Codebreakers of WW1

The presentation will be live and online.

From their base in the Admiralty, known as Room 40, a small team of codebreakers, which included classicists, linguists and crossword puzzle fanatics, marshalled by their dynamic and cunning leader, had a profound impact on the First World War. With telegraphic and wireless messages pouring in from listening posts and from agents in neutral countries where a shadow war was being fought, they monitored U-Boats, Zeppelins, the movements and intentions of the German fleet, arms trafficking and sabotage operations, deciphering thousands of messages.

Meanwhile, the Army had its own codebreakers who also tracked Zeppelins and were active on the Western Front and the Middle East.

This is the extraordinary story of the men and women who not only helped win the war but also laid the foundations for the success of Bletchley Park and established codebreaking as an indispensable part of British intelligence.

Members wishing to participate will need to register, details of how to register will be circulated via The Western Front Association's newsletter 'Trench Lines'. If you are not a subscriber to Trench Lines please subscribe now via the box at the bottom of this page.

It is also possible to register by clicking this link: Codebreakers of WW1

The talk will be undertaken using the 'Zoom' software which is freely available. It may not be necessary to load the software to your PC / iPad etc: but we would recommend doing so if you wish to participate in this event.