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Stolen Enigma Found
Ian Pointer writes "The BBC is reporting that the Enigma machine stolen from Bletchley Park has been delivered to Jeremy Paxman (a BBC journalist), and is now safe. Just thought you'd all feel better knowing." You can read the original article in which we talked about it being stolen.
Somebody must have stolen and reverse engineered it. Bastards!
Was the requested ransom money paid out?
Dog is my co-pilot.
This is wonderfull news. I never felt that there was any real closure to the end of U-571. The next time I watch the movie, I'll be able to walk away with a smile, and perhaps even a comment to myself: "maybe we will win the war after all."
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Its good to hear the enigma is safe again. Its always a shame when something totally irreplacable like that disappears..
The whole story was kind weird though. Totally reminded me of Cryptonomicon, with the character Enoch Root mysteriously showing up years later. The reports on this enigma machine made it sound like the guy who took it knew how to use it, and had a real familiarity with it, which made me imagine that he used on during WWII. Now we just have to ask this guy where the Japanese gold is buried...
This is a joke. This is only a joke.
Eric
Could some private collector have some war documents that they wanted to decode first hand?
Having an Enigma isn't going to help much, you don't actually need one to decypher any Enigma encyphered documents anyway.
Interesting that they are referring to a four rotor machine in the story but the picture at the top of the article is of a three rotor machine...
The machine has 3 rotors (which are still missing). The confusion comes from the reflector, which looks similar to a rotor.
Said Enigma machine is stolen. Some neutral third party buys it not knowing it's stolen. Said third party discovers its stolen and claims that it was bought in "good faith" and then proceeds to threaten to destroy it if a ransom is not paid.
If you buy stolen property you explicitally don't own it. Your only recourse is to sue the person who sold it to you.
Handling stolen property is in itself an offence. Though unlikely to be prosecuted if the person were immediatly return the item to it's owners or the police.
I mean, a 50-year-old machine that delivered suppositories to constipated soldiers? Sounds like something you'd want to be rid of. ;)
EMUSE.NET
"We're sorry, but the website you're trying to reach has been disconnected."
why the hell was that moderated "offtopic"? It's a link to the damn Ebay auction where some dude claims to be selling an Enigma!
-tim
... that the machine was stolen by The Master? Perhaps the Doctor had a hand in its return, and all those jokes about winning WWII now are not so far off the mark! Oops, hold on a minute, got to use my Sonic Screwdriver to repel some pesky Daleks ...
I am quite civilized, and I should be brought a beer immediately. -- Bruce Sterling
Ok. Here's how it all went as far as I know.
.eu detectives! Do some detecting!
Machine stolen.
Machine bought by unknowing buyer.
Buyer realizes machine is stolen, holds it for ransom.
Buyer sends machine to random news reporter.
Please tell me I'm not the only one who is thinking "Wtf." This chain of events just doesn't make any sense at all. The most obvious solution is simply eliminating step 2, making the person who stole it the person who was demanding ransom. Saying you bought it unknowingly just feels like a half assed excuse to look innocent.
And on top of that, lets think about the type of person who would buy this sort of machine. Probably a normal computer nerd who wants a piece of history. This type of person doesn't seem like they would hold it hostage! I know if I bought a stolen computer unknowingly I'd return it myself to the proper owner and bite the bullet.
None of it makes sense. Come on you
If so, the return of the stolen unit will probably resolve any possible buyer fears that they're bidding for a 'hot' machine. This might be good news (price-wise) for the seller of the swiss machine on E-bay.
`ø,,ø`ø,,ø!
Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.
until we nail the fucker who stole it?
--
Peace,
Lord Omlette
ICQ# 77863057
[o]_O
"However it is curious that it was returned so easily "
According to the UK papers, a large-ish price was paid for it. The person who had it apparantly bought it not knowing it was stolen, and wanted to return it, but didnt want to lose all the money he`d paid for it.
There are a few dials missing - presumably they`ll get those back when he gets all the money.
There were loads of enigmas made - the one that was stolen was one of a rare pair though.
I saw a documentary on television last year featuring a 3-rotor model. It was supplied with at least 5 different rotors, each numbered with a sequential roman numeral. The rotors used, and the order that they were used in, was changed regualarly, as was the intial setting of the rotors.
He described and they showed the cardboard box stuffed with bubble-wrap that was posted to him. The machine is marked with the missing enigma's code number, but an expert is speeding to the BBC to verify it's identity apparently!
I was surprised him opening the unexpected package himself, seeing as he is so high-profile, and not always liked!
The stolen Enigma is a rare four-rotor version, one of only three still known to be in existence.
Of course, they could have just bought this one off of eBay.
This is a joke. This is only a joke.
Eric
Glad to know the Allies have it back safely; now let's win that war, boys!
--
too bad the guy who stole it wasn't dumb enough to try to fence it on ebay. that woulda been funny as shit!
For Sale:
German Enigma Machine (RARE)
Almost EXACTLY like the one stolen recently!
All original parts, guaranteed against DOA. LOW RESERVE!!!!!!
Take this chance to own a piece of history! SERIOUS BIDS ONLY, NO DEALERS PLEASE!
"I hope I don't make a mistake and manage to remain a virgin." - Britney Spears
Knowing this thing will be back in the loving care of a museum which was lax enough to let it get swiped in the first place. I mean, cripes, the back door was unlocked and I went in with this huge trenchcoat and wasn't even scanned or nothing, you'd think someone would have uh.. ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H
I deny everything!
--
Chief Frog Inspector
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar