Lata 1945-1961.

Summary: During the communist period, counterintelligence and the UB excelled with the Federal Intelligence Service - BND, which was transformed from an earlier cell called the Gehlen Organisation. From its inception, it was controlled by the CIA, which enabled it to operate effectively by creating intelligence networks for the surveillance of the communist state. In West­‑East diplomatic relations, the BND came directly under the influence of the German Chancellor’s Office. Decisions were then taken whereby people from the BND became part of the new intelligence structure. The name transformation did not affect the internal and external activities of the entity. The BND, like the former Gehlen Organisation, continued to have a significant impact on intelligence activity in Poland. Its head continued to be Gehlen, and his new deputies were recent Wehrmacht colonels: Hans Heinrich Worgitzky and Horst Wendland. But in 1968, Gehlen left the BND, and Gen Gerhard Wessel - a close associate of his - was chosen as his successor. His activities were primarily focused on the East, as a new border had already been established since 1961, with a wall not only separating part of West Germany including Berlin, but also the entire West. From this point onwards, the Cold War period and the mutually escalating conflict is characterised. At that time, many former Nazis, opponents and previous executioners of Poland found their refuge in the BND. It can therefore be concluded that the newly established BND structures not only became the bulwark of German intelligence in Poland, but also turned out to be a shelter and repository for Nazi criminals. The Cold War period was a chance for them to escape punishment, thus saving their lives.