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OSS - The Psychology of War
Morale Operations Branch
France, Austria, Poland and Yugoslavia
France The French Plan, Feb. 2 1943 (draft)
After a period of national apathy following the Armistice, French resistance to the Germans gradually took form. A regular system for smuggling Frenchmen across the demarcation line between the Occupied and Unoccupied Zones developed into organized clandestine movements for sabotage and propaganda. Starting with purely local leadership, these movements drew closer to the Fighting French in London during 1942. In June of that year three of these groups, Libération Francaise (formerly Libération Nationale), Combat, and Franc Tireur, recognized de Gaulle as their leader in return for assurances that France would be free to choose its own regime after the war. Later Andre Philip escaped from France to become the representative of the underground movement in de Gaulle's National Committee. The strength of the militant core within these three groups has been estimated at 50,000 men. Libération is composed of elements of the Left and claims to have the support of organized labor. At least some of the older trade unionist elements, however, have objected to what appeared to be a lack of secrecy and discipline in de Gaullist organizations and have hoped that they might receive financial and material aid through other than Fighting French channels. Combat is thought to contain many Rightist elements, including monarchists and members of the Croix de Feu. Franc Tireur is considered halfway between the two other organizaions in political coloration. The Socialists, besides having membership in other groups, have revived their former party organizations, which they are developing into effective units for political as well as subversive action. The Communists, who were well prepared for clandestine operations, have agreed to work with the de Gaullist organizations. A Communist has recently become a member of the National Committee in London. In addition to these groups, many smaller undergroupd organizations have been formed in both the Occupied and the Free Zone. Certain Generals have been the center of potentially important groups. Another group in the Unoccupied Zone, rather loosely organized, has given wide distribution to the statements of Blum and Daladier at the Riom trial. Catholic circles have been actively circulating pamphlets. Psychological Warfare, Feb. 9, 1943
In my opinion, it is useless to inform the French or any of the other conquered peoples that the Germans are the principal source of their ills. After having suffered countless privations during the past two years, they fully realize that the Germans are their enemies; and, as far as I can judge, the only thing the people of France, and all other occupied countries are interested in is food, mainly for their children, and to a lesser degree, cigarettes, smoking tobacco, etc. Passive resistance and sabotage will become less when the pangs of hunger are being felt. For that reason, food should be the main point of Psychological Warfare. Psychological Warfare, Feb. 9, 1943
Since food is really our best propaganda mechanism I believe we should support our Ambassador in Madrid in his continuing pleas for helping French refugees in Spain. Feeding of French Refugees in Spain, Feb. 9, 1943
Recent discussions concerning French Psychological Warfare have given me the idea that we could support this directly by the feeding and care of French refugees in Spain. I understand that they are coming across the border in vast numbers and that our Embassy in Madrid is very anxious to help them, and indeed is doing so. Could we not support these efforts in whatever manner you think most appropriate and effective? Memorandum from F. L. Meyer, Feb. 15 1943 (draft)
In France and in a good many other countries, actual workers, technicians, foremen, managers, and even factory owners, are at present being influenced to commit sabotage in some form by: a) patriotism; b) resistance groups acting spontaneously; c) agents of the United Nations. Top-management, however, presents a different problem for the following reasons: 1) Its international and German connections; b) its partial sympathy with Nazi ideology; c) its collaborationism, whether willing or forced; d) it is the general opinion that the cumulative effect of these factors is such that the patriotic groups in and out of France would be unwilling to cooperate in any efforts to influence these industrialists which might involve promises or assurances to them. The Alfano Plan, March 4, 1944
Austria Starting with "R-W-R" No. 3, the Austrian paper shall be called: "DAS FREIE OESTERREICH" (THE FREE AUSTRIA) "DAS FREIE OESTERREICH" will also be the name of the Austrian opposition movement inside Austria. The "Zehnerausschuss" (ten-man-committee) will be introduced as an executive committee of this Austrian movement. This movement will be described as: (a) Formed on collaboration of Austrian Catholics and Socialists. (b) Supported by the sympathies of the Catholic population and the trade union movements in the allied countries. (c) Uniting all democratic Austrians for the fight against the Nazi-occupation and for an independent democratic republic [of] Austria. (d) Helping the Allied armies to defeat the Nazis and therefore shorten the war on Austrian soil. (e) Preparing a constructive program of social and economic reconstruction of Austria, supported by the Allied Nations, especially U.S.A. and Britain. Red-White-Red Plan, Dec. 6, 1944
Poland The first page of the pamphlet consists of three things: (1) 8 stamps: 4 of these represent a skeleton marching under a swastika with the inscription "Deutschland Kaput" (down with Germany!) Directly underneath showing a shield and clenched fist and the inscription "Polska Zwyciezy" (May Poland Conquer!) (2) A litany, the translation of which is found on page 2 of this document. (3) An illustration of Saint Stanislaw Kostka. The second page consists of reproductions of the front pages of Polish underground newspapers and pamphlets. Polish Pamphlet, circa 1944
Yugoslavia British Report on Tito Organization, March 28, 1944
Opposition to Tito: Actual and Potential, Sept. 21, 1944
General Mihailovich and His Adversaries, Aug. 11, 1942
Memorandum of Eugene P. Warner, Nov. 25, 1944
Montenegro-Albanian Project, July 19, 1944
Copyright Paul Wolf, 2004. For educational use only. No copyright to original government works.
