History of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe, 1942-1949: Finding Aid

History of the Naval Technical Mission in Europe

The establishment of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe (NavTecMisEu) was originally approved by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on December 4, 1944, officially established by directive on December 26, and commenced operation on January 20, 1945. Composed of a Chief of Mission, technical officers, and civilian technicians, the Mission's goal was the procurement of German scientific and technical intelligence for use by the U.S. Navy's technical bureaus.

Led for most of its existence by Captain Henry A. Schade, the Mission also counted among its members future Rear Admiral Albert G. Mumma. On October 1, 1945, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest J. King ordered the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe decommissioned. Eleven days later, Captain Schade was detached as Chief of Mission, leaving Acting Chief of Mission Captain Leroy V. Honsinger to complete the decommissioning of the Mission on November 1, 1945.

Description of Contents

The History of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe, comprising 0.21 linear feet of documentation, spans from 1942 to 1949, with the historical narrative itself having been written in 1949. Compiled by Captain Henry A. Schade, the history, with its appendixes and attachments, details the origin, composition, and operations of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe and its role in the acquisition of German scientific and technological intelligence during and after World War II.

Included in the collection are historical narratives, rosters, memorandums, orders, dispatches, and photographs.

The History of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe is arranged by volume, chapter and document type into a single series with no subdivisions. Roughly two-thirds of the collection consists of a typescript of Captain Schade's narrative report of the history and organization of the Technical Mission. Volume 1 of the history consists of seven chapters: Directive, Narrative, Internal Organization, Relations with Other Organization, Operation Subjects, and Critical Summary. Volume 2 consists of 26 appendixes (a 27th appendix is missing) pertaining to subjects such as personnel, the establishment of Mission sub-sections, the handling of German documents, Mission casualties, and the Mission's decommissioning.

The remaining one-third of the collection consists primarily of memoranda sent and received by Captain Schade, as well as several orders. Included are lists of topics to be investigated by the Mission, including German radar, guided missiles, radio navigation, signaling systems, and aircraft engines. Also discussed are Navy representation on the Army's ALSOS Mission, personnel requests, and the Mission's decommissioning.

Also included in the collection are four photographs of the German aerial attacks on Convoy PQ 17 in the summer of 1942.

Arrangement

The History of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe is arranged by volume, chapter, and document type.

Access and Use

Access

Access to any potentially classified material is restricted.

Copyright and Permission

The History of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of R. J. Schade in March 2000. Accession No. 00-23.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional records of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe can be found at the National Archives and Records Administration in the following series: Reports and Papers, 1945 - 1947, NAID 23889302; Letters and Technical Reports, 1944 - 1945, NAID 23857313; German Ship Propulsion Plans, 12/26/1944 - 11/1/1945, NAID 12518092; Reports and Office Files, 1944 - 1945, NAID 2842709; and German Naval Machinery Plans, 12/26/1944 - 11/1/1945, NAID 12503872.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

The materials referred to as Volume 1 and Volume 2 were disbound prior to donation. Volume 1 was further subdivided by chapter during processing.

Preferred Citation

History of the U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe, MS 37

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

"Department of the Navy. U.S. Naval Technical Mission in Europe. 12/26/1944-11/1/1945 Organization Authority Record," National Archives Catalog, accessed March 10, 2022, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10513349.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in March 2022. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in March 2022.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Schade, Henry A., 1900-1992
• United States. Naval Technical Mission to Europe
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Military intelligence -- Germany
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Military intelligence -- United States

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Manuscripts
• Photographs
• Reports