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The espionage activity by both sides during the Spanish Civil War is the missing dimension of the conflict, given its crucial importance. Both Nationalists and Republicans used intelligence to frustrate arm dealings of their enemies in foreign countries, planted moles on the enemy HQs or used decrypted radio messages to know their intentions. The improvisation of various intelligence services in competition during the first months gave place to a process of unity and centralization. The Germans and Italians supervised the Francoists while the Russians did the same with the Republicans in the creation and development of SIM. During the Second World War Spain became the field of intense rivalry among Axis and Allied Intelligence Services and the stage of crucial operations.