Partners at the Creation: The Men Behind Postwar Germany's Defense and Intelligence Establishments [Hardcover]

James H. Critchfield (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591141362 | ISBN-13: 978-1591141365 | Publication Date: October 2003

World War II combat veteran and longtime CIA officer James Critchfield tells the incredible story of how a handful of former members of the German Army General Staff, under the watchful eye of American intelligence, planned a postwar, national security system. At the heart of the activities he describes, Critchfield recounts details of the twin developments of a German intelligence service headed by Hitler's former chief of intelligence on the Eastern Front Reinhard Gehlen, and a German defense force headed by Hitler's former chief of operations Adolf Heusinger. These behind-the-scenes revelations will attract readers who enjoy good spy stories as well as historians of the period, for it has not been fully known until now the role played by the CIA or by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who secretly sponsored the men and their work. Known only as "Mr Marshall," Critchfield was the CIA officer in charge of the secret compound in Bavaria where Gehlen and Heusinger worked with their staffs to put the new intelligence and defense systems in place. The stars and stripes flying from the flagpole at the center of the compound provided cover and implied American political support. The author gives full credit to the men's success, which he says helped Germany emerge in 1955 as a sovereign nation and a member of NATO. Critchfield's gripping eight-year chronicle of creating these organizations, as Germany moved from enemy to ally, exposes readers to a new perspective of postwar development.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a fascinating book." -- History Today, August 2004

"A good intelligence story [that] gives insight into how 'diplomacy' functioned during the Cold War." -- Washington Times, February 29, 2004

About the Author

James H. Critchfield served in Europe in World War II, retiring as a colonel in the U.S. Army, and as a CIA officer from 1946 to 1974, ending his career as an energy policy planner at the White House. He later headed two private sector companies in the energy field. He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591141362
• ISBN-13: 978-1591141365
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #850,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insider's story of how Germany went from foe to friend, April 2, 2004

By 

gerald broock (Va.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Partners at the Creation: The Men Behind Postwar Germany's Defense and Intelligence Establishments (Hardcover)

Hardly recognized in the United States other than in intelligence services, Jim Critchfied played a pivotal role enabling the formation of Conrad Adenauer's intelligence and military branches that allowed Germany to join NATO within ten years of Germany's defeat in WWII. His first hand account of this remarkable event that succeeded in spite of upper echelon plans to deny rearming Germany or allowing an independent intelligence agency is superb history and counters many myths about post-war Germany. The narrative leaves one thankful that Germany was able to join NATO and became a critical firewall against Russia throughout the Cold War. Had Critchfield failed in his mission, Europe may well have become colored Red.