WWII RAF cypher Machines ...
john Alexander <jalex_uk-1uslQqWFlHF+cjeuK/[email protected]>
| Newsgroups | gmane.science.cryptography.bletchley-park |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <[email protected]> |
Q: Did RAF aircraft carry wheel / rotor-based cypher machines during WWII? I know about Syko devices and the possible use of codebooks - but what about cypher machines? My query is prompted by a question asked of me at a recent talk - questions about a cypher machine seen in use on RAF aircraft towards the end of the war and supplied by the Air Ministry. The machine was described to me as a 'naked machine' - wheels / rotors permanently exposed. Most unlikely to have been a Typex (always in short supply during WWII) or anything so useful to an enemy. American M209's and commercial Hagelin machines were available, could be stripped down to keep weight to a minimum. Any ideas? An aside. I was recently speaking to a guy about the Swiss NEMA cypher machine, used from 1947 onwards. He had been studying the NEMA history and could categorically state that none were allowed to leave Switzerland and all machines were accounted for. My reply? 'Oh, so how did BP get one then?' 8-) John Alexander