The answer resists treating British intelligence as uniformly effective. Information about Italian and Japanese naval technology often came through engineering connections. Political reporting could be compromised even when those technical contacts remained useful. Access to one professional network therefore did not establish equivalent knowledge of political intentions. Claims about intelligence influence need to distinguish the information available from the influence attributed to it.
Notable Point · 2:51:58-2:52:42
Why technical and political intelligence could differ
Engineering contacts supplied naval information without guaranteeing equivalent access to political decision-makers.