[5] In 1939, Soviet intelligence defector Walter Krivitsky described the OMS as "a worldwide network of permanently stationed agents.
The most delicate job entrusted to OMS resident agents is the distribution of money to finance the Communist Parties.
"[3] In 1999, the historian Raymond W. Leonard stated, "Through the auspices of the Comintern and the OMS, foreign communist parties provided a ready-made source of ideologically dedicated agents.
"[7] He also speculated that the Intelligence Section "was probably the organization required by the OMS to be present in every Communist party of liaison work with the Red Army.
In 2002, historian David McKnight stated: The most intense practical application of the conspiratorial work of the Comintern was carried out by its international liaison service, the OMS.
These included the transport of money and letters, the manufacture of passports and other false documents and technical support to underground parties, such as managing "safe houses" and establishing businesses overseas as cover activities.
[1] In 2007, historian Nigel West provided perhaps the longest single description of the OMS in English in his book Mask.
[8] In 2011, historian Thomas L. Sakmyster stated: The OMS was the Comintern's department for the coordination of subversive and conspiratorial activities.
"[5] Milder descriptions exist: "The OMS... arranged for financial support of parties abroad, transmitted instructions, prepared papers, took care of visiting Communist leaders quartered in Moscow's Hotel Lux..."[10] Radio communications formed part of OMS services, headed by David Glazer.
[3] Next was Hans Kippenberger (also known as "Leo" and "Alfred Langer")[24] in the mid-1920s, a protegee of Walter Krivitsky and of Fyodor Raskolnikov's wife Larisa Reisner.
"[3] In France, the head was Henry Robinson, director of French Communist Party intelligence department and the OMS in Western Europe.
[12] In Denmark, an OMS agent was Richard Jensen, supported by George Mink (also known to Whittaker Chambers in New York City).
[7] In the UK, an OMS agent trained in radio and photography was Kitty Harris, some time mistress of Earl Browder; she handled Donald Maclean.
Peters sought to develop a homegrown "illegal apparatus," which grew to include the Ware Group, whose best known members were Whittaker Chambers and Alger Hiss.
"[36] Historian McKnight has noted, "Unlike other Comintern files, those about the OMS are still generally withheld from scholarly research.