Listening in

More about the book

This autobiography of Sergeant First Class Ernest H. Hinrichs reflects the story of the beginnings of modern electronic intelligence gathering. An early radio deception plan, sophisticated for its time, the interception of German trench communications, and the work of the French-American interception teams, entirely outside the line structure of the French and American armies at the front, are all included in these reminiscences. Because of his fluency in German and his engineering background, the young draftee was assigned to the Signal Corps' radio intelligence efforts. Following training at the future Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, his unit was sent to France and attached to the French Army after training in wireless telegraphy. Independent service with the French and American intercept services followed until the end of the war.But Hinrichs' writings discuss his comforts as well as his work. Hinrichs takes our knowledge of German, French, and American warfare and trench life to a new level of understanding.