How to become a spy : the World War II SOE training manual

443 Pages·2015·2 MB·English

by  Special

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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.
Cover design by Rain Saukas
Cover photo credit: Thinkstock
Print ISBN: 978-1-63220-526-1
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63220-901-6
Printed in the United States of America
Publisher’s Note
This publication reproduces the basic syllabus used at the Special Training
Schools (STSs) of the Special Operations Executive. The version reproduced here
—to our knowledge the most complete and comprehensive of the surviving SOE
training materials—was used at STS 103 in Canada, better known as Camp X.
The lecture folders containing the syllabus are to be found in two files, HS 7/55
and HS 7/56, which may be consulted at the National Archives, Kew. The aim
has been to reproduce the words, layout and appearance of the original
documents as faithfully as possible. However, to keep the extent of this edition
within bounds, the lists of library books, films and supplementary reading
material have been omitted. Also, where necessary, lines and lettering have been
strengthened in some of the illustrations; obvious typing errors have been
corrected; and cross-references have been revised to conform to the pagination
of this edition.
Primary Sources
SOE documents in the National Archives:

HS 7/55 Syllabus of Lectures at STS 103 (Camp X).
Lecture Folder STS 103. Minor Tactics, Demolitions and
HS 7/56
Fieldcraft Lectures. Physical Training Syllabus.
HS 7/52 Group B Syllabus (in the Finishing Schools)
History of the Training Section of SOE, 1940-1945 by
HS 7/51
Major G.M. Forty.
History of the Second World War: The Special
Operations Executive—Britain and the Resistance
CAB 102/649-52
Movements in Europe, by W.J.M. Mackenzie, Fellow of
Magdalen College, Oxford.
SYLLABUS OF LECTURES
Camp Arrangements
List of Library Books *
List of Films *

Introduction:
A.1. Objects and Methods of Irregular Warfare

Self Protection:
A.2. Individual and Collective Security
A.2.a. Security for W/T Operators
A.3. Informant Service
A.4. Cover
Make-up and Disguise
A.5. Observation
A.6. Objects and Methods of Counter-Espionage

Police Methods & Counter

Measures:
A.7. Descriptions
A.8. Surveillance
A.9. Personal Searches
A.10.a House Searches
A.10.b Burglary
A.11. Interrogation

Agent Management:
A.12. Motives
A.13. Recruiting
A.14. Handling

Organisation:
A.15. Types of Agents, Parts I & II
A.16. Cell System, Part III
A.17. Use of Premises

Communications and

Operations:
A.18. Personal Meetings
A.19. Communications - Internal
A.20. Communications - External
A.20.a. The W/T Operator
A.21. Passive Resistance
A.22. Subversion of Troops
A.23. Selection and Appreciation of Targets

Emergency Period:
A.24. Operational Orders
A.25. Final Arrangements
A.26. Arrival and First Days
Selection of Dropping Points and Reception
A.27.
Arrangements

B.1. The Nazi Party
B.2. German Police Services
B.3. German Military Police and Intelligence Service
B.4. German Army

Propaganda:
C.1. Propaganda - Introductory
C.2. Opinion Sampling
C.3. Leaflet Writing - Principles
C.4. Leaflet Writing - Mechanics
C.5. Reproduction & Dist. - Part I
C.6. Reproduction & Dist. - Part II
C.7. Basic Plan of Allied Propaganda
Codes and Ciphers:
D.1. Codes and Ciphers - Introductory
D.2. Playfair Ciphers
D.3. Innocent Text Letter
D.4. Double Transposition

E.1. Secret Inks

Minor Tactics and Fieldcraft:
G.1. Minor Tactics and Fieldwork
G.2. Tactics of Small Raiding Parties
G.3. Dealing with Enemy Personnel at the Objective
G.4. Ambushes
G.5. Attacking an Enemy Occupied House
G.6. Street Fighting
Principles of Camouflage, Concealment and
G.7.
Disguise—I
G.8. The Use and Care of Binoculars

Demolitions:
H.1. Demolitions Syllabus
H.2. How Much to Use
H.3. General Destruction
H.4. The Essential Factors of First Aid in the Field

I.1. Physical Training - Syllabus
I.2. Physical Training - Lectures
I.3. Close Combat - Syllabus
I.4. Close Combat - Lecture
I.5. Weapon Training
* Not included in this book.
CAMP ARRANGEMENTS
NAME ______________________________
ROOM NUMBER
COURSE NO. _________
_____________________
1. DRESS.
On arrival in Camp you will be issued with Battle Dress (or Summer Drill) and
the necessary accessories. This uniform will be worn during all working periods,
for the following reasons: a) Security. This is a military establishment. For the
benefit of local inhabitants and visiting tradesmen, it is considered advisable for
the military appearance of the Camp to be consistently maintained.
b) Wear and tear. Many of your activities on the course will be undertaken out
of doors. By wearing your issued Battle Dress you will save your own civilian
clothes and/or uniform.
There is no objection to your wearing whatever clothes you please for relaxation
in the evenings.
You are not required to render military compliments to the officers of the
Camp.
2. COMMUNICATIONS.
Any incoming mail may be addressed to you personally at:
Box 55,
Terminal A,
Toronto 2, Ont., Canada.
Any outgoing mail will be handed in at the Administration Office. In view of the
fact that the Camp’s location is secret, this will be mailed in Toronto.
Therefore, NO mail will be handed to any member of the Camp Staff, other
than the Clerks in the Administration Office who have been detailed to handle it.
For the same reason outgoing mail, though uncensored, will not contain any
reference either to the Camp’s location, appearance or activities.
Telephone calls from the Camp may be made outside working hours. NO
incoming calls are permitted.
3. MESSING AND BAR SERVICE.
a) Messing will be charged at the rate of .50 cents per day. A service charge of
.50 cents per week will be made to cover gratuities to the staff. It is asked that
no additional gratuities be made, as this rate is in accordance with Canadian
Army scales.
b) Bar. Within the limits of current rationing, beer, spirits and cigarettes are
obtainable from the bar which will be open only between the following hours:
1215—1245
1800—1900
1945—2230
c) Accounts. All messing and bar accounts will be rendered and paid on the day
previous to final departure. Subsequent purchases will be paid for in cash.
d) Meal Times.
Breakfast 0815 Hours
Lunch 1245 “
Tea 1630 “
Supper 1900 “
It is particularly requested that you observe these times. Kitchen
accommodation and staff is limited. Considerable inconvenience can be
caused through unpunctuality.
4. INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.
You will assemble at hours on in Lecture Room, when the details of the
Course will be explained in an introductory address.
5. LEAVE.
For Courses of over fourteen days’ duration, weekend leave may be arranged
from Saturday 1230 until Sunday midnight. A leave application form will be
issued. This should be filled in and handed to the Secretary’s Office in the
Administration Building not later than the Wednesday previous in order to
ensure the necessary hotel and transportation reservations.
6. MISCELLANEOUS REQUESTS.
Complaints, if any, and requests for interviews or general information should
be made to the Secretary between the following hours:
0900—0925 ) Mondays—Saturdays
1215—1230 ) inclusive