Potsdam Mission: Memoir of a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer in Communist East Germany

 

Recently declassified information makes it possible for the first time to tell part of the story behind the Cold War intelligence operations of the U.S. Military Liaison Mission (USMLM) to the Commander of the Soviet Army in Communist East Germany. Intelligence collection often led to dangerous encounters with the Soviet and East German armies. On occasion, Allied officers and non-commissioned officers were seriously injured. Before it all ended with the collapse of the Iron Curtain, one French sergeant and one American officer had been killed.

 

Potsdam Mission traces the development of the author into becoming a Soviet/Russian specialist and U.S. Army intelligence officer. The author then relates his own intelligence collection forays into East Germany by taking the reader on some trips that include several harrowing experiences and four arrests and detentions by the Soviets. By dramatizing his encounters in East Germany, he attempts to capture the real-life atmosphere of what it was like to be sneaking around Soviet and East German military units and, at times, doing whatever was necessary to evade capture. 

 

Finally, the author describes the challenges and rewards of interpreting at USMLM and comments on the important role played by USMLM in Cold War intelligence.

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"An excellent and riveting first-hand report by a former U.S. Army officer about a little-known but extremely important role played by the U.S. Military Liason Mission in Potsdam." - D. Beachley

 

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