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Good books on WWII codebreaking, enigma, etc?

Discussion in 'WWII Books & Publications' started by Otto, Aug 26, 2023.

  1. Otto

    Otto GröFaZ Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Looking for more book recommendations here.

    General topic I'm interested in is WWII codebreaking & espionage. A lot has been said about enigma, Turing, etc, so I guess those will do, but I've read a good amount in this area already. I've read a small amount about the US efforts to break the Japanese codes, including the reverse engineering of the Purple code machine, but I'd still be open to more in this theater. I'd really like to learn more about German vs Russian codebreaking and/or espionage, though these areas aren't as well covered.

    Oh, and I'm very happy to get something that is a technical deep dive, so don't hold back those recommendations if you have them.
     
  2. Thumpalumpacus

    Thumpalumpacus Active Member

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    [​IMG]

    Image was too large, so I hid it behind spoiler tags.
     
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  3. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Hyperwar.
     
  4. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    While not exactly code breaking, in the same vein, and likely of interest would be Alfred Price's

    [​IMG]

    It focuses on a lot of the same topics that would be covered in code breaking like how the Allies got the messages to begin with, figuring out what the enemy was doing with electronics like radar and radio, etc.
     
  5. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    813fEll0VcL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_FMwebp_(1).jpg
    Try this.

    Smith also wrote a book called "Station X" about Bletchley Park and code breaking. I've not read it so I can't give further details.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2023
  6. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    content(1).jpg

    This, too.
    content.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2023
  7. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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  8. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    The Enigma books are on Hyperwar.
     
  9. Otto

    Otto GröFaZ Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Lots of good enigma suggestions. I've consumed a good amount on enigma over the years so hopefully looking for fresh non-enigma areas in which to dive. @OpanaPointer I appreciate the pointer, though I'm aware of the enigma books on HyperWar, (for obvious reasons).

    Thanks all, keep them coming.
     
  10. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    For you and the casual passer-by. :cheers:
     
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  11. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Try these, old boy. Got the first two.

    MI5: British Security Service Operations 1909-1945 by Nigel West
    Amazon.com
    The Secret Wireless War by Geoffrey Pidgeon
    Amazon.com
    Radio War: The Secret Espionage War of the Radio Security Service 1938-1946 by David Abrutat
    Amazon.com
     
  12. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    The Ultra manuals on hyperwar are first water docs.
     
  13. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    Some sites you might peruse:

    Vint Hill Farms Station: Cold War History in DC’s Backyard
    Vint Hill Farms Station: Cold War History in Washington, DC’s Backyard (roadunraveled.com)

    Vint Hill Farms Station Historic District
    030-0020 (virginia.gov)

    VINT_HILL_FARMS_STATION.PDF (defense.gov)


    Military Intelligence --this week in history. 15 October 1946
    Military Intelligence --this week in history. 15 October 1946 | Article | The United States Army


    Vint Hill was something of an equivalent to the British Benchley Park in that it encompassed the US school for code breakers and analysts during, and after WW 2, as well as an operating station for actual ongoing efforts for the war.
     
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  14. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    The equivalent code breaking station on the US West Coast for the Pacific theater is Two Rock Ranch Station

    Two Rock Ranch Station and Medical Dispensary
    Two Rock, California (mstecker.com)


    Two Rock Ranch
    Two Rock Ranch – Army Security Agency Veterans.net

    Today it is a Coast Guard training base

    Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields
    Coast Guard Training Center, Petaluma
    (Two Rock Ranch Station)
    Historic California Stations: Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma (Two Rock Ranch Station) (militarymuseum.org)

     
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  15. Eleanor2323

    Eleanor2323 New Member

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    I'd recommend "The Codebreakers" by David Kahn for a comprehensive and technical deep dive into WWII espionage!
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2024
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  16. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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