Le Bureau interallié de renseignement (1915-1918). Un exemple de coopération européenne en temps de guerre

Abstract

When the First World War began, only the Central Powers collaborated with regards to secret war, Germany provided leadership in matter of spying and counter-spying. The Entente Powers quickly understood the need for create an international organ able to become a real clearing house of military intelligence. However, it took more than one year (September 1915) to found the ‘Bureau interallié de renseignement’ (Allied Military Intelligence Office) in Paris. Criticized by some, in particular because of the reluctance to cooperate fully between English, French Belgian, Russian, Italian (and finally American) secret services, the ‘BI’ provided valuable services until the final victory.