Agency Africa

Agency Africa, Franco-Polish intelligence network which was also known as Agency Rygor after its leader, Major (later Maj-General) Rygor Slowikowski, who escaped to France after the end of the Polish campaign in October 1939. He formed an intelligence network in France and in July 1941 was ordered by the Polish government-in-exile to start one in French North Africa. Unknown to him initially, his orders were in fact coming from, and his intelligence going to, MI6 (though it was later channelled through the Office of Strategic Services). His territory was vast, from the Libyan–Tunisian border to French West Africa, but, posing as a wealthy porridge-making businessman and using Algiers as a base, he organized nine outposts in Algeria, Tunisia, French Morocco, and Dakar in French West Africa. His intelligence officers were Polish but his agents were all French. By the time of the North African campaign landings (TORCH) in November 1942, for which Agency Africa provided valuable intelligence on ports and airfields and the location of Vichy French military units and installations, it had two radio stations, a counter-intelligence on port, and no fewer than 92 principal agents. After TORCH the network was mainly concerned with interrogating Polish prisoners-of-war who had fought for the Germans. Slowikowski was awarded the British OBE and the American Legion of Merit (see decorations). See also spies.

Bibliography

Slowikowski, M. R. , In the Secret Service: The Lighting of the Torch (London, 1988).