A History of U.S. Communications Intelligence during World War II: Policy and Administration

Chapter 4. The Army-British COMINT Agreements of 1943: The ENIGMA Crisis

THE CRISIS IN BRITISH-U.S. RELATIONS

Beginning in late 1942, British-U.S. Army COMINT relations underwent a most difficult period not eased until a general agreement was reached in May 1943. This may be considered the "ENIGMA crisis," for it involved determined War Department efforts to get full access to ENIGMA material, both means of production and finished product. In the end, the British monopoly of ENIGMA ceased, and a full partnership began.

In January 1943 the routine and long-established British-U.S. Army relationship regarding diplomatic traffic was reaffirmed and clarified in a conference at Arlington Hall. The formal meeting, which lasted less than two hours, was ...