American 6813 Division History October 1945 Page 29

Tony Sale's Codes and Ciphers

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The filing of all information derived from Enigma and Fish
sources for future reference was carried out by the military, air, naval
and flak ?? indexes. The various indexes contained a wealth of information
built up over a period of years, forming the veritable foundation of the
intelligence-exploiting branch.


Advisers. The advisers, --military, naval and air-- through their

study of order of battle and other specialised training, were in the posi-
tion to inform watchkeepers regarding the urgency of messages and to assist
in the interpretation of ambiguous or recondite references. Upon receipt
of a complete translation, the pertinent adviser drafted the necessary
signal to the command or ministry concerned.


Americans in Hut Three. The first American Signal Corps personnel

to assume duties in Hut Three were 1/Lt (then 2/Lt Paul W. Whitaker and
1/Lt (then 2/Lt) selmar S. Norland who arrived in late August 1943. After
a short period of apprenticeship they were assigned to the main watch where
Dr Whitaker distinguished himself for thorough-going knowledge of the
German language and Lt Norland not only for his command of military order
of battle but for his sorting ability. In January 1944 they were joined
by Major (then Capt) Charles J. Donahue, Capt (then 1/Lt) James K. Lively
and 1/Lt (then 2/Lt) Louis Laptook. Major Donahue, being a philalogist in
real life, readily converted his talent to Hut Three use. Lt Laptook, at first
associate watchkeeper in the main watch, later withdrew from the operational
watch and made a name for himself in a specialist watch (Luftgau XI - the
"Daffodil" watch). At about the same time Capt (then 1/Lt) Alex T. Prengel
transferred from Sixta to Hut Three where he was able to make more intensive
use of his fluent native German. In May 1944 1/Lt (then 2/Lt) Alfred P. Fehl entered
upon duties in the Hut as traffic analyst adviser. He was the
only American to serve in this caoacity and ably maintained the high stand-
ards of Sixta. In August 1944 the American party was reinforced by Major
William F. Edgerton (for a long time watchkeeper, subsequently a specialist
consultant on airfield covernumbers with Mr Lucas), 1/Lt Sidney Jaffe
(operational
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