A most pervasive memoir: R. V. Jones and his Most Secret War

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article challenges the erstwhile historical reliance upon the memoirs of the key protagonist of British Scientific Intelligence during the Second World War. Meticulous archival research has confirmed that the history of the genesis of British Scientific Intelligence has been distorted by the legacy and legend of R.V. Jones and his memoirs entitled Most Secret War. This article confirms that British Intelligence success in this regard was not solely the result of one man’s heroic accomplishments but, in reality, involved many individuals and organisations whose valuable exploits have been hidden in the shadows by Most Secret War.