News World War II Carrier Pigeon Found

**Rain Man** · 11-11-2013, 08:01 PM

I thought this was a cool story. It's from last year, but I don't see that it was posted in these regions. If it was, you may shame me publicly.

I'm just glad to see that they found the pigeon. That has to close a wound for its family.

Here's the message it was carrying: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/im...-message-1.pdf

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/23/world/...ery/index.html

UK spies unable to crack coded message from WWII carrier pigeon
By Michael Martinez, CNN
updated 10:21 AM EST, Sat November 24, 2012

(CNN) -- Not even the British spy agencies that inspired James Bond can solve the mystery of a secret World War II message recently found on the skeleton of a carrier pigeon in a house chimney.

The meaning of the encoded message apparently died about 70 years ago with the wayward pigeon that David Martin found in his smokestack in Bletchingley, Surrey County, England.

Martin recently discovered the bird's remains with the surprisingly intact message inside a small red canister attached to a leg bone.

The only hope appears to be curators at the Pigeon Museum at Bletchley Park, who are now trying to trace the origins of two alphanumeric identifiers for the pigeon that were also written on the message, the UK intelligence agency GCHQ said this week.

"If they are identified and their wartime service established, it could help to decode the message," the agency said about the pigeon's identity numbers.

To the casual reader, the message is indecipherable.

Hand-written on a small piece of paper labeled "Pigeon Service," the note consists of five-letter words. Those words don't make sense: The jumble begins with "AOAKN" and "HVPKD." In all, the message consists of 27 five-letter code groups.

Deciphering the message requires codebooks and possibly a "one-time pad" encryption system, and those materials "will normally have been destroyed once no longer in use," the agency said. There is a small chance that a codebook survived.

"Without access to the relevant codebooks and details of any additional encryption used, it will remain impossible to decrypt," the agency said.
The one-time pad encryption gave the note added security. A random key is used to encrypt only one message.

"The advantage of this system is that, if used correctly, it is unbreakable as long as the key is kept secret," the agency said. "The disadvantage is that both the sending and receiving parties need to have access to the same key, which usually means producing and sharing a large keypad in advance."

Heightening the mystery are three other issues: The message is undated, the meaning of its destination of "X02" is unknown, and analysts can't identify the sender's signature or his unit.

"Unfortunately, much of the vital information that would indicate the context of the message is missing," the intelligence service said.
Coded notes: A whodunit without an answer

The sender's sign-off appears to say "Sjt W Stot," using an abbreviation for "serjeant," an old-fashioned spelling for "sergeant," the agency said.
The use of "Sjt" links the message to the army, the spy agency said.

"If 'Sjt Stot' and addressee X02 could be identified, it could give us a better idea of where to look for the information," the agency said.

About 250,000 pigeons were used during World War II by all branches of the military and the Special Operations Executive, the UK intelligence agency said.

Flying from mainland Europe to Britain, the birds heroically delivered all sorts of messages through a gauntlet of enemy hawk patrols and potshots from soldiers.

"Although it is disappointing that we cannot yet read the message brought back by a brave carrier pigeon, it is a tribute to the skills of the wartime code-makers that, despite working under severe pressure, they devised a code that was undecipherable both then and now," said GCHQ, one of three UK intelligence agencies.

Fat Elvis · 11-11-2013, 08:06 PM

I bet that pigeon took out one of my bombers in your simulations....

MagicHef · 11-11-2013, 08:06 PM

listopencil · 11-11-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Here's the message it was carrying: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/im...-message-1.pdf

Oh shit. This changes everything. Everything.

listopencil · 11-11-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

"Without access to the relevant codebooks and details of any additional encryption used, it will remain impossible to decrypt," the agency said.

Pussies.

**Dave Lane** · 11-11-2013, 08:21 PM

I got carried away reading this

Hydrae · 11-11-2013, 08:45 PM

Did the enemy actually have hawk patrols? Never even thought of the possibility.

ping2000 · 11-11-2013, 09:05 PM

Message decoded "**** the Broncos"

jspchief · 11-11-2013, 09:38 PM

I would think a computer could make short work of that code.

LiveSteam · 11-11-2013, 09:46 PM

It says
On Sunday November 17th 2013
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will end Peyton Manning's NFL career

**Gonzo** · 11-11-2013, 09:48 PM

GOT IT!!!!

AOAKN = Alex's Offensive Arm Kills Nobody

HVPKD = Houston Vacates, Poe Kills Denver

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 11-11-2013, 10:09 PM

kepp · 11-11-2013, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Here's the message it was carrying: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/im...-message-1.pdf

"Contain Moreno...STOP"
"Hit Manning low...STOP"
"Forecast: Pain...STOP"

Kaepernick · 11-12-2013, 12:59 AM

WWII Carrier pigeon.

Man, I didn't even know pigeons had flight decks. Where does the elevator go?

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 11-12-2013, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaepernick

WWII Carrier pigeon.

Man, I didn't even know pigeons had flight decks. Where does the elevator go?

No worries about squabing that deck it.

11-11-2013, 08:01 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3218491 VARSITY	World War II Carrier Pigeon Found I thought this was a cool story. It's from last year, but I don't see that it was posted in these regions. If it was, you may shame me publicly. I'm just glad to see that they found the pigeon. That has to close a wound for its family. Here's the message it was carrying: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/im...-message-1.pdf http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/23/world/...ery/index.html UK spies unable to crack coded message from WWII carrier pigeon By Michael Martinez, CNN updated 10:21 AM EST, Sat November 24, 2012 (CNN) -- Not even the British spy agencies that inspired James Bond can solve the mystery of a secret World War II message recently found on the skeleton of a carrier pigeon in a house chimney. The meaning of the encoded message apparently died about 70 years ago with the wayward pigeon that David Martin found in his smokestack in Bletchingley, Surrey County, England. Martin recently discovered the bird's remains with the surprisingly intact message inside a small red canister attached to a leg bone. The only hope appears to be curators at the Pigeon Museum at Bletchley Park, who are now trying to trace the origins of two alphanumeric identifiers for the pigeon that were also written on the message, the UK intelligence agency GCHQ said this week. "If they are identified and their wartime service established, it could help to decode the message," the agency said about the pigeon's identity numbers. To the casual reader, the message is indecipherable. Hand-written on a small piece of paper labeled "Pigeon Service," the note consists of five-letter words. Those words don't make sense: The jumble begins with "AOAKN" and "HVPKD." In all, the message consists of 27 five-letter code groups. Deciphering the message requires codebooks and possibly a "one-time pad" encryption system, and those materials "will normally have been destroyed once no longer in use," the agency said. There is a small chance that a codebook survived. "Without access to the relevant codebooks and details of any additional encryption used, it will remain impossible to decrypt," the agency said. The one-time pad encryption gave the note added security. A random key is used to encrypt only one message. "The advantage of this system is that, if used correctly, it is unbreakable as long as the key is kept secret," the agency said. "The disadvantage is that both the sending and receiving parties need to have access to the same key, which usually means producing and sharing a large keypad in advance." Heightening the mystery are three other issues: The message is undated, the meaning of its destination of "X02" is unknown, and analysts can't identify the sender's signature or his unit. "Unfortunately, much of the vital information that would indicate the context of the message is missing," the intelligence service said. Coded notes: A whodunit without an answer The sender's sign-off appears to say "Sjt W Stot," using an abbreviation for "serjeant," an old-fashioned spelling for "sergeant," the agency said. The use of "Sjt" links the message to the army, the spy agency said. "If 'Sjt Stot' and addressee X02 could be identified, it could give us a better idea of where to look for the information," the agency said. About 250,000 pigeons were used during World War II by all branches of the military and the Special Operations Executive, the UK intelligence agency said. Flying from mainland Europe to Britain, the birds heroically delivered all sorts of messages through a gauntlet of enemy hawk patrols and potshots from soldiers. "Although it is disappointing that we cannot yet read the message brought back by a brave carrier pigeon, it is a tribute to the skills of the wartime code-makers that, despite working under severe pressure, they devised a code that was undecipherable both then and now," said GCHQ, one of three UK intelligence agencies.
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11-11-2013, 08:06 PM	#2
Fat Elvis Sexiest Athlete Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $1401925	I bet that pigeon took out one of my bombers in your simulations....
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11-11-2013, 08:06 PM	#3
MagicHef The Seated Villain Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle Casino cash: $2380247	NURP
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11-11-2013, 08:21 PM	#6
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	I got carried away reading this __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
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11-11-2013, 08:45 PM	#7
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2227000	Did the enemy actually have hawk patrols? Never even thought of the possibility.
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11-11-2013, 09:05 PM	#8
ping2000 Changes pants while driving Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Washington D.C. Casino cash: $5800495	Message decoded "**** the Broncos"
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11-11-2013, 09:38 PM	#9
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I would think a computer could make short work of that code. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
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11-11-2013, 09:46 PM	#10
LiveSteam The Constitutional Choo choo Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: homeof43conferencetitles Casino cash: $2105432	It says On Sunday November 17th 2013 The Kansas City Chiefs defense will end Peyton Manning's NFL career __________________ Progressivism.. The Politically Correct way of saying "I'm a Communist slash Nazi" depending on what the issue of the day is?
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11-11-2013, 10:09 PM	#12
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