The Naval Intelligence Department (NID) in the United Kingdom was otherwise known as Room 39.
Admiral Sir Barry Domvile, later interned during World War II, was Director of Naval Intelligence from 1927 to 1930.
Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, worked in the Department during World War II, where his most celebrated coup was the capture of Adolf Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess. Fleming's superior, Rear Admiral John Godfrey, was one of the role models for James Bond's superior, M.
The NID also initiated No.30 Commando (AU or Assault Unit), whose role was information gathering, reconnaissance and sabotage. The leader of one operation, Patrick Dalzel-Job, is widely acknowledged as the main model upon which Fleming based Bond.
