Coding / decoding equipment

[_Seth_]

We all know about the german (and also the british...)use of the Enigma in WWII. But were there similar devices in the pacific war, used by the japanese /usa? In that case: Do you think that this is implemented in SHIV?

[SmithN23]

Here is some information about the Japanese PURPLE code that was used in WWII: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PURPLE

[Sailor Steve]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIGABA
This seems to have been the standard for shipboard use. It seems quite similar to ENIGMA.

[edit]Yep, it's the one our subs used:
http://www.maritime.org/ecm2.htm

[_Seth_]

Excellent!

[SmithN23]

Also there was the Navajo code talkers, while they were US Marines they were technically under the US Navy, although the US Army also used Navajo code talkers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_code_talker

[_Seth_]

Originally Posted by SmithN23

Also there was the Navajo code talkers, while they were US Marines they were technically under the US Navy, although the US Army also used Navajo code talkers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_code_talker

True, as seen in the movie "windtalkers". Excellent film, btw!

[Sailor Steve]

I won't say anything rude, but I hated Windtalkers.

[_Seth_]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I won't say anything rude, but I hated Windtalkers.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: You are not rude! People are entitled to have different opinions; Without it, the world would be a bad place!
I kinda' liked windtalkers (yeah, i know it was the Hollywood version of an important historical event, but anyway...) But i would rather see an documentary on the subject instead.

[Rick Martin]

Originally Posted by _Seth_

We all know about the german (and also the british...)use of the Enigma in WWII. But were there similar devices in the pacific war, used by the japanese /usa? In that case: Do you think that this is implemented in SHIV?

What many people don't know is that the German Enigma coding machine with its relays and stepped rotors was actually a descendant of a coding device invented by an American sometime around WW 1. He tried to sell his machine to stock brokers etc but no one was interested. As a Navy radioman in the mid 1960's I used an "off-line" crypto machine that was a variation of the Enigma with many improvements. We also changed the code settings daily rather than monthly as the Germans did in WW2. I think we used a similar machine in WW2 along with "one time pads and cyphers" but don't know if adding this to SH IV would be useful. Would rather have the opportunity to CO an old "S" boat instead or maybe one of the Brit boats. After all the Brits and to a lesser extent the Dutch played a part in the Pacific too. Rick Martin

[don1reed]

Here's a copy of the best working model on the internet made by, Kim Ronhof, over at PTC.

Free DL from here:

http://www.subsowespac.org/downloads.shtml

[_Seth_]

Good one, don! ill give this a shot!

[MadMike]

There was also a paper cipher system in use. The book "Pigboat 39" discusses destroying the equipment when she ran aground. Some war patrol reports mention leaving SIGABA in port if the patrol was to be in shallow/Empire waters.

Yours, Mike

[cmdrk]

Originally Posted by MadMike

There was also a paper cipher system in use. The book "Pigboat 39" discusses destroying the equipment when she ran aground. Some war patrol reports mention leaving SIGABA in port if the patrol was to be in shallow/Empire waters.

Yours, Mike

I think it could be decrypted by hand, took some time. As best as I can recall they used a slide rule type translator and code book.