TRADECRAFT
The modern definition of 'TRADECRAFT' as it relates to all things spying is:
Tradecraft, within the intelligence community, refers to the techniques, methods and technologies used in modern espionage (spying) and generally, as part of the activity of intelligence assessment.
It's a 'catch-all' word, anything and everything used in a specific way to further the aims and goals of those who tread what is, after all, a lonely path.
For example, did you know the part played by the humble telephone during the Cuban missile crisis? No, I'm not referring to the later establishment of the 'Hotline' between Moscow and Washington. I'm referring to the tradecraft use of a simple phone by Oleg Penkovsky, said to be the most important spy of the Cold War. You see, when Oleg wanted to set up a meeting, all he did was call a certain telephone number, that was it, he called he hung up and the meeting was on.
There were variations of this approach and a notable one was when Oleg called a number, let it ring 3 times, then he hung up and repeated that step. Call, ring three times, hang up. Call, ring three times, hang up. Simple! But the meeting was about a particular subject, when this sequence was used, it meant:
There were variations of this approach and a notable one was when Oleg called a number, let it ring 3 times, then he hung up and repeated that step. Call, ring three times, hang up. Call, ring three times, hang up. Simple! But the meeting was about a particular subject, when this sequence was used, it meant:
'I have some very important information to share with you about an imminent nuclear attack'
Amazing isn't it? Even more amazing is the fact that it actually happened, that's just how close the world came to disaster.
Another interesting tradecraft ploy used in setting up meetings was to leave a copy of a book on view in the window of a car. Hmmm, I wonder...
Another interesting tradecraft ploy used in setting up meetings was to leave a copy of a book on view in the window of a car. Hmmm, I wonder...
Writing on fabrics:
Louise deBetignes who was the founder and head of the Alice Dubois network in 1915, wrote in invisible inks on her petticoat, not content with that, one of her team wrote in invisible ink on slithers of mica which was then applied to the glass of a pair of pince-nez spectacles which Alive wore on one of her many trips across the border between neutral Holland and occupied France
A classic case was found on a gentleman collar and dated 1913, here's the pic:
I would suggest that some of the writing here was fairly small and there was nothing to stop it being even smaller.
The collar in this case was starched; it was the smoothness of the ironed on starch that made it possible to write on the relatively rough surface of the collar.
A Somerton Man Example:
In other cases it is known that hidden writing was applied to super-thin paper, this layer then adhered to a fabric surface or, alternatively, the surface itself was treated with a starch-like substance which could readily be written on. Could that have been the case with the Somerton Man's laundry marked trouser pocket? Possibly even the tie?
Someone on another blog, who professes to be an expert, doubted that writing could be applied to rough fabrics such as a tie or perhaps a laundry mark found on the lining of a pocket.
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing, you think about it and they will have done it and that certainly is the case when it comes to Tradecraft. In this post you will find a description of just some of the methods used to conceal messages.