Being a “Solomon” in Washington: Evaluating and Processing OSS and SSU Intelligence from Austria, 1945–1946

Abstract This article discusses the processing, reporting, evaluation, and dissemination of intelligence from Office Strategic Services (OSS) Unit (SSU) missions in Austria both locally Washington, DC. We begin by briefly reviewing organization OSS after which question who was evaluating Washington is addressed. Then, we compare roles Secret Intelligence (SI) Reports (or Reporting) Board and, until October 1945, Research Analysis (R&A) Washington. leads to our first major postulation, namely, that it not R&A evaluated field but, rather, SI Board. Coupled with their training, competence, knowledge, when transferred State Department at end September did have a noticeable impact upon either Austrian-based reporting or its quality. Using internal external assessments, instead suggest quality improved SSU parted 1945. Finally, examine some customer requests OSS/SSU received, how these were acted upon, what reaction(s) they generated.