Military Intelligence (Research)

Military Intelligence (Research), abbreviated as MI(R), originally known as General Staff (Research), or GS(R), was a section of the British War Office established in 1936 under the Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff (DCIGS). MI(R) was designed to be effectively the British "clearing house for bright ideas," and a think tank for government research into the forms of irregular and guerrilla warfare which might be advantageous for the British Armed Forces, but over the course of its existence, it evolved from its simple research function, and became itself a paramilitary organization. For the majority of its known declassified existence, MI(R) was directed by Jo Holland. MI(R) effectively created the doctrine of future British special operations, especially through the course of mid-1940. Alongside its research and operations in guerrilla warfare, Holland and MI(R) also spent a great deal of time generating ideas for inventions and gadgets to be deployed into the field. To this end, MI(R) created and oversaw the initial operations of MIR(c), the unit which became known as Churchill's Toyshop, responsible for the development of weapons and equipment intended for use by guerrillas operating behind enemy lines.

Because MI(R) was not organized as a "unit," the officers serving here were not issued distinctive regimental badges, regimental caps or ties. If officers transferred in from other units, they retained their original caps and badges. Those officers that were recruited directly into MI(R) were initially badged into the General Service Corps, and as of July 1940, were badged into the Intelligence Corps.