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The '''Silvermaster ring''' was a major Soviet espionage organization that operated within the [[United States Government]] during [[World War II]].  It was investigated by the FBI spanning the years 1945 through 1959.  [[Nathan Gregory Silvermaster]] was the leader of the spy ring which consisted of 27 principal KGB operatives gathering information from at least six Federal agencies.  The group operated primarily in the Department of the Treasury but also had contacts in the [[Army Air Force]] and in the [[White House]].  Sixty-one of the [[Venona cables]] concern the activities of the Silvermaster spy ring.  

The '''Silvermaster ring''' was a major [[Soviet]] [[espionage]] organization that operated within the [[United States Government]] during [[World War II]].  It was investigated by the FBI spanning the years 1945 through 1959.  [[Nathan Gregory Silvermaster]] was the leader of the spy ring which consisted of 27 principal KGB operatives gathering information from at least six Federal agencies.  The group operated primarily in the Department of the Treasury but also had contacts in the [[Army Air Force]] and in the [[White House]].  Sixty-one of the [[Venona cables]] concern the activities of the Silvermaster spy ring.  

In 1942 the Silvermaster Group delivered 59 rolls of film to their handler. In 1943, it was 211 rolls, 600 in 1944, and 1895 in 1945.

In 1942 the Silvermaster Group delivered 59 rolls of film to their handler. In 1943, it was 211 rolls, 600 in 1944, and 1895 in 1945.

==Investigation==

==Investigation==

In November 1945 [[Elizabeth Bentley]], the courier from group based in Washington D.C. to KGB headquarters in New York defected to the [[FBI]].  The [[KGB]] had removed Bentley from overseeing at least 80 members of the CPUSA Underground Apparatus in 1944.  When she realized she knew too much, and was no longer of use to the KGB, she told her story to the FBI in a deposition.

In November 1945 [[Elizabeth Bentley]], the courier from group based in [[Washington, D.C.]] to KGB headquarters in [[New York]] defected to the [[FBI]].  The [[KGB]] had removed Bentley from overseeing at least 80 members of the CPUSA Underground Apparatus in 1944.  When she realized she knew too much, and was no longer of use to the KGB, she told her story to the FBI in a deposition.

The FBI knew of 5 Soviet agents throughout the war, Bentley added at least another 80, some of which were still employed in the US government at that time.  Her story at first was incredible, but the FBI soon determined Bentley’s allegations were born out by information already in Bureau files. <ref>FBI Silvermaster file, Ladd to the Director, November 12, 1945, [http://education-research.org/PDFs/Silvermaster008.pdf Vol. 8, pg. 3] pdf.</ref> By December, no fewer that 227 FBI agents were involved in the case. <ref>FBI Silvermaster file, Ladd to the Director, November 12, 1945, Vol. 8, pg. 6 pdf.</ref>

The FBI knew of 5 Soviet agents throughout the war, Bentley added at least another 80, some of which were still employed in the US government at that time.  Her story at first was incredible, but the FBI soon determined Bentley’s allegations were born out by information already in Bureau files. <ref>FBI Silvermaster file, Ladd to the Director, November 12, 1945, [http://education-research.org/PDFs/Silvermaster008.pdf Vol. 8, pg. 3] pdf.</ref> By December, no fewer that 227 FBI agents were involved in the case. <ref>FBI Silvermaster file, Ladd to the Director, November 12, 1945, Vol. 8, pg. 6 pdf.</ref>