

BBC The One Show feature on black propaganda in WWII

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:43:30 MST

Tonight's BBC "The One Show" will contain a feature on black propaganda in WWII including a brief interview with PsyWar.Org Producer and Editor Lee Richards. The interview was filmed at the glorious Woburn Abbey. Check out BBC1 @ 7:00 p.m.

Whispers of War - 15% discount

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:27:33 MST

15% off 'Whispers of War' with coupon code FIRESIDE305 until 15 February 2011.

New upload: 344th MISO Team, Kandahar Video

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:43:33 MST

A fascinating video feature about the 344th Military Information Support Operations (MISO) Team who design and produce radio, TV and print advertisements for the Afghan people. MISO is the official new US Government term for pscyhological operations (PSYOP).

(Note need to be signed into PsyWar.Org in order to watch this video.)

Professional Research undertaken at the British National Archives (TNA)

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:41:31 MST

Do you need research work undertaken at the British National Archives (TNA) or other UK archive or library?

I offer competitive rates for document copying for the media, military historians, and family history researchers.

With over 25 years experience working at the British National Archives and other international archives and libraries, I am available to undertake research work on your behalf throughout the UK and abroad. Author of two books, producer and editor of the PsyWar.Org website for over 13 years and editor of Falling Leaf, the quarterly journal of the PsyWar Society for over 6 years; I have undertaken research work for TV productions, newspapers and magazines, professional & amateur historians, genealogists and those wishing to discover more about their family history...

Propaganda and Espionage Philately article update

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:03:12 MST

Herb's outstanding and massive Propaganda and Espionage Philately article has been updated once again.

Has Egyptian Intelligence been reading my Whispers of War?

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:20:44 MST

UPC rumour, R/466, 26 September 1941, "The British have let loose 1,000 sharks from Australia off the Tunis coast."

BBC News: "Shark attacks not linked to Mossad says Israel" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11937285

PsyWar.Org - Win a free book about black propaganda!

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:32:53 MST

It's 2011 and still nobody has discovered the secret message hidden on https://www.psywar.org . Find it to win free copy of "The Black Art: British Clandestine Psychological Warfare against the Third Reich".

Whispers of War main article updated

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 06:41:00 MST

The Whispers of War article looking at British propaganda rumour-mongering in the Second World War has been updated with new information and to mirror the introduction to our new Whipsers of War book: https://www.psywar.org/books.php . The new book contains over 1,500 examples of subversive rumours spread by the Underground Propaganda Committee in WWII.

New Book! - Whispers of War by Lee Richards

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 12:18:25 MST

Whispers of War: Underground Propaganda Rumour-mongering in the Second World War.

The new book contains a collection of over 1,500 of the most noteworthy, provocative and amusing subversive rumours concocted by the British Government's Underground Propaganda Committee throughout the Second World War. As a way of an introduction, the book includes an updated version of our popular 'Whispers of War' article: https://www.psywar.org/sibs.php

UPC rumour, September 1940:

"The Germans are going to take down the Eiffel Tower to use the metal for munitions."

UPC rumour, August 1942:

"Italian battalion at Split mutinied after human finger nail discovered in canned meat."

UPC rumour, September 1943:

"Hand grenades issued to Germans in Russia explode immediately the pin is drawn out. This is a result of the Trojan horse methods employed by French workers in Germany."

UPC rumour, July 1944:

"The flying bombs consume as much petrol a day as 100 tanks."

This paperback book contains 236 pages, size 6" x 9". Available directly from the printer for $14.99: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/whispers-of-war/14313557

PsyWar.Org would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2011!

15 percent discount on all books today

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:36:42 MST

15% off PsyWar.Org books today, December 21st. Enter coupon code "DEC21" when ordering.

Rhodesia - The regimes propaganda machine and its operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 05:09:42 MST

Official 1966 British Commonwealth Relations Office appraisal of the Rhodesian Government's propaganda organisation and activities just before and after its Universal Declaration of Independence (UDI)

Falkland Islands Conflict Leaflet Dropping New Information

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:25:37 MST

Following a Freedom of Information request by PsyWar.Org new information has been supplied about Psychological Operations leaflet drops by the British Task Force.

PsyWar.Org Facebook

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:46:58 MST

Forget to mention we also now have a Facebook fan page. Please "Like" us!

Facebook integration finally comes to PsyWar.Org

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:41:43 MST

Added some Facebook integration to the website. Readers are now able to "Like" and comment on articles.

PsyWar news and chit-chat on Twitter

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 04:58:45 MST

Remember, for brief news updates related to psychological warfare, PSYOP, information operations, strategic communication, propaganda and any other stuff we deem interesting or mildly amusing follow #psywarorg on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/psywarorg/

Peterson report on the Malayan Information Services

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:10:02 MST

Report critical of the then Malayan Information Services and suggestions for re-organisation by Alec Peterson, August 1952.

10% discount on PsyWar.Org publications

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:47:28 MST

Until the 30 September, get a 10% discount on any of my books by using coupon code 'AUTUMN' during checkout, https://www.psywar.org/books.php

'The Black Art' Available Now

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:09:42 MST

At long last, after eight years of research, writing, reviewing, cataloguing, desktop publishing, blood, sweat and tears, my book unravelling the mysteries of British black propaganda in World War II is now available to purchase. The book, titled "The Black Art: British Clandestine Psychological Warfare against the Third Reich," has 450 pages and over 350 illustrations. The text analyses various types of underground printed propaganda from forged newspapers & ration coupons to malingering instructions, desertion appeals, seditious stickers, pornography and religious propaganda.

Included is a detailed catalogue listing around a thousand of the forged documents produced by Howe's Unit of the Political Warfare Executive, under the direction of the renowned journalist Sefton Delmer. The book is available in two versions, a hardback full-colour edition and a more economical paperback version with black & white internal pages. Both books are printed at US letter size (8.5" x 11").

For ordering details see https://www.psywar.org/books.php

Official Report on Malayan Emergency Information Services, 1950-1951

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:02:10 MST

Official memorandum by Hugh Carleton-Greene reporting on developments in information and psychological operations during his first year as the head of the Emergency Information Service in Malaya.

PsyWar.Org now on Twitter

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:38:07 MST

Follow me on Twitter 'psywarorg' for website updates and PSYOP / InfoOp news!

WIN A HARDBACK COLOUR COPY OF 'THE BLACK ART'

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:24:53 MST

At long last, after eight years of research, writing, reviewing, cataloguing, desktop publishing, blood, sweat and tears, my book unravelling the mysteries of British black propaganda in World War II is about to go on-sale. The book, titled "The Black Art: British Clandestine Psychological Warfare against the Third Reich," has 450 pages and over 350 illustrations. The text analyses various types of underground printed propaganda from forged newspapers & ration coupons to malingering instructions, desertion appeals, seditious stickers, pornography and religious propaganda.

Included is a detailed catalogue listing around a thousand of the forged documents produced by Howe's Unit of the Political Warfare Executive, under the direction of the renowned journalist Sefton Delmer. The book will be available in two versions, a hardback full-colour edition and a more economical paperback version with black & white internal pages. Both books are printed at US letter size (8.5" x 11").

Win a copy of "The Black Art"

The first person to discover the secret message buried somewhere on PsyWar.Org will win a free copy of the colour hardback edition of "The Black Art". Search the website for the secret message and email it to me at: lee.richards@psywar.org. Good hunting!

9th Annual Information Operation Europe 2010 - 10% Discount through PsyWar.Org

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:37:00 MST

9th Annual Information Operation Europe
Delivering Effects through Influence Activities

Two Day Conference: 25th – 26th June 2010
Pre-Conference IO Planning Scenarios: 24th June 2010
Venue: Bloomsbury Hotel, London

Join the world’s leading figures from the Influence, Psychological Operations, Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy communities at the 9th Annual Information Operations Europe forum in June.

Confirmed Speakers Include

* Major General Gordon Messenger, Strategic Communications Officer, UK MoD
* Brigadier Mark van der Lande, Head of Operational Communications, UK MoD
* Brigadier Iain Harrison, Branch Chief Joint Fires and Influence, HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, NATO
* Air Commodore Robert Judson, Head of Targeting and Information Operations, UK MoD
* Sarah Nagelmann, Strategic Communications Advisor to Commander US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO
* Major Simon Cote, Deputy Director PSYOPS, Information Activities Task Force, Canadian Forces

Download the full agenda and visit the IO Community Download Centre for free videos, podcast, articles, reports and presentations at:

www.info-opseurope.com

Simon Bergman (Retd Major British Army & Director, Information Options), Lt Col Saar Raveh and Colonel, Dr. Barak Ben-Tzur (Res, IDF) have designed and will be running the case study based workshop, “IO Planning Scenarios and War Games - Operating Theatre: Afghanistan”, in the lead-up to the event.

Meanwhile the two day conference will offer case studies from AFRICOM, ISAF and Afghanistan as well as the UK MoD perspective from Major General Gordon Messenger (Strategic Communications Officer) for you to benchmark your own influence activity and information campaigns against. This is in addition to a full roster of discussion on MoE, TTPs, doctrinal updates, NATO perspectives, Strategic Comms coordination Lessons Learned and the different use of various media channels.

Quote PsyWar.Org priority registration code: IGB_11591.044_PSY_DM for 10% discount!

For more details see: http://www.info-opseurope.com/Event.aspx?id=293652&utm_campaign=PsyWar&utm_medium=online&utm_source=PsyWarBanner&MAC=IGB_11591.004_PSY_WEB

Interesting articles from America in WWII magazine

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:45:18 MST

America in WWII magazine has a couple of nice items on their website.

The first is a couple of reproductions of comics from 1943 produced by the US Petroleum Administration for War in order to improve morale among refinery construction workers. They contain the usual propaganda type stories from Nazi spies, American heroes, damsels in distress, and even the Tuskegee Airmen.

Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer:

http://www.americainwwii.com/pdfs/comin-in-on-a-wing.pdf

Under-Cover War:

http://www.americainwwii.com/pdfs/undercover-war-comic.pdf

The second item is an article about the famous OSS psychological profile of Hitler. The text of the original report by Dr. Langer is also included.

http://www.americainwwii.com/articles/2009/getting-inside.html

8th Annual Information Operations Europe

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:03:44 MST

8th Annual Information Operations Europe
Delivering Effects through Influence Activity
June 22 - 24, 2009 - Le Meridien Piccadilly, London, UK

The IO Europe conference series is back for the 8th year...

The human terrain has proven hugely important in current conflicts and the capabilities required to influence an audience have seen major developments in recent years. The employment of private sector expertise and new media tools such as online social networking have opened up new opportunities for the IO community, yet the challenges of developing a coherent and culturally astute message remain. Messages must also be coordinated in an often complex, coalition environment and the issue of Measurement of Effect still represents a significant obstacle to progress.

The Information Operations Europe conference series, now in its 8th year, is specifically designed for military staff engaged in influence activities to share key Lessons Learned from ongoing information campaigns, new concepts and policy updates and to understand how techniques for MoE are developing. It is the best attended and most international meeting of its kind in the world.

Guest Speakers for IO Europe 2009 include:

* Major General David Morris, Commanding General, US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)
* Air Commodore Robert Judson, Director of Targeting and Information Operations, UK Ministry of Defence
* Mark Johnson SES, Executive Director, Joint Information Operations Warfare Command, US Strategic Command
* Mark Laity, Chief Strategic Communications and Special Advisor to SACEUR, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO
* James Glassman, former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy (Dec ’07 to Jan ’09), US State Department
* General Major Oleksandr LEVCHENKO, Head of Department of Defence Intelligence, Ukrainian MoD
* Colonel Glenn Connor, Chief IO Division, HQ US Africa Command
* Colonel Duncan Barley, Colonel Influence Activity, British Army
* Colonel Charles Eassa, Chief Information Operations Division, US European Command
* Colonel Dietger Lather, Commander, Psyops Centre, Bundeswehr
* Colonel David Haught, Director, US Army Information Proponent Office, Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, Combined Arms Centre, US Army
* General Major Vadym Kokorin (Ret’d), Professor of the Intelligence Faculty, National Defence Academy of Ukraine, former Chief Military Intelligence, HQ Soviet Forces in Afghanistan (1986-1988)
* Simon Bergman, Director, Information Options

Again this year PsyWar.Org is a proud media partner to the 2009 Information Operations Europe conference.
PsyWar.Org readers are eligible for a 10 percent discount by quoting the following reference number when registering for the event:

IGB_11591.003_PSYWAR

For more information visit the conference website here:

http://www.defenceiq.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=173906

Two Sad Losses

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:15:00 MST

The PsyWar Society has had two sad losses over the last month. At the beginning of January the co-founder and Honourable President of the PsyWar Society, Peter Robbs, died. He was 97-years-old and took a keen interest in the activities of the Society until the end. The last issue of Falling Leaf was the Society’s fiftieth anniversary edition and featured a tribute to both Peter Robbs and the late Reginald Auckland.

The second sad news came a few days ago when we learned of the untimely death of Hans Moonen, aged 48-years-old. Hans was a long-standing member of the PsyWar Society and was the first person to put a dedicated aerial propaganda leaflet website, (http://ww2propaganda.eu), online in 1996. Hans was a good friend, and a kind, generous leaflet researcher. He had a great knowledge of the subject and was always willing to share his latest research. We both shared a deep interest in "black" propaganda and I am thankful for the help he gave with my forthcoming book on the subject. Just sad that he will not be around to see the fruits of his help when the book is published.

RIP Pete and Hans.

Race as a Military Propaganda Theme

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:25:27 MST

How African-Americans have been exploited in enemy divide and conquer psychological warfare campaigns from World War I to Vietnam.

Propaganda and Espionage Philately

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:53:15 MST

Herb Friedman's massive Propaganda and Espionage Philately article has been updated again and includes new research regarding this Office of Strategic Services / Office of War Information black propaganda label featuring a parody of a Third Reich postage stamp.

Report of 6808th Allied Information Service Field Consolidation Team (Prov)

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:11:31 MST

A 45-page report on the work of the Third Psychological Warfare Consolidation Team of PWD/SHAEF in north-western France between August 23rd to October 8th, 1944.

Psychological Warfare PART I booklet - August 1944

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:40:52 MST

This 24-page booklet was produced by the Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas in August 1944 and details the use of tactical psychological warfare against the Japanese in the Pacific Theater.

Psychological Operations in Support of Operation Restore Hope

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:18:47 MST

Psychological operations were a key Battlefield Operating System used extensively to support Unified Task Force (UNITAF) Somalia operations. In order to maximise the PSYOP impact, a joint PSYOP Task Force (JPOTF) under the supervision of the Director of Operations was established, PSYOP was integrated into all plans and operations and limited the PSYOP focus to the operational and tactical levels.
Throughout the course of Operation Restore Hope, thirty-seven different leaflets and over a dozen handbills and posters were designed, printed and disseminated. Over seven million leaflets were dropped over central and southern Somalia.
One hundred sixteen different editions of the UNITAF newspaper RAJO, which means “Hope” in Somali, were published. As many as 25,000 copies were printed and distributed daily to every town and villages where UNITAF forces were deployed.
This booklet contains exemplars of those printed products. Each represents the collective efforts of members of the UNITAF JPOTF who provided PSYOP support to Operation Restore Hope.

Support Our Troops Bumper Stickers

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:13:58 MST

Show your support for our troops with PsyWar.Org’s new bumper stickers. Like our “V for Victory” ones, these are also large 10” x 3” vinyl stickers printed using water and UV resistant inks.
The profits from any sales will be donated to good causes who support our armed forces, that’s $2 from the sale of a single Support Our Troops sticker or $12 from the ten-pack.
Single stickers cost $5.49 each plus shipping and a ten-pack costs $38.99.

PSYOP against Milosevic's Yugoslavia by SGM Herbert A. Friedman (Ret.)

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:02:06 MST

The United States found itself involved in the nation once called Yugoslavia several times in the past decade. There was a violent disintegration of that country after the death of Joseph Broz (Tito) in 1980. In order to rule as dictator, Tito had divided the Serbian people, the largest ethnic group of Yugoslavia, into four "Socialist Federative Republics" and two Autonomous Regions. Some 42% of the Serbs were located outside Serbia Proper. This system worked only as long as Tito was able to rule with an iron hand.
In 1989, a new nationalist leader by the name of Slobodan Milosevic took power in the Serbian Republic. He had previously served as the leader of Belgrade Communist Party and the Serbian Communist Party. He wanted to dominate all of the old Yugoslavia, but when it became clear that he could not, he decided upon the ethnic cleansing of his country and the creation of a Greater Serbia. He abolished Kosovo's autonomy. Croats and Slovenes feared that they were next in line. There were daily news reports of murders, rapes, mass killings and other atrocities carried out by the Serbs as Milosevic drove the minorities from their lands and homes, "purifying" Serbia.
This article is not a history of the Balkan conflict as confined to the old Yugoslavia. It is a look at the PSYOP campaigns fought there in the past decade.

New PsyWar.Org V for Victory Bumper Sticker

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:32:48 MST

A new addition to PsyWar.Org’s range of merchandise is this large (10” x 3”) 4mil vinyl bumper sticker printed using water and UV resistant inks - means no fading in the sun or bleeding in the rain. They are available singly at $5.49 each or a ten pack for $38.99, plus shipping.

British Propaganda in Enemy Countries in the First World War

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:17:53 MST

The Times History and Encyclopaedia of the War: British Propaganda in Enemy Countries (WWI).

Originally published in 1919 by the Times, this booklet documents British propaganda work in the First World War. Topics covered include: Propaganda in war as theory and in operation, German activities, early British propaganda work, Wellington house, the Department of Information, the formation and scope of the Ministry of Information, Viscount Northcliffe becomes director of propaganda in enemy countries, operations against Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria, methods of distribution of literature, tributes to Lord Northcliffe’s work from Hindenburg, Ludendorff, and the German press.

PSYOP Leaflets of the Persian Gulf War - Iraq 1990/1991

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:12:21 MST

This book contains exemplars of leaflets designed, printed and disseminated in support of Coalition Forces during Operation DESERT STORM. According to numerous sources, including captured Iraqi soldiers, these leaflets were extremely effective in convincing the Iraqi soldiers to cease resistance. Each leaflet in this collection represents the collective efforts of members of the Psychological Operations (PSYOP) team that provided support to Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. The psychological preparation of the battlefield began in earnest in December [1990] and radio, leaflet and loudspeaker operations continued non-stop throughout the air and ground phases of the conflict. (18.7MB, PDF).

PSYOP Support to Operation Uphold Democracy - Haiti 1994

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:10:51 MST

This pamphlet, originally published by the 4th Psychological Operations Group, tells the story of “the crucial role which PSYOP played as a force multiplier in contributing to the success of Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY - an operation other than war.” It provides examples of the products generated by the Joint Psychological Operations Task Force (JPOTF) in Haiti following the US incursion to remove Haiti’s corrupt military regime. (6.1 MB, PDF)

New PsyWar T-shirts and merchandise available

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:35:04 MST

The PsyWar.Org online shop has been updated with new t-shirts reflecting the site's new look.

The brown t-shirt with the green "V" for Victory logo is rather fetching, price $23.99 + shipping. Also available in "military" green and black.

Site problems

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:54:03 MST

Apologies for the downtime PsyWar.Org is experiencing at the moment. The forum remains down for the time being. I'm still trouble shooting the problem but hope to return to normal service as soon as possible.

Update: as of 16:00 PST, the forum is back online and all seems to be working well. Sorry for the problems.

PSYOP article in Swindle magazine

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:05:36 MST

PsyWar.Org features in the latest edition of Swindle magazine, issue 18. In their own words, "Swindle is the definitive pop culture and lifestyle publication… More than just reporting on culture, Swindle influences it. We believe in the humanization and personalization of design, and present all our stories – luscious fashion spreads, artist profiles or social & political issues around the globe – with a cutting-edge aesthetic."

The article gives a history of the use of airdropped leaflets in psychological operations, is well illustrated and also includes a little background information about myself. It also includes an interview with Colonel Boyd, Commander of the 4th PSYOP Group, based at Fort Bragg.

PsyWar.Org New Design Active

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:22:30 MST

PsyWar.Org's new design is now live! Afacelift of the website was well overdue and hopefully the makeover has a more contemporary feel. The page coding has also been amended so that it conforms to the W3C XHTML standard. To be honest the previous site had a mishmash of conflicting HTML code, some of which was originally coded over ten year ago.

The new design has been tested on the latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (v.7), Firefox, Safari and Google’s new Chrome browser. All seems to be working well but if there are any glitches then please let me know. It is possible there might be minor issues (famous last words!?) with older browsers, particularly IE version 6. I’ll do my best to correct those as they are discovered but hey what are you doing still using IE 6? Get yourself Firefox! Some new developments are in the pipeline, especially in regard to database access for propaganda leaflet collectors. Perhaps we will have a couple of different user selectable themes as well, especially if the new look does not prove popular. Feedback is appreciated via the forum here:

https://www.psywar.org/forum/index.php/topic,358.msg726.html

PS Yes I know the forum is still using the old theme. I haven’t quite decided what to do with the forum just yet.

Cold War Propaganda Banknotes

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:05:49 MST

Herb Friedman shows us a wide selection of counterfeit banknotes used during the Cold War for psychological warfare and propaganda purposes.

Staff Officers Guide to Psychological Operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:28:48 MST

The latest addition to the PsyWar.Org archives is this 1962, Restricted British War Office psychological operations guidance booklet for officers, (PDF).

Help for Heroes - How you can help

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:44:54 MST

Captain Pete Norton GC will be making a free-fall parachute jump with the British Army's "Red Devils" parachute display team at Langer Airfield, nr Nottingham on 1st July 2008 to raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity. Help for Heroes provides practical direct support to those British servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his own words:

"In July 05 I was blown-up whilst working near Baghdad, losing my left arm, left leg and seriously damaging my remaining leg and buttocks. There followed 2 yrs in hospitals and rehabilitation before returning to 'normality'; I therefore know first hand just how important the work of Help for Heroes is."

Capt Norton GC is hoping to raise £7,500 (about $15,000 US) and can be sponsored through the JustGiving website here:
http://www.justgiving.com/peternorton

Voices from Heaven - PSYOP Voice aircraft broadcasting

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:38:34 MST

Thanks to Marie-Catherine & Paul Villatoux for allowing PsyWar.Org to publish their unique article documenting the history of "voice" loudspeaker aircraft used in psychological operations from WWII to the present day. It is thoroughly researched and well illustrated.

Psychological Operations Support for Operation Provide Comfort

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:03:39 MST

Near the end of the Gulf War (1991), the Kurdish population staged an unsuccessful uprising against the Iraqi Government of Saddam Hussein. After the Kurds attempt at freedom had been quelled, they fled to the mountainous region of the Turkish-Iraqi border because they feared an Iraqi military backlash. Due to their hasty evacuation, the Kurds were ill-prepared for the hardships that awaited them. They faced death from starvation, exposure, contaminated water and unexploded munitions remaining from the Gulf War. At the height of the crisis, the number of refugees rose to 750,000 with a death rate of 4 per 10,000 a day. Under the leadership of the United States, the United Nations and numerous allied countries and organizations joined together to end the human suffering. This is the story of the contribution which psychological operations, a proven force multiplier, made to that noble international endeavour. Published by the US 4th PSYOP Group. (PDF, 5.3Mb).

Aerial Propaganda Database Updates

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:43:09 MST

The Aerial Propaganda Database has been periodically updated as usual. Noteworthy additions today are several examples of PSYOP product used in Bosnia-Herzegovina including the famous Superman mine awareness comic.

PSYOP Photograph Library Update

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:17:56 MST

The Psychological Operations Photo Library has been updated with a number of images, especially from Iraq (see here) and Afghanistan (see here) including photographs from the 15 (UK) PSYOPS Group on operations (see here).

15 (UK) PSYOPS Group Annual Report 2007/2008

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:47:31 MST

The British 15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group has just published its first Annual Report which highlights its activities over the last year. The group has been heavy committed in Iraq and Afghanistan and has greatly increased its technical capabilities over the year. The report can be downloaded here.

Propaganda and Espionage Philately Update

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:27:04 MST

Herb Friedman's incredible Propaganda and Espionage Philately article has been updated again with more examples of forged postage stamps used for propaganda purposes in both the First World War and Second World War. This is a must read for PSYOP researchers, leaflet collectors and philatelists alike.

Information Operations Europe 2008, June 24 - 26, 2008

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:44:47 MST

Announcing this year's Defence IQ's, Information Operations Europe conference, to be held between June 24-26, 2008 at Le Meridien Piccadilly, London, UK.

Europe's premier conference for the Psychological Operations, Influence and Strategic Communications community…

In 2008 several significant challenges face the Information Operations community. At the strategic level, it has become increasingly necessary for senior staff to coordinate information strategies across governments and across coalitions, requiring structural reorganisations and changes in mindset. At the tactical and operational levels, the techniques for delivering messages and penetrating different cultures remains troublesome and question marks still exist around the issue of Measurement of Effect of influence activities.

Now in its 7th year, Information Operations Europe 2008 is specifically designed to provide the Strategic Communications, Influence and Psychological Operations communities with an opportunity to share expertise, strategies and Lessons Learned from recent activities. Taking place at Le Meridien Piccadilly in London on the 25th and 26th June 2008, the guest speakers and audience will discuss the most important topics of today:

• Information Operations Case Studies and Lessons Learned: Insight into information campaigns and message delivery techniques in Lebanon, Chad, Afghanistan and Iraq
• Measurement of Effectiveness (MoE) for Influence Activity: The latest techniques employed in theatre for evaluating the success of information campaigns, including briefings from the Bundeswehr Zentrum of Operational Information's (ZOpInfo) Focus Group from Northern Regional Command in ISAF and the findings from NATO’s Task Group for MoE of Psychological Operations
• Coordinating an Information Strategy across Different Departments and Nations: Strategic level perspectives from senior officers of UK MoD and US DoD and the current initiatives at USSTRACOM Joint Information Operations Warfare Command to coordinate information campaigns across a coalition
• Policy Updates: From the US, UK, France and NATO

For more details about the conference, how to register and to download the event brochure, visit Defence IQ's website here:
http://www.defenceiq.com/UK/io2008/psywar

-- PsyWar.Org visitors can receive a 10% discount by quoting 'IGB_12201.002_PSYWAR' when registering --

Military Intelligence conference update

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:07:43 MST

For those interested in the Defence IQ, Military Intelligence conference being held on April 28 - 29, 2008 at The Cafe Royal, London, UK, the agenda of the conference can now be downloaded here:
http://www.iqpcevents.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=82436&details=94368

For further information on the conference or to register, then please contact Alan Smith, Military Intelligence Director, tel +44 207 368 9379.

There’s an Early Bird Discount, register before Friday, 14th March 2008 and receive up to £200 off!

Military Intelligence Conference: 28th April - 29th April 2008 - Cafe Royal, London

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:30:54 MST

Announcing Defence IQ’s Military Intelligence Conference.

Military Intelligence is at the forefront of operations as never before and is now every warfighter’s business.

Is your organisation prepared to absorb the latest thinking and lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan?

Contemporary Counter-Insurgency Operations have arguably transformed Military Intelligence (MI) into a distinct line of operations. However, the perspectives and input of the manoeuvre forces and combat units is crucial to realising timely, accurate and actionable intelligence.

This is why Defence IQ’s two day "Military Intelligence" conference will bring together a mix of both J2 and J3 personnel, represented as both speakers and delegates to ensure that:

You hear expert presentations from a cross-section of operators and decision-makers

-This will allow you to form a coherent and balanced opinion of the community’s latest thinking and take home the insights most applicable to your orqanisation’s challenges.

Your networking delivers valuable and representative insights

-This will help you build the contacts you need and develop relationships to enhance your wider knowledge.

Brigadier General Richard Lake, Director of Intelligence, HQ US Marine Corps will brief the conference as a Keynote Speaker: you can view the topics to be addressed in his brief on the website here:
http://www.defenceiq.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=82436

Time Critical Discount: Act Now: Save up to £200
Register before Friday 14th March to take advantage of your priority booking offer.

The Aerial Distribution of Propaganda to the Enemy

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:00:49 MST

A report by Captain P. Chalmers Mitchell, M.I.7b(4), 23rd February 1918, describing methods of aerial propaganda leaflet dissemination, including details of the experimental "Fire Balloon", effects of propaganda and German counter-propaganda.

World War I Aerial Propaganda Leaflets Distribution Methods

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:34:58 MST

Today's update includes a report by Captain P. Chalmers Mitchell, of MI7(b)4, dated 12th March 1918, summarising the current methods of distributing aerial propaganda leaflets over the German front line in World War I. The report looks at dissemination by aircraft, balloons, kites and rockets.

Psychological Warfare Branch - Bari

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:07:05 MST

The latest addition to the PsyWar.Org archives is an official report on the activities of the Political Warfare Executive Sub-Mission Bari – later known as the Psychological Warfare Branch, Bari – from its formation in January, 1944 up to mid-October, 1944.

Nachrichten fuer die Truppe Translation Project

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 15:48:51 MST

German translations – Volunteers required!

PsyWar.Org is looking for recruits to help translate into English the WWII Anglo-American propaganda newspaper Nachrichten für die Truppe.

Nachrichten was the brainchild of Sefton Delmer, Britain’s famous WWII master black-propagandist. The newspaper was put together daily by a joint team of British and American journalists and air-dropped onto German troops on the Western front by a dedicated squadron of the US Eighth Air Force.

Nachrichten contained a combination of factual news intermixed with subversive propaganda. The front page accurately reported the war situation on all fronts, usually before German troops received the news from their own sources. It was the first newspaper to report the D-day invasion. The inside pages generally dealt with the situation on the home front. The corruption of the Nazi bosses (Bonzen) was highlighted, how they avoided military service, live in luxury outside the cities, safely away from the bombing, received extra "diplomatic" food rations and basically profiteered from the war. Meanwhile soldiers’ wives are shown to be in peril through over work in munition factories, dodging the air raids, and suffering with poor diet and diseases coming from the east. Nachrichten also had a page 3 pin-up girl and even gave details of German army promotions and awards.

During the war, the majority of Allied propaganda leaflets were translated into English. PsyWar.Org is slowly digitising these translations and making them available in our online database of PSYOP product. The database has information and illustrations of propaganda material from the First World War up to the present with examples of product from Iraq, Afghanistan and the recent Israeli-Lebanon war. [See here]

Examples of Nachrichten [here]

What you can do to help.

Unfortunately English translations of Nachrichten für die Truppe were not produced at the time and have not been since. PsyWar.Org is looking for volunteers with English/German language skills to help translate this important piece of psychological warfare and WWII history.

Nachrichten was produced almost daily from 25 April 1944 until the last day of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945; that’s nearly 350 separate issues. PsyWar.Org wants to put together a team of volunteers to work on English translations of individual issues. Ideally a volunteer will want to help until the project is completed, perhaps being able to translate a complete issue once a month or fortnight. But if you can translate one issue or just a page, every little helps.

You, of course, will be credited for all the work you undertake or if you prefer you can remain anonymous or use a pseudonym.

If you wish to help please email me.

Leaflet Drops in America's Conflicts, 1917-2007 by Jared Tracy

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:25:47 MST

Aerial leaflet drops on enemies, neutrals, and civilian populations is an afterthought in American airpower historiography. Airpower historians have traditionally preferred topics such as strategic bombing, tactical ground support, airpower's place in national strategic planning, and the like. But since the introduction of the airplane into combat operations in the early twentieth-century, American civilian and military officials have ordered leaflets to be dropped with bombs. Historians have not sufficiently explored the topic of leaflet drops conducted independently of or in conjunction with actual combat operations. Therefore, because comprehensive studies of leaflet drops are scarce, an historical overview of the topic will add an important dimension to the study of the projection of American airpower in its conflicts... <read more>

Obituary - Edmund F. Lindner

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:13:51 MST

Ed Lindner (OSS Code name Eddie Zinder) passed away on Saturday, 24 November 2007 at the age of 89. During WWII Ed was part of the Morale Operations Company of the 2677th OSS Regiment in Italy. As such, he helped plan and organize Operation Sauerkraut, a campaign to use volunteer German prisoners-of-war to bring American propaganda behind enemy lines. <read more>

11:00 hrs, 11/11, Their name liveth for evermore...

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:14:16 MST

We wear a poppy
On Remembrance Day,
And at eleven
We stand and pray.
Wreaths are put
Upon a grave.
As we remember
Our soldiers brave.

The Psychological Warfare Section, Federation of Malaya

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:45:35 MST

An official British Government report on the organisation of the Psychological Warfare Section, the Federation of Malaya, in 1957. The PsyWar Section was responsible for the production of Anti-Communist Terrorist air-dropped leaflets and for the writing of surrender appeals and other messages for broadcast by Royal Air Force “Voice” aircraft over the Malayan jungle.

Black Propaganda - Operation Periwig

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:05:02 MST

Early in World War II Britain’s secret services soon concluded that it would be impossible to organise an anti-Nazi resistance within Germany itself. As they could not create a genuine resistance organisation they decided to fabricate one by using black propaganda, fake signals traffic, dropping supplies to non-existent reception committees and persuading a few hapless German Prisoners of War to be parachuted into the heart of the Third Reich. Perhaps the German authorities could be panicked into believing they were in mortal danger of being overthrown by their own people or at least encourage a few anti-Nazi Germans to take up arms against their Nazi bosses. This is the story of Operation Periwig.

Book Review - Propaganda and Information Warfare in the Twenty-First Century

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:54:07 MST

Propaganda and Information Warfare in the Twenty-First Century: Altered Images and deception operations by Scot Macdonald, Routledge, 2007, ISBN: 0415771455
The old saying "the camera never lies" has always been far from the truth. As soon as photography was invented there soon followed the falsifying or manipulation of the photographic image. Famous historic examples include Sir Conan Doyle’s fairies at the bottom of the garden and the staged pictures of the fabled Loch Ness monster. Perhaps these deceptions were fairly harmless and amusing. However, in wartime photographic forgeries are concocted for potentially much more sinister reasons...

NATO-led Information Operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, December 1995-1997

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:44:43 MST

"With each day that passes drawing us further down the path from the Industrial to the Information Age, many officers are convinced that victory is no longer determined on the ground, but in media reporting. This is even more true in peace support operations (PSO) where the goal is not to conquer territory or defeat an enemy but to persuade parties in conflict (as well as the local populations) into a favored course of action. This monograph examines the role of information in PSO and its impact on command and control through the prism of NATO-led operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina from December 1995 into 1997."

Support the families of our wounded servicemen and servicewomen

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:27:36 MST

If any British readers wish to help the families of wounded soldiers at Headly Court then please sign this Downing Street petition:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Headley

Find out more at http://www.36grayslane.co.uk/

Aerial Proapganda Leaflets for sale

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 05 May 2007 15:08:39 MST

PsyWar.Org has listed several WWII aerial propaganda leaflets on eBay. Including a couple of PWD/SHAEF leaflets for Germany and a chilling German leaflet dropped on Allied troops approaching the Rhine river in February 1945.

Also for sale is a sheet of counterfeit German food ration coupons forged by Ellic Howe for the Administrative Sabotage campaign conducted by the German sections of the Special Operations Executive and Political Warfare Executive. It's an unique part of the black propaganda war.

Click here

OSS Black Propaganda in 'America in WWII' Magazine

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 03 May 2007 22:35:24 MST

The April 2007 edition of America in WWII magazine features a nice article on the US Office of Strategic Services. The article is illustrated with colour photographs of several Morale Operations subversive stickers used in Operation Sauerkraut and also of the ugly Liberator pistol intended for use in Operation Braddock.

Fighting the War of Ideas like a Real War

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 01 May 2007 19:24:34 MST

Just released by the Institute of World Politics, Fighting the War of Ideas like a Real War is a 147-page monograph calling for a political and psychological attack strategy against terrorists and extremists. It is an innovative re-examination of how the US and its allies should fight the battle of ideas. This book focuses on message strategies that the US should pursue for the immediate term to win the war against Islamist extremism. The author is a professor at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC, who directs a graduate program on public diplomacy and political warfare. His students include officials from the Defense Department, State Department, CIA, FBI, DIA, and other agencies.

A printed version can be purchased here:
http://www.lulu.com/content/667139

PSYOP Photograph Library Update

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 19:02:42 MST

The PsyWar.Org photograph library has been updated with a selection of new photos related to psychological warfare and aerial propaganda leaflet dropping, including this sequence of pictures relating to the Korean War.

New Book - The Psychological Warfare Division

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:22:20 MST

PsyWar.Org has just reproduced the official history of the Psychological Warfare Division of Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force. It gives an account of PWD/SHAEF's operations in the Western European campaign, 1944-1945. The original book was printed by the U.S. Army in 1945 and given a very small distribution. Original examples are very scarce so we thought it would be a worthwhile project to produce a reprint.

It has 284 pages with 13 photographs plus 24 other illustrations showing aerial propaganda leaflets, organisation tables and graphs. The contents cover the following subjects:

The nature of Psychological Warfare; the Plans and Directives Section; Operation of PWD Intelligence; Radio; Leaflets; Special Operations (black & grey); Allied Information Service; Publications and Display; Press; Cinema; Pictorial Section; Displaced Persons, Control of German Information Services, Status of Control of German Information Services in the American Zone.

The Appendices include the PWD charter; Voice of SHAEF radio scripts; Radio Engineering Report; Final Report on Leaflet Operations; Manual for Control of German Information Services; PWD organizational charts.

It should be of interest to PSYOP and Civil Affairs staff alike. The text maybe over 60 years old but there is still much useful information that can be applied today and is, of course, an essential reference text for those wanting to study Allied psychological warfare in WWII.

Our reprint is soft bound, like the original, letter size, and costs $26.99 plus shipping.

It can be ordered using a credit card or PayPal directly from this link:

http://www.lulu.com/content/765215

25th Anniversary of the Falkland Islands War

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:33:00 MST

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands on 2nd April 1982. For more details of psychological warfare used during the campaign see our article here.

Rhodesia PSYOP 1965-1980

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:15:57 MST

In December 1962 the Rhodesian Front party was elected to power in the British African colony of Southern Rhodesia. The party was committed to the concept of white supremacy without the involvement of the United Kingdom that was seen as particularly liberal with the election of a Labour Party Government in 1964. The leader of the Rhodesian Front, Ian Douglas Smith, was elected Prime Minister on 14 April 1964. On Armistice Day, 11 November 1965, Southern Rhodesia declared its independence. The Unilateral Declaration of Independence was internationally condemned, and at the behest of Britain, Rhodesia was placed under a United Nations Security Council sanction beginning in 1965 and lasting until the restoration of British rule in December 1979. Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith believed that his Rhodesian Front Party could hold power by force for the white minority group it represented. It wasn’t to be and fifteen years later on 18 April 1980, Zimbabwe emerged as an independent country under majority rule with international recognition.
This article documents psychological operations directed against the black population of Rhodesia by the Smith government during their control of the country between 1965 until 1980.

PSYOP in Aden

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:32:53 MST

The Aden Emergency was an insurgency against British crown forces in what is now the Yemen. It lasted from 10 December 1963 when a "State of Emergency" was declared until 30 November 1967 when British forces left. The emergency began when members of the National Liberation Front (NLF) carried out a grenade attack against the British High Commission which killed one person and injured fifty.

In this new article Herb Friedman analyses British psychological operations against the nationalist dissidents in Aden during the Emergency.

International Institute for Strategic Studies criticises U.S. and NATO PsyWar

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:25:44 MST

LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The United States and its allies must pay more attention to 'psychological warfare' as they battle insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, an influential think-tank said on Wednesday.

"Insurgents and jihadists have proved adept at conducting successful information campaigns that reach a global audience and foment violence elsewhere," the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said.

"But Western militaries have shown insufficient capability in their own attempts to carry out information and psychological operations, its annual report, "The Military Balance", said.

Nato reveals dark arts of psy-ops

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:35:32 MST

It's unusual for British PSYOP to comment on what they are up to but some light is shed on their work in Afghanistan in today's Times newspaper:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2559543,00.html

Sir Stafford Cripps and the German Admiral's Orgy

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 23:44:01 MST

Sir Stafford Cripps' outrage at the pornographic nature of the clandestine black radio station Gustav Siegfried Eins (GS1) is well known. All the major histories dealing with British psychological warfare throughout the Second World War make mention of Cripps complaint to the Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden, concerning one of the station's more disreputable broadcasts. None of the previous histories, however, tell the full story as until very recently Cripps' correspondence with the Foreign Secretary has remained secret. Following a Freedom of Information request by PsyWar.Org to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, over sixty years later, this correspondence has now finally been released for public scrutiny.

PSYOP Propaganda Shop New Products

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:32:47 MST

We’ve updated the online PSYOP propaganda shop with some new merchandise. One new mug and fridge magnet uses a reproduction of the WWII German propaganda leaflets, “Tough going Soldier?” which encourages Allied soldiers to fake dysentery by taking laxatives, thereby escaping their duties. Another mug features the famous LIFE/DEATH propaganda leaflet. More products will be coming in the future...

Israeli-Lebanon War Psychological Operations

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:55:43 MST

We have just completed a major update to the PSYOP during the Israeli-Lebanon War 2006 article which includes English translations of all known aerial propaganda leaflets dropped by the Israeli Defense Force over Lebanon and other fascinating details of psychological operations conducted during this brief conflict.

Information Assurance for Defence Conference 2007

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 22:46:06 MST

Europe’s Ground-Breaking Event on Securing Military Data and Communications
February 27-March 1, 2007 - One Whitehall Place, London, UK

How interesting is your military data and communications to insurgents? What could they do with that information?

An ever increasing number of key military leaders understand that new means of Information Assurance (IA) are critical to winning current missions, be it at home or abroad, dealing with everyday data and communications, or conducting unique operations with multiple new partners.
In order to act on information quickly, data and communications must be trusted. It can’t be trusted without proper IA technologies and processes in place.
Critical information must be kept hidden from technically savvy insurgents, from the warehouse data to the radio communications on the battlefield.
Recently, new processes have been proposed to make the sharing of information more secure, be it within a nation’s government or among allied groups. Meanwhile, technological solutions remain dynamic to keep up with ever advancing information systems, at our desks and on our multiple mobile networks.

More information on this unique conference is available here.

1100hrs. 11th November

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 11:00:00 MST

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Remembrance Day and the Two Minute Silence have been observed since the end of the First World War, but their relevance remains undiminished. When we bow our heads in reflection, we remember those who fought for our freedom during the two World Wars. But we also mourn and honour those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts. Today, with troops on duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots around the world, Remembrance, and this two minute tribute, are as important as ever.

A few aerial propaganda leaflets for sale

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 08:10:49 MST

I've posted a few aerial propaganda leaflets on eBay, including forged SOE/PWE German ration coupons and a graphic, creepy German leaflet dropped on Allied soldiers in western Europe in 1945. See them and bid on them here.

News as a Weapon

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:58:32 MST

Today's new article, News as a Weapon, documents the air-dropped leaflet newspapers Frontpost and Feldpost produced by the Twelfth United States Army Group, in Western Europe after D-day. It is taken from the official 12th US Army Group history Publicity and Psychological Warfare, 1943-1945.

Origin of PSYOP Terminology

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 14:29:29 MST

Here is a brief article on the origins of the terms "PSYOP", "PsyWar", and "Political Warfare" written by the esteemed psychological warfare historian William E. Daugherty.

Psychological Operations during the Israel-Lebanon War 2006

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 09:06:37 MST

PsyWar.Org have been charting PSYOP during the short Israel - Lebanon conflict in our online forum. For now the fighting appears to be mainly over which seems a prudent time to collate the information we have into an article. Thanks to Herb Friedman for putting this together. We will update it as more information comes in and better illustrations are found.

Carlos Latuff's take on Israeli PSYOP

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 22:38:44 MST

Controversial Brazilian political cartoonist Carlos Latuff has recently produced this artwork reflecting his take on Israeli leaflet drops over Lebanon which warned civilians to evacuate areas about to be bombed. More of Latuff's webaganda (as I call it) and my opinion on his work can be read here.

New site features

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 07:28:45 MST

The home page of PsyWar.Org now has a left column with a few extra features including a search facility, interactive poll and, my personal favourite, a random aerial propaganda leaflet generator. More features are in the pipeline, for instance, readers being able to rate and leave comments about individual articles and improvements to the "My Propaganda Collection" feature.

Site design update

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 21:36:18 MST

Some of our more eagle-eyed visitors will have noticed a subtle modification in the design of PsyWar.Org. Just wanted to freshen it up a little, improve compatibility between different browsers, and to make the page coding more compact.

Please post a message in the forum if you encounter any problems with the new look or have any suggestions for improvements to the website.

Aerial Propaganda Leaflet Database & Philately updates

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:29:38 MST

Thanks to Li Feng Kuah and his research at the Malaysian National Archives more Malayan Emergency propaganda leaflets have been added to the Aerial Propaganda Leaflet Database.

Herb has also updated his article Propaganda and Espionage Philately including illustrations of the American WWII Office of Strategic Services (OSS) forged Hitler postage stamps and the infamous Hitler Skull Futsches Reich stamp plus more information on the British PWE fake Himmler stamp and the Witzleben parody.

PsyWar.Org merchandise now available!

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 23:16:55 MST

During World War 2 the BBC broadcast the "V for Victory" propaganda campaign to the occupied countries of Europe. Resistance fighters were encouraged to chalk-up the letter "V" or its Morse code equivalent "dot-dot-dot-dash" to show their belief in ultimate victory over Nazi tyranny. Boast your morale with these PsyWar.Org "V for Victory" t-shirts and mugs. All profits go to support this website.

I'm Covered in Leaflets! The secrets of airborne propaganda distribution

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:43:47 MST

Daniel Engber of SLATE magazine has written a short but informative article about the development of propaganda leaflet dissemination.

Israeli leaflet drops in Lebanon and Gaza

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 21:44:07 MST

PsyWar.Org is keeping up with IDF PSYOP and leaflet drops in both Lebanon and Gaza in our online forum.

PsyWar.Org featured in 'America in WWII' Magazine

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 16:45:05 MST

The latest edition of America in WWII magazine, August 2006, features a colourfully illustrated article about German aerial propaganda leaflets dropped on American troops in Italy during the Second World War.

Some of the leaflets were supplied by PsyWar.Org. The magazine is available from Borders Book Store and other magazine vendors.

Propaganda - A Weapon of War

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 10:21:54 MST

Propaganda - A Weapon of War is a small snapshot of Second World War propaganda that can be found in the National Library of Scotland collections.

Between 1939 and 1945, both Allied and Axis Governments greatly influenced wartime behaviour and attitudes through propaganda. This took various forms: the printed word and pictorial leaflets, radio broadcasts and cinema and poster campaigns.

On this website you will find examples of British Government propaganda, from Make do and Mend to Tag und Nacht.

New Book: Illness Saves by Dr. Do Good

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 31 May 2006 09:35:09 MST

In 1942 the "black" propaganda section of the British Political Warfare Executive (PWE) produced the first in a range of disguised booklets designed to assist would be malingerering German soldiers and munitions workers to fake illness to avoid military service or compulsory factory work. The most famous version was called Krankheit rettet - "Illness Saves by Doctor Do Good".

The booklet informed its reader how to simulate a multitude of illnesses and diseases from a simple throat infection to life-threatening tuberculosis.

Now for the first time the complete malingering text including contemporary illustrations and a foreword by PsyWar historian Lee Richards is available in English. This is a fascinating part of the clandestine propaganda war between Germany and Great Britain in World War II. It has been translated and reproduced for readers and historians interested in psychological warfare but the advice contained within should not be tried out for real!

92 pages, 21 illustrations, paperback, price: $12.99

More Malayan Emergency PsyWar

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 19 May 2006 16:30:57 MST

The Aerial Leaflet Database has been undated with more Malayan Emergency aerial propaganda leaflets. Additionally an official memorandum written in 1955 by the Head, Psychological Warfare Section, Major R.J. Isaac, has been added to the site that outlines psychological warfare techniques used during the Emergency up until that time.

Propaganda and Espionage Philately

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 08 May 2006 09:00:08 MST

Herb Friedman has been researching and writing about propaganda and espionage philately for five decades. He now gives an overview of this fascinating and complex subject in this internet article. It is colourfully illustrated with some of the rarer and more interesting propaganda and forged postage stamps produced by all sides throughout World War II.

Whispers of War: The British World War II rumour campaign

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 23:03:13 MST

The humiliating defeat of the British Expeditionary Force in France in the summer of 1940 was perhaps Britains darkest hour of the Second World War. But the defeat was quickly and successfully spun into a heroic retreat after the miraculous evacuation of the greater part of the BEF from the beaches of Dunkirk. Britain was now fighting alone and facing a Nazi invasion. The new government under Churchills inspiring and resolute leadership brought fresh impetus and resolve to fight to the bitter end.

Black propaganda rumour-mongering was employed to help defeat the Third Reich and a special Underground Propaganda Committee was established for the task. This is the story of the UPC and the rumours (sibs) they spread across the world during World War II.

Information-era Manoeuvre: The Australian-led Mission to East Timor

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 14:37:17 MST

Little has been published about Information Warfare and PSYOP in East Timor in 1999. This report by John Blaxland serves as a good introduction.

Review of Psychological Operations Lessons Learned from Recent Operational Experience

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:40:16 MST

This is an enlightening report by Christopher J. Lamb published by the National Defense University Press looking at recent U.S. PSYOP activities in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Information Operations Europe 2006 Conference, London

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 10:24:07 MST

Information Operations Europe 2006 is a global event unlike any other. It focuses on the practical and strategic operation of influence. Other events may touch on this, but it isnt their focus. The conference will run June 28 - 30, 2006. Undoubtedly it will be of interest to PSYOP specialists and professionals.

Psychological Warfare of the Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 19:14:34 MST

SGM Herb Friedman (Ret) has kindly written an article about the use of PSYOP during the Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960, when the ethnic Chinese Communist insurgency was successfully defeated by the British Colonial authorities. Very little has been published on this subject and is an important addition to PsyWar.Org. The article is lavishly illustrated with a great variety of aerial propaganda leaflets dropped throughout the Emergency and fascinating photographs from the period.

British Psychological Warfare during the Malayan Emergency

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 13:45:20 MST

Thanks to Baz Ford, a Malayan Emergency veteran, for supplying scans of several British propaganda leaflets dropped during the Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960. Baz picked these up during his military service there in 1957/58. If any readers can supply any further information about psychological warfare in Malaya or can help with English translations of Chinese or Malay then please contact the editor.

A contemporary magazine article titled Stop Press of the Jungle by Flight Lieutenant H. G. Haines, O.C. Voice Flight Detachment, No. 52 Squadron, RAF, about the use of "Voice" aircraft broadcasting propaganda messages to Communist terrorists hiding out in the Malayan jungles, has also been added to the articles section of PsyWar.Org.

Propaganda leaflet drop video over Mosul, Iraq

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 07:34:41 MST

This is a great video of an actual US PSYOP leaflet drop over Mosul, Iraq on the night of January 28th, 2005. The leaflets were disseminated over market areas of the city and gave details of local polling stations for the January 30th election. (The video is around 4 Mb)

Functions of the 5th Army Combat Propaganda Team Report

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 07:09:18 MST

Added a 1944 official report on the work of the 5th US Army Combat Propaganda Team, part of the Psychological Warfare Branch (PWB/AFHQ), in Italy during World War II. The report covers propaganda leaflet design, printing, and firing by artillery shell. As well as describing their own work, the report covers Nazi propaganda leaflets dropped over the front lines in the 5th US Army sector and reactions of Enemy Prisoners of War (EPW) to Allied aerial leaflets.

Summarised History of the PWB/AFHQ Propaganda Leaflet Section in Italy

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 07:46:30 MST

The latest addition to PsyWar.Org includes this short summary of the operational history of PWB Unit No 14 by Captain Leroy B. Block, Chief of the Leaflet Section.

PSYOP of the Mau-Mau Uprising

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 16:40:24 MST

The so-called Mau Mau Uprising was a brutal episode in Kenya's history. Throughout most of the 1950's Mau Mau gangs, formed predominately from members of the Kikuyu tribe, waged an insurgency against the British colonial Government seeking independence and the return of their traditional homeland. Most of the Mau Mau gangs' violence was directed towards fellow Kikuyu who were loyal to the British and towards a smaller number of white settlers. The Government responded with extreme force and innovative counter-insurgency techniques to crush the uprising. Psychological warfare played a part in putting down the Mau Mau and cleansing them of the Blood Oath. Herb Friedman reveals more of the story here.

Propaganda Leaflet Database New Features

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 11:50:06 MST

Now you can catalogue your propaganda leaflet collection online! When viewing details about one of the leaflets in the database, registered users can mark this leaflet as being in their collection or as one which is wanted. Additional notes can also be added.In the near future this user interaction with the propaganda leaflet database will be extended. For example by giving users the option to to make their leaflet wants public to other PsyWar.Org users.To use these new facilities it is necessary to be a registered member. Registration is free and also gives you access to post in the online psywar forum.

Aerial Propaganda Database Updated

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:25:00 MST

More updates to the propaganda leaflet database, including these World War II Allied leaflets for Italian troops and civilians.

A few leaflets for French civilians have been included too.

Propaganda leaflet sales forum

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:09:43 MST

A propaganda leaflet sales forum has been added to the site today. Any registered member can post leaflets for sale here. I have started the ball rolling by listing several leaflets.

New PsyWar / PSYOP Discussion Forums

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 20:26:15 MST

We've added a number of psychological warfare / psychological operations discussion forums to the website.

There are specific boards for propaganda leaflet collecting, radio & broadcast psyops, press propaganda, and black propaganda. One forum is intended for presently serving and former psywarriors from the global military community.

For debate about News & Current Affairs and for more light-hearted and humorous chat stop-by the forums in the General category.

The old guest book has been integrated into the new forum system and does not require registration to add a comment about PsyWar.Org

Future mail-outs will only be emailed to registered forum members.

Help to Support PsyWar.Org!

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 06:05:10 MST

It is with regret that I have added advertising to PsyWar.Org. I hope it is not too intrusive but unfortunately as the website gets more popular and extra content added, the hosting costs increase. I have tried other ways of generating a little income to offset the costs of running the site but to no avail. So if you have found your visit to PsyWar.Org interesting and informative why not help to keep the site running by visiting one of our Google ad sponsors?

US military planting favourable stories about Iraq in the Baghdad press

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 04:51:51 MST

The BBC reports: "The White House has expressed concern over reports that the US military is planting favourable stories about Iraq in the Baghdad press..." See the full story here

Not that this is anything new. The British Special Operations Executive's (SOE) department D/Q was pioneering this form of black propaganda during the Second World War. The department, staffed by former journalists, conducted "secret journalism" and planted favourable stories in the world's press. Generally using friendly newspaper editors but also used bribery to get pro-Allied stories in print and to spread rumours (Sibs). Department D/Q also set-up there own News Agencies that continued after the end of WWII. One rumour that was successfully spread and reproduced on the front pages of newspapers in New York, London, and Sweden, was that Ernst Udet, Germany's WWI fighter ace and the Nazi's Luftwaffe Chief of Armaments Procurement, had committed suicide. To quash this rumour, the next day Goebbels arranged for foreign correspondents to interview Udet, to prove he was very much alive. Several months later, Udet by all accounts really did take his own life.

US: The Booming Business for Psy/Ops

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 12:39:37 MST

Here's an interesting article from CorpWatch.org by Jason Vest - "No one is sure how well psychological operations have worked in Afghanistan or Iraq, but that's not stopping efforts to step them up, using contractors to do it."

War Cabinet Memoranda - Publicity in Enemy Countries

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 10:15:25 MST

Reproduced are a number of British Government War Cabinet memoranda reporting on psychological warfare to Germany between 1939-1940. Most were written by Sir Campbell Stuart, head of Department EH. They discuss the effects of the dropping of propaganda leaflets on Germany, relations with France and with the Press, and other aspects of the propaganda war.

The Meaning, Techniques and Methods of Political Warfare

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 05 Nov 2005 17:36:53 MST

In late 1942 the British Government's secret Political Warfare Executive (PWE) compiled a short manual titled, The Meaning, Techniques and Methods of Political Warfare which defined fundamental concepts relating to psychological warfare.Two versions were produced, a confidential version and a longer secret version. The secret manual, reproduced here, additionally discussed clandestine broadcasting, printed black propaganda and rumours, and propaganda aimed at re-educating enemy Prisoners of War. Only around one hundred copies of each of the versions were distributed to select government and military personnel.The definitions may have changed and other forms of media are now available to the modern Psywarrior but the concepts in this manual are as relevant today as they were during the Second World War.

Improved Search Facility

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 20:25:25 MST

An improved and more versatile search facility has been added to the aerial propaganda leaflet database. Leaflets can be searched by war, language, production organisation, between number of years and whether a picture and/or English translation is available for each particular leaflet.

US PSYOP posters and handouts in Iraq

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 21:10:00 MST

PsyWar.Org brings you a large update of posters and handouts currently being disseminated in Iraq by US PSYOP and Civil Affairs.

German WWII Subversive Propaganda

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 06:16:09 MST

The British National Archives have today released three volumes from the MI5 (Security Service) archives containing examples of Second World War German subversive propaganda leaflets directed towards Britain. One example is the famous spoof Evening Standard newspaper and other examples of German "black" propaganda.

Black Propaganda - Operation Braddock

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 28 Aug 2005 17:28:09 MST

Operation Braddock was ordered by Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1942 after reading John Stienbeck's latest novel, The Moon is Down. The British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and Political Warfare Executive (PWE) formulated a plan to supply the population of the Occupied Countries with concealable sabotage devices including the famous Liberator pistol and special incendiary packets.

Falkland Islands War PSYOP - A new article by Herbert A. Friedman

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 18:16:09 MST

"The Falkland Islands are approximately 8000 miles from Britain and the only major island group in the South Atlantic, about 300 miles east of Argentina and the continent of South America in the Strait of Magellan. There are two main islands, West and East Falkland and more than 100 smaller ones. The Buenos Aires government, which had declared its independence from Spain in 1816, claimed sovereignty over the Falklands. Britain began settling the islands and declared a colonial administration in 1842. Argentina never recognized the claim and historically has demanded that the islands be part of that nation..." In 1982 the Argentine military occupied the islands thus provoking war with Britain. Herb writes a detailed account of the small-scale British PSYOP campaign conduct during the short campaign.

Falkland Islands War Propaganda Leaflets

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 15:46:09 MST

The aerial propaganda leaflet database has been updated illustrating all the British propaganda leaflets produced during the 1982 Falkland Islands war with Argentina.

Aerial Propaganda Leaflet Database Update

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 15:46:09 MST

More leaflets to the aerial propaganda leaflet database.

Lord Haw-Haw by Sefton Delmer

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 07:39:39 MST

www.seftondelmer.co.uk has added an interesting article written by Sefton Delmer about the British Fascist William Joyce, aka Lord Haw-Haw. He was the voice on German radio broadcasts beamed at Britain and also a scriptwriter for the three German clandestine radio stations New British Broadcasting Service, Workers Challenge, and Radio Caledonia. In Delmer's opinion the German propagandists were unprepared for a black psychological warfare campaign against Britain and were too bullying and not subtle enough to be effective.

UK Information Operations in Iraq

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 03 Jul 2005 08:17:26 MST

With the permission of the UK Parliament, PsyWar.Org reproduces the chapter regarding Information Operations (InfoOps) from the House of Commons Defence Committee Report on Lessons of Iraq.

PsyWar.Org now has an RSS news feed!!

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 02 Jul 2005 11:30:00 MST

Our news section is now available as an RSS news feed at:
https://www.psywar.org/rss/psywar.xml

British PSYOP propaganda leaflets distributed in Basra, Iraq

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 08:00:00 MST

Our thanks go out to William Nett for supplying these handouts which were distributed by British PSYOPs in and around al-Basrah, Iraq. The leaflets perform a Civil Affairs role helping to build trust between the Iraqi people and the Multi-National forces by showing that the Coalition troops are there to help Iraq to a better and brighter future, whereas the terrorists just offer chaos and death.

al-Zarqawi 'Rat-in-a-trap' PSYOP propaganda leaflet

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Thu, 19 May 2005 08:00:00 MST

A few updates to the aerial propaganda leaflets database including this PSYOP poster that was pasted-up in Iraq. I don't have a translation but I call it the al-Zarqawi 'Rat-in-a-trap' cartoon.

A new book Villages of the Moon: Psychological Operations in Southern Afghanistan

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Wed, 11 May 2005 08:00:00 MST

We are proud to announce the upcoming release of M.E. Roberts' new book Villages of the Moon: Psychological Operations in Southern Afghanistan. (ISBN 1-4137-5771-5, SRP $19.95)

Villages of the Moon offers a unique perspective into the challenging role of a U.S. Army Psychological Operations Team working in Afghanistan after the collapse of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. From tiny firebases scattered along hundreds of desolate miles of "moonlike" territory, PSYOP teams spread information through face-to-face communication, radios, and printed products which were passed out to local civilians. In tandem with Special Forces, far from the security of an American military base, these small self-contained units traveled the back roads and trails of the Afghan countryside to assess the needs of the people, help encourage local leaders, and inform people of the changes coming about in the country. This is the story of how those operations were carried out in one small area on a global field of battle.

For more details see: www.militarymemories.biz

The 60th anniversary of VE-Day

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 08 May 2005 08:00:00 MST

Today marks the 60th anniversary of VE-Day. This leaflet newspaper announcing "PEACE" was dropped over Germany by the Psychological Warfare Division of SHAEF . The SHAEF newspaper was printed in four languages, German, French, Polish, and English and was intended to give news to displaced people in Europe including foreign workers and captured Allied Prisoners of War.

For more information please see here.

Happy St. George's Day - Update to the Aerial Propaganda Leaflet Database

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 08:00:00 MST

Happy St. George's Day to our English visitors! The aerial propaganda leaflet database has been updated including this WWII German propaganda leaflet that warns British soldiers about the dangers of Bolshevism taking over Europe.

Vail Valley Armed Forces Week

lee.richards@psywar.org (Lee Richards) — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 08:00:00 MST

Vail Valley Armed Forces Week - A Charity Event Benefiting U.S. Troops & Veterans