Second Department of the General Staff explained

Agency Name:Second Department of the General Staff
Nativename:Sõjavägede Staabi II osakond
Formed:1918
Dissolved:1940
Jurisdiction:Estonian Defence Forces
Headquarters:Tallinn, Estonia

The Second Department of the General Staff (Estonian: Sõjavägede Staabi II osakond)was the foreign military intelligence agency of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces from 1918 to 1940.[1]

Heads

Head Term
11918 – 1919
21919
31920
41921 – 1927
5Richard Palm 1927 – 1929
61929 – 1935
71935 – 1939
81939 – 1940
91940

History

It was formed in 1918 during the War of Independence. At the beginning of 1930's there were only approximately 10 people working at 2nd Department. Its structure was rather similar to German Abwehr. Staff of the Latvian Information Department was not large also (10-20 persons). By structure it was similar to Polish intelligence.

In Estonia nobody was waiting for a military attack from South, the Staff however did not lose interest for Latvia and its army. In case of war with Soviet Union it was important to know the strength of the ally for knowing how fast it would be possible for the Red Army to crash Latvian forces and reach the Southern border of Estonia. Regardless of political problems that emerged between the two states time after time the information exchanging process continued with considerable effectiveness. Espionage in Southern direction was improbable thus the first little error would have caused catastrophic diplomatic consequences. As it has been written above, the Estonian 2nd Department was quite well informed about Latvia and its Armed Forces, little pieces of information that could have been obtained on an illegal way certainly would not have been worth the enormous risk.

The main sources of information were Latvian publications, reports from attaches in Riga and officers studying in the units of the Latvian Army and materials handed over by Information Department. Despite the lack of personnel and finances, the military intelligence services of Estonia and Latvia had accurate picture about their neighbouring country and its Army.[2]

Structure

The structure of 2nd Department consisted of four sections:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kuldaväärt mehed salapärasest II osakonnast. 3 October 2012. 20 January 2024.
  2. Web site: Ajaloo osakond. 20 January 2024.