Bureau central de renseignements et d'action

The Bureau central de renseignements et d'action (French: [byʁo sɑ̃tʁal də ʁɑ̃sɛɲmɑ̃ e daksjɔ̃], Central Bureau of Intelligence and Operations), abbreviated BCRA, was the World War II-era forerunner of the SDECE and DGSE, the French intelligence services. Originally known as the Service de Renseignements (SR), it was created by Charles de Gaulle in 1940 as a Free French intelligence system that combined both military and political roles, including covert operations. On 15 April 1941, its name was changed to Bureau central de renseignements et d’action militaire (BCRAM). The policy of covert and secret operations was reversed in 1943 by Emmanuel d'Astrier (1900–1969), who insisted on civilian control of political intelligence. The Bureau was first commanded by Major André Dewavrin, who had taken the nom de guerre "Colonel Passy", while journalist Pierre Brossolette (1903-44) headed the civilian-arm.