Manual for the Solution of Military CiphersHitt, Parker
History
Manual for the Solution of Military Ciphers
Hitt, Parker
Ciphers; Cryptography
S S 11111111 S 111111 S 111111111111 S 1111111
T 1111111 T 111 T 11111 T 1 T 11111111111111
U 1111111 U 111 U 111111 U U 1
V 11111 V V 11 V 11111 V
W 111 W 1111 W W 11111 W 1111111
X 11 X X 1111 X 11111111 X 111111
Y 1111 Y 11111 Y Y 111 Y 1111111
Z Z 11111 Z 111 Z Z 111
In the table for Column 1, the letter G occurs 9 times. Let us
consider it tentatively as E. Then if the cipher alphabet runs
regularly and in the direction of the regular alphabet, C (7 times)=A
and the cipher alphabet bears a close resemblance to the regular
frequency table. Note TUV (=RST) occurring respectively 7, 7, and 5
times and the non-occurrence of B, L, M, R, S, Z, (=Z, J, K, P, Q,
and X respectively.)
In the next table, L occurs 19 times and taking it for E with the
alphabet running in the same way, A=H. The first word of our message,
CT, thus becomes AM when deciphered with these two alphabets and the
first two letters of the key are C H.
Similarly in the third table we may take either F or O for E, but a
casual examination shows that the former is correct and A=B (even if
we were looking for a vowel for the next letter of the keyword).
In the fourth table, I is clearly E and A=E. The fifth table shows
T=14 and J=9. If we take T=E we find that we would have many letters
which should not occur. On the other hand, if we take J=E then
T=O and in view of the many E's already accounted for in the other
columns, this may be all right. It checks as correct if we apply the
last three alphabets to the second word of our message, OSB, which
deciphers NOW. Using these alphabets to decipher the whole message,
we find it to read:
"M. B. Am now safe on board a barge moored below Tower Bridge
where no one will think of looking for me. Have good friends
but little money owing to action of police. Trust, little girl,
you still believe in my innocence although things seem against
me. There are reasons why I should not be questioned. Shall try to
embark before the mast in some outward bound vessel. Crews will
not be scrutinized so sharply as passengers. There are those who
will let you know my movements. Fear the police may tamper with
your correspondence but later on when hue and cry have died down
will let you know all."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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