Military Intelligence Museum

15/09/2026

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Robertson-Malinin Agreement, 16 September 1946. This deal inaugurated the British Commander-in-Chief’s Mission to the Soviet Forces of Occupation in Germany: BRIXMIS.

All week, MIM is sharing secrets from this intriguing aspect of Britain's Cold War.

The Robertson-Malinin Agreement was intended as an organisational tool and means of communication across occupied Germany's borders, but it quickly began to serve another function. As the Cold War hardened, BRIXMIS liaison tours could access parts of Eastern Germany prohibited to the military. As a result, the tours were party to information the likes of which British military intelligence would struggle to find anywhere else.

BRIXMIS car tours became crucial to reconnaissance and surveillance, observing everything from Soviet and East German troop movements to vehicle types to communications technologies. BRIXMIS operated 365 days a year for 44 years, 1946-1990.

These missions were highly specialised, and very dangerous. The East Germans and Soviets imposed restricted areas in the BRIXMIS tour zones, threatened tours with overt surveillance, detained and interrogated personnel and assaulted BRIXMIS vehicles. 

Find out more through our social media posts and book a visit to see this history in real life. Link in bio.

Photos courtesy of the BRIXMIS Association.

14/09/2026

BRIXMIS: IMPACT

In this clip from a Military Intelligence Museum interview, Col. Angus Southwood, retired Intelligence Corps veteran, describes the value of BRIXMIS to the wider Cold War and retired Intelligence Corps Col. Bob Steers discusses the Cold War context (both filmed c. 2007).

On the 80th anniversary of the Robertson-Malinin Agreement, 16 September 1946, we're exploring life on the frontline for BRIXMIS intelligencers all week. MIM's collections and archives hold a wealth of material on this unique moment in history.

Visit us at the museum to discover the whole story - link in bio.

08/09/2026

What happens when the traces of intelligence history disappear?

Last week, the MIM team were guided by English Heritage volunteers on a tour of an incredible invisible history at Station 43.

In 1942, a group of exiled Polish officers started training in covert operations, sabotage and intelligence gathering here at stately home . This Polish section of the Special Operations Executive was also known as the Cichociemni. 🦅🌿

Not much remains of this instrumental war effort. But if you look closely you'll see some clues 👀

Images:
1. Original typed and pasted list of armoury kit in a forgotten store.
2. The surface of the septarian module table on which an oath of allegiance was signed to the Armia Krajowa (Polish Home Army) by passing out trainees.
3. Two ceramic telephone transporters lodged in the trunk of a tree having served the Second World War communications network.
4. The handwritten pencilled names of six Cichociemni trainees inside a store cupboard.
5. One of many tank traps that still dot the landscape (originally part of the GHQ line).
6. The diving eagle and wreath, symbol of the Cichociemni, and now inscribed on a commemorative bench at the spot where trainees swore oaths to their country.

MIM is developing a Polish Intelligence theme for the museum - let us know your ideas and suggestions 📝

Many thanks to the team and volunteers at English Heritage for hosting us on a fascinating tour.

01/07/2026

Today, we take time to remember Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi who was killed in action in Afghanistan on this day in 2006. Jabron was a member of a Light Electronic Warfare Team supporting members of the 3 PARA Battlegroup when the team’s location was struck by a rocket propelled gr***de killing him and two others.

Jabron was born in Peshawar, Pakistan on 23 April 1982 and moved to England with his family when he was 12-years old. Having grown up in Birmingham, he joined the Intelligence Corps in June 2004, and on completion of his training, he was posted to 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) in January 2006.

A few months later, he deployed to Afghanistan as an E.W. linguist-analyst supporting elements of 3 PARA Battlegroup operating in the district of Sangin. It was while operating at the Sangin platoon house that the detachment was hit by a rocket propelled gr***de killing Jabron, Corporal Peter Thorpe (Royal Signals) and a locally employed linguist.

Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi was killed in action on 1 July 2006, he was 24 years old.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends and with those of the men that died alongside him.

18/05/2026

The Military Intelligence Museum is taking part in The National Cold War Heritage Week, run by The Cold War Network. If you fancy learning more about Military Intelligence in the Cold War, book yourself in for a visit to our museum.

17/05/2026

13/05/2026

Why Is Saddam Hussein The Ace Of Spades? ♠️🪖

11/05/2026

What Is The German Tank Problem?🇩🇪🪖

09/05/2026

The Military Intelligence Museum will be exhibiting at Shuttleworth’s Season Premiere Airshow! If you are going, come say hi to us and take part in our activities!

08/05/2026

On VE Day, we remember with solemn gratitude all who contributed to victory in Europe, including those whose work was often unseen and unrecorded. The Intelligence Corps, Field Security Sections, the Long Range Desert Group, Bletchley Park and the Y Service, the MI sections, the Special Operations Executive, and many others played a vital role in gathering, protecting, interpreting, and acting upon intelligence. Their discipline, courage, technical skill, and quiet service helped shape the course of the Second World War, and their contribution deserves enduring recognition.

Today we celebrate their victory and remember their sacrifice