[Richard T. Eger]

Dear John and Larry,

We've had this discussion before. The dating convention used by the individual is what it is. Each of us may have created a massive data base using whatever we prefer. On the U.S. side of the pond, as you point out Larry, we go month-day-year. In GB and Europe, you go day-month-year. And, as Larry has pointed out, some go year-month-day. It won't change.

So, one has to hope that, amongst the dates given in a data set that there is at least one date where the number 13 or higher exists, which then provides the key to the Enigma cypher. John, the example of 15-04-45 would clearly provide the author's dating convention.

If there is a question, someone can ask for clarification.

Unfortunately, GB uses both 15/04/45 and 15-04-45 and the U.S. uses 4/15/45 and 04-15-45. Both the U.S. and GB use 15 Apr. 1945 and the U.S. in addition, actually its standard, uses Apr. 15, 1945. I'd say that U.S. use of 15 Apr. 1945 would be pretty much restricted to the military or government.

The one convention, at least up to now, that is unique is the European 15.4.45, although some advertisers here in the U.S. have decided that the dot convention just looks neat and different, resulting in 4.15.45. Hopefully, this is just a passing fad. 15.4.45 also takes up the least amount of type space.

Regards,
Richard