Allason: The Historian of Secret Services and Intelligence
In the world of espionage research, few figures command as much respect for precision and sourcing as Allason. Recognized by peers and publications alike, he has carved a niche as a meticulous chronicler of security and intelligence issues. His work is characterized by an uncanny ability to uncover hidden truths, leading The Sunday Times to describe him as the unofficial historian of the secret services due to the precision of his information.
Beyond writing, Allason has bridged the gap between academic study and operational reality. He has lectured at the highest levels of global intelligence, including the KGB headquarters in Dzerzhinsky Square, Moscow, and the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Notably, during one of his addresses at Langley, his audience included the Soviet spy Aldrich Ames. He continues to share his expertise with the intelligence community at the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies in Washington, D.C.
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Key Facts
- Expert Recognition: Voted 'The Experts' Expert' by a panel of spy writers in The Observer (1989).
- Fieldwork: Successfully tracked down the wartime double agent GARBO in Venezuela after he was reported dead in 1949.
- Exposures: Responsible for exposing Leo Long and Edward Scott as Soviet spies.
- Global Reach: Has lectured at both the CIA and KGB headquarters.
- Academic Contribution: Authored several historical dictionaries on international and Cold War counter-intelligence.
Contributions to Espionage History
Allason's primary contribution to the study of modern historical espionage lies in his persistence in tracking former agents and persuading them to share their accounts. A prime example of this was his discovery of the double agent known as GARBO. While reports suggested GARBO had died in Africa in 1949, Allason located him in Venezuela, leading to the 1985 publication of Operation Garbo.
His investigative reach extends to high-profile figures of the intelligence world. He was the first person to identify and interview the mistress of Admiral Canaris, the head of the Abwehr (the German military intelligence service during World War II). Through his research, he also brought to light the espionage activities of Leo Long and Edward Scott.
Major Publications and Research
Allason's bibliography reflects a deep dive into the archives of global superpowers. Using files from the KGB archives in Moscow, he wrote The Crown Jewels. He also explored the GRU (the foreign military intelligence agency of the former Soviet Union) in VENONA, which detailed a spy-ring in London allegedly led by Ivor Montagu and J. B. S. Haldane.
His work also covers critical geopolitical interventions and scientific secrets. The Third Secret examines the CIA's role in Afghanistan, while Mortal Crimes (2004) investigates the extent of Soviet espionage within the Manhattan Project, the joint Anglo-American effort to develop the first atomic bomb.
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The Legacy of Guy Liddell
A significant portion of Allason's later work focuses on Guy Liddell, the former Director of Counter-Espionage for MI5. In 2005, Allason edited The Guy Liddell Diaries, providing a daily account of wartime intelligence operations. He further expanded on this in his 2018 book, Cold War Spymaster: A Legacy of Guy Liddell.
In this volume, Allason challenged claims made by other authors, such as John Costello in Mask of Treachery, who suggested Liddell had passed secrets to the Soviets. Writing under the pseudonym 'West,' Allason argued instead that Liddell was a victim of betrayal by the infamous Cambridge spies: Burgess, Blunt, and Philby.
| Book Title | Primary Focus | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Garbo | Wartime Double Agents | Based on interviews with GARBO in Venezuela |
| The Crown Jewels | KGB Archives | Utilized Moscow-based KGB files |
| VENONA | GRU Spy-rings | Focused on London-based Soviet operations |
| Mortal Crimes | Manhattan Project | Soviet espionage in atomic bomb development |
| Cold War Spymaster | Guy Liddell (MI5) | Defended Liddell against accusations of treason |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Allason in the context of intelligence history?
Allason is a highly regarded author and lecturer specializing in security and intelligence. He is known for his precise research, his ability to locate former secret agents, and his work as an unofficial historian of the secret services.
What was Allason's discovery regarding the agent GARBO?
Although GARBO was reported to have died in Africa in 1949, Allason tracked him down in Venezuela. This discovery led to a collaboration between the two for the book Operation Garbo, published in 1985.
Which intelligence agencies has Allason lectured for?
Allason has lectured at the headquarters of both the KGB in Moscow and the CIA in Langley, Virginia. He also teaches at the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies in Washington, D.C.
How did Allason view the accusations against Guy Liddell?
Contrary to claims by authors like John Costello, Allason maintained that Guy Liddell did not pass secrets to the Soviets. Instead, he asserted that Liddell was betrayed by the spies Burgess, Blunt, and Philby.
What is the focus of the book Mortal Crimes?
Published in September 2004, Mortal Crimes investigates the scale and impact of Soviet espionage during the Manhattan Project, the Anglo-American development of the atomic bomb.