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Can you crack the pigeon's second world war code? Can you crack the pigeon's second world war code?
(4 months later)
AOAKN HVPKD FNFJW. Confused? You're in good company. These inscrutable letters mark the start of a 143-character coded message sent during the second world war, and found strapped to the leg of a dead pigeon down a chimney in Surrey earlier this month.AOAKN HVPKD FNFJW. Confused? You're in good company. These inscrutable letters mark the start of a 143-character coded message sent during the second world war, and found strapped to the leg of a dead pigeon down a chimney in Surrey earlier this month.
The UK's chief codebreakers – Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) – were asked if they could decode the message. But though it is thought to have been sent from occupied France during the D-day landings, so far none of the country's best number-crunchers have been able to fathom what it actually says.The UK's chief codebreakers – Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) – were asked if they could decode the message. But though it is thought to have been sent from occupied France during the D-day landings, so far none of the country's best number-crunchers have been able to fathom what it actually says.
So they're appealing for help. What do you think the code might be about? Fowl play? Or something more pheasant? Pitch in – or pigeon in – with your suggestions below. It may require ostrich of the imagination – but let's leave no stone un-terned.So they're appealing for help. What do you think the code might be about? Fowl play? Or something more pheasant? Pitch in – or pigeon in – with your suggestions below. It may require ostrich of the imagination – but let's leave no stone un-terned.
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