Magdeburg Annie

[Elbmek]

East German lady who broadcast code on the MW to agents in the west. One day, whilst on duty in Osnabruck, West Germany, I tuned in and copied all her broadcast down in German to English:

It was in groups of 5 numbers in blocks and it would start with the agents number. then a / and then another number telling him/her how many blocks to expect.

12345/5

12345 54321 34521 12543 34215 - these could be up to 40 - 50 blocks


Then a pause and another agent would be notified.

The spy had a one time pad which he would use to transfer the numbers into letters to give him his instructions.

[Richard1978]

Re: Magdeburg Annie

I've heard that other Warsaw Pact countries had similar broadcasts, along with the usual propaganda programming.

One book on short wave radio mentions Albanian radio used to always have the same woman presenting in a "Countess Dracula" voice (I presume sounding like the classic "Iy Vont Too Dreek Yur Blerd" vocal style).

[Sculpher]

Re: Magdeburg Annie

Check out the Wikipedia entry here. They still exist!

[havasack]

There was a radio 4 documentary on number stations (may still be gettable through Iplayer). Often preceeded by a little tune. I remember the Lincolnshire poacher being one.

Found it.....http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page485.htm

[victorbrunswick]

Re: Magdeburg Annie

[victorbrunswick]

Re: Magdeburg Annie

There was a radio 4 documentary on number stations (may still be gettable through Iplayer). Often preceeded by a little tune. I remember the Lincolnshire poacher being one.

[Elbmek]

Re: Magdeburg Annie

not sure what that one is?

[rellimiam]

Re: Magdeburg Annie

I remember the Falkland islands war declaration well.
I had just came home from hospital ,after giving birth to my second son.My family went home.
I sat down to have a cuppa ,put the tv on and was confronted with this awful news.
I felt overwhelmed with sadness.!!
Then on the other hand ,i remember the destruction of the Berlin wall.
It to made me feel overwhelmed,but with joy not sorrow.!!!
The 80,s was quite a decade.So much happened.
Including the hurricane of "87" 25yrs.Wow!!! how time flies.