Licensed to Spy: Allied Military Liaison Missions to Soviet Forces in East Germany

Throughout the Cold War the United States, Great Britain, and France maintained a little-known, but highly important military presence behind the Iron Curtain in the form of “Military Liaison Missions” (MLMs) to Soviet Forces Germany.  Originally established to keep an open line of communication between occupying powers, reduce tensions and prevent a potential escalation between the Soviet Union and NATO, MLMs also provided an unparalleled opportunity to collect valuable intelligence on Soviet military activities and technology. In this presentation, we will dive into the fascinating world of day-to-day MLM operations throughout East Germany, which were under constant threat of discovery, detention, and worse.  We’ll learn of their daring, up close and personal exploits behind enemy lines and how their observations and discoveries shaped NATO security strategy helped to keep the Cold War cold.

About John Dellinger:

John Dellinger is a retired military intelligence officer who served in both the United States Marine Corps and the Royal Australian Navy.