New Book – Invaluable Service

Older members may be interested in this recent book describing the hitherto secret activities of the many people and places involved with listening to and decoding the enemy’s signals during  two World Wars.  This book describes NZ’s contribution to SIGINT with special emphasis on WW2.  The authors have unearthed and brought to light much of what has been lost or hidden during that time, including NZ’s’significant contribution to the nerve wracking scramble to locate the Scharnhorst battle cruiser in the North Atlantic in 1953.  Because secrecy was paramount, their station locations and personnel, their triumphs and failures  were never reported.  In his foreword Dr Warren Tucker, Director of the SIS writes, “This book is a must for all with an interest in intelligence matters as well as those who enjoy  insider histories of the war.” It is well researched and I only found a couple of errors and two pictures that were questionable.  It is pricey at $79 but is available through the Auckland Library and with almost 500 pages will provide interesting reading  Peter Smith.  The book is available from http://www.resourcebooks.co.nz/invaluable_service.html