'Vopo'-General Vincenz Mueller and Western Intelligence, 1948-54: CIC, the Gehlen Organization and Two Cold War Covert Operations

Searle, DA

Abstract

This article describes an attempt by the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) to bring about the defection of former Wehrmacht General Vincenz Müller from Eastern Germany (1948-50). While this covert operation failed, it provided a prelude to Operation 'Schwaben', a similar undertaking conducted by the Gehlen Organization with exactly the same aim. Müller does not appear to have been interested in American offers to assist in his defection, but during the German operation he came very close to a decision to defect. This case is interesting for the light it throws on the internal workings of the CIC during the early Cold War period, as well as for the new perspective it gives on the complexities of Müller's involvement with Western intelligence.

Citation

Searle, D. (2002). 'Vopo'-General Vincenz Mueller and Western Intelligence, 1948-54: CIC, the Gehlen Organization and Two Cold War Covert Operations. Intelligence and National Security, 17(2), 27-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/02684520412331306480

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2002
• Deposit Date: Sep 26, 2007
• Journal: Intelligence and National Security
• Print ISSN: 0268-4527
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 27-50
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02684520412331306480