19th century – Digithemis

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ANTECEDENTS OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE – 19the CENTURY	HISTORY OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE – 19th CENTURY	HISTORY OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE – 19by SIECLE
After Belgian independence 1830 the establishment of the Belgian army is one of the first acts of the provisional government. The army does not have an organic information gathering and intelligence gathering service. In 1831 the 'Police Militaire du Département de la Guerre' is created, which is composed on a loose basis of informants, those led by officers, tasked with tracking down and monitoring Orangist and republican elements within the army.	After the Belgian independence in 1830, one of the first actions of the provisional government was to raise an army. The army did not possess any department in charge of the collection of information and gathering of intelligence. In 1831, the “War Department Military Police” was established. The new body worked on a non-regular basis with informants who were supervised by officers and was responsible for detecting and monitoring Orangemen and Republican elements within the army.	After the independence of Belgium in 1830, one of the first actions of the provisional government is the establishment of an army. The army then does not have an organic service which collects information and processes intelligence. In 1831, the Military Police of the War Department is created and works arbitrarily with informants, who are supervised by officers and responsible for finding and following Orange and Republican elements within the army.


1831 Exploration plan Reconnaissance sketch Reconnaissance sketch		1848 Republican pamphlet, seized by the army Republican pamphlet seized by the army Republican pamphlet seized by the army

In 1881 become, within the Ministry of War, two offices were established, charged with gathering intelligence:	In 1881 two services were created within the Department of War:	Towards 1881, lack of General Staff, tasks relating to intelligence collection are centralized within the Ministry of War and form the following services:
11st Directorate “Operations-Instructions” – 2nd Sub-Directorate “Instructions” – 6th Bureau “Intelligence on Foreign Armies” (Information on Foreign Armies); 11st Directorate “Operations-Instructions” – 2nd Sub-Directorate “Instructions” – 5th Bureau “Studies of military history and geography” (Work on military history and geography).	1st Direction “Operations-Instructions” – 2nd Sub-direction “Instructions” – 6th Office “Intelligence on foreign armies”; 1st Direction “Operations-Instructions” – 2nd Sub-direction “Instructions” – 5th Office “Studies of military history and geography” (Work on military history and geography).	11st “Operations-Instructions” Directorate – 2nd “Instructions” Sub-Directorate – 6th “Intelligence on Foreign Armies” Bureau; 11st “Operations-Instructions” Directorate – 2nd “Instructions” Sub-Directorate – 5th “Military History and Geography Works” Office.
In 1886 wants the “Corps d'Etat-Major” by Ministerial Decree, the head of which depends directly on the Ministry of War, establish an “intelligence” department (3the section). However, this decision is not approved by King Leopold II.	In 1886, the army wanted to create, by Ministerial Decree, an “Intelligence Department (3rd Section) within the General Staff, whose head was under the direct authority of the Department of War. However, King Leopold II did not agree.	In 1886, we wish to create by Ministerial Decree an “Intelligence” department (3and section) within the General Staff, whose head reports directly to the Ministry of War. But King Leopold II refuses to give his approval.
By Royal Decree of 26 June 1910 an Army General Staff is established. The new body includes four offices, of which the 2nd office is responsible for Intelligence.	The Royal Decree of 26th June 1910 established the General Staff of the Army. The newly created body consisted of four offices, including the 2nd Office, which was responsible for Intelligence.	The Royal Decree of 26 june 1910 gives birth to the Army General Staff. This new body includes four offices, whose 2nd Office is responsible for the Intelligence part.
Begin 1911 a service is set up by the 2nd Intelligence Bureau to keep an eye on the borders (Border Surveillance and Intelligence Service) and which is composed of 300 posts manned by local gendarmes, customs officers and forest rangers.	In the beginning of 1911, the 2nd Office “Intelligence” established a service in charge of monitoring the borders (Border Surveillance and Intelligence Service), where 300 local gendarmes, custom officers and forest rangers were employed.	Beginning 1911, the 2nd “Intelligence” Office activates the service responsible for monitoring the borders (Border Surveillance and Intelligence Service) and which consists of 300 positions filled by gendarmes, customs officers and local forest guards.

The Belgian gendarmes in the photo probably contributed to the formation of “the Border Surveillance and Intelligence Service
The Belgian gendarmes on the picture have probably contributed to establish the monitoring and intelligence service at the borders (Museum of the Police Force)
The Belgian gendarmes in the photo undoubtedly helped to form the Surveillance Service and border intelligence (Integrated Police Museum)

Op 12 mei 1911 the name of the 2nd Bureau 'Intelligence' is changed to 2nd Section 'Intelligence' and in March 1912 merges this 2nd Section with the former 6th Bureau 'Intelligence on Foreign Armies' of the 1st Directorate 'Operations-Instructions', when the latter is attached to the General Staff of the Army.

On 12th May 1911, the 2nd Office “Intelligence” became the 2nd Section “Intelligence”, which merged in March 1912 with the 6th Office “Intelligence on foreign armies” of the 1st Direction “Operations-Instructions”, when the latter was attached to the General Staff of the Army.

The 12 may 1911, the name 2nd “Intelligence” Bureau changes in favor of the 2nd “Intelligence” Section. A March 1912, this service merges with the former 6th Bureau “Intelligence on foreign armies” of the 1st Directorate “Operations-Instructions” when the latter is attached to the General Staff of the army.

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