Enigma and the Codebreakers

Codes in wartime

Why are codes important in wartime?

During a war each side needs to send and receive secret messages. These messages often contain important information such as when and where attacks are to be made.

Men of the RGA in a shellhole, WW1, Q27039

The messages have to be put into code so that if they are intercepted by the enemy their meaning cannot be understood.

By breaking a code it is possible to find out the enemy's secret plans.

How is this done?

See making codes

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Codes in wartime

Making codes

Codes and ciphers

Breaking codes

Codes in history

Morse code

The Enigma Machine

The U-boat threat

Inside a 'Y' Station

Bletchley Park

Bombes

Code books

Colossus

ULTRA

The code-breakers' legacy