https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/574d7999023a56520798d277f26ed2e3.pdf cca10ae5203e6939c63e74f5cb6fe19a PDF Text Text ^ ^ SECRE' Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a f information S E C R E T MEMO ( 4 APR 46) FROM MR CREAN TO HON NORMAN ROBERTSON ( u n d e r S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r E x t e r n a l A f f a i r s ) FLAG "A" 1. D u r i n g c o n v e r s a t i o n s i n LONDON among MR CREAN, MR GLAZEBROOK a n d t h e UK a u t h o r i t i e s t h e C a n a d i a n s t e n t a t i v e l y p u t f o r w a r d t h e i d e a of CANADA t a k i n g o v e r and o p e r a t i n g t h e C a n a d i a n end of HYDRA. The UK a u t h o r i t i e s a p p e a r e d t o f a v o u r t h e . s u g g e s t i o n and s t a t e d t h e y would p r o b a b l y b e p r e p a r e d t o t r a n s f e r t h e p r e s e n t i n s t a l l a t i o n s t o t h e C a n a d i a n Government without charge. 2. CREAN s u g g e s t e d t h a t f r o m t h e C a n a d i a n p o i n t of view t h e r e a p p e a r e d t o b e t h r e e m a i n r e a s o n s why t h i s w o u l d b e d e s i r a b l e : (a) To c a r r y EXTERNAL AFFAIRS TRAFFIC b e t w e e n OTTAWA and LONDON and,.OTTAWA a n d WASHINGTON. (b) To c a r r y COMINT TRAFFIC, w h i c h would i n c l u d e a l l raw i n t e r c e p t m a t e r i a l b e t w e e n OTTAWA and LONDON and b e t w e e n OTTAWA and WASHINGTON. » (c) By o w n e r s h i p a n d o p e r a t i o n of HYDRA we s h o u l d b e contributing s u b s t a n t i a l l y to the post-war signal i n t e l l i g e n c e e f f o r t of t h e COMMONWEALTH and t h e USA, I t would a l s o e n s u r e t h e c o - o p e r a t i o n of t h e UK and USA i n o u r c r y p t o g r a p h i c e f f o r t a n d t h e r e c e p t i o n of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS of a l l u l t r a i n t e l l i - gence. 3. CREAN p o i n t e d o u t t h a t i n a d d i t i o n t o c a r r y i n g t h e t r a f f i c i n d i c a t e d above HYDRA would a l s o c a r r y t r a f f i c b e t w e e n t h e FOREIGN OFFICE and t h e B r i t i s h Embassy i n WASHINGTON, a n d b e t w e e n t h e UNITED KINGDOM and t h e UNITED STATES COMINT a u t h o r i t i e s . 4. CREAN t h e n gave c o m p a r a t i v e c o s t s of owning a n d o p e r a t i n g HYDRA1 a s o p p o s e d t o p a y i n g c o m i a e r c i a l calble c o s t s f o r t h e same service. LETTER (7 MAY 46) FROM N . A . ROBERTSON TO SIR EDWARD TRAVIS (GCHQ) ~ FLAG "B" 1. Mr R o b e r t s o n f e e l s , " . . . . t h a t from e v e r y p o i n t of view i t would b e b e t t e r i f t h i s s i t u a t i o n (HYDRA) w e r e t a k e n o v e r and o p e r a t e d b y CANADA. FLAG LETTER (7 MAY 46) FROM N . A . ROBERTSON TO THE CGS (THEN LT-GEN FOULKES) »pi» 1. This l e t t e r should be r e a d in d e t a i l , w i t h reference t o the following p o i n t s : particular (a) It was made clear that MR ROBERTSON felt that within CANADA, communications and cipher for COMINT should be peculiar to COMINT, even though it was suggested that the Services actually provide such communications. (See paras 1(a) - (d)) (b) MR ROBERTSON reminded the CGS that when they discussed the matter together the CGS had suggested that HYDRA should be opera'ted by 'the MM, and it was agreed that this was the most suitable arrangement, (see para 2(c) of the letter) i^UM SECRET. 000173 I �J EC Ci - FLAG "D" Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a {'information 2 - S E C R E T MEMORANDUM (5 JUN 4 5 ) FROM D SIGS (COL WRINCH) TO CGS 1, I n a n a p p e n d i x t o t h i s memo D SIGS- d e s c r i b e s t h e C a n a d i a n HYDRA f a c i l i t i e s w h i c h w o u l d be t a k e n over b y t h e Army. A 2. D SIGS s t r o n g l y recommends t h a t t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e s t a t i o n be moved t o OTTAWA s o t h a t i n t h e l o n g t e r m o p e r a t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e would b e s i m p l i f i e d . (What h a p p e n e d e v e n t u a l l y was t h a t CONTROL and RECEIVING moved t o OTTAWA b u t TRANSMITTING was l e f t i n OSHAWA) FLAG "E" "NOTE TO FILE" (8 JUL 46) BY LT-COL J H EAMAN OF D SIGS 1. DCGS (A) h a d i n mind t h a t i f HYDRA w e r e t a k e n o v e r b y t h e Army i t s c i v i l i a n s w o u l d b e r e p l a c e d b y s o l d i e r s within 2 years. 2. A 50 KW t r a n s m i t t e r was t o b e d e v e l o p e d f o r t h e s t a t i o n b y CSRDE ( T h i s p l a n l a t e r f e l l b y t h e w a y s i d e a n d a 100 KW t r a n s m i t t e r was p u r c h a s e d f r o m RCA out of Army f u n d s ) FLAG " F " MEMORANDUM (25 SEP 46) FROM CHAIRMAN CRC TO SECRETARY CSC Note Para 4(b) in which it is stated that exclusive 1. COMINT telecommunication channels are essential for COMINT traffic passing and for COMINT control. 2. In Para 4(d) it is stated, "all the terminals of circuits intended exclusively to carry SIGINT traffic will be installed in SIGINT Centres which will have operational but not necessarily administrative control of all SIGINT communications in their areas", (underline is mine) »rti» FLAG "G MEMORANDUM (19 NOV 46) FROM MR HEENEY TO MR PEARSON 1"; , .:... MRl'ST'.'LAURENT and MR ABBOTT agreed that it would be reasonable for the government to take over this function (HYDRA) as a part of the co-operative UK/US/CANADA programme in the field of interception. 2. MR. ILSLEY was satisfied to have the OSHAWA station taken over in the way proposed, on the understanding that there was no capital cost involved and that the funds were available in National Defence (Army) votes. H H SECRET 000174 �S V.«-*1 a 5 ocument disclosed disclosed under the Access to Information Act i p jf*** TT"5> T*~* PTTOocument £ L , l ^ K t S f o - m e n t divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a f information - 3 - Uxilli FLAG "H I I SECRET TELEGRAM (28 NOV 46) FROM SIR EDWARD TRAVIS TO UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE 1. S i r Edward s a i d i n p a r t , "We welcome s u g g e s t i o n of o p e r a t i o n b y C a n a d i a n Army S i g n a l s " . 2. He s a i d a l s o , " O p e r a t i o n a t t h i s end w i l l b e by t h e S p e c i a l Communications O r g a n i z a t i o n , w h i c h c o v e r s F o r e i g n O f f i c e and c e r t a i n S i g i n t c o m m u n i c a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s and h a s t h i s p r o j e c t f u l l y p l a n n e d and p a r t l y c o n s t r u c t e d a t t h i s e n d . ( T h i s would a p p e a r t o b e t h e b i r t h of t h e DIPLOMATIC WIRELESS SERVICE w h i c h I u n d e r s t a n d was s t a r t e d b y R o y a l S i g n a l s d u r i n g t h e war and l a t e r c a r r i e d on b y some of i t s members who l e f t t h e Army and w e n t t o t h e F o r e i g n O f f i c e , t a k i n g t h e b e g i n n i n g s of t h e s y s t e m w i t h t h e m ) . FLAG TELEGRAM (19 NOV 46) FROM UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE TO SIR EDWARD TRAVIS IITII 1. S h o u l d be r e a d i n 2. Note: detail. (a) Understand station would be used for SIGNT traffic. (b) Army might supplement or replace the present transmitters in time. (c) Acceptable to Cdn Govt that the FOREIGN OFFICE might wish to use HYDRA and similar arrangement would be made for handling EXTERNAL AFFAIRS traffic. (d) In other words, HYDRA was being taken over primarily for. COMINT and on the understanding given by the Army that it would operate it. (See later how payment from VOTE 700. which was COMINT were ceased and the load was taken up by EXTERNAL so that EXTERNAL wouldTeHn to have ADMINISTATIVE CONTROL) i i !• FLAG "J" • • i w M i w m w u i i i i T n mmwmmnin»f«iiiiwiiiwnMiriniwmM«rwni maiiMi iimnMiwmiirHii «in mi nun IIIHH nmiw mm «i NOTE OF ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN D SIGS CANADA AND DSC UK (NOT DATED) 1. This should be read in detail as it describes the entire proposal. 2. Note in particular para 4 which states that any points regarding the general management or technical policy of the HYDRA circuit should be the subject of direct discussion between D SIGS and the DSC (UK). SECRET 000175 i �m <? Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a (information SECRET - 4 FLAG "K" S E CR E T MEMORANDUM (30 JAN 47) FROM CGS TO MND 1. Attached to this memo is a submission for the purchase of a 100 KW transmitter for OSHAWA. 2. Note para 4 of the memo in which the CGS states, "If approval is given to the purchase of this equipment I would suggest that a small committee should be formed to look into establishing a government communications service to handle all traffic in Canada and from Canada to the United Kingdom for all government departments". (Underline is mine) ~~ W T It FLAG "L MEMO (1 MAR 47) FROM CGS TO ADM (M) 1. States that Canadian Army is to take over HYDRA on 1 APR 47. 2. Re-iterates that the station will be operated by the Canadian Army using the existing civilian employees who will be gradually replaced by Army personnel. FLAG "M" LETTER (18 FEB 47) FROM L . B . PEARSON TO PRESIDENT OF NRC 1. Mr. P e a r s o n e x p l a i n e s t o Dean MacKenzie why h e t h e COMINT f u n d s s h o u l d b e c a r r i e d i n NRC e s t i m a t e s . feels HYDR& i s r e f e r r e d t o a t t h e b o t t o m of p a g e 2 of t h e l e t t e r and i t s i m p o r t a n c e i n t h e COMINT c o m m u n i c a t i o n s network i s s t r e s s e d . 2. FLAG "N" MEMORANDUM (10 MAR 47) FROM PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE TO COSC 1. This memo has attached to it a report of the ad hoc committee appointed to study the possibility of sending all government traffic oyer the communication facilities of the Department of National Defence. (This matter is mentioned in para 2 of my note on FLAG "K"). 2. The committee saw serious objections to making it mandatory that all government traffic should be handled by the communications system of the Armed Forces. As far as CANADA to UK traffic was concerned it was felt that (a-) HYDRA would be fully committed to COMINT and DIPLOMATIC Traffic. (b) We would be in competition with COTC, the nationalized overseas telecommunications system and would be breaking agreements made with other Commonwealth countries. *m ; ECRET 000176 �- 5 - FLAG " 0 " 1. date. c E ^ Li Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act - Document divulgue en vertu de la Coi sur I'acces a {'information S E C R E T LETTER ( 2 1 MAR 47) FROM CGS TO MR L . B . PEARSON This l e t t e r confirms arrangements made up to t h a t 2. It s t a t e s , "It is understood that the following t r a f f i c w i l l be h a n d l e d i n t h e f i r s t i n s t a n c e : (a;) That r e c e i v e d i n England w i l l be f o r to: (i) (ii) (iii) (b) FOREIGN OFFICE (BOTH DIPLOMATIC AND SPECIAL) EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. (ii) CB NRC. (v) 1. DOMINIONS OFFICE. •(I) (iv) lr>» FLAG t"P CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER. T h a t r e c e i v e d i n Canada w i l l b e f o r to: (iii) delivery delivery UK HIGH COMMISSIONER. BRITISH EMBASSY WASHINGTON. BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE NEW YORK. LETTER (21 MAR 47) FROM MR L . B . PEARSON TO THE CGS Encloses copy of a telegram EXTERNAL to L.S.I.B. 2. Note particularly the fourth para of Mr Pearson's letter in which he states in part, ". . . . 1 think it is important to bear in mind that the main purpose of the station is to carry ^SIGjrNT_ traff ic between WASHINGTON and LONDON. I do not feel therefore it would be desirable to use HYDRA for purposes other than those already agreed with the United Kingdom authorities." 3. At folio 179 EXTERNAL notifies CGS that the UK concurred in their wire and assumes that the Army will a-ssume responsibility for the OSHAWA station from 1 APR 47, HMH SECRET 000177 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hydra Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context HY00043 Title A name given to the resource [Flag A-P] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource undated Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hydra Communications - Policy, RG24, 1250-36 Vol. 1, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Department of National Defence Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Canadian takeover of Hydra, Oshawa Wireless Station, Leitrim, OWS, OTC, Ottawa Traffic Centre, DND, External Affairs, SIGINT, signals intelligence, intelligence sharing, diplomatic traffic, government communications Description An account of the resource Summary of development of HYDRA, including policy and operations. Summary notes that transmitting facilities stayed at Oshawa while control and receiving faculties moved to Leitrim. References HY00001, HY00002, HY00003, HY00004, HY00006, HY00015, HY00017, HY00020, HY00029, HY00034. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Canada Declassified Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource en