A Closed Book? British Intelligence and East Asia, 1945–1950
This article focuses on British intelligence in China, Japan, and Korea from the end of the Second World War to the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950. It seeks to ascertain whether the collection of secret intelligence and its subsequent interpretation provided an accurate picture of Soviet and local communist intentions in East Asia. Since the war against Japan began, the region was largely an American responsibility and remained so after 1945 when they occupied Japan, Korea below the 38th parallel, and sent forces to China. Much of the intelligence effort for East Asia also devolved upon the Americans. Yet, the British retained an intelligence interest there not least because of their extensive commercial assets in China and the region's proximity to Britain's imperial position in Southeast Asia. That interest gathered pace after growing Communist threats inside China and Korea. However, the available intelligence resources for the Far East as a whole were scarce, making it difficult to piece together a clear picture of fast moving events in East Asia.
British Cryptanalysis and China, 1937–1945: An Underused Source for Recent Chinese History?
Abstract: This article discusses British cryptanalysis of Chinese diplomatic traffic, and of the diplomatic traffic of other states such as Japan and Afghanistan regarding China, between 1937 and 1945. The records are in the British National Archives HW12 series, which has not been thoroughly exploited by historians due to inadequate cataloging. The article shows how British and American views on the failings of Chinese communications security, which led to much-resented restrictions on Chinese diplomatic reportage and a general reluctance to share high-level information with China, were informed partly by the extent of Japanese mastery of Chinese traffic, which was in turn disclosed through British and American successes against Japanese communications. Finally, Chinese and Japanese efforts to court Muslim opinion internationally are discussed to illustrate how material in HW12 can make a useful contribution to the study of diplomacy and intrigue during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
The Mound on the Mount: A Possible Solution to the Problem with Jerusalem
Following Knauf's suggestion (2000), the article raises the possibility that in most periods in the second and first millennia BCE the main built-up area of Jerusalem was limited to a mound on the Temple Mount. This mound, which may have covered an area of five hectares and more, was boxed-in under the Herodian platform. At these periods activity in the City of David ridge was restricted to the area near the Gihon spring. In the Iron IIB and late Hellenistic Periods the fortified settlement expanded simultaneously to both the City of David ridge and the southwestern hill. In these two periods there was no need to fortify the western side of the City of David, as this line ran in the middle of the city.