Volume II - Contribution to the study of the "Enigma" ciphering machine (Wermacht type) by the SR of the EMA (1931-1942)
Note: This document, written in 1949 by Bertrand, serves as a summary of the archives he has kept.
Genesis
Appearance of Enigma traffic.
Situation on November 1, 1930
In November 1930, creation within the SR (Service de Renseignements: Intelligence Service) of section D. The section D, created by Gustave Bertrand, is intended to acquire, by theft or purchase, the encryption means of the enemies.
Research by agent
The documents collected from the spy Asché
(files 248-257).
Technical research
1) In France
The EMA finds the data collected by Asché insufficient to be able to reconstitute the Enigma.
2) In Poland
3) In Czechoslovakia
4) In Great Britain
In 1932, the English received the first documents provided by Asché: the two notices from 1930 concerning the Enigma.
In September 1938, the English ask for the data we have on the Enigma
(file 258).
The SR sends everything it has on the Enigma to the English
(file 259).
5) Situation on October 1, 1938
In France
Only Braquenié seems able to move forward. He writes a document to read the Commercial Enigma
(file 260).
In Poland
No progress.
In Great Britain
Conference between the English and the French on November 3 and 4, 1938
(file 261).
6) Work in "pool"
A - First meeting (in Paris)
The French SR persuaded the English to attend a conference with the Poles
(file 262)
Report of the tripartite meeting: XYZ
(file 263)
Questionnaire for an agent
(file 264)
Distribution of research work among allies
(file 265)
Denniston is happy with the meeting
(file 266)
The English ask the Poles if they have advanced. Polish response
(file 267).
B - Second meeting (In Warsaw)
Bertrand persuades Denniston to go to Warsaw for the second tripartite conference
(file 268)
Letters from the English after the meeting in Pyry and the Poles demonstrated their mastery of the Enigma.
C - The start of the war
The English accept their defeat for not having recovered the Polish cryptologists after their escape
(file 271)
D - We make machines
Enigma and Cyclometers orders from Belin company
(file 272)
Machine blueprints
(file 273)
E - Collaboration between France and Great Britain
Meeting requested by the English in December 1939. Pool work is organized
(file 274).
Measures relating to radio interceptions and their exchanges
(file 275)
Key exchange procedures
(file 276)
Exchanges with English until the armistice:
F - The searches of the Cipher section
Studies of the French cipher section in November 1939
(file 279)
Results
Telegrams read, Keys reconstituted
Telegrams read (file 283).
Reconstituted keys (141 keys)
(file 280).
Technical notice
Technical notice written by the Polish Rejewski and Zygalski.