Date: Saturday, October 25, 2001
Time: 03:12 PM EST

Submitted by:  Ray John
Email address: rayjohn999@netzero.net
Subject: Enigma - Your great web site.


Comments:
Gentlemen: As a Polish-American, third generation, my pride in any Polish contributions to a better world is natural.
Your web site is greatly appreciated by correcting the distortions of history with regards to Poland. It took over fifty years for the British to acknowledge the contributions of Polish mathematicians in breaking the Enigma code. BBC (18 September, 2000) reported that Prince Andrew thanked the Polish Prime Minister, Jerzy Buzek, by giving Poland an original Enigma machine captured from a German submarine. Better late than never.
I am glad that you defended your facts about the Enigma machine with Andrew Deacon (your Comment page) , apologist for the UK.
Please keep up the great work with this site and I hope that your work here will continue and maybe expand to include other areas of Polish contributions to civil societies which also may be neglected. The inclusion of the great contributions of Polish pilots during the Battle of Britain are also diluted.
I completely agree with your review of the movie "U-571." Perhaps Poland itself will produce the real historical movie of the early Polish contributions to breaking of the Enigma code. The real story would certainly be better than anything Hollywood or Britain, with its bias, could produce.
You may want to include a link to this good site about the enigma machine: http://home.earthlink.net/~nbrass1/enigma.htm

Thank you, John for your comments! I couldn't agree more with you.
If it comes to the suggested link to an excellent site, it's been on my Links page for a while, but thanks to you, I'm updating the address.

Date: Saturday, October 13, 2001
Time: 11:49 AM EST

Submitted by:  Eion MacDonald
Email address: eion@tal;k21.com
Informative?: Informative


Comments: Sirs,

The Polish side of this 'Enigma' was given full and extensive treatment
in my studies within Uk forces in 1960s. Full compliments to the actions
and discoveries of the Polish work was given in lectures and studies
to the extent that my main lecturer said 'without Poland we would
have increased our casualties by 30% at least'.

Later I had the honour of serving under a Polish half colonel
in UK forces, so I learned a little of 'Poland'.

Yours faithfully

Eion MacDonald (sometime a soldier of the crown)
 

Date: Thursday, September 6, 2001
Time: 10:26 AM EST
Submitted by:  Alex Lotovsky
Email address: vovlo850lx@hotmail.com

Informative?: Yes, very informative

Comments: perfect information, i am very happy.

Date: Monday, September 3, 2001
Time: 12:12 PM EST

Submitted by:  Bruce Kent
Email address: bgspva@infi.net


Informative?: Yes, very informative

Comments: As an amateur historian, I've been aware of the Polish contributions
to Enigma by manufacturing the first operating machine and developing the schematics
necessary to replicate the plug board and comuntators, and the mathmatical
statistical formulae to break the daily keys. for over 20 years.
Unfortunately I don't remember exactly where I first read of it.
I believe that it was in reference to the American efforts to break
the Japanese codes, (Magic.)

I was not aware of Rejewski, Rozycki and Zygalski's efforts,
by name - simply that "Polish cryptologists" had done all of the
groundwork which upon, Bletchley Park's efforts were based.
Again, I was ignorant of the fact that Rejewski had deciphered
German signals in France, or that he was even still in France, in 1942.

I agree with your opinions regarding "U-571". Don't watch "Pearl Harbor"
without a drink or two first! Being of Polish, Lithuanian, and German
descent - I've come to be able to appreciate differing views of history
and discern the truth of what actually occured and why.

An excellent site, very informative - but your use of the tan
background and white lettering is a bit difficult on the eyes at
05:00 in the morning!
 

From: Nigel Fraser Ker [mailto:nigel.fraser.ker@uk.ibm.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2001 10:32 AM


I am hoping that someone can help me. I have an
interest in mechanical engineering and I am looking ahead towards
my next construction project. Having for some time had an
interest in the Enigma machine, I am considering building a
replica of one of the variants. Although this should present no
major problems from a constructional point of view, I have no
idea where I will be able to obtain plans or detailed photographs
of the device. You will appreciate that these will be vital if I
am to create a precise replica. I have searched the Internet and
visited Bletchley Park but without any success.

Can anyone help?

Regards to all and thanks for a most interesting web site.
nigel.fraser.ker@uk.ibm.com


I'd suggest to contact Jim Oram at jworam@ix.netcom.com. He maintains an excellent Web Site at: http://www.enigma-replica.com/

Date: Friday, June 29, 2001
Time: 9:20 PM EST

Submitted by:  John Chmielinski
Email address: shimma@prodigy.net


Informative?: Yes, very informative


Comments: Hello Dr. Kozaczuk.

Last night, June 28, 2001, the Public Broadcasting TV station here in
the San Francisco area presented a fabulously detailed program regarding
the penetration of the Nazi Enigma coding device, which prompted me to
search for your site.

I urge all persons interested in this topic to look for the program,
"Decoding Nazi Secrets," produced by NOVA at WBGH Boston.

I have always been extremely proud of my Polish heritage.
My Chmielinski family has been prominent in banking, publishing,
the Catholic Church and law for over a hundred years in Boston.

Now the details of those brilliant Polish mathematicians'
contributions to the demise of Nazism further illuminate my pride
in dear Poland.

Thank you,

John A Chmielinski Jr
 

Date: Monday, June 11, 2001
Time: 9:56 PM EST

Submitted by: Sara Thompson
Email address: Cryptogramclub@cryptogramclub.com


Informative?: Yes, very informative

Comments: Perhaps you would consider commenting on my very
small blurb about Enigma on my website page www.cryptogramclub.com/enigma.html

My knowledge is limited to what I have read and, though I can't devote much
space to the history, I don't want to make incorrect statements on the web.

Thank you for providing so much information.

Sara Thompson


Thank you Sara for your very valuable work!
I really enjoyed your Site, especially C r y p t o - Grammar School
(http://www.cryptogramclub.com/grammars.html)

 

Date: Sunday, May 13, 2001
Time: 9:31 AM EST

Submitted by: Paul

Informative?: Yes, very informative

Improve: Add more pictures, Fix the broken links

Comments: THIS SITE IS THE BEST!!...
although its anoying when the links are broken.
I cant wait till the school project part comes!
 

Date: Saturday, March 17, 2001
Time: 6:27 AM EST

Submitted by:  Andrew Deacon
Email address: andrew@deacon1.freeserve.co.uk

Informative?: Yes, very informative

Comments: Great site, thanks.
Could you tell me where I can get hold of a book containing the
equations featured as the background to your main page?
[...]
I can understand Polish resentment at early British accounts (eg Winterbotham's)
omitting Polish achievements.  But this was based on ignorance, made worse by secrecy.
It's nothing to do with any anti-Polish conspiracy.
Polish pilots who flew with the RAF were renowned for their fearlessness and much admired
in Britain.  British people have no desire to diminish what Rejewski & co achieved.
You also refer several times to Polish "mastery" of Enigma.
As you well know, Enigma was a "moving target", getting ever more complex and
sophisticated as time went on.  Bletchley Park had to run fast just to keep up.
Without R' & co I doubt they'd have got started, but this does not diminish their
achievements.  Please present a more balanced view, uncontaminated by nationalistic bias.
Thanks again for your site.

Andrew Deacon

ps Tony Sale's point about luck needs to be read in context.
He is fully aware of the difficult mathematics done!
by R' before making the final intellectual leap.
 

My Answer:

Dear Anrew,

You are talking about my "nationalistic bias", and ask for a "more balanced view".
Well, can I ask you, in Britain, to be more historically accurate, instead?
Almost every publication in Britain does not even mention the work of Polish Mathematicians!
Until very recently (I believe until Februry of this year, after the direct approach of the Prime Minister of Poland) even the Britannica.com, DID NOT mention the work of the Polish Team.
Would you call it an ignorance, too?

When I say here, that the tremendous task at Bletchley Park wouldn't be even possible without the solid background of the Polish Cipher Bureau, you call it a "nationalitic view".
Whatever you call it, my goal is to present the Real History.

Regards,
Lech Maziakowski

PS1. With all respect to the Bletchley Park Team, but did you ever read in the
official BP Publications who was the first to decrypt the Enigma messages DURING THE WAR?
Yes, again Marian Rejewski and his team, working this time in France.
Nationalistic view? 

PS2. What can be done to stop the distribution of the new "historical" movie, based on the book "Enigma" by Harris? The movie is in its final production stage in Great Britain.
Open question.

Date: Friday, April 27, 2001
Time: 4:02 PM EST
Email address: kenwilson@norcomcable.ca


Informative?: Yes, very informative


Comments: I found that there was a great deal of information that I had not
heard before.From watching various TV programs,one is left with the
impression that the people in Bletchley Park were solely responsible
for the breaking of the enigma cipher. It now appears that if it was not
for the Polish connection yhey would be still in the dark.The work of
the Polish mathemeticians should be given more publicity in the mass media.
Credit should be given where credit is due
 

Date: Thursday, April 19, 2001
Time: 9:53 AM EST

Submitted by:  Sandy Nicholson
Email address: micnic@nb.sympatico.ca


Informative?: Yes, very informative

Comments: I have just viewed that travesty of history concerning
the Americans and the Enigma machine. How can the director describe this
film as fiction? In the end credits is a list of the organisations
involved with the Enigma project.  The only navy actually named is,
of course, the U.S. navy.

As the States were initially reluctant to join in the debacle in Europe,
I would love to see a film dedicated to that part of history!!!

"1984" is a year which has come and gone, but the philosophy expounded
in George Orwell's book, appears everywhere, in subtle and not so subtl,
forms. To wit:U571.
 

Date: Sunday, March 18, 2001
Time: 9:58 PM

Email address: arthur.w@sympatico.ca

Informative?: Very informative site

Comments:
Good to see not all Poles are the Lech Walesa types.
We need more like you who know the truth.
Too many do nothing and aprove by doing NOTHING the
lies and distorted "facts".
And speaking of a fraud Lech Walesa is a top ten candidate.
Strike strike and more strikes is all he preached using
the Christ as his tool.
 
Good work, keep the facts coming.
 
Arthur
 

Date: Sunday, March 4, 2001
Time: 11:59 AM EST

Submitted by:  stuart ferrier
Email address: ferrierstuart@hotmail.com

Informative?: Yes, very informative


Comments: i first found out about the Enigma through a documentry on t.v.
I didnt relise that it was the poles that got the ball rolling.So i thank
them,I just feel that this and so many other things dealing with the war
should be taught to our younger generations and be made part of their
education so they can learn just what some people had to go through
during this period.

I feel that we should be told everything about these times and not to be
kept secret from us .

Thankyou,
 

Date: Monday, January 29, 2001
Time: 8:59 AM EST

Email address: peter_osgood@excite.com

Informative?: Yes, very informative

Comments: Well done!
Polish achivements are often omitted, overlooked or downplayed.
It is good that you are trying to be better known to the rest
of the world!
To improve the site I would give more info about Rejewski,
Rozycki and Zygalski!
But even without that the page is very good. Congratulations,
Peter.
Sydney, 30.01.2001.
 

Date: Monday, December 18, 2000
Time: 10:58 PM EST

Email address: royalbengalrebel@yahoo.com

Informative?: Yes, very informative

Comment: very good .i liked your site
 

Date: Monday, December 4, 2000
Time: 6:01 AM EST

Email address: adrian.traves@SPO.siemens.com.ph


Comment: At last a site that recognises the talents of Major Rejewski
and the Poles, without whose work Bletchley would have been
years behind. Congratulations!

I also share your condemnation of "U571" as a travesty of the truth.
My grandfather was Coxswain of H.M.S. Petard, which captured the codes
from U559, and I know he would have been hurt at the injustice done
by this film to men like Fasson and Grazier, who died
retrieving the weather codes.