On December 31, 1932, a group of three Polish mathematicians—Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki, and Henryk Zygalski—pulled off an extraordinary achievement that would shape the course of history. Working in Poland’s Cipher Bureau, these unsung heroes cracked the German Enigma cypher, a seemingly impenetrable encryption system that had stumped the world. Their breakthrough not only revolutionized cryptography but also set the stage for the Allied victory in World War II.
The Beginning of an Unlikely Breakthrough
The Enigma machine, used by Nazi Germany, was thought to be unbreakable. Its complex wiring and constantly changing settings made it a powerful tool for encrypting military messages. But Rejewski, Różycki, and Zygalski weren’t easily deterred. These brilliant minds, armed with mathematical skill and a bit of luck, uncovered the secrets of the Enigma and unlocked a treasure trove of crucial information.
Rejewski, in particular, played a key role. By applying mathematical concepts like permutations, he was able to start understanding how the machine’s encryption worked. The breakthrough was not just about cracking a code—it was about seeing patterns in what seemed like random data. With the help of intercepted German messages, the trio was able to reverse-engineer parts of the machine’s encryption and even build a device called the bomba kryptologiczna to assist in deciphering it. This early device would later inspire the British “bombe” developed by Alan Turing.
What made their success even more impressive was the fact that the Polish team had access to vital Enigma-related documents, which allowed them to understand the machine’s structure and get a leg up in their work. Their achievement was a mix of deep mathematical insight, clever problem-solving, and sheer determination to outsmart the Germans.
A Legacy That Deserves More Recognition
Although their achievement was groundbreaking, the full extent of the Polish cryptographers’ contribution to the war effort didn’t become widely known until years later. Their work was critical to the later successes of the British cryptanalysts at Bletchley Park, led by figures like Alan Turing. Had it not been for the Polish team’s foundational work, cracking the Enigma could have taken much longer—prolonging the war and leading to countless more casualties.
Sadly, after the war, the Polish cryptographers were overshadowed by the more famous British codebreakers. The team had to flee their homeland during the war, and their efforts remained a secret for a long time. But now, history has started to recognize how essential their work was. Without Rejewski, Różycki, and Zygalski, the outcome of the war might have been very different.
A Hidden Triumph
The story of these three Polish mathematicians is one of triumph that often goes unnoticed in the larger narrative of World War II. Their breakthrough helped shorten the war and saved countless lives, but the world didn’t hear much about them at the time. Their legacy now serves as a reminder that sometimes the quietest victories can have the biggest impact.
As we look back on December 31, 1932, we honour the genius of Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki, and Henryk Zygalski. Their work laid the groundwork for one of the most significant intelligence breakthroughs of the 20th century, and without it, the Allies’ success against Germany would have been much harder to achieve. These Polish mathematicians may not have gotten the recognition they deserved in their time, but today, their contribution to the war effort and to the world of cryptography is undeniable.
Read more: Decoding Enigma: The Polish Brilliance Behind the Breakthrough on December 31, 1932- July 25, 1939: The Enigma Breakthrough thanks to Poles
- Legacy Lost at Sea: Jerzy Różycki and the Unraveling of ENIGMA
- Jerzy Różycki, Polish mathematician and cryptologist who contributed to decipherment of the ENIGMA code, died on January 9, 1942
- The Polish replica of Enigma in the Enigma Cipher Center
- Enigma – one of the most valuable monuments