Finnish-German Intelligence Cooperation Before World War II

[Fermansky]

Greetings,

I have come across some sources, attributed to a certain Hans Piekenbrock, which suggest that Finnish and German intelligence cooperation became significantly closer from 1937 onwards. According to these sources, Wilhelm Canaris, the head of the German Abwehr, personally visited Finland in 1937, 1938, and 1939. The exact nature of these visits remains undisclosed, as they were undoubtedly shrouded in secrecy. It has been speculated that these visits might have led to the establishment of a German intelligence agency in Finland, known as the "Kriegsorganisation Finnland," and could also be linked to Armas Eskola's clandestine flights during the summer of 1939.

However, beyond a limited amount of Russian material, I have been unable to find additional sources regarding Finnish-German intelligence cooperation before World War II. This lack of corroborating evidence has left me somewhat skeptical about the authenticity of these claims. Therefore, I am reaching out to this forum in the hope that someone can recommend any books or articles that delve into this specific topic.

I would greatly appreciate any information or insights you can provide.

Thank you!

[Mangrove]

Therefore, I am reaching out to this forum in the hope that someone can recommend any books or articles that delve into this specific topic.

There are some information on Itsetehostuksesta nöyryyteen: suomensaksalaiset 1933–1946 (From Self-Assertion to Humility. The German Community in Finland, 1933–46. Social Structure and Political Orientation) published by the National Archives of Finland.

From pages 181-182.

"According to Alexander Cellarius, the director of the Finnish branch of the Abwehr, in 1930 a secret cooperation agreement concerning the intelligence and surveillance service was concluded between the Finnish and German general staffs. The original purpose of the cooperation was to monitor the activities of the Soviet Baltic Fleet. The agreement on intelligence cooperation was strengthened and renewed in 1935, and in the following year 1936, the Abwehr created an intelligence organization called Kriegsorganisation Finnland."

Abwehrin Suomen osaston johtajan Alexander Cellariuksen mukaan solmittiin vuonna 1930 Suomen ja Saksan yleisesikuntien välille salainen tiedustelu- ja valvontapalvelua koskeva yhteistoimintasopimus. Yhteistyön alkuperäinen tarkoitus oli Neuvostoliiton Itämeren laivaston toiminnan seuraaminen. Tiedusteluyhteistyötä koskevaa sopimusta vahvistettiin ja uudistettiin vuonna 1935 ja seuraavana vuonna 1936 Abwehr loi Kriegsorganisation Finnland -nimisen tiedustelujärjestön.

Following references are provided:

• Aseveljet, Saksalais-suomalainen aseveljeys 1942–1944 by Robert Alftan. Helsinki, 2005.

• Article Saksan tiedustelu Suomessa by Erkki Laukkanen on Salaisen
  sodan sivut. Tiedustelua, vakoilua ja salatoimintaa jatkosodassa. Helsinki, 2003.

• Erittäin salainen. Vakoilu Suomessa by Jukka Rislakki. Helsinki, 1982.

[Fermansky]

That's truly helpful! Thank you for sharing the valuable information!