| Title: | Enigma M4 Cipher Machine from the Wreck of the German Minesweeper R 15 near Umag |
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| Authors: | ID Gaspari, Andrej (Author)
ID Germek, Danijel (Author)
ID Jelinčič, Aleš (Author)
ID Hren, Miha (Author)
ID Korat Bensa, Lidija (Author)
ID Frka, Danijel (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (3,86 MB)
MD5: E64DA9C91C6E3BD65B1AF8333117E18A
 URL - Source URL, visit https://publ.zdjp.si/index.php/ashs/issue/view/3
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  IRRIS - Institute IRRIS for Research, Development and Strategies of Society, Culture and Environment
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| Abstract: | In 1984–1986, Zvonimir Kralj, diver and keeper of the Piran Aquarium, recovered the Enigma cipher machine with codebook and several other items from the wreck of the German minesweeper R 15 sunk off the west coast of Istria between Savudrija and Umag. The article describes and defines the device and outlines the technical characteristics of the minesweeper of the 6th Minesweeper Flotilla (6. Räumbootsflottille) of the German Kriegsmarine, which was hit by the British torpedo boat MTB 409 on the night of April 16–17 1945, and sank about 3 nautical miles northwest of Umag. An examination of the preserved parts of the cipher machine revealed that it was a naval Enigma M4 with four rotors and a reflector C. An X-ray microtomography showed the serial number of the machine M 15648 and the last configuration, left to right: C/γ (Gamma), III, VI, IV. The external position of the Gamma rotor (»P«) indicates that the Enigma was not set in a mode compatible with the M3 model, which corresponds to the cipher keys for the last two months of the war. |
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| Keywords: | Adriatic, Istria, Second World War, Kriegsmarine, Minesweeper R 15, 6. Räumbootsflotille, Cipher machine, Enigma M4, Archaeological remains |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Publication date: | 01.01.2023 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2023 |
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| Number of pages: | 1-30 |
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| Numbering: | 33, 1 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-30910  |
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| UDC: | 009, 904 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1408-5348 |
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| DOI: | 10.19233/ASHS.2023.01 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 160471811 |
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| Copyright: | Imetniki avtorskih pravic na prispevkih so avtorji. CC BY-NC 4.0 |
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 08.07.2026 |
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| Views: | 123 |
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| Downloads: | 96 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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