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The cipher text messages below are Truppenschlüssel (TS) messages from the German Army Collection that we failed to break when attacking these messages in 2015. To our knowledge they have all been enciphered with the Truppenschlüssel manual field cipher used by the German Army as described in our Cryptologia article "Modern Cryptanalysis of the Truppenschlüssel." The exact reason why we failed to break these messages is unknown, however it is probably a combination of several unfavourable conditions. Possible reasons are unfavourable plaintext, garbles or ciphering errors, and relatively short messages.
The messages below are given in transcribed form more or less as they appear on the German message forms. We identify the messages by date, message number and the first cipher text group. When we store the cipher text of the messages in separate files we use the designator group as the file name. Red message numbers means incoming messages while blue message numbers are used for outgoing messages. The ciphertext is written with uppercase letters, while special operator abbreviations, Q-codes, and Morse code prosigns are written in lowercase such as to clearly separate ciphertext and operator messages.
Because the ciphertext is the result of a substitution cipher using two 5x5 cipher squares the ciphertext alphabet has only 25 letters. The letter J is not used and where this letter occurs in the plaintext it is replaced with double-I (ii). However, in some of the incoming messages, messages with a red message number, one will occasionally find the letter J. This is due to erroneous reception of the intended letter, most likely occurring due to poor radio propagation, manmade or atmospheric noise. An analysis of the already broken TS messages where an erroneous letter J occurs has shown that the original letter most likely is either P or Y. From the characteristics of letters in Morse code other possibilities are the letters W and O, which are very similar to the letter J. In both cases they occur if the receiver hears an extra dash or an extra dot. W with an extra dash becomes J and the same is the case for O with an extra leading dot. At least two messages have been found where an erroneous J in reality is the letter W. We have not replaced the erroneous letter J in the ciphertexts but rather marked the letter J in red and bold.
In the message header you will often find that the same tactical call sign, e.g. noa, is entered in both the Von (From) and An (To) fields. This is our way of transcribing the information from the original message forms. On the original forms the call sign is entered only once, but it is written behind a bracket enclosing both the Von and An fields. Why it is done so we do not know. One possible explanation is that the call sign refers to a radio network (NETZ) where the traffic would move in all directions between the participating stations.
For the non German speakers, here is a short explanation of some of the German terms used in the message header:
For further information about our codebreaking project see our Web Portal: Breaking German Wehrmacht Ciphers.
Updated on: 26 January 2022
Eight TS messages from June 1941
TS message of 28.06.1941, Nr. 56, (YSGSS):
Aufgenommen am: 28.06.1941 Uhr: 2251 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 56 Von: cm4 An : cm4 Vermerke: mitgehort Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 2215 - 25 km - 90 - YSGSS QMVES YTDEX GY-HS ar
TS message of 30.06.1941, Nr. 62, (SGNGI): (Facsimile of Nr. 62) Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 30.06.1941 Uhr: 0116 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 62 Von: ib9 An : ib9 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0045 - sjm - SGNGI DKQSG NGIDK Q - csb- qzs? - ar -
TS message of 30.06.1941, Nr. 63, (CEFDC): Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 30.06.1941 Uhr: 0325 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 63 Von: ib9 An : ib9 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0310 - CEFDC HQEKR CEFDC HQEKR - csb - sk
TS message of 30.06.1941, Nr. 64, (DSGPZ): Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 30.06.1941 Uhr: 0415 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 64 Von: ib9 An : ib9 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0405 - sjm - DSGPZ LFBUK AQDQ - csb - sk
TS message of 30.06.1941, Nr. 66, (VGNZE): Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 30.06.1941 Uhr: 0809 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 66 Von: ib9 An : ib9 Vermerke: übermittelt Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0752 - 102 - VGNZE NCXHB RVOKE SHKES DHGPZ LFDQD QAWQL DMXWQ PASQC UGIDS DLDQA PDHVU CLEFC HFCDA UUQWQ KIQGQ AQDRX ACIUV QZIHY QHTSA QG ar sk
TS message of 30.06.1941, Nr. 68, (MXWQP): Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 30.06.1941 Uhr: 1240 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 68 Von: ib9 An : ib9 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1230 - 52 - MXWQP ASQNP DLPNF SCCUO XAUCN BFPDT DSCBU KRACB ERCHU CQKQD KA ar sk
TS message of 30.06.1941, Nr. 69, (CEIXC): (Facsimile of Nr. 69) Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 30.06.1941 Uhr: 1351 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 69 Von: ib9 An : ib9 Vermerke: Kr Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1330 - 120 - CEIXC ORAQF CRLXE RLQAR WQKID WQDRU WSFAG DOVOV VDRWQ MONGG IDRNG DAYQM XWQGA SQNBF PDTDS CBUKR AWDEG DRNGF KMGRM FDCLG KUWUK CEWMG RRYKA ar Note: This message is missing a whole group after the first group CEIXC. To break the message it is important to add a random group of five letters, or at least to add one random letter such that the ciphertext after the first group is properly synchronised.
TS message of 30.06.1941, Nr. 70, (DUESE): (Facsimile of Nr. 70) Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 30.06.1941 Uhr: 1540 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 70 Von: ib9 An : ib9 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1429 - 94 - DUESE WUKOQ IUKAM XWQPA SQNBF PDTDS FIVQG DAGQK DROAY QDSXA CIGPR YKAST CGPQF DCBQD YQSTC GPQFD CBQLY QXCOL JVJG - sig - ljf Note: This message has two erroneous letters J in the last group JVJG
Twentyeight TS messages from July 1941
TS message of 03.07.1941, Nr. 84, (FCVHR):
Aufgenommen am: 03.07.1941 Uhr: 1003 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 84 Von: nfw An : nfw Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0957 - 64 - FCVHR VUVXE BLLGR GRGBR PRIOF BIRIE LXPWF UALPE SKYCA LCPES YCILM RXEGX VBOI
TS message of 03.07.1941, Nr. 85, (HKMZI): (Facsimile of Nr. 85)
Aufgenommen am: 03.07.1941 Uhr: 1140 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 85 Von: nfw An : sub2 Vermerke: übermittelt Absendende Stelle : I An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1125 - 140 - HKMZI BLWHK MZIBL WHRMC EPDDH RMCEP DDMMD SDGEA AABAB GMURM ZGYBS KOPDD EAXBN DEAXB NDOVD GOVDG DCUVA AMLGL VPMLI VHSFQ PKMKS WZVAK ERXED RWPZB AESYH LEPDD EQSVN KFKDG
TS message of 03.07.1941, Nr. 86, (FBOIQ):
Aufgenommen am: 03.07.1941 Uhr: 1435 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 86 Von: nfw An : nfw Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1425 - 46 - FBOIQ PMWRL VNREK EXXMB RWMAM RUIHE HCSHE RBUZI IMLOU Q
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 88, (TKYKJ): (Facsimile of Nr. 88)
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 0300 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 88 Von: pz6 An : pz6 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0130 - mtc 2 km 40 - TKYKJ OGPG- TQKKY OGKDG VZWMW PS-SG TZGK- SLS - qsj? qwd - Note: This message has an erroneous letter J in the first group TKYKJ
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 90, (KVLIG):
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 0850 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 90 Von: pz6 An : pz6 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0835 - 98 - KVLIG RCZVQ BLFIF YVQBL FNFYM BEMBL FFGTN ZCHYH WLGRX VVBHG ZVUUL VXKYO UULVD GCXWE DMXVC -TO-V SWNPN RODVL MQULH VKZ ar sk
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 91, (SGOXX):
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 1010 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 91 Von: pz6 An : pz6 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0910 - 88 - SGOXX UPOTT ZSLYN AVCWW MPEWT MQMVZ HGZVU UAIXK YOGKE KMQBV BXRVH FZTUU FDXZV LHFDR HFDZR RODVL MQVLH FKZ ar sk
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 92, (UBYVQ):
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 1010 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 92 Von: pz6 An : pz6 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 0835 - 126 - UBYVQ YKSQY KSFDC BBLUM DZTTB FZTFY VZAWY ELINA HDNGQ MNTIE YRNSF TPVNV VKYOQ KEKVZ HGZVU ULVFD HBGUH DDUDG SCULT SFROT DOHFZ RWKDG ZTAHA ALSZT ASZSL S ar sk
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 94, (HFEYY): (Facsimile of Nr. 94)
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 2110 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 94 Von: pz6 An : pz6 Vermerke: übermittelt jid2 Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1930 - 148 - HFEYY RTUHB YFYRT UHBYF MQHDM GHPXF PULLS FVZPL SLRWK BBODZ ZIPOA HZPDI OMZHW DPZHW NPCHY RNSPS VLGAV ZHFQV WQLPX NYOLA TOBDS ZSLDH ----- DCAWP TISFF DZTRZ YAVZO WDZMT YMBRU WDB ar sk
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 95, (LICUD): (Facsimile of Nr. 95)
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 2017 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 95 Von: An : Vermerke: übermittelt Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1650 - 74 - LICUD UBZWR TZYRN SAKXU NVCOD FQYVB WTYON PZUJM TNYLS GEOGM TSGSW YVPYA WNNVA TONNV UQLD Note: This message has an erroneous letter J in the eighth group PZUJM
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 96, (DSZPZ):
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 2024 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 96 Von: An : Vermerke: qzr zvo1, msd1 de msd2 Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1735 - 62 - DSZPZ RQMYQ FWMTQ MTHYQ ZWMTQ MTUYR ZGZHV LPZUC XYZWL VAAQI FIPFY RZOZH VL ar -
TS message of 04.07.1941, Nr. 97, (DEZPS):
Aufgenommen am: 04.07.1941 Uhr: 2028 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 97 Von: pz6 An : pz6 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1735 - 60 - DEZPS RQMX- QSWMT QYTUY ZWMTO YTUYR ZOZHV LAAQI ZWPFP ZUCFY MFLGZ OZHVL
TS message of 06.07.1941, Nr. 109, (SSKFV):
Aufgenommen am: 06.07.1941 Uhr: 2242 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 109 Von: f8y An : f8y Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 2232 - 60 - SSKFV EGDOK GDSPG DZNFD CTTRR AKWTT GVKDB VDSLQ XBYEX BTRFZ RYLMO TIYIZ
TS message of 06.07.1941, Nr. 110, (HOHOX):
Aufgenommen am: 06.07.1941 Uhr: 2350 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 110 Von: f8y An : f8y Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 2248 - 50 - HOHOX WSWGG MSHYL HNOAN GTVVT PNZPF ZKERO QNXRR OQMXS RGLMO TIYIZ
TS message of 08.07.1941, Nr. 121, (IABZV):
Aufgenommen am: 08.07.1941 Uhr: 0735 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 121 Von: f8y An : f8y Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 0712 - 48 - IABZV ZCAIA SRZED STBPQ EEGZS DWYKO GZSDO YKOZC LYVIS IEE
TS message of 08.07.1941, Nr. 123, (EHNPZ):
Aufgenommen am: 08.07.1941 Uhr: 1458 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 123 Von: 4fc An : 4fc Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1450 - 87 - EHNPZ QSPGR YANZG SEBHG FNZGN GPPES CBNGD HZDNU NPGEY SPABN GHPZQ LMMNO RSTRS AAMNZ EGPSA BNQSS GNREY AZ
TS message of 08.07.1941, Nr. 129, (IASRZ):
Aufgenommen am: 08.07.1941 Uhr: 2039 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 129 Von: 4fc An : 4fc Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 2025 - 90 - IASRZ EDSTB YQSXI AMMTP MNDEY TZNFG ETXFM CAMTG ZLZNL GZLZQ QLIAC LTDMM OFCZS LOFCP SLIAH WAUES MNNGY ASSRN
TS message of 08.07.1941, Nr. 130, (IASRZ):
Aufgenommen am: 08.07.1941 Uhr: 2334 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 130 Von: 4fc An : 4fc Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 2330 - 52 - IASRZ EDSTB UYPXV CWFPR MZRPM ZNORU OZMNO MXYRA NXNYN NBGWF IS
TS message of 12.07.1941, Nr. 193, (XWFEC):
Aufgenommen am: 12.07.1941 Uhr: 1140 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 193 Von: 2ha An : 2ha Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1130 - 98 - XWFEC GNHEK YXDPO MDISF XWFXT GMCQQ ZRVHX WKRAU YVVRM ADEOD HPCWN KWAAS SFVGA NAIQI QOMRM CGCZA SXGPY QSMUT MTSQN ADE
TS message of 13.07.1941, Nr. 26, (AFUVO): (Facsimile of Nr. 26)
Befordert am: 13.07.1941 Uhr: 2132 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 26 Von: An : Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 2030 Kr - 14 - AFUVO PKVWY OPKV
TS message of 21.07.1941, Nr. 245, (JBTVE): (Facsimile of Nr. 245) Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 21.07.1941 Uhr: 1631 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 245 Von: nkn An : nkn Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1615 - 100 - JBTVE GSIUN TBYGU GCLHA TBLGO AWQUN AOVQV BGGTR PNWXE LONOA VZUYC JVZBQ BNWIP HSPHA EHRVX ZIGOM YKOQA EDROZ UNTBU YZTHF
TS message of 21.07.1941, Nr. 246, (BNZIM): (Facsimile of Nr. 246) Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 21.07.1941 Uhr: 2002 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 246 Von: nkn An : nkn Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1955 - 84 - BNZIM XSYQU PCTYG FTYMV CLMKP UZTBC XIRLO AOQUM PTEZT B CBLHA TBZLZ ZEKWA EKBSF VCUIL FVCUI LRBIL ZBIC Note: This message has an extra letter, a B, written between the 9th and 10th group. It does not seems to be a firm correction for the following letter C, however it is possible the operator was unsure about his reception and added the letter B as a possible candidate for this letter.
TS message of 22.07.1941, Nr. 248, (BOFXE): (Facsimile of Nr. 248) Broken on 22.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 22.07.1941 Uhr: 1310 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 248 Von: v97 An : v97 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1305 - 134 - BOFXE RIMTE NUQUT SXREU XMCRE DCRQA BSWAK PRHCQ ZNAQU BVIEA XDAQU GEUFI PLKUR XQUFP KYEOO FVBHE KXEYM ODRAQ BOTED PHMUE YRRID RZUQV WKAQU QZEDH BIUXM OQHEM FIPL
TS message of 23.07.1941, Nr. 252, (DOLHA):
Aufgenommen am: 23.07.1941 Uhr: 1945 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 252 Von: erm An : erm Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : N.F. An: Ib ------------------------------------------------------------- 1923 - 70 - DOLHA ALGWN FSGKD NSOUV FYCSF WHIHN GFGRF BCXLY NEXBQ ZZRQE YAROQ WGIGQ GFTKG FGRZM
TS message of 25.07.1941, Nr. 263, (CPUDN):
Aufgenommen am: 25.07.1941 Uhr: 0050 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 263 Von: 8be An : 8be Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 0035 - 32 - CPUDN CVPSL HYMKV YYUYY GXXNL WALLW ZM
TS message of 25.07.1941, Nr. 264, (NEUEM):
Aufgenommen am: 25.07.1941 Uhr: 1233 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 264 Von: 8be An : 8be Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 1229 - 74 - NEUEM RWKKD ENLAT NYYBU OOHVE OAAST ZTPRO ZCKIV CFDYZ VUPCB XBSVB XSLTR LVDMY RCFDA YALE
TS message of 26.07.1941, Nr. 268, (LSSLG):
Aufgenommen am: 26.07.1941 Uhr: 1033 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 268 Von: vlj An : vlj Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 2330 - 68 - LSSLG NDUGD WAXQU NOCGM QTSGY ZXWFI RDBSE BOIPD MBMCB SUNQG XGPNO DAEXY XGGZX YSY
TS message of 29.07.1941, Nr. 281, (CFQIB):
Aufgenommen am: 29.07.1941 Uhr: 0945 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 281 Von: eo2 An : eo2 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 0930 - 56 - CFQIB ODNFB PSBBW TNLWT NLPFB SMNBO BBCSQ OBSZF IFBLI L
TS message of 31.07.1941, Nr. 284, (VHRNE): (Facsimile of Nr. 248)
Aufgenommen am: 31.07.1941 Uhr: 0645 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 284 Von: tto An : tto Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- 0630 - 136 - VHRNE USPEE VHSQA LAHLI TRKHA HLITR KHCZE ECTEE RZEER ZEERD PTRRS RHKRY EESRZ MGBGO OOTUO ZBUAL SMNZY SLQWE AHLIT RKHAH LITRK HDMSI QXBFZ CGHFB YQXTL HQRZW DYGTE E
Three TS messages from August 1941
TS message of 10.08.1941, Nr. 8, (ZUBZE): (Facsimile of Nr. 8)
Befordert am: 10.08.1941 Uhr: 1142 Durch: MA Funkspruch Nr.: 8 Von: n0c8 An : n0c8 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : Ib An: N.F. ------------------------------------------------------------- 1125 - 62 - ZUBZE TAGFD CZZRF VLAYT QMMFS OATQL FTEBP EYSBO PUBLV QHWHH CATEZ RPLMD OF
TS message of 17.08.1941, Nr. 21, (MZXNX): (Facsimile of Nr. 21)
Befordert am: 17.08.1941 Uhr: Durch: Krüger Funkspruch Nr.: 21 Von: 7bs1 An : b8c2 Vermerke: blind befördert Absendende Stelle : Ib Div. Arzt An: Fla. Abt. (Truppenarzt) ------------------------------------------------------------- - fuer b8c2 Ka (20355) - 88 - MZXNX FOEKE PXCST FTYEN OIYRX FCHNC XSTVE APGTS BHWCL LBZKF KNCKR HBNDC HAIFM ZFHYR CMCDL FDOZC UIACR KOC
TS message of 20.08.1941, Nr. 21, (TUNYA): (Facsimile of Nr. 21) Broken on 26.01.2022
Aufgenommen am: 20.08.1941 Uhr: 2107 Durch: Funkspruch Nr.: 21 Von: An : Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : An: ------------------------------------------------------------- (2030) - 112 - TUNYA ONVQF CEKZO PTNHQ YTXIF DQHNS XIGBP XEPUD AEFAP XTUDR ZAMSA LHBGW NVCGH VVHHH FOMLT UTZSX XIIKY IOIND HYAAQ OALTV DAHDP DWDTG XI
Two TS messages from September 1941
Batch B, Outgoing (Blue) Messages
TS message of 05.09.1941, Nr. 31, (AAXYN): (Facsimile of Nr. 31)
Befordert am: 05.09.1941 Uhr: 1113 Durch: Spc ? Funkspruch Nr.: 31 Von: acz1 An : ozp2 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : Ib An: flak. Abtg. ------------------------------------------------------------- (1055) - 72 - AAXYN GLHRR PCRHY IHTNF SPSSD AKXBN CPIMM QQPNF STRCG XUXYK LXHVN FPZRT GUSLB TPCKP XI
TS message of 23.09.1941, Nr. 91, (AOXST): (Facsimile of Nr. 91)
Befordert am: 23.09.1941 Uhr: 1533 Durch: Krü Funkspruch Nr.: 91 Von: 4rd1 An : 25y2 Vermerke: Absendende Stelle : Ib An: A.A. ------------------------------------------------------------- (1420) - 152 - AOXST TXXFO VPDRT XDBMO ZNVOP OZMZU HCRLX UTMPV KSKNR HBILC OYDWM OKZAQ LNMOM MZMHP XDYGL TYLTW VAXZP FDNVY WYRFL QFLSK FTLAL TBPPX GXXKX DGDVB LYBTG UATYU DTXDB IFXRB IGYPQ DEZUX MO
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All rights to the material described on these pages belong to
Olaf Ostwald & Frode Weierud, © November 2021
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