Using Ultra to research the Luftwaffe

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

It seems to me that some searchers were allowed to see Ultra files before that. In the 1980s I read a book (that is still in my parents house) with a part about Ultra and the Coventry raid.

I know that at least in France "recognized" searchers can be allowed to see archive documents with no public access allowed.

DEFE3 files were available sooner — I first looked at some in 1987 — but would be no help with Coventry because they don't cover 1940. The first books about ULTRA (e.g. F.W. Winterbotham, ex-RAF and MI6) were based on memories rather than documents and some myths were created as a result (about Coventry especially). Even now some authors will discuss the value of ULTRA without quoting or referencing any individual messages, usually relying on Hinsley's official history of intelligence in the War (volume 1, 1979). Hinsley was at Bletchley and did have access to classified material when writing his history.

R.V. Jones (Most Secret War, 1978) is also quite reliable and I understand that he personally retained a lot wartime papers that officially he should not have kept. Jones was also with MI6.

If you're interested in the Coventry question, Frederick Taylor's book "Coventry" (2015) is very good or you can settle for my version of the intelligence side of the story: http://www.ghostbombers.com/1940/Coventry/cov_1.html

[Nick Beale]

From the Bletchley Park Museum's February Newsletter:

Tap into Bletchley's intelligence online
Many of the collections held by Bletchley Park Trust are kept behind the scenes in our stores. To give better access to these hidden gems, we have embarked on a major collections digitisation project. Every month, we will release a new album of digitised images from the collection, giving glimpses into the material we hold – from Ultra intelligence to photographs and codebreakers’ personal accounts. Check back on this page, or keep an eye on our social media, to find new albums as they are published.

[steve sheridan]

Hi Nick, wow! Potentially exciting times ahead.
Thanks very much for providing this link.
Best regs,
Steve.

[oquaig]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

It seems to me that some searchers were allowed to see Ultra files before that. In the 1980s I read a book (that is still in my parents house) with a part about Ultra and the Coventry raid.

I know that at least in France "recognized" searchers can be allowed to see archive documents with no public access allowed.

The reason I was asking is because I was wondering if Ulf Balke had any access to this material. I don't find any mention in the anlagen of his works.

Regards
oquaig

[Nick Beale]

There are some examples of Enigma "Red" (Luftwaffe) messages in the Bletchely Park Museum's online "Collections Uncovered" series, showing the text as intercepted and how it looked when first deciphered.

[Bruce Dennis]

7 ZG.26 at DERNA, 25/3/42 : A/C 3U + YR suffered engine and W/T trouble on that date.

(source = HW5/76 @ TNA UK)

[Bruce Dennis]

Ju88s werk no. 1284 and 8504 were at TIRASPOL 26/3/42

(source = HW5/76 @ TNA UK)

[Bruce Dennis]

Ju A/C (type not specified) HS+NQ was scheduled to arrive at CATANIA on 1/4/42

(source = HW5/76 @ TNA UK)

[Bruce Dennis]

Ju52 PF+ZJ werk no. 5301 was salvaged on ZAKNITHOS (questions concerning the results were asked on 26/3/42)

(source = HW5/76 @ TNA UK)

[Bruce Dennis]

Aircraft known to be at TATOI on 26/3/42:
Z3E, D, G, J = serviceable
Z3H, V = thorough overhaul
Z3F, M =partial overhaul
Z3K = repairs to wings and fuselage
Z3B = periodical control
Z3L = change of engine
Z3A = total loss owing to enemy action
Z3C = in operation

(source = HW5/76 @ TNA UK)