Table of Contents

1. Introduction: intelligence and empire; Part I. Before Pearl Harbor, 1937–41: 2. Wing Commander Wigglesworth flies east: the lamentable state of intelligence, 1937–9; 3. Insecurity and the fall of Singapore; 4. Surprise despite warning: intelligence and the fall of Singapore; 5. Conspiracy or confusion? Churchill, Roosevelt and Pearl Harbor; 6. 'Imperial Security Services': the emergence of OSS and SOE; Part II. India and Spheres of Influence, 1941–4: 7. 'Do-gooders' and 'bad men': Churchill, Roosevelt and rivalry over empire; 8. American intelligence and the British Raj: OSS and OWI in India, 1941–4; 9. Strange allies: British intelligence and security in India, 1941–4; Part III. Mountbatten's South East Asia Command, 1943–5: 10. Secret service and Mountbatten's South East Asia Command; 11. Special operations in South East Asia; 12. The British Secret Intelligence Service (M16) in the Far East; 13. Centre and region: the politics of signals intelligence; Part IV. Rivalry or Rivalries? China, 1942–5: 14. American struggles in China: OSS and Naval Group; 15. Britain and her allies in China; Part V. The End of the War in Asia, 1945–6: 16. Anti-colonialism, anti-communism and plans for post-war Asia; 17. Resisting the resistance: Thailand, Malaya and Burma; 18. Special operations in liberated areas: Indochina and the Netherlands East Indies, 1944–6; 19. Hong Kong and the future of China; 20. Conclusion: the hidden hand and the fancy foot.

Promotional Information

This book explores the politics of the British and American secret service during the Far Eastern War.

Reviews

From the hardback review: '... well-written, well-researched and thoughtful ... As a contribution to its subject - and to Second World War studies generally ... it may be a landmark.' The Daily Telegraph From the hardback review: 'Gripping and comprehensive ... this is a book that has to be welcomed.' The Sunday Times From the hardback review: '... an important supplemental history in an area that has been long dominated by a western focus on WWII's European theater.' Kirkus Reviews From the hardback review: '... [a] rich study ... [an] invaluable account'. The Spectator From the hardback review: 'The real fascination of this book lies in the proof that all the hard-won intelligence wrung from the airwaves and the nigh impenetrable Japanese codes often could not prevail against human frailty. Churchill completely mis-read the Eastern crisis in 1941, Aldrich points out.' Independent on Sunday 'Richard J. Aldrich opens up an important new dimension to Pacific war studies with his revelations about the infighting between the British and American allies to secure commercial hegemony in the post-war Far East.' The Sunday Times (military books of the year) '... a necessary read for all those interested in both intelligence history and, more importantly, Anglo-American relations generally.' Defence Studies 'Professor Aldrich has given us a pioneering, ground-breaking study based on unknown materials culled from British and American archives which have only been declassified in the 1990s ... the author deploys his narrative with great skill and clarity ... he is judicious in his judgements which are carefully documents. All in all, this is important reading for all students of Japan.' The Japan Society Proceedings 'Intelligence and the War against Japan is one of the best books yet written in intelligence history, and essential to students in several fields ... a triumph of research and analysis.' Defense Analysis 'It is a necessary read for all those interested in both intelligence history and, more importantly, Anglo-American relations generally.' Journal of Defence Studies