ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the history of Goleniewski’s work within Polish intelligence from 1945 to his decision to start leaking information to the USA in the late 1950s. Goleniewski started as a guard but was rapidly promoted and eventually became a lieutenant colonel. The chapter describes the mixed fortunes of the Polish intelligence services in the postwar era as, after some initial successes, they were re-organized significantly following the defection of a leading officer, Józef Swiatlo. Goleniewski’s role as head of the intelligence branch of the MSW for scientific and technical information – known as Section VI of Department I – is also contextualized within the history of technological competition between East and West. Goleniewski’s likely role as an informant for Russian intelligence is also examined.
