
Australia's First Spies
The remarkable story of Australian intelligence operations, 1901-45
John Fahey(Author)
Allen & Unwin (Publisher)
Published on 25. July 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
456 pages
978-1-76063-120-8 (ISBN)
Description
Australia was born with its eyes wide open. Although politicians spoke publicly of loyalty to Britain and the empire, in secret they immediately set about protecting Australia's interests from the Germans, the Japanese - and from Britain itself.
As an experienced intelligence officer, John Fahey knows how the security services disguise their activities within government files. He has combed the archives to compile the first account of Australia's intelligence operations in the years from Federation to World War II.
He tells the stories of dedicated patriots who undertook dangerous operations to protect their new nation, despite a lack of training and support. He shows how the early adoption of advanced radio technology by Australia contributed to the war effort in Europe. He also exposes the bureaucratic mismanagement in World War II that cost many lives, and the leaks that compromised Australia's standing with its wartime allies so badly that Australia was nearly expelled from the Anglo-Saxon intelligence network.
Australia's First Spies shows Australia always has been a far savvier operator in international affairs than much of the historical record suggests, and it offers a glimpse into the secret history of the nation.
As an experienced intelligence officer, John Fahey knows how the security services disguise their activities within government files. He has combed the archives to compile the first account of Australia's intelligence operations in the years from Federation to World War II.
He tells the stories of dedicated patriots who undertook dangerous operations to protect their new nation, despite a lack of training and support. He shows how the early adoption of advanced radio technology by Australia contributed to the war effort in Europe. He also exposes the bureaucratic mismanagement in World War II that cost many lives, and the leaks that compromised Australia's standing with its wartime allies so badly that Australia was nearly expelled from the Anglo-Saxon intelligence network.
Australia's First Spies shows Australia always has been a far savvier operator in international affairs than much of the historical record suggests, and it offers a glimpse into the secret history of the nation.
Reviews / Votes
Fills a major gap in the history of Australian intelligence organisations. -- Professor David Horner, author of THE SPY CATCHERS: THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF ASIO 1949-1963 Great intelligence is often shared by great story telling, and John Fahey shares a great story in Australia's First Spies. -- Rear Admiral Paul Becker, USN (Retired), Former Director for Intelligence of the U.S. Pacific Command and Joint Chiefs of StaffMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
St Leonards
Australia
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
16pp b/w insert
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
658 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-76063-120-8 (9781760631208)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dr John Fahey is a former employee of the Defence Signals Directorate (1988-1996) and served in the British Army and Australian Army full-time and part-time 1975-2014. He is currently an Honorary Associate in the Policing, Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Centre at Macquarie University, and managing director of the Cynergex Group, a medical training company.
Content
Preface, Introduction
1 Wilson Le Couteur's Pacific Mission, 1901
2 Atlee Hunt: Public Servant, Spy Master, 1901-23
3 Enlightened Princes and Wise Generals: Military Intelligence in Early Australia
4 A Prescient Letter: Suspecting Japanese Spies
5 Join the Navy and Spy on the World
6 Australian Success, 1914
7 The Wanetta Organisation, 1901-20
8 National Intelligence, 1901-20
9 The First Coastwatcher
10 Australian Signals Intelligence, 1914-29
11 Hand to Mouth: Australian Signals Intelligence in the 1930s
12 Harry Freame's Japanese Mission, 1941
13 The Coastwatchers Go to War, 1939-42
14 The Lions in the Den: Japanese Counterintelligence
15 Herding Cats: The Allied Intelligence Bureau
16 Australia's First National Signals Intelligence Effort
17 Battle in Asia and the Pacific, 1941-42
18 Establishing Central Bureau, 1942
19 Stepping on Toes: Australia's Attack on Japan's Diplomatic Codes
20 Allied Secret Intelligence Compromised, 1944
21 Saving Australian SIGINT, 1945-47
22 Coastwatching behind Enemy Lines
23 The Solomons and Pacific Area, 1943
24 Human Intelligence in the Attack, 1943-45
25 The Kempeitai's Game, 1942-45
Notes, bibliography
Index
1 Wilson Le Couteur's Pacific Mission, 1901
2 Atlee Hunt: Public Servant, Spy Master, 1901-23
3 Enlightened Princes and Wise Generals: Military Intelligence in Early Australia
4 A Prescient Letter: Suspecting Japanese Spies
5 Join the Navy and Spy on the World
6 Australian Success, 1914
7 The Wanetta Organisation, 1901-20
8 National Intelligence, 1901-20
9 The First Coastwatcher
10 Australian Signals Intelligence, 1914-29
11 Hand to Mouth: Australian Signals Intelligence in the 1930s
12 Harry Freame's Japanese Mission, 1941
13 The Coastwatchers Go to War, 1939-42
14 The Lions in the Den: Japanese Counterintelligence
15 Herding Cats: The Allied Intelligence Bureau
16 Australia's First National Signals Intelligence Effort
17 Battle in Asia and the Pacific, 1941-42
18 Establishing Central Bureau, 1942
19 Stepping on Toes: Australia's Attack on Japan's Diplomatic Codes
20 Allied Secret Intelligence Compromised, 1944
21 Saving Australian SIGINT, 1945-47
22 Coastwatching behind Enemy Lines
23 The Solomons and Pacific Area, 1943
24 Human Intelligence in the Attack, 1943-45
25 The Kempeitai's Game, 1942-45
Notes, bibliography
Index