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Nearly 30 years after its conception, formalized by the decree 82-306, dated April 2, 1982, transposed into the articles D3126-1 to D3126-4 of the Defence Code, the DGSE perpetuates the legacy of the preceding external intelligence services.
In 1940, while exiled in London, General De Gaulle sets up the France Libre Intelligence Service, which became in 1942 the Bureau Central de Renseignement et d’Action (BCRA, Central Bureau for Intelligence and Action), which successively became the Direction Générale des Services Spéciaux (DGSS, General Directorate for Special Services), and the Direction Générale des Etudes et Recherches (DGER, General Directorate for Study and Researches).
Against the backdrop of the Cold War, the DGER was dissolved by the Council of Ministers on December 28, 1945, and replaced by the Service deDocumentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage (SDECE, External Documentation and Counter-espionage Service), subordinated to the Council President direct authority. Colonel Dewavrin (aka, Passy), former Head of BCRA, was appointed its Director.
Placed under the authority of the Ministry of Defence in the 60’s the SDECE was dissolved on April 2, 1982 and was replaced by the DGSE. Prefect Erard Corbin de Mangoux has been its Director General since October 9, 2008
Since decree 2009-1657 published in the Official Bulletin, dated December 24, 2009 (relating to the National Defence and Security Council) the Head of State is the authority in terms of intelligence orientation decisions. In this context, the DGSE, through its establishment and its deployment outside of France’s borders, is a unique tool at the service of the Republic’s authorities (Decree 2009-1657).
Former Directors of the General Directorate for External Security :
| Direction General of External Security (DGSE – April 2, 1982) | |
| Mr Pierre BROCHAND | July 2002 - October 2008 |
| Mr Jean-Claude COUSSERAN | March 2000 - July 2002 |
| Prefect Jacques DEWATRE | June 1993 – March 2000 |
| Prefect Claude SILBERZAHN | March 1989 – June 1993 |
| Air Marshal François MERMET | January 1988 – March 1989 |
| General René IMBOT | September 1985 – December 1987 |
| Admiral Pierre LACOSTE | November 1982 – September 1985 |
| Mr Pierre MARION | April 2, 1982 – November 1982 |
| External Documentation and Counter-Espionage Service (SDECE – January 1, 1946 – April 2, 1982) | |
| Mr Pierre MARION | June 1981 – April 1, 1982 |
| Mr Alexandre de MARENCHES | November 1970 – June 1981 |
| General Eugène GUIBAUD | January 1966 – November 1970 |
| Air Marshal Paul JACQUIER | February 1962 – January 1966 |
| General Paul GROSSIN | December 1957 – February 1962 |
| Prefect Pierre BORSICOT | October 1950 – December 1957 |
| Mr Henri RIBIÈRE | February 1946 – October 1950 |
| Colonel André DEWAVRIN | January 1, 1946 – February 1946 |