THE GUIDE
TO UNDERGROUND WORK
OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
First published during the ‘eighties as a series of articles in the SACP
publication ‘Umsebenzi ’;
later as a single pamphlet for underground operatives.
HOW TO MASTER SECRET
WORK
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SETTING UP A SECRET NETWORK
3. SOME RULES OF SECRECY
4. SURVEILLANCE
5. SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES
6. COUNTER-SURVEILLANCE
7. THE CHECK ROUTE
8. CHECK ROUTE WITH ASSISTANCE AND BY VEHICLE
9. CHECKING BY CAR
10. CUTTING THE TAIL
11. SECRET COMMUNICATIONS
12. PERSONAL MEETINGS
13. EMERGENCY AND CHECK MEETINGS
14. BLIND MEETING
15. NON-PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
16. SIGNALS
17. DEAD LETTER BOX
18. STATIONARY,PORTABLE AND MOBILE DLBs
19. FAILURE AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT
20. DETECTING AND LOCALISING FAILURE
1 .INTRODUCTION
This is a pamphlet about the role of secrecy in solving the tasks of the Revolution.Secrecy
gives us
protection by starving the enemy of information about us.Secrecy helps us build
a strong revolutionary
movement to overthrow the enemy.
There is nothing sinister about using secret methods to help win freedom.Through
the ages the ruling
classes have made it as difficult as possible for the oppressed people to gain
freedom.The oppressors use the
most cruel and sinister methods to stay in power.They use unjust laws to ban,banish,imprison
and execute
their opponents.They use secret police,soldiers,spies and informers against
the people ’s movements.But
the people know how to fight back and how to use secret methods of work.
The early history of struggle in our country is full of good examples.Makanda,Cetshwayo,Sekhukhune
and
Bambatha made use of secret methods to organise resistance.Bambatha,for example,prepared
his rebellion
against colonialism in great secrecy from the Nkandla forest.
Secrecy has Helped us Outwit the Enemy:
The enemy tries to give the impression that it is impossible to carry out illegal
work.The rulers boast about
all our people they have killed or captured.They point to the freedom fighters
locked up in the prisons.But
a lot of that talk is sheer bluff.Of course it is impossible to wage a struggle
without losses.The very fact,
however,that the South African Communist Party and African National Congress
have survived years of
illegality is proof that the regime cannot stop our noble work.It is because
we have been mastering secret
work that we have been able,more and more,to outwit the enemy.
Discipline,Vigilance and Self-Control:
Secret methods are based on common sense and experience.But they must be mastered
like an art.
Discipline,vigilance and self-control are required.A resistance organiser in
Nazi-occupied France who was
never captured said this was because he `never used the telephone and never
went to public places like bars,
restaurants and post offices ’.He was living a totally underground life.But
even those members of a secret
movement who have a legal existence must display the qualities we have referred
to.
Study and Apply the Rules of Secrecy:
Most people know from films and books that secret work involves the use of codes,passwords,safe
houses
and hiding places.Activists must study the rules of secrecy and apply them seriously.This
enables us to
build up secret organisations linked to the people.This secret network becomes
a vital force in helping to
lead the people in the struggle for power.In our series we will discuss such
topics as:
1.How to set up a secret network;
2.The rules of secrecy;
3.How to overcome surveillance (i.e.observation);
4.Secret forms of communication;
5.Technical Methods such as secret writing,hiding places etc.;
6.How to behave under interrogation (i.e.when being questioned by the enemy).
These are among the main elements of secret work.
To organise in secret is not easy,but remember:The most difficult work is the
most noble!
2 .SETTING UP A SECRET
NETWORK
We have said that secret work helps us overcome the problems created by the
enemy.This helps in the vital
task of building an underground organisation or secret network.The network must
lead the people in the
struggle for power.It does not compete with the progressive legal organisations
but reinforces them.Let us
look at some of the main measures involved:
1.Only serious and reliable people can be included in the secret network.The
leaders must study
the potential recruits very carefully.They are looking for people who are politically
clean,determined,
disciplined,honest and sober.People who can keep a secret.People who are brave
and capable of defying
the enemy even if captured.
2.Recruits are organised into a unit or cell of three or four people.The number
is limited in case of
failure or arrest.The cell leader is the most experienced person.The cell members
must not know the other
members of the network.
3.Only the cell leader knows and is in contact with a more senior member of
the network.This senior
contact gives instructions from the leadership and receives reports.
4.A small committee of the most experienced people leads the network.This is
a leadership cell of two
or three persons.This cell might be in charge of a factory,location,township
or city.A city network takes
the form of a pyramid.The city underground committee is at the top.Local cells
are at the base.Middle
command cells are in between.Start with one cell.Gain experience before building
more.
5.A rule of secret work is that members must know only that which is necessary
to fulfil their tasks.
Everyone,from top to bottom,must have good cover stories to protect them.This
is a legend or story which
hides or camouflages the real work being done.For example:a secret meeting in
a park is made to look like
a chance meeting between friends.If they are ever questioned they give the legend
that they simply bumped
into each other and had a discussion about football.
6.All members of the network are given code names.These conceal their real identities.They
must have
good identification documents.Especially those living an illegal life.A lot
of time and effort must be given
to creating good legends to protect our people.There is nothing that arouses
suspicion as much as a stranger
who has no good reason for being around.
7.All illegal documents,literature,reports and weapons (when not in use)must
be carefully hidden.
Special hiding places must be built.Codes must be used in reports to conceal
sensitive names and
information.
8.The leaders must see that all members are trained in the rules and methods
of secret work .It is only
through this training that they will develop the skills to outwit the enemy.
9.Technical methods such as the use of invisible writing,codes and disguise
must be mastered.Counter-
surveillance methods which help check whether one is being watched by the enemy
must be known.Secret
forms of communicating between our people must be studied and used.This is all
part of the training.These
methods will be dealt with later.
10.Specialisation:Once the network has been developed some cells should specialise
in different tasks
such as propaganda,sabotage,combat work,mass work,factory organisation etc.
In the meantime you can start putting into practice some of the points already
dealt with.Begin to work out
legends in your work.What innocent reason can you give if a friend or a policeman
finds this journal in your
possession?
3 .SOME RULES OF SECRECY
Carelessness leads to arrests.Loose talk and strange behaviour attracts the
attention of police and izimpimpi .
Secret work needs vigilance and care.Rules of secrecy help to mask our actions
and overcome difficulties
created by the enemy.But first let us study the following situation:
What Not To Do
X,a trade unionist,also leads a secret cell.He phones Y and Z,his cell members,and
arranges to meet
outside a cinema.X leaves his office and rushes to the meeting 30 minutes late.Y
and Z have been anxiously
checking the time and pacing up and down.The three decide to go to a nearby
tea-room where they have
often met before.They talk over tea in low tones.People from the cinema start
coming in.One is a relative
of X who greets him.Y and Z are nervous and abruptly leave.When X is asked who
they were he hesitates
and,wanting to impress his relatives,replies:`They ’re good guys who like
to hear from me what ’s going
on ’.This opens the way for a long discussion on politics.X has made many
errors which would soon put the
police on the trail of all three.These seem obvious but in practice many people
behave just like X.They do
not prepare properly;rush about attracting attention;fail to keep time;do not
cover the activity with a legend
(cover story);talk loosely etc.Others pick up the bad style of work.X should
set a good example for Y and
Z.To avoid such mistakes rules of secrecy must be studied and practised.They
might seem obvious but
should never be taken for granted.
Things to Remember
1.Always have a believable ’ legend to cover your work!(X could have said
Y and Z were workers he
vaguely knew whom he had met by chance and had been encouraging to join the
union).
2.Underground membership must be secret!(X had no need to refer to Y and Z as
`good guys ’).
3.Behave naturally and do not draw attention to yourself!`Be like the people
’.Merge with them!(X,Y
and Z behaved suspiciously.)
4.No loose talk!Guard secrets with your life!Follow the saying:`Don ’t
trust anyone and talk as little as
possible ’.(X fails here).
5.Be vigilant against informers!They try to get close to you,using militant
talk to `test ’ and trap you.(Can
X be so sure of his relative?)
6.Be disciplined,efficient,punctual (X was none of these).Only wait ten minutes
at a meeting place.The
late comer may have been arrested.
7.Make all preparations beforehand!Avoid a regular pattern of behaviour which
makes it easy for the
enemy to check on you.(X made poor arrangements for the meeting;rushed there
from a sensitive place and
could have been followed;used the tea-room too often).
8.Do not try to discover what does not concern you!Know only what you have to
know for carrying out
your tasks.
9.Be careful what you say on the phone (which may be `bugged ’),or in a
public place (where you can be
overheard)!Conceal sensitive information such as names etc.by using simple codes!
10.Remove all traces of illegal work that can lead to you!Wipe fingerprints
off objects.Know that
typewriters can be traced;goods bought from shops can be checked.
11.Hide materials such as leaflets,weapons etc!But not where you live.Memorise
sensitive names,
addresses etc.Don ’t write them down!
12.Carry reliable documents of identification!
13.Know your town,its streets,parks,shops etc.like the palm of your hand!This
will help you find secret
places and enable you to check whether you are being followed.
14.If you are arrested you must deny all secret work and never reveal the names
of your comrades even to
the point of death!
15.Finally,if any member of your underground cell is arrested,you must immediately
act on the
assumption that they will be forced to give information.This means taking precautions,such
as going into
hiding if necessary.When the rules of secrecy are practised revolutionaries
make good progress.Practice
makes perfect and with discipline and vigilance we will outwit the enemy and
we will win!
4 .SURVEILLANCE
1.What is Surveillance?
In their efforts to uncover secret revolutionary activity the police put a close
watch on suspected persons
and places.This organised form of observation is called surveillance.There are
two general types of
surveillance:mobile and stationary.Mobile is sometimes refer red to as `tailing
’ or `shadowing ’ and involves
following the suspect (subject)around.Stationary is observing the subject,his
or her home and workplace,
from a fixed position.This can be from a parked car,neighbouring building or
shop and is referred to as a
`stake-out ’ in detective films.Surveillance combines both `tailing ’
and `stake-outs ’.
2.Counter-Surveillance
Members of a secret network must use methods of counter-surveillance to protect
themselves and their
underground organisation.You can establish whether you are being watched or
followed.These methods
can be effectively used and help you to give the police the impression that
you are not involved in secret
work.Before considering these methods of protection,however,we need to be more
aware of the enemy ’s
surveillance methods.For it is not possible to deal with surveillance unless
we know how it operates.
3.Aim of Surveillance
The primary aim of surveillance is to gather information about the subject and
to check out whether he or
she is involved in secret work.The police seek to establish the links between
the subject and those he or
she might be working with.The enemy wants to identify you and locate the residences
and secret places
you use.They try to collect evidence to prove that illegal work has been committed.An
important use of
surveillance is to check on information received from informers.
4.Decision for Surveillance
A decision to place a subject under surveillance is taken at a high level.The
decision will include the
intensity and duration for example whether for 8,16 or 24 hours per day over
a period of one,two,three
or more weeks.The decision will involve placing the subject ’s house and
workplace under observation
and having his or her phone tapped either temporarily or permanently.The number
of persons involved in
the operation will be decided upon and they will be given the known facts about
the subject including a
description or photograph.Whether the surveillance ends with the arrest of the
subject will depend on what
is learnt during the investigation.
5.The Surveillance Team
Specially trained plainclothes men and women are used to carry out surveillance.Their
identities are kept
strictly secret.They are not the normally known or public special branch policemen.They
are aged between
25 and 50 years and have to be physically fit for work.In appearance and dress
they are average types.They
try to blend in with their surroundings and avoid drawing attention to themselves.For
example,smartly
dressed whites will not be used to follow a black person in a poor,run-down
area.
A team may consist of 2-4 people with a car in support.Usually one team is used
at a time but more will
be deployed if required.The subject will be followed by foot,car or public transport
if necessary.The
surveillants communicate with each other by discreet hand signals and small
radio transmitters.They make
minor changes in their clothing and appearance to help prevent recognition.For
the same reason they try to
avoid abrupt and unnatural movements when following the subject.
In a crowded city street they will `stick ’ close to the subject (within
20 metres)for fear of losing him or her.
In a quiet residential area they will `hang ’ back (over 50 metres)for
fear of exposing themselves.They have
set plans and procedures for `tailing ’ the subject which involves the
constant interchanging of positions.It is
important to know these various techniques of foot and vehicle surveillance.
5 .SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES
We have defined surveillance as an organised form of observation in which the
police put a close watch on
suspected persons or places.Various types of surveillance and techniques of
`tailing ’ the suspect (subject)
are used.A subject ’s home or place of work might be under observation
from a stationary or `fixed ’ position
such as a neighbouring residence or vehicle.All comings and goings are recorded.When
the subject leaves
his or her home they may be followed by foot or car or combination of both.All
the places they visit and
people they meet are noted,photographed and followed too if necessary.
Foot Surveillance
At least two people will be used to follow the subject whom we will call `S
’.They will communicate
through hand-signals and `walkie-talkie ’ radios so as to guide and assist
each other.They will keep as close
to S as 15 metres in crowded areas and hang well back,up to 100 metres,in quiet
streets.They will try to be
as inconspicuous as possible so as not to arouse S ’s suspicions.They will
have a car to assist them,which
keeps out of sight in the adjacent streets.
Two-Man or `AB ’ Surveillance
The person following directly behind S is A.The second person is B,who follows
on behind A,as if in a
chain.A and B alternate positions,`leap-frogging ’ over each other (Figure
1).When S turns right at a corner
A drops back out of sight and B takes the lead position.An alternative technique
is for A to cross the road
and then turn right.In this case A is not now following directly behind B as
in a chain,but is parallel to B on
the opposite side of the road to both B and S and slightly to their rear (Figure
2).A and B will avoid direct
contact with S.If S now crosses the street to the left A will either fall back,enter
a shop or walk swiftly
ahead,while B will follow S from his side of the street (Figure 3).
Three Man or `ABC ’ Surveillance
Inclusion of the extra man makes tailing S easier.A follows S,B follows A and
C operates across the street
from S to the rear.When S turns a corner,A may continue in the original direction,crossing
the street instead
of immediately turning.A thus takes the C position,whilst either B or C can
take A ’s original position
(Figure 4).
A variety of techniques can obviously be used.But the idea is generally the
same.Those following must
keep the subject under constant observation without arousing suspicion.The more
persons used,the greater
the scope and flexibility of the operation.
Remember:By knowing the methods of the enemy we can deal with him and defeat
him!
We have dealt above with following people on foot.We now turn to `tailing ’
by vehicle.
Vehicle Surveillance
A variety of vehicles may be used in surveillance car,van,truck or motorbike.These
must be dependable
and powerful but not flashy so as to avoid attracting attention.A surveillance
vehicle will carry no visible
police identification but of necessity will be equipped with a two-way radio
(so look out for the antenna!)
In heavy traffic the tailing vehicle will stick close behind the suspect ’s
vehicle,hereafter referred to as the
subject or `S ’.In light traffic it will hang well back,but it will always
try to keep two or three cars behind S
(Figure 1),especially in One-Vehicle Surveillance.The tailing-vehicle will remain
in the same lane as S to
avoid making sudden turns from the wrong lane.There are normally two persons
in a tailing vehicle.The
passenger is always ready to alight and carry out foot surveillance if S parks
his or her car or gets out of it.
As in foot surveillance,inconspicuous actions are required so as not to arouse
the suspicions of S.When
more tailing vehicles are used,the scope and flexibility of the operation is
increased.But normally two
tailing vehicles are utilised.The number depends on the degree of urgency of
the operation.
Two and Three Vehicle Surveillance
When two tailing vehicles are used,the lead tail A will remain two or three
cars behind S and B will remain
behind A,as in a chain.They will always keep switching places (Figure 2).When
using a parallel tailing
technique,A remains behind S and B keeps pace in a parallel street.A and B keep
switching positions
(Figure 3).With three tailing vehicles the possibilities are increased.A and
B follow S in a chain and a third
vehicle C travels in a parallel street.C may even speed ahead of S,awaiting
it at an intersection before
falling in behind and taking A ’s position.This allows A to turn off and
follow in a parallel street (Figure 4).
Reflectors and Bleepers
Those carrying out surveillance may try to place a strip of reflectorised tape
on the rear of the subject ’s
vehicle or break a tail-light to make it easier to spot it at night.Or they
may place an electronic tailing
device on S ’s car,called a Bumper Bleeper.This is a small metal box which
can be fixed to the vehicle with
magnets in seconds.A radio signal is transmitted which the tailing vehicle picks
up on a receiver.S ’s car can
be tracked even when out of view!Such gadgets do not,however,make it impossible
to avoid being tailed.
It only means that you must be alert and check for such devices.Knowing it is
there can help you to really
mislead the enemy!
Progressive Surveillance
This technique is used when extreme caution is needed because the subject is
likely to use all methods to
uncover possible surveillance.S is only followed for a limited distance each
day by foot or car.Observation
is picked up again at the time and place where it was previously discontinued.This
continues day after day
until surveillance is completed or discontinued.Remember!Know the enemy ’s
methods to deal with him
and defeat him!
6 .COUNTER-SURVEILLANCE
We have been examining the enemy ’s surveillance methods,that is,the forms
of observation used to watch
suspects and uncover secret revolutionary activity.We now turn to counter-surveillance,which
is the
methods we use to deal with enemy observation.
Qualities Needed
For successful counter-surveillance you need to be aware of your surroundings
and be alert to what is going
on round you.That means having a thorough knowledge of the town or area in which
you live and work
and knowing the habits of the people.You need basic common sense,alertness and
patience together with
cool and natural behaviour and a knowledge of certain tactics or ruses (which
will be discussed later).It
is important not to draw attention to oneself by strange behaviour such as constantly
looking over one ’s
shoulder.And one must guard against paranoia,that is,imagining that everyone
you see is following you.
It is necessary to develop powers of observation and memory (which come with
practice)so that you notice
what is usual and remember what you have seen.It is when you notice the same
person or unusual behaviour
a third or fourth time that you are able to conclude that it adds up to surveillance
and not coincidence.
Are You Being Watched?
Study the normal situation where you live,work and socialise so as to immediately
recognise anything out
of the ordinary.Are strangers loitering about the streets?Are strange cars parked
where the occupants have
a commanding view of your home?They may be a distance away spying on you through
binoculars.Do
the vehicles have antennae for two-way radio communication?Do you notice such
strangers or vehicles on
several occasions and in other parts of the town?This would serve to confirm
interest in you.
Have strangers moved into neighbouring houses or flats?Do you notice unusual
comings and goings or
suspicious movements at upstairs windows?Try discreetly to check who such people
are.The enemy might
have created an observation post in the house opposite the road or placed an
agent in the room next door to
you!Be sensitive to any change in attitude to you by neighbours,landlady,shopkeeper
etc.The enemy might
have mobilised them for surveillance.Know such people well,including the local
children,and be on good
terms with all.Then if strangers question them about you,they will be more inclined
to inform you.
Know the back routes and concealed entrances into your area so that you may
slip in and out unnoticed.
Secretly check what is going on in the vicinity after pretending to retire for
the night.Avoid peering from
behind curtains,especially at night from a lit room.This is as suspicious as
constantly glancing over one ’s
shoulder and will only alert the enemy to conceal themselves better.
Record all unusual incidents in a note book so you can analyse events and come
to a conclusion.Be
alert with persons you mix with at work or socially,and those like receptionists,supervisors,waiters
and
attendants who are well-placed to notice one ’s movements.
Telephone and Mail
Phone tapping often causes faults.Check with neighbours whether they are having
similar problems or is
your phone the exception.Is your post being interfered with?Check dates of posting,stamp
cancellation and
delivery and compare the time taken for delivery with your friends.Examine the
envelopes to check whether
they have been opened and glued down in a clumsy way.Some of these checks do
not necessarily confirm
that you are being watched but they alert you to the possibility.To confirm
whether you are in fact under
observation requires techniques of checking which we will examine next.
7 .THE CHECK ROUTE
The Check Route is a planned journey,preferably on foot,along which a person
carries out a number
of discreet checks in order to determine whether they are under surveillance.These
checks take place at
predetermined check points which must give you the opportunity of checking for
possible surveillance
without arousing the suspicion of those tailing you.
The check route should cover a distance of 3-4km,include such activities as
shopping,making innocent
enquiries,catching a bus,enjoying refreshments etc,and should last about one
hour.The route should
include quiet and busy areas bearing in mind that it is easier that you have
a valid reason for your
movements.If your actions are strange and inexplicable you will arouse the suspicions
of those following
you.
Here is an example of a typical check route.Shortage of space obliges us to
confine the check points into a
smaller area just a few city blocks than would actually be the case.Check points
are numbered 1 to 12.
1.X walks down the street and pauses at a cinema to examine the posters -this
gives a good chance to look
back down the street and to notice those passing by (without looking over his
shoulder),
2.X crosses the road looking right and left and pops into a large store;he positions
himself near the
entrance whilst appearing to examine goods on display;he notices anyone entering
after him;wanders
around the store using lift,stairways etc.in order to spot anyone paying special
interest in him;departs at
side exit
3.and crosses street into little-used alleyway or arcade;here he slightly picks
up speed and crosses street,
where
4.shop with large plate glass windows gives good reflection of alley out of
which he has emerged;X
notices whether anyone is coming out of that alley to catch up with him ...
5.X now proceeds down the street into bookshop with commanding view of the street
he has come down;
he browses around noticing anyone entering after him;he also observes whether
anyone examines the books
he has been browsing through (for a tail would want to check whether X has left
a secret communication
behind him for a contact);X makes a small purchase and exits...
6.enters park and walks along winding paths which give good view of rear;X throws
away an empty
cigarette pack and retires to ...
7.an out-door restaurant where he takes his tea;he observes whether anyone picks
up the cigarette pack
which a tail would want to check as in 5;and notices the customers arriving
after him;any tail would want
to check whether X is meeting someone;as X leaves he notices whether any of
the customers are eager to
leave immediately after him ...
8.X crosses the street into a Post Office;once inside he is able to observe
whether anyone is crossing the
street from the park after him;he buys some stamps and notices anyone queuing
behind him (a tail will be
especially interested in transactions taking place in post offices,banks etc.);X
may also make a `phone call
at a public box and check whether anyone attempts to overhear his conversation;
9.on departing X stops a stranger in the street to ask him the way;this allows
him to check whether anyone
has followed him out of the Post Office;a tail would also show interest in this
stranger (who might be X ’s
contact)and a member of the surveillance team might follow this stranger ’;
10.X continues down the street,turns sharply at the corner and abruptly stops
at a cigarette kiosk;anyone
following will most likely come quickly around the corner and could become startled
on finding X right in
his path.
11-12.X crosses the street and joins the queue at a bus stop (11)noticing those
joining the queue after him;a
bit of acting here gives the impression that X is unsure of the bus he wants
to catch;he could allow a couple
of buses to go by noticing anyone who is doing the same;as a bus arrives at
the stop across the road (12),
X suddenly appears to realise it is his and dashes across the road to catch
it as it pulls away;X is alert to
anyone jumping on the bus after him and will also pay attention to whoever gets
on at the next few stops.
Such a series of checks must be carried out immediately prior to any sensitive
appointment or secret
meeting.If nothing suspicious has occurred during the Check Route X proceeds
to his secret appointment or
mission.If,on the other hand,X has encountered certain persons over and over
again on the Check Route
he will assume he is under surveillance and break his appointment.Bear in mind
that anyone following you,
even professionals,may become indecisive or startled should your paths unexpectedly
cross.A Check Route
should also be carried out from time to time to check whether a person is `clean
’ or not.
8 .CHECK ROUTE WITH ASSISTANCE AND BY VEHICLE
Check Route is a planned journey,the object of which is to check whether you
are being followed.The
previous example was a check route on foot,by a person acting alone.
With assistance from comrades the exercise becomes more effective.The exercise
follows similar lines as
previously outlined except that a comrade is stationed at each check point and
observes whether anyone is
following you as you pass by.It is essential that your behaviour appears normal
and does not look as though
`checking ’ is taking place.
Let us suppose that you are X.Comrades Y and Z position themselves at check
points Y1 and Z1
respectively.These observation points must give a good view of your movements,but
keep the comrades
hidden from enemy agents who might be tailing you.After X passes each check
point the comrades move
to new positions,in this case Y2 and Z2.They may in fact cover four to five
positions each and the whole
operation should take one to two hours over an area of three or four kilometres.Comrades
must take up each
position in good time.
Such check points could be:
From inside a coffee shop Y gets a good view of X entering the bank opposite
Z1 Z is in a building (roof garden,balcony or upper floor window)watching
X ’s progress down the
street and into the bookshop
Y2 Y has moved into park and observes X ’s wanderings from park
bench among the trees
Z2 Z has time to occupy parked cars in car park with good view of all
movement.After the
exercise Y and Z meet to compare notes.What suspicious individuals have they
observed?Were
such people noticed in X ’s vicinity on more than just one or two occasions?Was
their behaviour
strange and were they showing unusual interest in X2 going into check what he
was up to?Was a
vehicle following them in support and were persons from the vehicle taking it
in turns to follow X?
Such persons are more easily noticed and remembered in quiet rather than busy
areas!
Remember:In order to carry out secret work you must know whether you are under
surveillance or are
clean!
9 .CHECKING BY CAR
There are many ways of countering enemy surveillance when using a vehicle.Be
extra observant when
approaching your parked car and when driving off.This is the most likely point
at which tailing may
start from your home,work,friends,meeting place.Be on the lookout for strange
cars,with at least two
passengers (usually males).When driving off be on the lookout for cars pulling
off after you or possibly
following you from around the corner.Bear in mind that the enemy may have two
or three vehicles in the
vicinity,linked by radio.They will try to follow you in an interchanging sequence
(the so-called A,B,C
technique).Cars A,B and C will constantly exchange positions so as to confuse
you.
Ruses:
After driving off it is a useful procedure to make a U-turn and drive away in
the opposite direction,forcing
any surveillance car into a hurried move.As you proceed,notice vehicles behind
you your rear-view mirror
is your best friend!
Also pay attention to vehicles travelling ahead which may deliberately allow
you to overtake them.Cars
waiting ahead of you at junctions,stop street and by the roadside must be noted
too.You will often find
vehicles travelling behind you for quite a distance,particularly on a main road
or link road.Avoid becoming
nervous and over-reacting.Do not suddenly speed ahead in the hope of losing
them.
Remember that the point of counter-surveillance is to determine whether you
are being followed or not.
Rather travel at normal speed and then slightly reduce speed,giving normal traffic
the chance of overtaking
you.If the following vehicle also reduces speed,then begin to accelerate slightly.Is
that vehicle copying
you?If so,turn off the main road and see if it follows.A further turn or two
in a quiet suburb or rural area
will establish whether you have a tail.
There are many other ruses to determine this:
Drive completely around a traffic circle as though you have missed your turn-off;
Turn into a dead-end street as if by mistake;
Turn into the driveway of a house or building and out again as if in error;
Abruptly switch traffic lanes and unexpectedly turn left or right without indicating,but
be sure there
is no traffic cop about!
Cross at a traffic light just as it turns red,etc.
Such ruses will force a tail into unusual actions to keep up with you but your
actions must appear normal.
Check Route
The Check Route we previously described for checking surveillance by foot can
obviously be applied to
vehicles.Your check route must be well prepared and should include busy and
quiet areas.Also include
stops at places such as garages and shops where you can carry out some counter-surveillance
on foot.You
can carry out your routine by yourself or with assistance.In this case comrades
are posted at check points
along your route and observe whether you are being tailed.It is a good idea
to fit your car with side-view
mirrors for better observation,including one for your passenger.At all costs
avoid looking over your
shoulder (a highly suspicious action!)
Enemy Tracking Device
You should often check underneath your car in case the enemy has placed a tracking
device (‘bumper
bleeper ’)there.It is a small,battery-operated,magnetically attached gadget
that emits a direction signal
to a tailing vehicle.This enables the vehicle to remain out of your sight.When
you stop for some minutes,
however,your trackers will be curious about what you are up to.This will force
them to look for you.So
your check routine should involve stopping in a quiet or remote area.Get out
of your car and into a hidden
position from where you can observe any follow-up movement.If you have assistance
stop your car at a pre-
arranged spot.Your comrades should drive past and check whether a tail vehicle
has halted just out of sight
down the road.
10 .CUTTING THE TAIL
The procedure of eluding those who are following you is called `cutting the
tail ’.In order to do this
effectively you must study the location or areas where this can be done in advance.When
you find yourself
in a situation where you need to break surveillance,you deliberately lead those
who are following you to a
favourable spot where `cutting the tail ’ can be achieved.
1.Change of Clothing:
You urgently need to visit an underground contact.For several days your attempts
have been frustrated
because you have come to realise that you are being closely watched and followed
by the police and their
agents.You leave work as usual but carry a shopping bag with a change of clothes.After
casually wandering
around town you enter a cloakroom or such place where you can quickly change
clothing without being
seen.It should be a place where other people are constantly entering and leaving.You
leave within minutes,
casually dressed in a T-shirt and sports cap.Your shirt,jacket and tie are in
your shopping bag.A bus area
makes it easier to slip away unnoticed.A reversible jacket,pair of glasses and
cap kept in a pocket are useful
aids for a quick change on the move.Women in particular can make a swift change
of clothing with ease,
slipping on a wig and coat or even a man ’s hat and jacket over a pair
of jeans to confuse the tail!
2.Jumping on and off a Bus:
You are being tailed but must get to a secret meeting at all costs.You could
spend some time loitering
around a busy shopping area giving the impression that you are in no hurry to
get anywhere.Just as you
notice a bus pulling away from a bus stop you run after it and jump aboard.Keeping
a good lookout for your
pursuers,you could jump off as it slows down at the next stop and disappear
around a busy corner.
3.Crossing a Busy Street:
You need to be quick and alert for this one!You deliberately lead those following
you down a busy street
with heavy traffic.When you notice a momentary break in the traffic,you could
suddenly sprint across the
road as though your life depended on it.By the time the tail has managed to
find a break in the traffic and
cross after you,you could have disappeared in any number of directions!
4.Take the Last Taxi in the Rank:
Occupy your time in a leisurely way near a taxi rank.You could be window shopping
or drinking tea at a
cafe.When you notice that there is only one taxi left at the rank,drop everything
and sprint over to it.By the
time those following you have summoned up their support cars you could have
ordered the taxi to stop and
slipped away.
5.Entering and Exiting a Building:
A large,busy department store with many entrances,stairways,lifts and floors
is ideal for this one.After
entering the building quickly slip out by another exit.Busy hotels,restaurants,recreation
centres,railway
stations,arcades,shopping centres etc.are all useful locations for this trick.
6.Ruses when Driving:
It is more difficult to cut a tail when driving than when on foot because a
number of vehicles may be
following you in parallel streets.Fast and aggressive driving is necessary.Sudden
changes of speed and
direction,crossing at a traffic light just as it turns red,and a thorough knowledge
of lanes,garages and
places where a car may be quickly concealed are possible ways in which you may
elude the tail.
7.Get Lost in a Crowd:
It is particularly difficult for the tail to keep up with you in crowded areas.Know
the locality,be prepared,
be quick-footed and quick-witted!Be ready to take advantage of large concentrations
of people.Workers
leaving a factory,spectators at a sports fixture,crowds at a market,cinema,railway
station or rally offer all
the opportunities you need.
Mix this with the above tactics and you will give those trying to tail you the
headache and disappointment
they so richly deserve.
11 .SECRET COMMUNICATIONS
Communications is vital to any form of human activity.When people become involved
in secret work they
must master secret forms of communication in order to survive detection and
succeed in their aims.Without
effective secret communication no underground revolutionary movement can function.In
fact effective
communication is a pillar of underground work.Yet communication between underground
activists is their
most vulnerable point.
The enemy,his police,informers and agents are intently watching known and suspect
activists.They are
looking for the links and contact points between such activists which will give
them away.It is often at
the point when such activists attempt to contact or communicate with one another
that they are observed
and their would-be secrets are uncovered.The enemy watches,sees who contacts
whom,then pounces,
rounding up a whole network of activists and their supporters.But there are
many methods and techniques
or secret work,simple but special forms of communication,available to revolutionaries
to overcome this key
problem.
This section discusses these,in order to improve and perfect secret forms of
communication.These are used
worldwide,including by state security organs,so we are giving nothing away to
the enemy.Rather we are
attempting to arm our people.These methods are designed to outwit the enemy
and to assure continuity of
work.The qualities required are reliability,discipline,punctuality,continuity
and vigilance -which spells
out efficiency in communication.
Before proceeding,however,let us illustrate what we are talking about with an
example:C -a member of
an underground unit -is meant to meet A and B at a secret venue.C is late and
the two others have left.C
rushes around town trying to find them at their homes,work place,favourite haunts.C
tries phoning them
and leaves messages.C is particularly anxious because he has urgent information
for them.People start
wondering why C is in such a panic and why he is so desperate to contact A and
B who are two individuals
whom they had never before associated with C.When C finally contacts A and B
they are angry with him
for two reasons.Firstly,that he came late for the appointment.Secondly,that
he violated the rules of secrecy
by openly trying to contact them.C offers an acceptable reason for his late-coming
(he could prove that his
car broke down)and argues that he had urgent information for them.He states
that they had failed to make
alternative arrangement for a situation such as one of them missing a meeting.Hence,he
argues,he had no
alternative but to search for them.
The above example is familiar to most activists.It creates two problems for
the conduct of secret work.It
creates the obvious security danger as well as leading to a breakdown in the
continuity of work.
What methods are open to such a unit,or between activists?
To answer this we will be studying two main areas of communication.There are
personal and non-personal
forms of communication.Personal are when two or more persons meet under special
conditions of secrecy.
There are various forms of personal meetings,such as regular,reserve,emergency,blind,check
and
accidental.Then there are various non-personal forms of communication designed
to reduce the frequency
of personal meetings.Amongst these are such methods as using newspaper columns,public
phone boxes,the
postal system,radios and the method made famous in spy novels and films,the
so-called dead-letter-box or
DLB,where messages are passed through secret hiding places.Coding,invisible
ink and special terms are
used to conceal the true or hidden meaning in messages or conversations.
From this we can immediately see a solution to C ’s failed meeting with
A and B.All they needed to arrange
was a reserve meeting place in the event of one or more of them failing to turn
up at the initial venue.
This is usually at a different time and place to the earlier meeting.The other
forms of meetings cover all
possibilities.
12 .PERSONAL MEETINGS
In the previous section we began to discuss the methods members of an underground
unit should use when
communicating with one another.The most important requirement that must be solved
is how to meet
secretly and reliably.
Let us suppose that comrade A has the task of organising an underground unit
with B and C.In the interests
of secrecy they must,as far as possible,avoid visiting one another at home or
at wok.(Such links must be
kept to a minimum or even totally avoided so that other people do not have the
impression that they are
closely connected.)
First of all they need to have a regular or main meeting -let ’s say every
two weeks.For this meeting A lays
down three conditions.These are:place,time and legend.
Place of Meeting:
This must be easy to find,approach and leave.It must be a safe place to meet,allowing
privacy and a feeling
of security.It could be a friend ’s flat,office,picnic place,beauty spot,beach,park,vehicle,quiet
cafe,etc.
The possibilities are endless.It is essential that the meeting place be changed
from time to time.Sometimes,
instead of indicating the meeting place,A might instruct B and C to meet him
at different contact points on
the route to the meeting such as outside a cinema,bus stop etc.This can provide
a greater degree of security.
But it is best to begin with the most simple arrangements.
Time:
Date and time of the meeting must be clearly memorised.Punctuality is essential.If
anyone fails to arrive at
the meeting place within the prearranged time the meeting must be cancelled.As
a rule the time for waiting
must never exceed ten minutes.Under no circumstances must a comrade proceed
to the meeting if he or she
finds themselves under surveillance.
Legend:
This is an invented but convincing explanation (cover story)as to why A,B and
C are always together at
the same place at the same time.The legend will depend on the type of people
who are meeting.Suppose
A and B are black men and C is an older,white woman.Since it would look unusual
and attract attention
if they met at a park or picnic place,A has decided on an office which C has
loaned from a reliable friend.
They meet at 5.30pm when the office is empty.C has told her friend that she
requires the premises in order
to interview some people for a job or some story to that effect.On the desk
she will have interview notes
and other documents to support her story and B and C will carry job applications
or references.If anyone
interrupts the meeting or if they are questioned later,they will have a convincing
explanation for their
meeting.
Order of the Meeting:
At the start of the meeting A checks on the well-being and security of each
comrade,particularly whether
everything was in order on their route to the meeting.Did they check for possible
surveillance?Next A will
inform them of the legend for the meeting.Then,before business is discussed,A
will pass around a piece
of paper with the time and place of the next meeting written on it.Nothing is
spoken in case the meeting is
`bugged ’.This matter is settled in case they are interrupted and have
to leave the meeting in a hurry.In such
an event they already know the conditions for the next meeting and continuity
of contact is assured.
Reserve Meeting:
In arranging the regular meeting of the unit,A takes into account the possibility
of one or more of them
failing to get to that meeting.He therefore explains the conditions for a reserve
meeting.These also include
place,time and legend.Whilst the time for a reserve meeting may be the same
as a regular meeting (but
obviously on a different day),the place must always differ.A instructs them
that if a regular meeting fails to
take place they must automatically meet two days later at such-and-such a time
and place.The conditions for
a reserve meeting might be kept constant,not changing as often as those of the
regular meeting,because the
need for such a meeting may not often arise.But A takes care to remind the comrades
of these conditions at
every regular meeting.
Having arranged conditions for both regular and reserve meetings,A feels confident
that he has organised
reliability and continuity of such contact.It is necessary for all to observe
the rules of secrecy,and to be
punctual,reliable,disciplined and vigilant about such meetings.
But what if comrade A needs to see B and C suddenly and urgently and cannot
wait for the regular meeting?
13 .EMERGENCY AND CHECK MEETINGS
The leader of an underground unit,comrade A,has arranged regular and reserve
meetings with B and
C.This allows for reliability and continuity of contact in the course of their
secret work.This has been
progressing well.Comrade A decides to organise other forms of meetings with
them because of the
complexity of work.
1.Emergency Meeting:
The comrades have found that they sometimes need to meet urgently between their
regular meetings.An
emergency meeting is for the rapid establishment of contact should the comrades
need to see each other
between the set meetings.
There are similar conditions as for a regular meeting such as:Time,Place and
Legend.The additional
element is a signal for calling the meeting.This signal might be used by either
the unit leader A or the other
cell members,when they need to convey urgent information.A confirmation signal
is also necessary which
indicates that the call signal has been seen or understood.This must never be
placed at the same location as
the call signal.
Signals:
These are prearranged signs,phrases,words,marks or objects put in specified
places such as on objects in
the streets,on buildings etc.,or specified phrases in postcards,letters,on the
telephone etc.
Example of Emergency Meeting:
Comrade A has directed that the venue for the unit ’s Emergency meeting
is a certain park bench beside a
lake.The time is for 5.30pm on the same day that the call signal is used.As
with Regular meetings he also
indicates a Reserve venue for the Emergency meeting.Comrade A arranges different
call signals for B and
C,which they can also use if they need to summon him.
Call and Answer Signal for B:
This signal could be a `chalk mark ’ placed by A on a certain lamp-post.Comrade
A knows that B walks
passed the pole every morning at a certain time on his way to work.B must always
be on the look-out for
the chalk mark.This could simply be the letter `X ’ in red chalk.By 2pm.that
day B must have responded
with the confirmation signal.This could be a piece of coloured string wound
round a fence near a bus stop.
It could equally be a piece of blue chalk crushed into the pavement by the steps
of a building or some graffiti
scrawled on a poster (in other words anything clear,visible and innocent-looking).The
two comrades can
now expect to meet each other at the park bench later that day.
Call and Answer Signal for C:
C has a telephone at home.Before she leaves for work,comrade A phones her from
a public call-box.He
pretends to dial a wrong number.`Good morning,is that Express Dairy?’ he
asks.`Sorry,wrong number ’,
C replies and adds:`Not such a good morning,you got me out of the bath ’.This
is C ’s innocent way of
confirming that she has understood the signal.Obviously such a signal cannot
be repeated.
2.Check Meeting
This is a `meeting ’ between the unit leader and a subordinate comrade
to establish only through visual
contact whether the comrade is all right.Such a check-up becomes necessary when
a comrade has been in
some form of danger and where direct physical contact is unsafe to attempt,such
as if the comrade has been
questioned by the police or been under surveillance.
There are a number of conditions for such a meeting:Date and Time;Place or Route
of movement;Actions;
Legend;Signals -indicating danger or well-being.
Example of Check Meeting:
C has been questioned by the police.As a result contact with her has been cut.After
a few days comrade A
wants to check how she is and calls her through a signal to a Check meeting.
At 4pm.on the day following the call signal C goes shopping.She wears a yellow
scarf indicating that she
was subject to mild questioning and that everything has appeared normal since.She
follows a route which
takes her past the Post Office by 4.20pm.She does not know where A is but he
has taken up a position
which conceals his presence and gives him a good view of C.He is also able to
observe whether C is
being followed.On passing the Post Office C stops to blow her nose.This is to
reinforce her feeling that
everything is now normal.It is for A to decide whether to restore contact with
C or to leave her on `ice ’ for a
while longer,subjecting her to further checks.
14 .BLIND MEETING
The leader of an underground unit,comrade A,receives instructions from the leadership
to meet comrade
D.Comrade D is a new recruit,whom the leadership are assigning to A ’s
unit.A and D are strangers to one
another.Conditions are therefore drawn up for a Blind Meeting -that is a meeting
between two underground
workers who are unknown to one another.
Recognition signs and passwords
There are similar conditions as for regular and other forms of meeting,such
as date,time,place,action of
subordinate and legend.In addition,there is the necessity for recognition signs
and passwords,which are to
aid in identification.
The recognition signs enable the commander or senior,in this case A,to identify
the subordinate from a safe
distance and at close quarters.Two recognition signs are therefore needed.
The passwords,including the reply,are specially prepared words and phrases which
are exchanged and give
the go-ahead for the contact to begin.These signs and phrases must look normal
and not attract attention to
outsiders.
At this point the reader should prepare an example for a blind meeting and compare
it with the example we
have given.Our example has been purposely printed upside down to encourage the
reader to participate in
this suggested exercise.Do remember that all the examples given in our series
are also read by the enemy,so
do not blindly copy them.They are suggestions to assist activists with their
own ideas.
Example of Blind Meeting Place:Toyshop on Smith Street.
Date and Time:December 20th,6pm.
Action:Comrade D to walk down street in easterly direction,to stop at
Toyshop and gaze at toy display for
five minutes.
Legend:D is simply walking about town carrying out window shopping.When
A makes contact they are to
behave as though they are strangers who have just struck up a friendship.
Recognition signs:D carries an OK Bazaars shopping bag.The words `OK
’ have been underlined with a
black pen (for close-up recognition).
Passwords:
A:Pardon me,but do you know whether this shop sells children ’s books?B:I
don ’t know.There are only
toys in the window.
A:I prefer to give books for presents.
Note:The opening phrase will be used by A after he has observed D ’s movements
and satisfied himself that
the recognition signs are correct and that D has not been followed.A completes
the passwords with a closing
phrase which satisfies D that A is the correct contact.The two can now walk
off together or A might suggest
a further meeting somewhere else.
Brush Meeting
This is a brief meeting where material is quickly and silently passed from one
comrade to another.
Conditions for such a meeting,such as place,time and action,are carefully planned
beforehand.No
conversation takes place.Money,reports or instructions are swiftly transferred.Split-second
timing is
necessary and contact must take place in a dead zone i.e.in areas where passing
the material cannot be seen.
For example,as D walks down the steps of a department store A passes D and drops
a small package into
D ’s shopping bag.
‘Accidental ’ Meeting
This is,in fact,a deliberate contact made by the commander which comes as a
surprise to the subordinate.In
other words,it takes place without the subordinate ’s foreknowledge.
An `accidental ’ meeting takes place where:
1.there has been a breakdown in communication.
2.the subordinate is not fully trusted and the commander wants to have an `unexpected
’ talk with him or
her.
The commander must have good knowledge of the subordinate ’s movements
and plan his or her actions
before,during and after the meeting.
15 .NON-PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Comrade A has been mainly relying on personal forms of communication to run
the underground unit.With
the police stepping up their search for revolutionary activists he decides to
increase the use of non-personal
communication.
These are forms of secret communication carried out without direct contact.These
do not replace the
essential meetings of the unit,but reduce the number of times the comrades need
to meet,thereby
minimising the risks.
The Main Forms:
These are telephone,postal system,press,signals,radio and dead letter box (DLB).The
first three are
in everyday use and can be used for secret work if correctly exploited.Signals
can be used as part of the
other forms or as a system on their own.Radio communication (coded)will be used
by higher organs of
the Movement and not by a unit like A ’s.The DLB is the most effective
way of passing on material and
information without personal contact.
Comrade A introduces these methods cautiously because misunderstandings are
possible.People prefer face-
to-face contact so confidence and skill must be developed.
Telephone,Post and Press:
These are reliable means of secret communication if used properly.Used carelessly
in the past they have
been the source of countless arrests.The enemy intercepts telephone calls and
mail going to known activists
and those they regard as suspicious.Phone calls can be traced and telexes as
well as letters intercepted.
International communication is especially vulnerable.For example,a phone call
from Botswana to Soweto
is likely to arouse the enemy ’s interest.What is required are safe phones
and addresses through which can be
passed innocent-sounding messages for calling meetings,re-establishing contact,warning
of danger,etc.
Telephone:
This allows for the urgent transmission of a signal or message.The telephone
must be used with a
reliable and convincing coding system and legend.Under no circumstances must
the phone be used for involved
discussion on sensitive topics.
Comrade A has already used the phone to call C to an emergency meeting (See
No 14 of this series).The
arrangement was that he pretended to dial a wrong number.This was the signal
to meet at a pre-arranged
place and time.
Up to now he has been meeting with her to collect propaganda material.He now
wishes to signal her when
to pick it up herself,but prefers to avoid phoning her at home or work.If she
takes lunch regularly at a
certain cafe or is at a sports club at a certain time or near a public phone,he
knows how to reach her when
he wishes.
A simple call such as the following is required:`Is that Miss So-and-So?This
is Ndlovu here.I
believe you want to buy my Ford Escort?If so,you can view it tomorrow.’
This could mean that C
must collect the propaganda material at a certain place in two days time.The
reference to a car is a
code for picking up propaganda material;Ndlovu is the code name for the pick-up
place;tomorrow
means two days time (two days time would mean three days).
Post:
This can be used to transmit similar messages as above.A telegram or greeting
card with the message
that `Uncle Morris is having an operation ’ could be a warning from A to
C to cut contact and lie
low until further notice because of possible danger.The use of a particular
kind of picture postcard
could be a signal for a meeting at a pre-arranged place ten days after the date
on the card.Signals
can be contained in the form the sender writes the address,the date or the greeting.`My
dear friend ’
together with the fictitious address of the sender -`No 168 Fox Street ’
-means to be ready for a leaflet
distribution and meet at 16 hours on the 8th of the month at a venue code-named
`Fox ’.
Many such forms of signals can be used in letters.Even the way the postage stamp
is placed can be of
significance.
Press:
This is the use of the classified ads section:`Candy I miss you.Please remember
our Anniversary of
the 22nd,love Alan ’.This could be A ’s arrangement for re-establishing
contact with C if she has gone
into hiding.The venue and time will have been pre-arranged,but the advert will
signal the day.Such
ads give many possibilities not only in the press but on notice boards in colleges,hostels,shopping
centres,and so on.
16 .SIGNALS
Comrade A has been introducing various forms of Non-Personal Communications
(NPC)to his
underground unit.At times he has carefully used the telephone,post and press
to pass on innocent-
sounding messages,(see No.16 of this series).Key phrases,spoken and written,have
acted as signals
for calling meetings,warning of danger etc.He has also used graphic signals,such
as a chalk mark on
a lamp post,or an object like a coloured piece of string tied to a fence,as
call and answer signs (see
No.14).
Signals can be used for a variety of reasons and are essential in secret work.They
greatly improve the
level of security of the underground and help to avoid detection by the enemy
forces.
Everyday Signals
The everyday use of signals shows how useful they are in conveying messages,and
what an endless
variety exists.Road traffic is impossible without traffic lights (where colour
carries the message)and
road signs (where symbols or graphics are used).Consider how hand signals are
used in different
ways not only to direct traffic but for countless purposes from sport to soldiers
on patrol.Everybody
uses the thumbs-up signal to show that all is well.Consider how police and robbers
use signals and
you will realise how important they are for underground work.In fact in introducing
this topic to his
unit Comrade A asks them to give examples of everyday signals.The reader should
test his or her
imagination in this respect.
For our purpose signals are divided into TYPE and USAGE.
*Type:
Sound -voice,music,whistle,animal
sound,knocking etc.
Colour -all the hues of the rainbow!
Graphic -drawing,figures,letters,numbers,marks,graffiti,symbols etc.Actions
-behaviour/movement
of a person or vehicle.
Objects -the placing or movement of anything from sticks and stones to flower
pots and flags.
*Use:
To call all forms of meetings;to instruct people to report to a certain venue
or individual;to instruct people
to prepare for a certain task or action;to inform of danger or well-being;to
indicate that a task has been
carried out;to indicate a presence or absence of surveillance;to indicate recognition
between people.
Whatever signals are invented to cover the needs of the unit they must be simple,easy
to understand and not
attract attention.
Here are some examples of how signals can be used:One example is included which
is bad from the security
point of view.See if you can spot it.Consider each example in terms of type
and usage:
Comrade A draws a red arrow on a wall to call B to an emergency meeting.
D whistles a warning to C,who is slipping a leaflet under a door,indicating
that someone is approaching.
B stops at a postbox and blows his nose,indicating to A,observing from a safe
distance,that he is being
followed.
D hangs only blue washing on his clothes line to indicate that the police have
visited him and that he
believes he is in danger.
B enters a hotel wearing a suit with a pink carnation and orders a bottle of
champagne.These are signals
to C that she should join him for a secret discussion.
C,having to deliver weapons to `Esther ’,whom she has not met before,must
park her car at a rest-spot
venue on the highway.C places a tissue-box on the dash-board and drinks a can
of cola.These are the
recognition signals for E to approach her and ask the way to the nearest petrol
station.This phrase and a
Mickey-Mouse key-ring held by E are the signs which show C that E is her blind
contact.(Note:both will
use false number plates on their cars to remain anonymous from each other).
C places a strip of coloured sticky tape inside a public telephone box to inform
A that she has successfully
delivered weapons to E.
The bad example?D ’s pink carnation and champagne draws unwanted attention.
17 .DEAD LETTER BOX
Comrade A ’s underground unit has been mastering forms of Non-Personal
Communication to make their
work secret and efficient.Comrade A feels they now have sufficient experience
to use the DLB,sometimes
called a ‘dead drop ’,to pass literature,reports and funds between
one another.
The DLB
It is a hiding place such as a hollow in a tree or the place under the floorboards.It
is used like a `post box ’ to
pass material between two people.
To give a definition:A
DLB is a natural or man-made hiding place for the storage and transfer of material.
It can be a large space for hiding weapons or small for messages.It can be located
inside buildings or out of
doors;in town or countryside.It can be in natural spaces such as the tree or
floorboards,or manufactured by
the operative,such as a hollowed out fence pole or a hole in the ground.It is
always camouflaged.
Selecting the DLB
It is very important to carefully select the place where the DLB is to be located.Follow
the rules:
It must be easy to describe and find.Avoid complicated or confusing descriptions
which make it difficult
for your partner to find it.
It must be safe and secure.It must be well concealed from casual onlookers.Beware
of places where
children play,gardeners work or tramps hang-out.It must not be near enemy bases
or places where
guards are on duty.It must not be overlooked by buildings and windows.
It must allow for safe deposit and removal of material.The operatives must feel
secure about their actions
in depositing and removing material.They must be able to check whether they
are being watched.The
place must be in keeping with their public image and legend.
It must allow for weather conditions and time of day.DLBs can be exposed or
damaged by rain or
flooding.Some locations may be suspicious to approach by day and dangerous by
night.
Preparation
This involves constructing and camouflaging the DLB;making a diagram;working
out a signal system and
security arrangements.If you are burying the material put it in a tin,bottle
or weather-proof container.
Once you have selected the place for your DLB you will have to prepare it.This
will usually take place
under cover of night whether you are digging a hole or hollowing out a cavity
in a tree and camouflaging
it.
You will have to make an accurate description,preferably including a simple
diagram.
You will have to work out a signal system for yourself and partner indicating
deposit and removal of
material.
Finally,work out a check route to and from the DLB and a legend for being there.
Example of DLB
Comrade A has spotted a loose brick in a wall.The wall is located along a little
used path and shielded
by trees.At night he hollows-out a space behind the brick,large enough to take
a small package.The
loose brick is the tenth along the wall,second row down.The brick fits securely
into the wall but can be
quickly removed with the use of a nail.The operation takes ten seconds and the
footsteps of any stranger
approaching can be easily heard.
A ’s Description of the DLB
Reference No.DLB 3.`Loose Brick in wall ’
Location:Path leading from Fourth Street to Golf Course
Direction:In Fourth Street,just past the 61 Bus Stop,is the path,with
red brick wall on the right,wooden
fence on the left.Three paces down the path,on the right,just before a tree,is
the DLB,in the brick wall.
The DLB:It is a loose brick,with white paint smudge.As you walk down
the path from Fourth Street,it
is the tenth brick along the wall,second row from top.In the space between this
brick and the ninth brick
is a hole.Place a nail into this hole to help prise out the brick.The space
behind the brick holds a package
wrapped in plastic with dimensions:12x6x3 cm.After removing the package replace
brick using blue tack
(or other sealing substance)to hold it in place.
Signals:1.After A deposits material he ties a piece of red string to
a fence signalling that the DLB is `loaded ’.2.After B
removes material from the DLB he draws a chalk mark signal on a pole.
Note:Signals must not be in the DLB ’s vicinity.
Carrying Out the Operation
The use of the DLB is an operation which must be carefully planned as follows:
Comrade A:
1.Prepares material (packaging and camouflaging)
2.Checks route for surveillance
3.Observes situation at DLB
4.Places material (if no surveillance)
5.Return route to check for surveillance
6.Places signal indicating deposit
7.Returns home
Comrade B:
1.Sees signal of deposit
2.Checks route
3.Observes situation at DLB
4.Removes material (if no surveillance)
5.Return route to check for surveillance)
6.Places signal of removal
7.Returns home.
Comrade A:
1.Checks signal of removal
2.Removes signals
3.Reports success
Note:It is important that both A and B check that they are not being followed
when they go to the DLB and
after leaving it.
18 .STATIONARY,PORTABLE AND MOBILE DLBs
We have been discussing the use of the dead letter box (DLB)through which underground
members secretly
pass material to each other.There are various types of DLBs:
1.Stationary DLBs are fixed places such as a camouflaged hole in the
ground,hollow tree trunk or fence
pole,loose brick in a wall (as described in last issue).
2.Portable DLBs are containers which can be carried and left in innocent
places to be picked up,e.g.
discarded cigarette pack,hollowed-out stick or fake piece of rock.
3.Mobile DLBs are in different types of transport (car,bus,train,boat
or plane)and are used to
communicate between operatives who live far apart.
4.Magnetic DLBs:A simple magnet attached to a container increases opportunities
for finding places
to leave your DLB.With the aid of magnets you are able to clamp your DLB to
any metal object such as
behind a drain pipe,under the rail of a bridge,under a vehicle,etc.
Comrade `A ’ will use a variety of DLBs with `B ’.Never use a stationary
DLB too often because this
increases the risk of being spotted.The advantage of a portable DLB is that
the place where it is left can be
constantly changed.Because of the danger of a stranger picking it up by chance
the time between making
the drop and the pick-up by your partner must not be long.
5.Portable DLB -`Wooden Stick ’:
Buy a piece of plastic tubing or pipe.Cut off a 30cm length.Glue pieces of bark
around it to make it look
like a twig.With a little patience you will be surprised at how realistic you
can make it.You have a portable
DLB into which you can insert material.Work out a suitable location where it
can be safely dropped for
a pick-up.You can carry it up your sleeve and drop it in long grass or into
a bush near an easy-to-locate
reference point.It must be concealed from passers-by and nosey dogs!
Alternatively you can try hollowing out an actual piece of branch,or splitting
it down the side and gluing it.
But you will probably find the plastic pipe easier to handle and longer-lasting.
6.Portable DLB -`Hollow Rock ’:Experiment with plaster of paris
(which you can buy from a chemist)
and mould it into the shape of a rock.Allow enough of a hollow to hide material.With
paint and mud you
can make it look like a realistic rock.Carry it to the drop-off point in a shopping
bag.
(Note:the above can serve as a portable DLB as well as a useful hiding place
for the storage of sensitive
material around the home ).
7.Mobile DLB:Comrade `A ’ uses the Johannesburg to Durban train
to send material to comrades down
at the coast.There are numerous hiding places on trains,as with other forms
of transport,and if you use
magnets the possibilities are increased.Removing a panel in a compartment provides
a useful hiding place.
Comrade `A ’ does this long before the train ’s departure,before other
passengers arrive.He has a telephonic
signal system with the Durban comrades to indicate when the material is on its
way and how to locate it.
They might get on the train before it reaches Durban.Whatever the case,the operational
system must be
carefully studied at both ends.
19 .FAILURE AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT
Our series would not be complete if we did not deal with failure in the underground
and how to react to
setbacks.
1.WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “FAILURE ”?
When members of the underground are exposed,arrested or killed,when the underground
structure is
broken-up or destroyed by the enemy -failure has occurred.Failure can be where
PARTIAL only some
members are affected or COMPLETE,where the entire network or machinery is smashed.OPEN
failures
are those that the enemy chooses to publicise.CONCEALED failures occur when
the enemy succeeds in
infiltrating the underground with its agents but keeps this secret.In this case
they make no immediate arrests
choosing instead to patiently obtain information over a long period.
2.REASONS FOR FAILURE
There are numerous causes of arrests and setbacks.
a)Violating the rules of secrecy:
This is one of the main causes of failure.To carry out secret work successfully
everyone must strictly follow
the organisational &personal rules of behaviour that have been outlined
in this series.
Common violation of the rules are:
failure to limit the number of links between persons (knowledge of others must
be limited)
not keeping to the principle of vertical lines of communication (eg.a cell leader
must not have
horizontal contact with other cell leaders but only with a contact from the
higher organ)
failure to compartmentalise or isolate different organs from one another (eg.comrades
responsible for
producing propaganda must not take part in its distribution)
poor discipline (eg:loose talk;carelessness with documents;conspicuous or unnatural
behaviour etc.)
poor recruitment practises (eg:failure to check on person ’s background;failure
to test reliability;
selecting one ’s friends without considering genuine qualities etc.)
failure to use codes and conceal real identities
weak cover stories
legends
poor preparation of operations &meetings
violating the rule of “knowing only as much as you need to know ”
not using the standard methods of personal and impersonal communications
inadequate preparation of comrades for arrest and interrogation so that they
reveal damaging information.
b)Weak knowledge of the operational situation:
This means not paying sufficient attention to the conditions in the area where
you carry out your tasks.
Comrades are often caught because they failed to study the methods used by the
enemy,the time of police
patrols,guard system,use of informers etc.Mistakes are made if you fail to take
into account the behaviour
of local people,cultural mannerisms and habits,forms of dress etc.Knowledge
of political,economic,
geographic and transport conditions are part of the operational picture.
c)Weakly trained and poorly selected operatives:
The underground can only be as strong as its members.Poorly trained leaders
result in weak leadership,
weak communication links and poor training of subordinates.This leads to wrong
decisions and incorrect
behaviour throughout the structure and a whole series of mistakes.Care and caution
are the key to the
selection of capable leaders and recruitment of operatives.
d)Weak professional,political and personal qualities:
Serious shortcomings in the qualities required for underground work can lead
to failure.For example a
comrade who is sound politically and has good operational skills but who drinks
heavily or gambles can put
a machinery at risk.Similarly a person with good professional and personal qualities
but who is politically
confused can be the cause of failure.And a person with good political understanding
and fine personal
qualities but who has weak operational capability is best used for legal work.
e)Chance or accident:
An unlucky incident can lead to arrest but is the least likely cause of failure.
3.PREVENTING FAILURE
Following the principles and rules of secrecy greatly reduces the possibility
of failure -“Prevention is better
than cure ”.But when failure occurs we must already be armed with the plans
and procedures for dealing
with the situation.
20 .DETECTING AND LOCALISING FAILURE
When the principles and rules of secrecy are poorly applied failure and arrests
follow.The main dangers
come from infiltration by enemy agents or the arrest of comrades on operations.DETECTING
failure means
to be aware of the danger in good time.LOCALISING failure means to act in order
to quickly contain the
crisis and prevent the damage spreading.The following are the main points to
consider:
1.REVIEW THE MACHINERY:
It is only possible to detect and localise failure if the underground has been
built on a solid basis according
to the correct organisational principles.A study and review of the structure,lines
of communication and
the personnel is an essential part of secret work.But it becomes impossible
to obtain a clear picture if the
underground has been loosely and incorrectly put together and is composed of
some unsuitable persons.In
such a situation it becomes very difficult to correct mistakes and prevent infiltration.A
network which is
tightly organised,operates according to the rules of secrecy and is cleared
of unsuitable operatives is easier
to review and manage.
2.CHECK SUSPECTS:
This is part of the work of reviewing the machinery.It must be carried out discretely
so as not to alert the
enemy or undermine the confidence of operatives.
1.Review the suspects behaviour,movement and performance;
2.check with co-workers,friends,family;
3.carry out surveillance by the security organ after exhausting the other checks
to determine whether there
are links with the police.
3.SOME TACTICS OF ENEMY AGENTS:
they try to win your confidence by smooth talk and compliments;
they try to arouse your interest by big talk and promises;
try to get information and names from you which is no business of theirs;
try to get you to rearrange lines of communication and contact points to help
police surveillance;
may show signs of nervousness,behave oddly,show excessive curiosity;
may pressurise you to speed up their recruitment or someone they have recommended;
ignore instructions,fail to observe rules of secrecy;
Note:
Good comrades can be guilty of lapses in behaviour from time to time,and agents
can be very clever.So do
not jump to conclusions but study the suspect ’s behaviour with care and
patience.Sooner or later they will
make a mistake.
4.LOCALISING FAILURE:
This involves two things:acting against infiltration when it is detected and
acting against exposure of the
machinery and preventing further arrests,capture of documents,material etc.
a)Acting against infiltration:
The severity of action will depend on the stage reached and the danger posed.The
enemy agent may be:
cut-off without explanation;
politely cut-off with a good,believable pretext (eg.told the underground unit
is being dissolved);
“frozen ” --told they are not being involved because they are being
held in reserve;
arrested and taken out of the country as a prisoner;
eliminated -where they pose serious danger to the survival of comrades and there
is no other way.