What did the declassified documents reveal?

The Alsos Mission: World War II Program To Spy on Enemy Scientific Advances Released on December 29, 2020, through The Black Vault, a document archive, this declassified CIA document reveals the details of the Alsos Mission, a secret program aimed at discovering enemy scientific developments during World War II. Provenance: This document was released in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, processed by the CIA in accordance with the FOIA and the CIA Information Act. The documents were previously released and are now being provided as a result of this request. The Document: Central Intelligence Agency Washington, D.C. 20505 30 November 2020 John Greenewald, Jr. 27305 West Live Oak Road Suite # 1203 Castaic, CA 91384 Reference: F- 2020-00876 Dear Requester, This letter is a final response to your 10 February 2020 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records, electronic or otherwise, that pertain to: The Alsos Mission. This would include, but not be limited to, reports, memos, letters, etc. that pertain to the above. We processed your request in accordance with the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552, as amended, and the CIA Information Act, 50 U.S.C. § 3141, as amended. Our records show that we had a previous search for records on the subject of your request. Therefore, we searched our previously released database and located the enclosed four documents, totaling 24 pages. Please be advised that these documents were released as a result of that search in connection with this subject. [Four lines redacted under exemption B1] SUBJECT: V - T Fuses, no: Tho A881.8tant Chief of Staff, 6-2 Suprare Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, APO 757, c/o Postmaster, New York, New York 1. Reference is ble de to her lepartment radio number 89354 dated 9 January 1945 and subsequent radios from 6-2 SHAEF relative to the above subject matter. 2. The War Department and the Office of Scientific Research and Development are anxious that complete and detailed information on the following general topics be obtained: a. Energy action to our V-T fuse. b. Energy knowledge of the fuse. c. Enemy's capabilities and plans for developing and using our V-fuse or similar fuse. d. Enemy's capabilities and plans regarding the development and use of countermeasures against our V-T fuse. 3. In view of the scientific aspects of the above question, the War Department and the Office of Scientific Research and Development have instructed the ALSOS Mission to make a field investigation of the subject primarily for the War Department but coordinating the results of its investigation with any similar investigations being conducted by other technical or other agencies. [Four lines redacted under exemption B1] 4. Dr. H. G. Salant, representing the Office of Scientific Research and Development and this War Department, will depart in the near future for the European Theater to be attached to the ALSOS Mission to function as the chief scientific worker for the War Department's…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.

The Alsos Mission: World War Ii Program To Spy On Enemy Scientific Advances

◆ BLUF — The short version

The Alsos Mission: World War II Program To Spy on Enemy Scientific Advances Released on December 29, 2020, through The Black Vault, a document archive, this declassified CIA document reveals the details of the Alsos Mission, a secret program aimed at discovering enemy scientific developments during World War II.

Date: JUL 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)

↯ Dispatch — press play5:10

0:005:10

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

Questions about this case

What was The Alsos Mission: World War Ii Program To Spy On Enemy Scientific Advances about?: The Alsos Mission: World War II Program To Spy on Enemy Scientific Advances Released on December 29, 2020, through The Black Vault, a document archive, this declassified CIA document reveals the details of the Alsos Mission, a secret program aimed at discovering enemy scientific developments during World War II.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

intelligence-vault

Related cases

✉ Dispatches

A short dispatch when a new file is released — narrated, answer-first, and linked straight to the primary source. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

↯ Subscribe to the feed

RSS feed Browse all cases

The Alsos Mission: World War Ii Program To Spy On Enemy Scientific Advances

Questions about this case

Related cases

Political Problems In Communist China – A Central Intelligence Agency

Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning Chinese Involvement

Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence Report On Meng‑tzu Airfield, West

Peking's Attitude Toward The Threat Of U‑s Attack, Central Intelligence Agency

Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning The Use Of A P‑3 Aircraft

Questions about this case

Related cases

Political Problems In Communist China – A Central Intelligence Agency

Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning Chinese Involvement

Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence Report On Meng‑tzu Airfield, West

Peking's Attitude Toward The Threat Of U‑s Attack, Central Intelligence Agency

Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning The Use Of A P‑3 Aircraft

Get the next declassified case in your inbox