(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00022R000400140002-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 4, 1999
• Sequence Number: 2
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 'ITqO// 8 &,. C J'84-0p(42gF..OO QQ14DS -4
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1. Research & Development Branch (R&D) organized as independent branch reporting
directly to Donovan, 17 Oct 42. Grew out of Technical Development Section
under SA/Gs COT. Mission: development of special weapons and equipment
necessary to subversive warfare,'items necessary to support agent cover,
camouflage of personal accessories or devices to facilitate special operations,
and collection and dissemination of information on a11, types of equipment
developed within or without the agency that would be of use in OSS activities.
Liaison with OSRD, NDRC and other elements of government.
2. SSU operational auxiliaries included Comoro Section and Operational Auxiliaries
Branch includes some personnel engaged in research in such subjects and Yw g
speciapl wireless communication equipment for clandestine agents, documentation
intelligence and secret inks.
3. 080 original set-up, outlined in SODir #7, 4 Dec 46,, included a Chief. Projects
Support Division under the Executive to ADSO, who had a bastard form of
authority over six sections. The seextions were under the CIG Executive , so
the Ch., PS Div, was more an alabassador or suppliant than authorized to
exercise authority, One of the sections was a Secret Section, which carried
on the mission of R&D Branch-Ops Aux Branch.
4. SODir #18, 6 Jun 47, was put out in anticipation of revised instructions of
the DCI which would give ADSO complete control of his major supporting services,
Projects Support Division was replaced by a Chief. Administrative Services
and Secret Section was replaced by a Cover and Documentation Division which
became an integral part of SO. At the same time a Special Equipment Staff
was established under the Chief of Operations, SO, thus dividing the old
R&D Branch mission between two separate elements of SO.
5. On 1 Jan 49, under authority of CIA General Orders # 11 and 12, the Executive,
CIA, again assumed central control of all CIA administrative support functions.
However neither the Cover and Documentation Division nerd the Special Equipment
Staffwere removed from SO. Instead they were combined into an Operational
Aids Division which reported directly to ADSO. This arrangements was not
formalized in the record until 11 Oct 49, by SCDir #18/9/
6. OPC activated its aim Research & Development Branch in February 1950. It
operated under a systemt of sub-contracting specific undertaking either to
private organizations or to the Armed Services, It was redesignated
Research & Development Division on 8 Jun 51.
7. Under CIA Regulaiian #70, 4 Jan 51., many provisions of which were never put into
effect$ the Operational Aids Division was placed directly under the DDPlans, with
no change in name. The name was later changed to Technical Services Staff, and
this new combined element was functioning by September 1951 in anticipation of
the merger of OSO and Opce which was formalized in January 1952. TSS has
gradually assumed an organizational status similar to that of Communications
and as of July 1952 will be officially designated an Office instead of a Staff.
Its chief is an Assistant Director.
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP84-00022R000400140002-4
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