By the end of the Second World War, the Australian Army’s intelligence system had evolved into a diverse, highly specialised and efficient system involving around 4000 men and women, including Australian Army positions within allied intelligence organisations. The war had highlighted the importance of maintaining a regular intelligence force that could monitor the development of foreign armies, share intelligence with allies and develop Australia’s signals intelligence capability. However, its future development was part of the broader reform of Australia’s post-war military forces and its existing military commitments in Australia’s region. It may seem unusual to include the occupation of Japan in a study of the combat role of the army’s intelligence. However, the occupying armies, including the Australian Army, deployed as a fighting force, supported by their nations’ air forces and navies and fully equipped to deal with a broad spectrum of conflict.