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The Walls Have Ears

© Ralph Zuljan

Spying is a part of intelligence gathering and the subject of many an exciting tale. It is not, however, the largest part of intelligence gathering. Most intelligence gathering takes place at a very low level, listening to newscasts, reading newspapers and listening to the man in the street. The stranger to whom you speak at the bus stop may not be as glamorous as James Bond, but he may be reporting to a hostile government. Hence the wartime posters and slogans "Loose lips sink ships", "The walls have ears" and such. Paranoia reaches remarkable heights during wartime, and often with good reason. The most innocuous data can be of use to the enemy.

Censorship is one way of cutting off the flow of information to the enemy. Troop movements are never broadcast and news of victories, defeats, and mobilizations are kept strictly secret. Things that are normal part of daily life suddenly take on a new, and sinister, significance. One's job may suddenly be elevated to the status of secret. This is true of military research, of course, but even normal banking transactions or discussions of the weather take on the aspect of state secrets. The flow of money is of vital interest to the enemy because it takes cash to run a war. Inflation or cash flow problems give a good indication of how affordable the war effort is, and what kind of strength the enemy can be expected to display.

The ebb and flow of money between governments is of such importance that banking became one of the occupations protected from having its members drafted into service. Even tellers and clerks were considered irreplaceable and could not leave their jobs.

Weather forecasts, previously of interest only to farmers, fishermen and holiday makers become material to be censored. They give an excellent indication of the ability to move troops and materials, or when attack may become either immanent or feasible.

Letters to and from members of the military are heavily censored. It is galling to know that your private mail is being read, and edited, by strangers, but the most innocent remarks (the weather is expected to be nice here in Dover on June 6) can, if the letter is intercepted, give away an entire battle plan. Even telling a kindly stranger where your son is presently stationed or when he may be coming home can give away some vital clue about troop movements.

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