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From: henry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer)
Newsgroups: sci.crypt
Subject: Re: Cryptography in WW1, etc.
Message-ID: <8490@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 26-Aug-87 12:21:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: utzoo.8490
Posted: Wed Aug 26 12:21:15 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Aug-87 12:21:15 EDT
References: <20278@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 17

> ... It goes without saying that precautions must be taken against
> such occurences. [Sarcastic remark goes here. Remember
> this is a German general on the eve of WW2.] The Army
> whose radio-messages are read by the opponent renounces
> all chances of surprise, while it offers vast strategic
> possibilities to the enemy. [Doubly sarcastic remark goes here.]

Don't get too sarcastic.  Remember that the Allies botched this very detail
in Africa -- Rommel's field cryptanalysts were reading a great deal of the
traffic from Egypt, including the US ambassador's detailed reports on
British status and movements.  As I recall, two fairly significant dates
in the war in Africa were the day the US ambassador was replaced (by a less
mouthy one) and the day Rommel's field cryptanalysis unit was decimated
during a confused skirmish.
-- 
"There's a lot more to do in space   |  Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
than sending people to Mars." --Bova | {allegra,ihnp4,decvax,utai}!utzoo!henry