Relates to the School's involvement during the second World War with the Naval Intelligence Division. In February 1940 Professor Mason was approached by the NID, based at the Admiralty, for assistance with the compilation of geographical handbooks for various areas of action during the war; he and many of the staff of the School were engaged in researching these publications without the knowledge of the University. A branch of the NID (section 5) was opened at the School in early 1941 to compile these detailed geographical handbooks. Its personnel were drawn both from the School (Professor Mason was the Director) and from the NID. Similar branches were opened in other universities at the same time.