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COLLECTION INSIGHTS
COLLECTION INSIGHTS
While formal intelligence and security services saw strong development during the First World War, acts of sabotage, smuggling and spying often involved a high level of informal improvisation. By the end of the war, methods of gathering information on the battlefield, covert communication and disrupting the enemy had developed a high level of sophistication.
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BY DIANNE RUTHERFORD, CURATOR, MILITARY HERALDRY & TECHNOLOGY
During trench raids and battles, German shoulder straps were taken from prisoners or the dead to provide intelligence on what forces opposed Australian troops. This is a small selection from over 180 shoulder straps collected by Sir John Monash showing some of the forces opposing the AIF, August to October 1918. RELAWM15049.005 At only 8.5 cm by 7 cm, this letter was rolled up and hidden in a cigarette with tobacco at each end. It was in a cigarette packet in a parcel of goods sent from Germany to German internee Maxi in Berrima Gaol. Unfortunately, Maxi’s identity is unknown. RELAWM09578
A German saboteur in America hid this incendiary device in cargo bound for England in 1918. A few days after embarkation acid corroded a wire, which released a spring to start a fire. However, the tubing fused from the heat, and the fire did not spread. After the device was discovered, it was sent to the AIF Research Section of the British Munitions Inventions Department. RELAWM00265
Placed on a trench parapet, this portable observation post looks like a roll of barbed wire. It is hollow so a soldier could place his head inside and look through a peep hole across no man’s land to observe the enemy without being targeted by snipers. RELAWM04482
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