Worst intelligence blunders in history (1 Viewer)

[Sans Culotte]

Don't forget Grant's & Sherman's failures to read what was before them in the events leading up to Shiloh. As a separate note, one must acknowledge that some of what we've come to lump together as "intelligence blunders" have really been a mixed bag; overconfidence, underestimation of one's opponent, lack of adequate information, code-breaking, etc.

 

[Leadmen]

Custer failing to listen to his scouts and splitting his command. Also, not waiting for General Cook and the other column of troops by General Gibbon to meet before Big Horn.

 

[theBaron]

Ha! I looked it up, as Yogi Berra suggested, it was a plant to throw the Germans off about the invasion of Sicily.

 

[Arnhemjim]

Hi Chris and other interested members of the Forum,
As a retired “semi-skilled” professional (intelligence officer) I would like to provide to those interested members of the forum a significant intelligence windfall. Colonel John Hughes-Wilson is a 30 year retired veteran of the British Army Intelligence Corps. In 1999 he authored a book entitled, Military Intelligence Blunders. The book is available, for free, complete with all tables, charts, illustrations, as a pdf download at; http://www.pdf4me.net/pdf-data/military-intelligence-blunders-by-john-hughes-wilson.php . By all rights I think this should at least earn me a spot field promotion to Lance-Corporal. Alas it’s not about toy soldiers so I’ll have to continue to struggle along as a lowly Private 2. For those who choose to exploit this intelligence, please enjoy!
Arnhemjim

 

[jazzeum]

All good points, including not seeing 9-11 coming.

I would add the Soviets not seeing the Nazi invasion (Operation Barbarossa) coming.

Stalin was warned, including receiving warnings from the USA and Britain, but chalked it up to some Western plot, despite all evidence to the contrary. There is a very good book about this failure to take action called "What Stalin Knew: The Enigma of Barbarossa", by David Murphy, an ex-CIA intelligence officer.

 

[Terp152]

Has anyone mentioned Allied failure to interpret Wacht Am Rhein and the resulting Battle of the Bulge? I would add that one to any list.

 

[Terp152]

Ha! I looked it up, as Yogi Berra suggested, it was a plant to throw the Germans off about the invasion of Sicily.

I believe Churchill was personally involved and named it Operation Mincemeat. REad a book about it by one of the intell officers responsible for setting it up. Really better than fiction. The identity of the corpse used in the deception was revealed not too long ago as I recall.

 

[jazzeum]

Not exactly dealing with intelligence blunders but years ago I read a good book about the intelligence agencies called "The Second Oldest Profession," by Phillip Knightley. Amazon still carries it.

 

[Scott]

McClellen believing that the Confederacy had twice as many troops as he had from Alan Pinkerton's reports.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Hi Chris and other interested members of the Forum,
As a retired “semi-skilled” professional (intelligence officer) I would like to provide to those interested members of the forum a significant intelligence windfall. Colonel John Hughes-Wilson is a 30 year retired veteran of the British Army Intelligence Corps. In 1999 he authored a book entitled, Military Intelligence Blunders. The book is available, for free, complete with all tables, charts, illustrations, as a pdf download at; http://www.pdf4me.net/pdf-data/military-intelligence-blunders-by-john-hughes-wilson.php . By all rights I think this should at least earn me a spot field promotion to Lance-Corporal. Alas it’s not about toy soldiers so I’ll have to continue to struggle along as a lowly Private 2. For those who choose to exploit this intelligence, please enjoy!
Arnhemjim

Squared away sir- saving it to hard drive now.....not so bad being a "lowly" E-2- I was one when I first went to Currahee country ^&grin^&grin

 

[theBaron]

I believe Churchill was personally involved and named it Operation Mincemeat. REad a book about it by one of the intell officers responsible for setting it up. Really better than fiction. The identity of the corpse used in the deception was revealed not too long ago as I recall.

That would have been Ewen Montagu, wouldn't it. His book is non-fiction, though the movie is a dramatization. Montagu even had a cameo in the movie, playing opposite Clifton Webb, who played Montagu. I had it in paperback when I was a kid, but it's long gone missing.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Mitch]

Bloody hell!!! I refered to it in post 2 and had to pay for mine. now, its free on the net.. Gutted!!!
Mitch

Squared away sir- saving it to hard drive now.....not so bad being a "lowly" E-2- I was one when I first went to Currahee country ^&grin^&grin

 

[Arnhemjim]

Bloody hell!!! I referred to it in post 2 and had to pay for mine. now, its free on the net.. Gutted!!!
Mitch

Mitch,
Please don't feel to badly sir, I've been there, done that, many times during my now almost five decades of collecting. Feel certain that you, like me, recognize the importance of reference material in all it's forms. I think the reason that the first edition of the book is free, is that there is now a second edition published in 2004. If that happens to be the edition you have, take some solace.
Regards,
Jim

 

[uksubs]

Hi Chris and other interested members of the Forum,
As a retired “semi-skilled” professional (intelligence officer) I would like to provide to those interested members of the forum a significant intelligence windfall. Colonel John Hughes-Wilson is a 30 year retired veteran of the British Army Intelligence Corps. In 1999 he authored a book entitled, Military Intelligence Blunders. The book is available, for free, complete with all tables, charts, illustrations, as a pdf download at; http://www.pdf4me.net/pdf-data/military-intelligence-blunders-by-john-hughes-wilson.php . By all rights I think this should at least earn me a spot field promotion to Lance-Corporal. Alas it’s not about toy soldiers so I’ll have to continue to struggle along as a lowly Private 2. For those who choose to exploit this intelligence, please enjoy!
Arnhemjim

Thank for the link Jim:wink2:

 

[Mitch]

Jim...
Things like this are now very common. it was the free edition which I bought but, it was an interesting book the revised edition was sufficiently different for me to buy. Mind I would rather have a real book compared to a down load all day long. Mind, you could save me money by spilling some of your secrets!!!
Mitch

Mitch,
Please don't feel to badly sir, I've been there, done that, many times during my now almost five decades of collecting. Feel certain that you, like me, recognize the importance of reference material in all it's forms. I think the reason that the first edition of the book is free, is that there is now a second edition published in 2004. If that happens to be the edition you have, take some solace.
Regards,
Jim

 

[Arnhemjim]

Mitch,
My dear wife has a Kindle, and really enjoys it, however, like you, I may be an anachronism, but I treasure my books. One example are the five volumes of Life of a Regiment, The History of the Gordon Highlanders, including a couple of first editions. I have found that my limited capabilities lie in the area of not necessarily being able to recall information on an instantaneous impromptu basis, but in remembering where in my reference library I can readily find it. In both e-Bay guides I have written, as well as here on this forum, my central thesis has been, and remains, the importance of acquiring and maintaining accurate reference data.
All the best,
Jim

 

[Mitch]

I think the new technology is great but, for me, its asset is travelling and space saving. I have travelled a lot and there is nothing worse than a really heavy bag full of all the essential reading one cannot do without. Plus, I just think there is some satisfaction in having a nice reference library. I spend enough time working on a lap top so, when I want to relax I would think of nothing less relaxing than picking up another electrical appliance.

Nice pictures by the way
Mitch

 

[theBaron]

I'm with you, Jim, I prefer to have a book, too. Books don't need batteries and wireless connections.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I'm with you, Jim, I prefer to have a book, too. Books don't need batteries and wireless connections.

Nothing quite like reading a proper book, much like records vs mp3's. Can't beat a record (or a cd at a push) IMO.

 

[theBaron]

Nothing quite like reading a proper book, much like records vs mp3's. Can't beat a record (or a cd at a push) IMO.

Though, I have been thinking about getting a digital turntable, to burn my vinyl onto discs or files, to play them on my machine at work. I need a way to convert my old cassettes, too. Some of my records and tapes aren't available anymore.

Prost!
Brad