Use of ENIGMA material during WW2

[Volker_Nemsch]

Today we know that the allied commanders often received the translated orders of the German headquarter (or Führerhauptquartier) before the German commanders received them. It always makes warfare much easier if you know precisely what the other side is doing.



My question is:
Had the Russians knowlege that the ENIGMA was not a secret any more? Did the English/Americans help the Russians with their knowledge?

Thanks in advance!

[leo]

I have read where the Western Allies tipped Stalin on a thing or two, but that he was hesitant to believe them. I believe the russians had their own spy organization which seemed to be very effective.

[Vigilant]

I have a feeling we never did tell Stalin because it would have meant explaining why we didn't tell him he was going to be invaded in 1941! Embarassing and all that ...

But don't quote me.

Vig.

[Barrett]

the best single-volume source is "Battle of Wits" by Steve Budiansky; a wonderful overview of signals intelligence (especially UK/US) in WW II.
US-UK/USSR trade of info tended to be one-sided, usually west to east. However, because the Anglo-Americans were heavily infiltrated by fellow travelers, much info that the head office did not want to share with Uncle Joe went to him anyway.

Signals intelligence was not quite as overwhelming as is sometimes made out.

First you had to be able to intercept the other guy's message - virtually impossible if he was using landlines (which was why German Army signals were relatively safe).

Then you had to be able to decipher the message. I read a book, "Very Special Intelligence" (the author's name escapes me at the moment) about the use of signals intelligence in the Battle of the Atlantic. Apart from the fact that German naval signals were not always instantly decipherable, the German navy also used several different codes - one for U-boats training in the Baltic, another for U-boats on operations, another for ships at sea (those in harbour usually passed messages by landline until weighing anchor), another for minesweepers, another for blockade runners, etc.

The blockade runner codes were never broken by the Allies - but other means were found to hunt them down. For example, intercepted diplomatic messages from the Far East would indicate a blockade runner had left for Germany with rubber; several weeks later, intercepted messages would indicate destroyers and minesweepers departing French ports to escort the blockade runner home - and the process of interdiction would commence....

[leo]

Stalin was warned of the impending german invasion in june 1941 by his own espionage service. He refused to belive it. He seemed to have some idea that he and AH could get along,

[Barrett]

There were also a few German deserters on the eve of Barbarossa, lending further credence to Sorge's info but JS still refused to act on the information. Of course, when his armies were destroyed or encircled he blamed the generals and had several executed. One of the benefits of running the front office in the despot business.

Maybe Mr. Stalin found it hard to believe
that Mr Hitler would be fool enough
to attack the Russian Bear,while involved
in a pretty good size war ,in the west.
I know even to this very day,i find it hard to believe
Mr. Hitler could be so Bloody foolish!

[leo]

The story about ENIGMA is that one of the machines was garnered by a Pole. Is this true or was every thing regarding the translation of the German codes due to british efforts.

[Barrett]

Leo: be sure to read Battle of Wits; it's quite detailed. The Poles had a couple of mathematical geniuses who manufactured exact copies of the military Enigma and gave one each to France and Britain. The brainpower needed to accomplish that feat is completely off the scale.