Turkish intelligence releases old documents, showcases British intel operation

In a public release, Türkiye‘s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has made available another cache of old documents.

Among these, an intelligence report from 1935 has gained significant attention in Türkiye, as it unveils the first-ever mention of the “code name” given to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first president of Türkiye, by a British intelligence operative.

The document, published by MIT, provides insight into surveillance activities conducted on a Times reporter, Walter Collins, who was under scrutiny during the 1930s.

The intelligence report, dated Feb. 2, 1935, contains references to Ataturk, Ismet Inonu, and marshal Fevzi Cakmak, alongside the covert use of code names for these prominent Turkish figures.

Revealed code names

The 1935 report highlights how the individuals in question were referred to by aliases in the intelligence documents:

• Ataturk was given the code name Robertson.
• Ismet Inonu as Smith.
• Fevzi Cakmak as Brown.

This revelation provides a fascinating glimpse into the covert nature of intelligence work during the time and the lengths to which foreign intelligence services went to protect their operations.

Details of 1935 intelligence report

The intelligence report, published on MIT’s official website, reveals the following key points:

• Walter Collins’ return to Istanbul: The report stated that Walter Collins, a journalist for The Times, returned to Istanbul on Jan. 28, 1935. There, he met with Mr. Nurettin, a local newspaper correspondent, and recruited him to act as The Times’ correspondent in Ankara. Collins directed Nurettin to send telegrams with intelligence updates and act as an intermediary for him.
• Instructions on using code names: The report detailed how Collins instructed Nurettin to use the code names instead of the real names of Turkish leaders. Specifically, he directed Nurettin to refer to Ataturk as “Robertson,” Inonu as “Smith,” and Cakmak as “Brown” in all correspondences.
• Security measures: The document also mentioned that when Collins was unavailable, an individual named Canut would take over his duties. Additionally, it noted that Collins’ personal address was the Findikli-Exelsior Hotel.
• Monitoring communications: The report concluded with instructions for MIT officials to monitor and report on Collins’ communications with Ankara. The surveillance efforts aimed to ensure that all activities conducted by Collins were closely observed and any intelligence obtained was passed back to the relevant authorities.

MIT to continue releasing dated documents

The revelation of Ataturk’s code name, Robertson, is a significant moment in Türkiye’s history, as it underscores the global attention directed toward the nation’s leadership and the delicate political landscape during the 1930s. It also highlights the complex relationship between foreign media and intelligence agencies at the time.

With the ongoing release of dated intelligence reports, the MIT offers historians, researchers and the general public a rare glimpse into Türkiye’s intelligence history during the early decades of the republic.