RESTRICTED

INTRODUCTION

The point of war is not to destroy the enemy physically but rather make him act in
harmony with out will and to change his will to the extent that he no longer opposes our
national interest. If we can influence the enemys head we will not have to strike his arm.
Clausewitz

1. Psy Ops are independent wars, those are wedged before, during and after any
regular conventional wars, low intensity conflicts.1 Conventional wars and low intensity
conflict operations have to some extent been interdependent on Psy ops which may have
come about as a force multiplier or a combat capability.

2. Records of Psy Ops can be found from the recorded history of ancient warfare.
Hebrew Bible mentions about the victory of Gideon in 1245 BC over Medianities using
confusion and dilemma with small forces. The use of unfamiliar devices to excite panic has
probably been the earliest method in Psy Ops. Another method of Psy Ops was use of
propaganda which was developed by Greeks, still being used today.

3. The Black propaganda of Genghis Khan was another demonstration of Psy Ops in
the past that was so effective that its results linger to this day. The Greeks used inscriptions
as leaflets while Genghis Khan used espionage to plan his Campaigns and deliberately used
rumour to exaggerate stories of huge members and ferocity which drove fear into the
enemy, thus frightening them away.

During the major wars like World Wars, various methods were used in Psy Ops by all the
belligerents. After World War II, during Cold War with bi-polar world order, there were no
major conflict but many low intensity conflicts and operations which fall short of war.
During that period, the methods of Psy Ops and propaganda were developed to undermine
opponents capabilities.

However, after the Cold War many regional and local conflicts emerged as a result of ethnic,
religious and nationalists causes. Psy Ops under gone major change especially during the

1
Psychological Warfare by Paul M A Linebarger pp 1-3.

1
 RESTRICTED

Gulf Wars. With the revolution of information and computer technology, Information
Warfare has emerged as a deciding factor in warfare. The US military has put Psy Ops
within Information Warfare.

In recent years we see that various social media, email, and other application based
messaging services are being used in spreading ideology which may create division among
nations, religion and ethnic groups and rise of terrorism. These are the Psy Ops and
propaganda which are increasingly propagated by non state actors, creating unstable
situations.

To counter such psy ops, defensive Psy Ops are required to be employed. Now, the question
remains whether Psy Ops is relevant in modern warfare?

Aim
With this background the aim of this presentation is to introduce Psy Ops and examine its
relevance in modern warfare.

Scope
This paper will start with defining Psy Ops and its related terms and then will examine its
historical evolution. Transition in recent years will be discussed to find out relevance of Psy
Ops in modern warfare. Finally, it will try to recommend some measures for adaptation in
Bangladesh Armed Forces.

Definition of Terms
Psy Ops
US Department of Defence defines Psy Ops as:

Psy operations are planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to
foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and
ultimately the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals.
The purpose of Psy operations is to induce or reinforce foreign attitudes and behavior
favorable to the originators objectives Department of Defense Joint Publication 1-02

In addition military aspects, the Psy Ops in addition, encompass those political, economic
and ideological actions planned and conducted to create in neutral or friendly foreign groups
the emotions, attitudes, or behaviour to support the achievement of national objectives.

2
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Its scope and application is much wider with far reaching impact in national perspective
covering peace as well as war time. In a generic sense it is one of the four instruments of
statecraft, the other three being political, economic and military instruments involve
considerable efforts and resources, Psy means is less expensive, as it requires human
intellect much more than material resources.

The term Psy Operations (Psy Ops) and Psy Warfare are often used interchangeably and
both terms are however are known to be of recent origin. Psy Warfare was first used by in
1920 and Psy Ops in 1945.2

Propaganda Any form of communication in support of the national objectives designed

to influence opinions, emotions, attitudes, or behaviour of any group in order to benefit the
sponsor whether directly or indirectly.

Target A target is an aggregate of people who share certain predispositions which

when successfully manipulated may lead to mental or behavioural effects that will assist in
achieving certain Psy objectives.

Intelligence Information when analysed towards producing valuable inputs for specific
usage becomes intelligence.

Media All audio, visual and electronic means of communication including social and
application based messaging service are termed as media.

Subversion Subversion comprises all measures short of the use of armed force taken by a
section of people of a country or to overthrow those governing the country to force them to
act as per their will. It can involve the use of political and economic pressures, strikes,
protest marches and propaganda and can also include the use of small scale violence for the
purpose of coercing recalcitrant members of the population into giving support 3.

2
Origin of PSYOP Terminology By William E Daughtery in Military Propaganda.
3
Frank Kitson Low Intensity Operations Faber and Faber London, First Edition, 1971, Page 3.

3
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Low Intensity Conflict Operations (LICO). These are primarily operations other than
war ranging from civil unrests, guerilla warfare, secessionist, civil war, terrorist activities,
espionage and the list goes on.

Operations which Fall Short of War. A war situation between two or more countries
(normally two) but not an all out war, and not all the armed forces are committed from
either country.

Evolution of Psy Operations

Psy Operations and propaganda are as old as mankind itself, however it has taken modern
specialization to bring them into focus as separate subjects. The history of Psy Ops and
propaganda dates back to time when wars were recorded. As mentioned earlier, in 1245 BC
Gideon with 300 men defeated much larger and superior force of Median by instilling fear in
enemy. He used pitchers and lamps together with the sound of trumpets he confused his
enemies who fought amongst themselves and fled.

The Greeks however developed perhaps the early use of propaganda as recorded in the
writings of Herodotus. There was the message to their enemies the Ionians, to persuade or
make them think as to why and whom they were fighting. The inscriptions the Greeks
engraved on the stone walls were perhaps the early forms of todays use of leaflets. In this
method the Greeks saw things from the viewpoint of the enemy of the targeted audience in
anticipation to the type of reaction to be achieved.

The Chinese similarly about 200 AD developed another type of early military propaganda
issued at the beginning of war which combined various main factors such as naming the
specific enemy, appeal to better people, simplicity for common people, claim for support for
legitimate government, affirmation of ones own strength and high world innovation of unity
and appeal to religion. This type of material may appropriately be termed as Military
Propaganda.

Ideology and political faith of the people formed the basis for Psy appreciation of a given
situation, which propaganda may be focused on. This is shown by the classical examples

4
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

such as Islamic faith, Protestant / Catholic wars of the past and many other similar
examples. 6

Psy operations also played an important role in the American Revolution with the Whig
Campaign leading to the colonial defiance of Britain. The Americans controlled the media
outdistancing the British whose papers were confined to the cities they held. The
propaganda was based on political reasoning, economic arguments, allegations concerning
the cause of war and atrocity stories. Similarly, the Mexicans waged Psy Ops on the
Americans and thus resulted successfully by American Artillery men dealing out heavy
murder fire to American troops outside the Mexico City.

Psy Operations in World War I

Psy Ops effort and intensity in World War I played an active part and was classified as the
weapon that won the war. The Allied and the Germans equally displayed propaganda
activities. Mass communication in the form of newspaper, telegraph and radio in World War
I that gave prominence to Psy Ops and propaganda. There are various examples of the
systems of communications, which had been used by various parties

The British had in 1914, one of the worlds finest news system; a highly sophisticated press,
and extensive experience in international communication for technical and commercial
purpose, the under sea cable system, and they turned it into war use with considerable
smoothness. The British further had diplomatic and consular service of superb quality.
8
They had the lead and countered German propaganda on propaganda-to-propaganda while
at the same time circulating their own news.

The Germans on the other hand had a far more regimented press and more limited network
of technical and commercial connections despite putting a lot of effort into Psy Ops they
lacked both the organisation and morale drive.

The American Psy Ops efforts of 1917 and 1919 drew heavily on the familiar skills of the
British at that time. They had the organisation and the national drive to support it. The
two agencies, which saw the Psy Ops efforts through were the civilian agency committee on
public information known as the Creel committee and the Military Agency the propaganda
6
lbid pp 9-28
8
Ibid PP- 64 -67

5
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

section. The Americans concentrated on morale and surrender of the enemy. It was really
in the combat propaganda that the Americans excelled themselves.

The French showed high professional skills in adapting their military and diplomatic
Personnel to propaganda tasks. French position as battleground ensured her the rage of her
own people and the sympathy of neutral giving propaganda from Paris a hearing.

The Bolshevik Revolution of the Russians came about with dynamic propaganda
developments. They were Socialists and pitilessly sabotaged all other democratic groups in
Russia and thus their anti democratic propaganda lead them to achieve their socialistic state.
The Bolsheviks had two weapons, the propaganda and terror. Their propaganda effort was
probably the finest propaganda effort known in history.

The Chinese Revolution of 1922-1927 represented the situation created by the communist
Psy operations. The Chinese leaders adopted the theory from the Russians in 1922 which
saw them to achieve communist domain is China.

The success in propaganda and Psy operations in World War I has been attributed to the
major players, Germany, United States, Britain and countries that were affected.
Departments and agencies were established just to cater for the process and implementation
of Psy Ops.

Psy Ops in World War II

Psy Ops in World War II arose from the consideration of propaganda. The Governments of
countries involved and affected in the war fall back on Psy Ops by merely supplementing
politics and military operations by propaganda. There were efforts of developments and
improvements made and those were from the lessons of World War I by the countries who
didnt do well at that time. Equally a lot of effort was put into Psy Ops by almost all major
players of World War II, as was in World War I.

German PSY OPS Effort

Germany was one of those countries that learned a great deal from World War I from its
failure. They developed the belligerent propaganda into a fine art exploiting each possible
difference that could contribute to the weakness of the enemy. It was very much Black

6
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Propaganda and they tried to agitate every one against each other to delay military action
against Germany and weaken the enemys potential to fight.

The Germans went into special pains to organise German speaking minorities in other
countries but they never neglected using people who have no open connection with Nazism
at all. The achievement of German basic propaganda were:

a. Firstly in the political warfare field, they succeeded in making large sections
of the world opinion believed that world future was a choice between communism
and fascism.

b. Secondly in the strategic field, they made each victim seem the last. There
was still the hope that the war would not arise, the British hoped that they could stay
out even after Czechoslovakia fell and the Russians hoped to stay out even after
British and French fought, and

c. Thirdly in the purely Psy field, the Germans used outright fright that even
made their own people afraid of communist liquidation. It implies that when one
country or nation is ready to fight and the other knows its inability on not to fight
can be reduced to something resembling a nervous break down by the constant
uncertainty.

British Effort
The British went into radio propaganda battle with the Germans. Both the British and the
Germans could reach almost all of Europe on standard wave and each could jam others
transmission without much success.

The British had their hands full getting news in languages of occupied countries. They had
to make radio warfare highly sensitive to politics that it addresses the right people, with the
right language, at the right time on penalty of failure. This led them to set up the Political
Warfare Executive (PWE), which had representation from the War Office, the Admiralty, the
Foreign Office, and the Ministry of Information. The Political Warfare Executive facilitated
policy servicing and coordination agencies for all British external propaganda and left the
execution of its operations to the ministry of information, and the British Broadcasting
Cooperation. The British radio propaganda did maintain a high level of effectiveness.

7
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

American PSYOP Effort

Americans used Psy operations extensively in World War II, from the strategic to the tactical
level. National-level white propaganda was the responsibility of the Office of War
Information, while black propaganda was most often the responsibility of the Morale
Operations branch of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

The OSS Morale Operations (MO) branch was the Psy operations arm of the OSS. In
general, its units worked on a theater-by-theater basis, without a great deal of central
coordination. The OSS was responsible for strategic propaganda, while the military
commanders had operational and tactical responsibility.

For the first time in U.S. history, American psywarriors employed electronic psywar in the
field, in September 1944. Engineers of the 1st Radio Section of the 1st MRBC recorded
POW interviews for front- line broadcasts, and reproduced the sound effects of vast
numbers of tanks and other motor vehicles for Allied armored units in attempts to mislead
German intelligence and lower enemy morale. Leaflets were delivered principally from
aircraft, but also with artillery shells.

The Americans learned three major lessons in World War II, which were not discovered in
World War I, and of course; were never noticed by the responsible officials;
(a) Firstly, Psy Ops is a function of command.

(b) Secondly, atrocity propaganda begets atrocity.

(c) Thirdly, Americans do not normally produce Psy Ops personnel in peace time.

The Soviet PSYOP Effort

The Soviet Psy Ops used communist party facilities during World War II. Soviet showed
real innovative and political policies behind them were both far-sighted and far reaching.
Revolutionary Communist themes were brilliantly intermingled with patriotic Russian items.
The Soviet officials were able to tailor their social system to fit propaganda. They did so
even to the name of war and called it the Great Patriotic War.
The Russians however in their combat propaganda were equally ruthless and realistic. Their
propaganda was aimed at attracting and gaining favourable support rather than persuasion.

8
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

They turned prisoners into real military assets by employing them in propaganda and used
captured Nazi Generals into free Germany movement.

It was only in the radio that the Russian retained some of their revolutionary fire for non
communist people. They also maintained domestic propaganda half secret by imposing a
censorship ban. Their radio propaganda however was to be audible to everyone and it was
therefore, the least ingenious in seeing reactionary themes effectively. Both Germans and
the Russians used black radio since each policed the home audience rigorously against
each other.

The Japanese PSYOP Effort

The Japanese invented very little in the field of Psy ops: however they made excellent and
judicious use of the news to the American audience. There were more Japanese official
news going into the American press during the war years than they had succeeded in
placing during peacetime. They did that by maintaining the regular Domei News
Service (Dmei Tsshinsha) in the English Language, Morse Wireless for the American
press, readily edited for the newspaper office.

On the Asiatic audience special Japanese Butai did a great deal of Black propaganda along
subversive operations, but delayed with little initiative in the use of basic techniques. Their
chief merits were industry, patience and the delivery of a first class news service.

Chinese PSYOP Efforts

The Chinese communists broke all records for certain specialist aspects of combat
propaganda. Japanese prisoners were given better treatment with maidens, gifts, and
political indoctrination on the freedom of Japan. These prisoners were then sent back to the
front lines to motivate Japanese soldiers.

The Yenan Forces went into great pains with this type of propaganda and even went to the
extremes of electing a Japanese prisoner to the city council of Yenan. The Chinese
communist identified the problems of Japanese common soldiers and their weaknesses,
thereby took advantage in propagating to weaken their will to fight. The other extreme
measures they took were sending gift packages into Japanese lines instead of booby traps,
and learned the names of Japanese telephone operators. They trained selected prisoners for

9
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

political brainwashing and released them beyond Japanese lines, with indoctrinated
messages, not to shoot at their Chinese brethren there but into the air.

While under Chiang, the Chinese National Government waged a dignified humane kind of
Psy Ops against Japan. It was shortly after the outbreak of the first quasi-war between
China and Japan in 1937, the Generalissimo ordered his bombers to attack Japan, using
American built Chinese bombers. Instead of dropping bombs, they dropped leaflets
denouncing Japanese aggression and persuaded Japanese not to bomb China.

Generalissimo had Japanese on his political staff and democratic persons whom his officials
encouraged and regular Japanese broadcasts were kept up throughout the war on the Chung
King Radio.

Psy War Fare after World War II

After World War II, during Cold War, both US lead western block and Soviet led Eastern
Block. During that time there were some localized wars, some proxy wars and some Low
Intensity Conflicts (LIC) mainly in developing countries.

During Cold War period, a number of guerrilla wars broke out across the globe like in
Nicaragua, in Algeria and in Indonesia. A guerrilla fighters objective is the people, and in
order to succeed one has to learn to be persuasive and that is archived by direct
communication with the people. Therefore, it is important that every guerrilla fighter be
able to communicate face to face, to be a propagandist and a combatant at the same time.
In some cases, in guerrilla warfare and similar warfare led to the formation of the armed
propaganda team.

Psy Ops is well applied in guerrilla warfare. It is very important to know the psychology of
the population for all the armed propaganda teams with constant intelligence data obtained
to keep abreast of the developments.

10
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

In case of our great Liberation War, with the call of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whole population of the then East Pakistan jumped into war and
fought valiantly against occupying Pakistani Force. Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendro carried
out one of the effective Psy Ops and propaganda to rejuvenate Mukti bahini and demoralize
Pakistani Army. In the beginning of December 1971, leaflets were also dropped by Allied
Forces of Bangladesh-India to urge Pakistani Forces to surrender immediately to avert
bloodshed.

Psy Ops in Various Levels of War

Now lets see how Psy Ops plays its role in various levels of war:

Strategic Psy Ops They are conducted at a global/regional plane to support national
strategy. At [the] strategic level, it may take many forms including diplomatic initiatives,
aggressive military posturing, policy statements, threat of use of force, military deployment,
etc., to send a powerful Psy message of national intent and impending penalties for an act of
aggression.

Operational Psy Ops It is conducted within a defined geographic area in support of a

theatre commanders overall plan or as part of joint operations. Conduct of War manoeuvres
close to [the] international border/line of control, forward deployment of army units,
deliberate disclosure of target vulnerabilities etc., are effective deterrents and potent means
of subjugating the enemy into adopting reactive/defensive posture.

Tactical Psy Ops At the tactical level, they are targeted at the individual engagements
in consolidation of the overall effort against an opposing force or audience. Publicity of
destruction of [the] enemys vital installations, images of the dead, propaganda in the form
of make-believe planned stories of human rights violations such as cruelty against women
and children, invincibility of own forces, etc., have a strong impact on adversarys morale.

11
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Now with the advent of information age, military thinkers are considering Information
Warfare as new arena which is becoming increasingly important factor in todays warfare.
Such examples can be seen in both the Gulf Wars, where Information Warfare played a
critical role in defeating Iraqi Forces. Information warfare can be defined as the process of
protecting ones own sources of battlefield information and, at the same time, seeking to
deny, degrade, corrupt, or destroy the enemys sources of battlefield information.
Information warfare includes six pre-existing sub areas:

a. Operational Security.
b. Electronic Warfare (EW).
c. Psy Operations (Psy Ops).
d. Deception.
e. Physical attack on information processes.
f. Information attack on information processes.

Operational security is all about defensive information warfare and offensive information
warfare consists of the aggregation of EW, Psy Ops, deception, physical attack, and
information attack. PSYOPs are all about using information dissemination to weaken the
enemys morale and, ultimately, to break his will to resist.

MISO are planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign
audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the
behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals in a manner
favorable to the originators objectives. Military information support (MIS) professionals
follow a deliberate process that aligns commanders objectives with an analysis of the
environment; select relevant TAs; develop focused, culturally, and environmentally attuned
messages and actions; employ sophisticated media delivery means; and produce observable,
measurable behavioral responses. US DOD Joint Publication 3-13.2 Military Information
Support Operations January 2010, Change 1 December 2011.

STRATEGIC AND TACTICAL PSY OPS

12
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Strategic Psy Ops

Strategic Psy operations objectives serve the national interests. Therefore, it supports the
attainment of national objective abroad. Effective Psy operations require detailed
coordinated policy planning and carefully controlled implementation.

Before the determination of national policy on a specific issue, parameters within the policy
are defined to establish whether explicitly or implicitly, in the presentation of options. Often
only these parameters are announced as policy and some times in fact they are the
components of policy. However and perhaps the single most important Psy operations
policy decision is on the priortisation of resources allotted for short term and long term
objectives. Planners must consider the local needs and issues Persuasion must come to grip
with the attitudes, opinions, emotions and behaviour of the audiences, for this shapes the
perception and reactions to persuasive communications.

78. There is however no strategic concept for Psy operations separate and distinct from
a strategy concept for gaining national aim with out war. Psy operations are inherent in
every diplomatic, economic and military action. There is however a Psy implication in every
act and not apart from the act. These fundamental prepositions constitute the foundation
for a doctrine. If these propositions are understood then there is no mystery about the
doctrine. It is an expansion of these ideas.

79. The relevance of strategic concept for Psy operations is attributed to advantages
such as: -
(a) Armed confrontation is denied.
(b) Paints favourable situation of own forces and the national government
intentions.
(c) Has long term deterrent effect on the enemy.
(d) Creates deterrent it self by show of force and capability of own military
might.

28
80. Communication of course is the important factor and mechanism in Psy Ops, which
involves various process by which one influences the others it involves a total spectrum of

28
Propaganda, edited by Ron D. Mc Laurin p.262

13
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

human actions speech, written matter, music drama, pictorial arts and other forms of
behaviours.

29
81. To gauge the effect of Psy operations programs it is necessary to consider the
objectives and performances of political, social or economic programs being supported. If
the primary programs are seriously deficient and the people understand these deficiencies,
no Psy operation will persuade the people. Therefore the effect of persuasive
communication is very much defendant on variety of factors including Psy operation policy
itself, credibility the channels and techniques used and the role of group dynamics.

What is the relevance of Tactical PSYOP?

30
82. There is not much of a distinction between strategic PSYOP and tactical PSYOP.
The difference is very much an arbitrary one Tactical Psy operation supports the
achievement of strategic objectives in combat operations and is planned before, during or
after the execution of military operation and is merely there to compliment the effort of
military objective, it deals mainly with the planned employment of the communication
process to influence the behaviour of the enemy or the civilian population against the enemy.

83. The important factor in the tactical Psy operation process is communication planning
which is the key to mounting effective Psy operations by military usage. The PSYOP plan is
the principal instrument for implementation of Psy operations and is integrated into military
operations. It consists of: -
(a) A review of the situation.
(b) Concept of operations.
(c) A lucid statement of objectives, with respect to specified audiences.
(d) Guide lines about themes to be used.
(e) Precise requirement for PSYOP units and assets.
(f) Coordination
(g) Logistical and financial responsibilities.
(h) Schedule for integrated operations.

31
84. Additional plan should address special techniques of approaches or media,
injunctions or prohibitions concerning themes, and an audience analysis adequate to convey

29
Ibid p 39
30
Ibid pp 109-114
31
Ibid p 115

14
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

to plan users the constraints of persuasion. The analysis of the situation should however
clarify and summarize the order of battle and other matters relevant to military situation.
And the understanding must be important to the effects of the military campaign.

85. The concept of operations is the nature of the relationship of the Psy operations to
the overall military operation.

Milan Vego on PSYOPS in Maritime Environment

In his book Operational Warfare at Sea: Theory and Practices, Dr Milan Vego said,

In a maritime theatre, PSYOPS has generally much less role than they have in war
on land. Yet they can be used to some effect in case of major naval operations
conducted in the littorals. PSYOPS can be possibly effective in influencing the
enemy naval operational commanders decision making process over time. They can
be also used as part of an integrated plan for lethal and non-lethal operational fires.

How will PSYOP support the Attainment of Military Objectives?

Although military objective and target definitions are conceptually discrete, they are
operationally inseparable, because objectives defend upon the target reaction to the
operation. The plan must take careful account of nature of audience-political, economic,
and socio-cultural and others factors that are relevant to the process of influencing the
audience to behave in a desired manner. Strengths and vulnerabilities of both the
communicator and the target should be considered to the extent that they are relevant to the
campaign. The statement of objectives should be related to these factors in the same visible
way.

32
Psy themes that are to be emphasized, should be identified and particular care be taken to
the themes or subjects that should be avoided. Generally, both positive and negative theme
guidance is related in some clear cut way to objectives and to the targeted audience.

32
Ibid.115

15
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Translating PSYOP from a concept to an operation means delimiting the guide lines of the
operation and then dedicating specific units and assets to carrying out the then plan in
specific and appropriate ways. A PSYOP plan must specify the elements, personal and
equipment that are to a play a role and as well as the role itself. Logistic support not
organic to the PSYOP units as may be required should be identified. Timing is critical in
tactical PSYOP and careful the scheduling is maintained. Schedule planing takes into
account purely military variables and contingencies as well as full range of media efforts. It
is only then that the attainment of military objective can be archived from PSYOP support.

Psy Ops in Strategic, Operational and Tactical Level

Dr Milan Vego, a renowned US Operational Art exponent, puts Psy Ops in the realm of
Information Warfare.

PROPAGANDA
Propaganda Analysis
33
89. Opinion analysis pertains to what people think propaganda analysis however deals
with what some body is trying to make them think. Each form of analysis is a new and
flourishing field in civilian social research. Each year new text books in the field or current
revisions of old ones can be counted to bring scholastic and scientific findings up to date.

90. Technical writings on the visual education, religious conversions, labour

organisations, practical politics, revolutionary agitation and on commercial advertising have
frequent bearing on the propaganda analysis. Propaganda cannot be analysed in a logical
vacuum, as every step in the operation is intensely practical. There is nothing time less
about it other than common sense that is based on the nature of man.

91. The common nature of man may be the basis of all propaganda and politics, but
incentives to action are found in the stimuli of varied every day environments. Certain
33
Psychological warfare, Paul MA Linebarger, p. 110.

16
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

elementary appeals can be made with out reference to persons every day background
(cultural historical milieu) of the persons addressed. Yet all human beings will have same
basic response.
34
92. The difference between Japanese and the Americans was found to be basic when it
came to surrender. To the Japanese soldiers the verbal distinction between surrender and
cease honorable resistance was as important as the difference between life and death. The
Japanese would not survive at the cost of their honor but if their honour need was satisfied,
they willingly gave up.

35
92. Propaganda is directed to the subtle niceties of thought by which people maintain
their personnel orientation in an unstable interpersonal world. Propaganda must use the
language of the mother school teacher, the lover, the bully, the police man, the actor, the
ecclesiastic, the buddy, the newspaper man and etcetera, all of them in turn. And
propaganda analysis in weighting and evaluating propaganda must be more discriminating in
determining whether propaganda is able to hit his mark or not.

93. The two major means of conveying the propaganda messages during World War I
and World War II were: -
(a) Printed material.
(b) Radio / Wireless.

94. The most readily available source of propaganda was not printed as delaying of
transmissions catered for set backs, nevertheless, media, newspaper and posters were
commonly used by the Allies, Germans and the Japanese.

36
95. Radio was the biggest source of propaganda intake. It was picked easily by
the audiences and most certainly was the cheapest way of getting material to millions of
people promptly. When the Red Army with its acute propaganda, conscious security moved
into many European cities, the first thing it did was to seige all the radios which the Nazis
had overlooked. This prevented the liberated people from the Americans and British
Government propaganda and made sure that people would stay liberated under the influence
of their local Soviet controlled newspapers.

34
Ibid pp. 111-114
35
Ibid pp. 111-114
36
Psychological warfare, Paul M A Linebargar, p 115.

17
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

96. Radio had further advantage of the point. Few nations had point out separate for
each foreign language area while almost every large and medium size country was
international facilities to broadcast. The programmes are beamed to different language
groups the senders automatically make up propaganda lives for each audience.

97. During World War II basic Verbatim reports played very important part. United
State Foreign Broadcast Intelligence service was operating through the years under the
Federal Communication Commission. Other countries also relied heavily on Radio
propaganda. Radio propaganda is still effective today and demonstrated by the United
States landing in Haiti in 1994 whereby pre-tuned radios were air dropped for passing
information that was intended for the people.

37
98. Propaganda has various forms but the one that is perhaps commonly used in
operations and situations apart from the radio, is in physical form and that is armed
propaganda. Armed propaganda is basically designed to instill confidence in the people
that the guerilla fighter will defend them or wants to fight for their rights and is capable of
fighting for them, e.g the Sandinista guerillas against the communist regime.

99. The armed guerilla fighters constantly maintained close contact with the people and
avoided forced indoctrination but instead carried out certain tasks to give people confidence
of weapon they carry and win hearts and minds.

(a). Put aside weapons and work side by side with the people peasants in the
country side, building, fishing, farming and etcetera.
(b). While working the Guerillas used slogans such as many hands doing small
things but doing then together.
(c). Participated in the tasks of people and created strong ties and popular
support for the movement.

100. In places where situations were possible, e.g., while resting the guerillas can explain
the operations of a weapon to the youth and young men, how to load unload and aim and
fire at a target. This was a process of indirect recruiting as the youth and the young were
potential recruits.

37
Psychological Operations in Guerilla warfare by Tacayan from the internet. US Armed Forces.

18
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

38
101. This propaganda was however based on the method of close identification with the
people, primarily to win the hearts and minds of the people.

102. The other method that was used is the implicit and explicit terror, whereby weapons
were used to force the people to meet the guerillas demands. Guerillas however avoided
that method as it turns people away and results in loss of popular support. To further
demonstrate the ability and capability of armed propaganda, the guerrillas demonstrate
attacking military or police installations and remove the survivors to a public place where
people can witness what the guerilla can do and is capable of.

103. In Armed Propaganda, whatever the guerilla fighter does the message to the people
must always be that guerilla weapons are for the people over the illegal government. This is
to reinforce the intention that civilians must not see the weapons as the strength and power
of the guerilla over the people but rather the weapons are the strength of the people against
the illegal government.

CHAPTER IX
FUTURE OF PSY OPS
39
104. Psy Ops has become an existing art. Where it had no practitioners at all in the
United States between 1919 and 1940 it has a long and distinguished roaster of active and
reserve officers, civilians, consultants, and demobilized veterans interested in the field ever
since 1940. A wide variety of Military establishments have had Psy Ops responsibilities
assigned to them and world over, radio and leaflet facilities are ready to accompany land,
sea or airforce where ever they may go or deploy.

105. One of the factors in the study is that people know about propaganda and they can
resist it but then it may not be true, as the style of application of propaganda has also
developed with technology and tactics. Psy Ops is not magic. It is however a valuable
auxiliary to modern warfare and a useful concomitant to modern strategy. If a particular
strategic policy is sanely and effectively devised as a feasible deterrent to war, the Psy war
procedure supporting that strategy will contribute to the prevention of the war. Psy Ops
represents a recognition and acceptance in the military and strategic field of skills that grow
every day.

38
Ibid . Internet US Armed Forces.
39
Psyclogical Warfare, Paul MA Linebarger, pp. 298-299

19
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

40
106. In so far as ultra-destructive weapons may have increased the tenseness and had
temper of people who must live under the perpetual but remote threat of nuclear and
biochemical warfare, one can say that physicists have upset the nerves of mankind and that it
is now to the propagandists to reassure and to reconcile the peoples.

107. Whatever Psy Ops does it certainty does not increase the bitterness of war. Fighting
itself is a supreme bitterness. Radio broadcasts and leaflets even in wartime only rarely
41
costs and leaflets even in wartime only rarely should promote hatred. Armed propaganda
despite the carriage of weapons is more applicable for close identification of people and
instill sense of security amongst the people instead of fear for the weapon. 42 The situation
which the world faces today is becoming dangerous every day because of technological
developments and not because of Psy know ledge. Psy war ranks as a weapon but it is
almost certainly the most humane of all weapons.

108. A part from Psy war what military weapons destroy the enemy soldiers capability by
saving his life? Psy Ops tries to bring out lives alive and send them home as a friend no rival
weapon can do that.

43
109. Psy war no matter what it may be called in future can not be committed from the
arsenal of modern war neither can it outlast war. Its improvement is a cheap, valuable and
most humane way of increasing the military potential of any country whether politically right
or politically wrong. Psy Ops will continue to play an important role in future wars to avoid
destruction, save costs, save and protect lives.

110. Development of weapons of mass destruction has been such that destruction of
world is only at the press of a button. Nobody wants to be in this type of dilemma or
phenomena should and when it happens. Perhaps to some extent as a general rule people
world over may now want to play it safe, fight it safe. What better weapon in this advanced
technology stage and era can fight and win a war without a paint of bloodshed on the
ground?

CHAPTER X
RECOMMENDATIONS
40
Psyclogical Warfare Paul MA Linebager pp. 229-300
41
Psychological Operations in Guerilla Warfare, by Tacayan, internet. US Armed Forces.
42
Psyclogical Warfare Paul MA Linebager pp. 229-300
43
Psyclogical Warfare Paul MA Linebager p. 300.

20
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

111. In this research it is concluded that there was not enough research materials available
on the United States landing in Haiti in 1994. In this landing or operations to restore civil
government authority, as briefly outlined in paragraph 63 the United States Forces air
dropped pre-tuned Walkman type receiver radios.

112. This research was not able to establish the following information and details that can
also be put forward for further research as recommended: -

(a) Level of PSYOP in this operation in Haiti 1994.

(b) Success rate of these radios dropped.
(c) Civilian population reaction.
(d) Costs involved in this exercise.
(e) Future of this type of operation.

CHAPTER XI
CONCLUSION
111. Psy Ops is by right, fights independent wars or part war to compliment military
efforts and it is indeed the most simplest and cheapest form of any warfare. Its origins
dates back in history when wars were fought in the medieval ages and perhaps in the stone
ages as well the ancient methods have not changed much, however developed and continued
to be used in present wars. What the ancient Greeks did to persuade a no war with the
Ionians, surely the Americans applied the same principles in World War II forcing the
Japanese to surrender.

112. Similarly whatever Genghis khan applied as terror and rumour was applied again in
the later centuries in the Low Intensity Conflicts situations especially in Guerilla warfare.

113. The application of Psy Ops came about from the assessment of wars that were
fought it in this research for two reasons.
(a) As a force multiplier.
(b) To defuse a warring situation either from under capability to face the
opponent or just to end the bloody conflict.

114. Gideon used PSYOPS as a force multiplies while the Greeks wanted to defuse the
war and perhaps they lack the capability to fight the Ionians.

21
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

115. World wars I and II saw an immense application of Psy Ops and propaganda by
almost all warning parties and much more advanced methods print and wireless/radio were
developed and used to attract the attention of much wider audience then that
of the ancient wars. The print media (news papers leaflets magazines, etc.) and radio with
its world wide broad casts were exceptionally effective. Genghis khans rumours could have
been relayed faster and have more wider audience had radio and newspapers been in
existence in his time.

116. In the recent conflicts Psy Ops applications have not changed much except that the
methods have developed with the developments of technology to cover larger audiences and
advanced communications means with real time presentations. Perhaps the most logical
warfare in future wars will be on the advancement of weapons technology. Many people
would not want to see a nuclear war or be part of it. Wars are nuisance and costly in all
force (economically, lives, destruction etc), therefore many people would want to see wars
prevented before they start.

117. Therefore what is a better method of preventing a war? Psy Ops will continue to
play an important part in the future wars and what ever force it faces.

22
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

BIBLIOGRAPHY

118. Paul. M.A Linebarger, Psy Warfare, First Edition 1954, New York: D. Van Nostrand
Company.

119. Ron. D. Mc Laurin, Military Propaganda Psychological Warfare And Operations,

1982, By Praeger Publishers.

120. Strausz-Hupe Kininer Dougherly Cottrell, Protracted Conflictt A Challenging Study

Of Communist Strategy, 1963, By Harper + Row, Publishers New York.

121. Paul M.A. Linebarger, Psychological Warfare, Second Edition,1954, New York, S.
Van Nostrans Company.

122. Edwin G. Boring, Psychological For Armed Services,

123. Tecayan, Psychological Operations In Guerilla Warfare, From The Internet Us

Armed Forces.

Psy Ops The planned use of propaganda and other Psy actions having the primary
purpose of influencing the opinions, emotions, attitudes and behaviour of the hostile groups
in such a way to support the achievement of national objectives.

23
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

23
69. Then again in the broad sense Psy Ops consist of application of part of science
called psychology to the conduct of war; it comprises the use of propaganda against the
enemy by non-violent persuasion.

Effort of PSYOP in Algeria

70. The situation of the National Liberation Front of Algeria against the French Regime
was different in 1952. Superior French defeated them in 1957 who were their colonizers.
The French Army conducted a series of counter revolutionary attacks and arrested many
people especially men. It was the Algerian women who were very much involved in the
freedom movement bringing guns and planting bombs in European areas of the city causing
chaos and disruptions amongst the French rulers.

24
71. The French used torture to extort information and their spewed propaganda failed
on them basically it did not attract the population. The United Nations Assembly took note
of the situation in Algeria and ruled independence for the country in 1962. French
propaganda failed because Algerias revolutionary movement was already well established
amongst the population and was supported by the people.

72. Frances failure may be attributed to the level of propaganda played was
contradicting their actions. The National Liberation of Algeria had people at heart and
this was shown by the active involvement of the women and their propaganda was perhaps
taken on the sympathetic approach from the superior French aggressive and violent
approach.

Effort of PSYOP in Indonesia

25
73. Indonesia - Dutch war is perhaps a clear and elaborative success of a Psy Ops and
propaganda. An excellent command of propaganda was played by the Indonesians for their
retention of power in the face of the Dutch landing on the Islands in 1945-46. Indonesians
were ready to receive the Dutch and they cleverly designed their propaganda message to

23
Psychological Warfare , Paul MA linebarger p.25.
24
Armed struggle for Liberation, from the internet US Armed Forces
25
Psychological Warfare , Paul MA linebarger pp.257-259.

24
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

obtain sympathy from United States, Australian and Britain and other foreign countries.
They opened propaganda offices abroad and did an excellent job of presenting their case to
the international communities.

74. The Indonesians may not have succeeded much in having effect on the Dutch troops
but they surely did succeeded very well in obtaining support from foreign
countries from their use of global strategic propaganda Dutch ships were refused docking
and loading service by the Australian stevedores and the American press and public
sympathy ran very largely in Indonesias favour. Indonesias political concept United states
of Indonesia perhaps played the key role in obtaining American support. The concept was
however dropped as soon as Indonesia attained Independence.

75. The Dutch on the other hand in their military and strategic propaganda
suffered from uncertainty on the goals of war and suspicion that their victory would
have been nothing more then triumphal of colonial capitalism. The Dutch withdrawal
was dictated by the practical necessity on reconciling world opinion.

Preview

12. It is proposed to study the subject in the following manner of developments:-

(a) Evolution of Psy Ops.
(b) Psy Ops in WW I.
(c) Psy Ops in WW II.
(d) Psy Ops after WW II.
(e) Strategic and Tactical PSYOP.
(f) Propaganda.
(g) Future of Psy Ops.
(h) Recommendations.
(j) Conclusion.

25
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

PSY OPERATIONS AND ITS IMPORTANCE AND RELEVANCE IN FUTURE

WARS

26
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

CONTENTS

Chapter No. Chapter Heading Pages

I Introduction 1-3

II Methodology 4-7

III Evolution of Psy Ops 8-10

IV Psy Ops WW I 11-14

V Psy Ops WW II 15-26

VI Psy Ops after WW II 27-31

VII Strategic and Tactical PSYOP 32-37

VIII Propaganda 38-43

IX Future of Psy Ops 44-46

27
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

X Recommendation 47

XI Conclusion 48-49

Bibliography 50

28
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED

29
RESTRICTED