Military Intelligence: A New Weapon in War

viii, 259 pp. Blue cloth boards with gilt titles. Written by the commander of the Third Infantry Division, under whose command were future generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mark W. Clark. Contents include: Preface; Publisher's Note; Development of Military Intelligence; Military Intelligence Defined; Organization; Problems of Modern War; Intelligence Service in the World War; Functions of Personnel; Collection of Information; Evaluation of Information; Distribution of Intelligence; Secret Service and Maps; Censorship; Requisites of Personnel. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Walter Campbell Sweeney Sr. (November 16, 1876 – April 10, 1963) was a United States Army major general who served in the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, and World War II. Army Distinguished Service Medal Awarded for actions during the World War I. Silver Star Awarded for actions during the World War I. In 1924, Sweeney's book Military Intelligence: A New Weapon in War was published by the Frederick A. Stokes Company of New York. Looking back to the recently ended World War, Sweeney criticizes German military intelligence for failing to anticipate the willingness and ability of the United States to mobilize. He praises both U.S. military censorship and the Stars and Stripes newspaper for their contributions to the victory over the Central Powers. As Sweeney himself had key roles in both military censorship and the creation of the Stars and Stripes, his objectivity regarding their overall military value may be fairly questioned. That aside, Sweeney acknowledges that the military intelligence capabilities and techniques employed during World War I, though much improved compared to previous wars, will not be adequate for future wars. A New York Times review of Military Intelligence: A New Weapon in War describes it as an "intelligible and compact little book ... indispensable to the soldier, whether he is serving with the regular army, training in the National Guard, or a member of the organized reserve."[10] The "Publisher's Note" that appears in the front matter of Military Intelligence: A New Weapon in War includes this biographical sketch of Sweeney: There are few men in America with broader experience in Military Intelligence than Lieutenant Colonel Walter C. Sweeney. Entering the regular army in 1899 from civil life as a second lieutenant of infantry, he served, all over the world, through the several grades to his present rank. He is a distinguished graduate of the Army School of the Line (1912), a graduate of the Army Staff College (1913) and a graduate of the Army War College (1920). He saw active service in the Philippines in 1900 and 1901 and in later years in the Moro campaigns; served on the Mexican Border during the troublous years of 1915 and 1916; and was instructor in the First Officers' Training Camp at Presidio, California, when America entered the World War. By July, 1917, Colonel Sweeney—then Major—was in France with the A.E.F. Detailed to the General Staff, he was assigned to the Military Intelligence Division at General Pershing's Headquarters and was the Executive Officer of that Division during its organization period. From August, 1917, to July, 1918, he was Chief of the Censorship Section of the Military Intelligence Division —at the time when it was so vitally necessary to see that no information of value leaked through to the enemy. This censorship covered the press, letters, photography, telephones, the telegraph, wireless and other methods of communication; publicity and propaganda; visitors, etc. “The Stars and Stripes,” read by two million dough- boys, was originated and first published under the direct supervision of Colonel Sweeney, as Chief of the Censorship Section, Military Intelligence Division. At his urgent request for duty with the fighting troops, Colonel Sweeney was relieved from duty at General Head- quarters and after attending and graduating from the General Staff School at Langres, France, was attached to Headquarters, 5th Army Corps, during the St. Mihiel Offensive. In September, 1918, he was appointed Chief of Staff, 28th Division, and served in that capacity in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and in subsequent operations up to the time of the Armistice. He remained on duty with the 28th Division until early in 1919, when he was again detailed for duty with the General Staff at G.H.Q., A.E.F. Since January, 1921, he has been on duty at 1st Corps Area Headquarters, Boston, as Intelligence Officer for the six New England States. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the United States Government for service during the World War; the Legion of Honor, Officers' Grade, by the French Government; and received a citation from the Commander-in-Chief, A.E.F., for services in action September 28, 1918, near Apremont, France. Colonel Sweeney's long and varied experiences make him thoroughly conversant with every phase of the Military Intelligence Division: with its formative struggles, with its objectives, and with its achievements; and his book on Military Intelligence is written by a man who knows his subject, who is a recognized authority in this new and important field. Among the future generals included in Sweeney's Third Infantry Division command were Mark W. Clark and Dwight David Eisenhower. In Eisenhower: A Soldier's Life, 1890–1945, military historian Carlo d'Este relates a story of then-Lt. Colonel Eisenhower being offered a coveted invitation to one of Sweeney's regular poker games. Although Sweeney was a keen card player, newcomer Eisenhower won so much money from Sweeney and the other poker-game regulars that he was not known to have been invited back.