Just a quick heads-up (thanks to Paul F!) to any Cipher Mysteries readers planning to be in Jersey in May 2010, because there’s a cipher talk planned for then which you might well rather enjoy:-
Dr Mark Baldwin has made a detailed study of the Enigma machine, the code-breaking work at Bletchley Park, and U-boats and has built up a unique collection of slides which illustrate the main features of those important facts of the Second World War. The show is divided into two parts. It is followed by an opportunity for questions, then a hands-on demonstration of one of the very few surviving Enigma machines.
Spin those rubber wheels! 🙂
Well, I’m just spinning my wheels on my own project. 🙁 And I thought you were talking about ourJersey – the New one, not the old one. Oh well. I’m out of turn in rotation.
Just noticed he’s also doing a talk on the SOE on May 4th and there’s a discount if you go to both lectures:
http://www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk/viewshowdetail.php?id=210
Very pertinent to Jersey as Violette Szabo’s daughter Tania has lived in Jersey for many years working as a translator and teacher of languages.
Glad to do my bit for Jersey’s flagging tourism industry by recommending this site for hotel reviews etc.:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g186230-Jersey_Channel_Islands-Vacations.html
Paul: thanks for that as well. Violette Szabo’s story is just terrific (I loved Between Silk and Cyanide, a great book).
Dennis: well, for every rotor there has to be a stator. 🙂
Nick: This group builds and restores Enigma machines, and supplies perfect spare parts for those missing something. They can restore the ones found on sunken U-Boats after decades, by replacing only the parts which have decomposed. Interestingly, a couple have been found with their boxes, and even, codebooks, partially intact. They can also build a working, museum-quality replica from the ground up. It almost seems impossible, the level of talent these guys apply to the problem:
http://www.enigma-replica.com/index1.html
Enjoy the lecture. Rich.
“Violette Szabo’s story is just terrific”.
And Noor’s equally so:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noor_Inayat_Khan