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Has World War II carrier pigeon message been cracked?
BBC News ^ | 16th December 2012 | Anna Browning

Posted on 12/16/2012 3:09:22 PM PST by the scotsman

'An encrypted World War II message found in a fire place strapped to the remains of a dead carrier pigeon may have been cracked by a Canadian enthusiast.

Gord Young, from Peterborough, in Ontario, says it took him 17 minutes to decypher the message after realising a code book he inherited was the key. Mr Young says the 1944 note uses a simple World War I code to detail German troop positions in Normandy.

GCHQ says it would be interested to see his findings.

The message was discovered by 74-year-old David Martin when he was renovating the chimney of his house in Bletchingley, Surrey.

Among the rubbish, he found parts of a dead pigeon - including a leg, attached to which was a red canister. Inside the canister was a thin piece of paper with the words "Pigeon Service" at the top and 27 handwritten blocks of code.

The message - which attracted world-wide media attention - was put in the hands of Britain's top codebreakers at GCHQ at the beginning of November, but they have been unable to unlock the puzzle.'

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; United Kingdom
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To: gotribe

The genius Canadian is in cahoots with the Brits to keep us Yanks in the dark about the actual translation of the code so they can use it to talk about us behind our backs.

APRIV PSRAB FASTL TKWGO OIADF

ROTFL


21 posted on 12/16/2012 4:44:30 PM PST by Two Kids' Dad (((( Leftists: Stupid or Evil. Sometimes both. ))))
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To: Hot Tabasco; gotribe

I am dubious about it, meself:

“IS THIS WHAT IT MEANS?
AOAKN - Artillery Observer At “K” Sector, Normandy
HVPKD - Have Panzers Know Directions
FNFJW - Final Note [confirming] Found Jerry’s Whereabouts
DJHFP - Determined Jerry’s Headquarters Front Posts
CMPNW - Counter Measures [against] Panzers Not Working
PABLIZ - Panzer Attack - Blitz
KLDTS - Know [where] Local Dispatch Station
27 / 1526 / 6 - June 27th, 1526 hours “


22 posted on 12/16/2012 4:46:33 PM PST by dynachrome (Vertrou in God en die Mauser)
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To: gotribe
What’s the damn message?

I was wondering the same thing. The BBC's Anna Browning or her editors apparently decided not to include the actual message in her piece. Bad reporting.

From http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/world-war-ii-pigeon-code-cracked-by-candian-gord-young.html:

It reads:

“Artillery observer at ‘K’ Sector, Normandy. Requested headquarters supplement report. Panzer attack – blitz. West Artillery Observer Tracking Attack.
“Lt Knows extra guns are here. Know where local dispatch station is. Determined where Jerry’s headquarters front posts. Right battery headquarters right here.
“Found headquarters infantry right here. Final note, confirming, found Jerry’s whereabouts. Go over field notes. Counter measures against Panzers not working.
“Jerry’s right battery central headquarters here. Artillery observer at ‘K’ sector Normandy. Mortar, infantry attack panzers.
“Hit Jerry’s Right or Reserve Battery Here. Already know electrical engineers headquarters. Troops, panzers, batteries, engineers, here. Final note known to headquarters.”

More deciphering is required although Young believes extra bits of code may have been inserted to confuse the enemy if they got their hands on it.


23 posted on 12/16/2012 4:47:55 PM PST by TChad
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To: coloradan

So I go’’ no way’’ and she goes like,’’ yeah’’ and I go’’ no way...’’


24 posted on 12/16/2012 5:38:55 PM PST by jmacusa (Political correctness is cultural Marxism. I'm not a Marxist.)
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To: TChad

Thank you for the transcription. I hope this is correct because it’s awesome the code was cracked.


25 posted on 12/16/2012 6:02:21 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: TChad

So it wasn’t actually encrypted, just in Army Speak. Heck of a way to communicate.


26 posted on 12/16/2012 6:04:47 PM PST by PLMerite (Shut the Beyotch Down! Burn, baby, burn!)
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To: dynachrome

Yours seems better than the official translation...


27 posted on 12/16/2012 6:09:57 PM PST by GOPJ (Detroit should be renamed 'Michael Mooresville'...)
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To: the scotsman

It’s a recipe for pigeon pot pie.


28 posted on 12/16/2012 6:42:10 PM PST by Redcitizen (.)
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To: GOPJ

Actually, that was from the link. I ain’t that good!


29 posted on 12/17/2012 2:29:13 AM PST by dynachrome (Vertrou in God en die Mauser)
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