Lorenz SZ-40/42
The Lorenz, nicknamed "Tunny" by British code breakers, was one of the machines used for communication between Hitler and his generals. It operated on teleprinter signals (telex). There were three variations of the machine: SZ-40, SZ-42a, and SZ-42b. It used a set of 12 mechanical wheels that were used to encrypt/decrypt messages. In order to exchange a message both machines (sending and receiving) needed to have the wheels in the same starting position. The wheel positions were changed each message and the receiving end would need to be notified of the positions prior to the message being sent.
The Lorenz, nicknamed "Tunny" by British code breakers, was one of the machines used for communication between Hitler and his generals. It operated on teleprinter signals (telex). There were three variations of the machine: SZ-40, SZ-42a, and SZ-42b. It used a set of 12 mechanical wheels that were used to encrypt/decrypt messages. In order to exchange a message both machines (sending and receiving) needed to have the wheels in the same starting position. The wheel positions were changed each message and the receiving end would need to be notified of the positions prior to the message being sent.
Code-breaking Computers
The Heath Robinson, developed by Tommy Flowers, was the first machine used to decode messages from the Tunny. It was specifically designed to compare intercepted, encrypted messages with all the possible wheel positions of the Lorenz. These were stored on two separate tapes. The major problem with the Heath Robinson is that the tapes would stretch and spin out of sync. The Colossus was a major improvement. It used 1700 vacuum tube valves and could read tape five times faster than the Robinson. The Colossus was also the first digital electronic computer, although, this wasn't known at the time as the Colossus was kept secret until 1974. There was a Colossus Mark II that used 2400 vacuum tubes.
1 of 8 photos of the Colossus
The Heath Robinson, developed by Tommy Flowers, was the first machine used to decode messages from the Tunny. It was specifically designed to compare intercepted, encrypted messages with all the possible wheel positions of the Lorenz. These were stored on two separate tapes. The major problem with the Heath Robinson is that the tapes would stretch and spin out of sync. The Colossus was a major improvement. It used 1700 vacuum tube valves and could read tape five times faster than the Robinson. The Colossus was also the first digital electronic computer, although, this wasn't known at the time as the Colossus was kept secret until 1974. There was a Colossus Mark II that used 2400 vacuum tubes.
1 of 8 photos of the ColossusCracking The Lorenz Code
In August 1941 the Germans sent two variations of the same message with the same message key (wheel starting positions) when the first one was not received. The British code breaker Max Newman and his team at Bletchley Park used these messages figure out how the Lorenz worked. The machine was reverse engineered and build in the laboratory of Tommy Flowers (the creator of Heath Robinson and Colossus). They had made an electronic version of the machine without even seeing a real mechanical one.
In August 1941 the Germans sent two variations of the same message with the same message key (wheel starting positions) when the first one was not received. The British code breaker Max Newman and his team at Bletchley Park used these messages figure out how the Lorenz worked. The machine was reverse engineered and build in the laboratory of Tommy Flowers (the creator of Heath Robinson and Colossus). They had made an electronic version of the machine without even seeing a real mechanical one.
What's So Important?
Although the infamous Enigma code is much more known, the Lorenz cipher machines were possibly more important. The Enigma code was used for general communication where as the Lorenz was used for high level communication. When it was cracked it gave the allies insight on Hitler's big plans rather than just what would happen when and where. Knowing what an enemy will do next is a huge advantage and it was one of the main reasons that the allies won WW2. An example of this is the invasion of Normandy. After D-Day, Hitler used the Lorenz to communicate that he would not move troops from Italy to northern France even though they were desperately needed there. Since the allies had cracked the Lorenz they used this information to hit Hitler where he was weakest.
The computers used to crack the Lorenz were a step towards modern technology. But this step also shows the dark side of technology; the great battle of privacy. With the technology that allows everyone to stay connected there is always the problem of privacy. Just like cipher machines in WW2 every "secure" messaging app can be cracked. There is no way to contact someone without someone else being able to see it. One problem of today is government spying policies. Section 702 of the USA's Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows the NSA to read and store email communications sent by foreigners in order to prevent threats like terrorism. This is an obvious breach of privacy but the reason behind it is quite logical. WW2, though the cracking of machines like the Lorenz, taught the world that having the enemy's information is a huge advantage. The US has figured out that this principal applies to the war against terrorism as their policy can help find out about possible attacks before they happen. They made the smart decision that the safety of their people is more important than the privacy of their people.
Although the infamous Enigma code is much more known, the Lorenz cipher machines were possibly more important. The Enigma code was used for general communication where as the Lorenz was used for high level communication. When it was cracked it gave the allies insight on Hitler's big plans rather than just what would happen when and where. Knowing what an enemy will do next is a huge advantage and it was one of the main reasons that the allies won WW2. An example of this is the invasion of Normandy. After D-Day, Hitler used the Lorenz to communicate that he would not move troops from Italy to northern France even though they were desperately needed there. Since the allies had cracked the Lorenz they used this information to hit Hitler where he was weakest.
The computers used to crack the Lorenz were a step towards modern technology. But this step also shows the dark side of technology; the great battle of privacy. With the technology that allows everyone to stay connected there is always the problem of privacy. Just like cipher machines in WW2 every "secure" messaging app can be cracked. There is no way to contact someone without someone else being able to see it. One problem of today is government spying policies. Section 702 of the USA's Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows the NSA to read and store email communications sent by foreigners in order to prevent threats like terrorism. This is an obvious breach of privacy but the reason behind it is quite logical. WW2, though the cracking of machines like the Lorenz, taught the world that having the enemy's information is a huge advantage. The US has figured out that this principal applies to the war against terrorism as their policy can help find out about possible attacks before they happen. They made the smart decision that the safety of their people is more important than the privacy of their people.
