GCHQ reveals last message from German Second World War network

May 8, 2020 Article

The last recorded message to be intercepted from a German military communications network at the end of the Second World War has been revealed to the public for the first time.

It shows that Britain’s Bletchley Park code breakers carried on working in the dying days of the war to ensure there would be no final stand by the Nazis, according to GCHQ historian Tony Comer.

Mr Comer added the message, released to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, gives “a small insight into the real people behind the machinery of war”.

With the Allies closing in and the network having retreated to the German town of Cuxhaven, a messenger who is identified only as Lieutenant Kunkel sent out a statement.

The intercepted message, which was sent as he signed off on 7 May 1945 at 7.35am, said: “British troops entered Cuxhaven at 1400 on 6 May – from now on all radio traffic will cease – wishing you all the best. Lt Kunkel”.

This was immediately followed by: “Closing down for ever – all the best – goodbye”.

Bletchley Park code breakers were collecting communications from the German Brown network.

By 1944, the network’s outstations had spanned across Europe from western Germany to the Baltic coast and was sending reports about the development of German experimental weapons.

Mr Comer said: “These transcripts give us a small insight into the real people behind the machinery of war.

“While most of the UK was preparing to celebrate the war ending, and the last of the German military communicators surrendered, Bletchley staff – like today’s GCHQ workers – carried on working to help keep the country safe.”

It is among the release of a number of never-before-seen messages which give an insight into the final hours of a German communications network, according to GCHQ.

VE-Day showed writing was on wall for fight against Japan, veteran remembers

May 8, 2020 Article

A Second World War veteran has told of the “wonderful” moment he learned about victory in Europe, while he was still in action in China.

Bill Ramage was called to service in August 1942, before being deployed as an RAF wireless operator in the China and India.

It took him six weeks from leaving docks in Glasgow to reach Mumbai, and he spent some time in the country before being told he would be moved to China in the fight against the Japanese.

The 96-year-old, of Grangemouth near Falkirk, recalled being raided by soldiers of a “Chinese warlord” and having breakfast with Lady Mountbatten during his time there.

He was in the British 14th Army, which was a multinational force comprising of units from Commonwealth countries.

When victory in Europe was declared, the servicemen spent the day celebrating, believing that it meant Japan would surrender soon.

He told the PA news agency: “VE Day was wonderful. We only had one vehicle and it took all 15 of us through the streets of Kunming – by that time we had a few drinks.

“We got on the Jeep and the commanding officer drove all through the towns while we were singing at the top of our voices and waving Union Jack flags.

“By that time we realised that if the war in Europe was about to terminate, it was on the wall that the Japanese would not be long behind.”

Japan surrendered in August, which brought the Second World War to its close.

Mr Ramage then spent eight months in India as his repatriation was held up due to riots at the beginning of the country’s independence campaign.

He was awarded the Burma Star for his service.

VE-Day is being commemorated on Friday to mark 75 years since the war in Europe ended.

Mr Ramage has Union Jack flags in his garden and plans to follow the coverage of tributes to those who fought in the war.

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Categories: Japan, News, Second World War, VE, Victory in Europe