Polish intelligence sharing Enigma decryption in 1939 crucially aided Allied efforts in WWII.
On July 25, 1939, on the brink of World War II, Polish and British intelligence officials convened in Pyry, near Warsaw. This small, private gathering would profoundly influence the war’s course. The Polish team possessed a secret that would later provide the Allies with unprecedented insight into the enemy’s top-secret operational commands.
Decoding the Enigma
Seven years before this meeting, three Polish mathematicians—Marian Rejewski, Henryk Zygalski, and Jerzy Różycki—had cracked the code of the Enigma machine, a German cipher device believed to be unbreakable. This accomplishment was a testament to their exceptional mathematical skill and innovative thinking, laying the groundwork for future codebreaking efforts.
Sharing the Knowledge
In a bold and generous move, the Poles decided to share their method of decoding Enigma with their allies. This transfer of critical intelligence gave the Allies a decisive edge in intercepting and interpreting German communications, playing a significant role in their wartime strategies and successes.
As we mark July 25, 2024, we honor this remarkable contribution that helped shape the outcome of World War II.