This post is second in what will be a series drawn from a History of I.S.9 (CMF) in the British National Archives. My access to the document was courtesy of researcher Brian Sims.

See also “I.S.9 History—Organization.”

Below is a transcript of a short chapter on tasks from the history:

Tasks

The tasks of I.S.9 (CMF) were of course as indicated by its Charter.

(a) The supply Intelligence to the appropriate authorities by means of Interrogation of returning escapers and evaders (referred to hereinafter as E & Es).

(b) To instruct and brief all Imperial and American Air Force personnel and Ground Forces on conduct as a P/W [prisoner of war] and on escape and evasion.

(c) To supply Aids and Devices to help in evasion and capture.

(d) To contact, assist and if possible rescue, by any means except by direct force of arms, all Imperial and American evaders and P/W within the following countries:- ITALY, YUGOSLAVIA, ALBANIA, AUSTRIA.

(e) To recommend to the appropriate authorities those E & Es to be considered or Honours and Awards for conduct during capture, escape or during evasion and to forward to appropriate authorities details of those E & Es whose actions might be construed as being contrary to the high traditions of the three Services.

(f) To reward civilian helpers assisting E & Es in the countries mentioned above and to forward to appropriate authorities details in connection with atrocities committed against E & Es.

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Recently British researcher Brian Sims shared an interesting document with me that he had discovered in the British National Archives.

Written at the end of World War II, the document, a history of I.S.9 (Intelligence School 9) from November 1, 1943 to May 31, 1945, was written as an attachment to a memorandum to the Deputy Director of Military Intelligence (DDMI).

Fortunately for today’s readers, it was written in a style, “which might easily be read by non-regular soldiers.”

The 196-page report offers a detailed account of the structure, mission, and activities of I.S.9, which had as its chief task the support and rescue of escaped POWs and evaders (E&Es) stranded in enemy territory in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

I.S.9 activities fell under M.I.9 (British Directorate of Military Intelligence Section 9), a department of the War Office during WW II.

This post will be the first of several on this site over the coming weeks that shed light on I.S.9, drawing from various sections of the report.

I am grateful to Brian for this material and for assistance in helping me sort through sundry military abbreviations and acronyms.

Below is a transcript of the opening section of the history, which explains the origin and organizational structure of I.S.9.

History of I.S.9 Central Mediterranean Force

ATTACHMENT “F” to DDMI (PW)s Memorandum

HISTORICAL RECORD OF I.S.9 (CMF)
(FORMERLY KNOWN AS ‘N’ SECTION ‘A’ FORCE)
FROM 1.11.43 TO 31.5.45 [November 1, 1943—May 31, 1945]

THE ORGANIZATION

To write the history of, or a guide to, M.I.9 activities in a Theatre of War and in particular the actual Theatre of War allocated to I.S.9 (CMF) calls for a writer of historic novels, a writer with a sense of the dramatic but a writer who would always maintain a sense of proportion.

So much has happened during the course of the exciting two years, which started for I.S.9 (CMF) with 2 officers being landed on the beach at SYRACUSE: 2 officers with their kit but with no transport and with no idea as to their purpose in life, apart from the most pointed directive that they were to learn how best rescue work might be accomplished with an Army in the Field.

These two officers learned, quite quickly, one vital lesson, namely, that no rescue work of any kind would be possible unless an I.S.9 team or Unit was self contained and mobile.

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M.I.9 Activity in Italy

M.I.9 (British Directorate of Military Intelligence Section 9), a department of the War Office during WW II, was active in rescuing prison camp escapees from enemy territory in Italy as early as October 1943.

Also known as “A Force,” the group arranged operations for guiding the escapees to the sea, where they were put on available vessels—often fishing boats—and skippered south to freedom.

Researcher Brian Sims helped me sort out names of relevant units within M.I.9.

“The term ‘A’ Force is used quite loosely at times,” he explained.

“In the desert, ‘A’ Force set up all deception schemes. N Section was a part of that unit with responsibilities regarding help given to escapers. N Section was renamed I.S.9 (Intelligence School 9) late in 1943.

“The problem came with the word Intelligence which was looked upon with suspicion in adjoining countries such as Yugoslavia. This was avoided by just using the blanket title ‘A Force’ which alleviated any suspicious attitude, and in turn promoted collaboration.”

Section 5, a unit within N Section, is said to have been operating in the Marche area.

I came across the term “rat-line” in a document Brian sent me pertaining to Adriatic coastline rescue of POWs.

He explained, “A ratline was a route established by ‘A’ Force. In this case towards the coastal areas; 5 Section worked in the general area which was in turn partly controlled by the ‘Ratberry’ Mission. Confusing isn’t it!”

The Rescue Operational Plan

Here are two document from the British National Archives that are courtesy of Brian. Both papers describe an plan to rescue, by fishing vessel, two British generals and an American corporate executive and his family hiding in enemy territory.

There are a couple of things that I find of particular interest in these two papers:

An Italian “A” Force agent, Lieutenant Ruggero Cagnazzo, was involved in this planned rescue. Signor Cagnazzo was a key player in the rescue of POWs from behind the lines. His name will appear on this site again in accounts to come. Also, there is mention of what seems to be a more comprehensive rescue mission in the works.

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