Forceful and effective Director of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War Two, Donovan created a highly capable US clandestine intelligence and special operations organisation following its establishment in 1941. OSS was limited by the fact that it was unable to operate either with the United States or Latin America because of Hoover's political influence and in fact Hoover was to constantly try to undermine both Donovan and the work of OSS for much of the War. Donovan also believed that both the US and British were giving far too much intelligence material and help to the Soviet Union.
Fearing that the Soviets would quickly become an enemy again once Nazi Germany had been defeated, he pressed the President to retain OSS as a permanent post war organization. Hoover however had far more influence in the Whitehouse and Congress than Donovan and in concert with the US Military, who disliked the para-military role of the OSS, persuaded Truman otherwise. Although President Truman precipitately abolished the OSS on September 20th 1945, the experience gained laid the groundwork for the creation of the CIA in 1947. Donovan's farsighted views would be vindicated with the onset of the Cold War and the creation of the CIA in 1947 |
