Enigma

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Breaking the German Enigma codes involved not just mathematicians at Bletchley Park but also the daring efforts of spies, naval officers, and ordinary British seamen. Many risked their lives to seize vital Enigma codebooks from Nazi officials and sinking German vessels. This account covers the entire Enigma saga, from its original use by German forces to the Poles’ initial breakthrough, which they shared with the British. The more complex German Navy Enigma seemed unbreakable at first. Hugh Sebag-Montefiore, a journalist and author, has uncovered files from the Ministry of Defence and newly declassified documents in the US. He has also connected with last surviving witnesses, including Paul Pailliole, head of French counterintelligence, who provides firsthand insights into the espionage surrounding Enigma. Winston Churchill referred to the breaking of the German Enigma Code as “the secret weapon that won the war.” Sebag-Montefiore reveals the complete story of how the Allies cracked the code, detailing the perilous missions of sailors, spies, and agents who captured essential codebooks. Drawing from newly accessed archives and personal accounts, this narrative uncovers the remarkable decryption efforts that significantly influenced the course of World War II.