SOASINT—Socially Assisted Intelligence: Polish Intelligence in Denmark during World War II

Abstract

The phenomenon referred to as socially assisted intelligence (SOASINT) occurs when the work of ideologically motivated agents, mainly volunteers, becomes an indispensable or even dominant factor in the activities of a given intelligence network. Such “irregulars” come from different strata of the societies involved (including women) and fill gaps in the ranks and operational capabilities of professional, state intelligence services. In doing so, they change the character and culture of the entire organization. The text also raises questions about whether SOASINT can be considered a distinct discipline in intelligence research or simply a subcategory or separate doctrine in the framework of human intelligence with specific characteristics. The little-known history of Polish intelligence operations in Scandinavia during and after World War II serves as a model case study. However, intelligence by the Polish underground in the occupied country and France was conducted in a similar in vein. Furthermore, these cases will also be referred to in the text, drawing attention to the role of women in underground intelligence systems, which went from being auxiliary to—in some cases—dominant, which is most evident in the field of covert communications.