Schleitaucher discovers more ENIGMA cipher machines from the Second World War
The ENIGMA in Geltinger Bay
It was not until November 2020 that research divers from Submaris made a random find in Geltinger Bay: a German cipher machine from the Second World War. The ALSH reported (handover of ENIGMA). This find is currently being restored in the workshop of the Museum of Archaeology at Gottorf Castle.
In cooperation with institutes of the Fraunhofer Society, the ALSHplans to further investigate the machine. The focus is on non-destructive processes, such as 3D computed tomography. In this way, three-dimensional representations of the exterior as well as the interior of the ENIGMA are to be created. One goal is to create the best possible entry conditions in order to be able to preserve this relic from the end of the Second World War in the long term and at the same time to document and evaluate it in detail.
The new find: The ENIGMAs near Schleimünde
https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE...lob=normal&v=1
Eine der von Christian Hüttner gefundenen ENIGMAS direkt nach der Bergung.Eine der von Christian Hüttner gefundenen ENIGMAS direkt nach der Bergung. (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster)
One of the ENIGMAS found by Christian Hüttner immediately after the rescue.
© Christian Huettner
Now six more cipher machines were found during diving work by Schleitaucher: "In the search for a lost propeller, I came across a pile of discarded ENIGMA machines, at least five pieces in number. Some of them were obviously rendered unusable even before disposal,"finder Christian Hüttner told ALSH.
How these ENIGMAs got there is an open and exciting question of research or investigation. The location and circumstance of each archaeological find are important components of the discovery in order to make the individual history and the historical connection behind it comprehensible, which ultimately constitutes the cultural value of such relatively young archaeological finds.
Historical background: Users and models
The invention of the Enigma cipher machine by a German engineer was patented as early as 1918. Since the mid-1920s, however, it has been withdrawn from the civilian market in order to reserve the invention of military use by the Wehrmacht. Absolute secrecy and the destruction of the machines before the enemy's discovery were therefore foreseen. An estimated 100,000 to 200,000 such devices were built on the German side during the Second World War. There were a large number of different models, as the Germans were constantly developing the cipher machine. Experts from the Polish secret service achieved their first successes in deciphering German radio messages. With the help of these findings, British mathematicians were subsequently able to decipher radio sayings from 1940 onwards and thus achieve important combat successes. The most widely used variant was the ENIGMA I, which was mainly used by the army and the Luftwaffe. For example, the Kriegsmarine used the advanced model "M4" in its submarines.
Preservation of underwater heritage
Eine weitere der geborgenen ENIGMAS nach grober Reinigung.Eine weitere der geborgenen ENIGMAS nach grober Reinigung. (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster)
Another of the recovered ENIGMAS after rough cleaning.
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© ALSH
The six newly recovered ENIGMA machines must also be properly preserved, as the find in November 2020, because otherwise the metal of the machines in particular would soon disintegrate further. Before the cipher machines are restored in the workshop of the Museum of Archaeology at Gottorf Castle, they are registered and photographed in the Archaeological Office. An exhibition on ENIGMA cipher machines in the Museum of Archaeology is planned after the completion of the conservation.
It can be assumed that many other ENIGMAs were sunk in Schleswig-Holstein waters. They are part of recent German history and their sites can shed light on the events at the end of the Second World War and are also important places of remembrance. However, an important conservation objective for these archaeological cultural monuments is their preservation in situ, in order to enable further research on this subject in the future.
This means that discoveries of ENIGMAs and other witnesses of military history, e..B. Ship or aircraft wreckage, should be left at their location and a discovery report, preferably in combination with photos of the site, must be made to the Archaeological Office. In addition, a search is prohibited due to the danger of often stored in the area.
