How did the WW2 German Enigma encryption machine work?

Answer 1

It works through a system of 3 (later 4)rotors. Each rotor has 26 characters. Each day a "key" is generated that tells the operator how to set the rotors. When a key is pressed, the rotors turn and light up a random letter on the display. A plug-board was later used to further randomize the current path.
For its time, it was uncrackable to any of the conventional decryption techniques then in use.
It took some pure large-number theory, and probability mathematics, pioneered by the Poles, and some poor operational security by the Germans to "Crack" Enigma.

Even so, what most people are unaware of is that the majority of encrypts weren't decrypted until months (or sometimes years) later. ReichsMarine, and Gestapo cyphers weren't broken at all.
The way into the UBoat ciphers was through the capture of actual code books, and some deductive reasoning about weather reports, transmitted by German ships in the Arctic.

The bottom line is that the war was won, by engaging and destroying the German forces. What Ultra did, was possibly accelerate this process, especially in regards to the UBoat campaign, but was not decisive in and of itself.

Answer 2

basically think of for a minute - the internet could no longer be "secretly" invented, could it ? Nor could it exist without desktops. The British did no longer "use" the Enigma device - it were invented till now for advertisement use and innovations approximately it grew to become into gained from Poland. additionally,it grew to become into no longer possessing the device which enabled the "cracking" of the messages sent employing it. it is weak spot lay interior the way some operators USED it. additionally, the present code books have been mandatory. some have been gained from a captured U-Boat, yet coated in trouble-free terms a constrained era. lots greater considerable have been ones captured from German "climate ships" working interior the Arctic, provided that those had to hide a lots longer era And, opposite to the "Hollywood version",the human beings had no longer something whatsoever to do with it.

Answer 3

in England advanced series of mathematical codes were in place, the enigma had 4 wheels that had letters and later 5, you type in the enigma and it relays its signal to your men, however the Germans thought there code was unbreakable but we cracked it and won the war thanks to it.