WW2 Codebreakers: Bletchley Park activities revealed in unique footage - The Hidden Film
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2024
- Discover the story behind the recently discovered only known wartime film footage of a secret site connected to Bletchley Park.
A silent film, recently donated to Bletchley Park Trust, is believed to be a compilation of footage recorded between 1939 - 1945, showing members of MI6 Section VIII at Whaddon Hall, Buckinghamshire. During World War Two, this was a most secret site where Ultra intelligence produced by the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park would be sent, and then passed on to Allied commanders in the field.
In this mini-documentary, hear Bletchley Park Veteran, Geoffery Pidgeon who worked in MI6 Section VIII during WW2, recall how it felt to watch the film for the first time and recognise his father. Peronel Craddock, Bletchley Park's Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Dr. David Kenyon, Research Historian at Bletchley Park also talk about why the discovery of this film is so important.
Watch the original footage: • WW2 Codebreakers: Orig...
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About Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum, open daily to visitors.
It was the home of British World War Two codebreaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to make groundbreaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.
This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks.
During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war.
The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.
The Bletchley Park Trust
Bletchley Park Trust is a registered charity, heritage attraction and independent museum. As an independent charity, we rely on income from our visitors, Friends and supporters to secure the long-term future of the site.
Registered charity number: 1012743
Mom died in 2000, before BP was opened up. Because of the OSA, we only knew she was there. I always scan these photos and video, thinking maybe I'll see her. I really wish I could talk to her about that time, which must have been so exciting. She kept her promise: Faith Patrick, Hut 14, Communications Signals Office.
Thank you for your comment, Geoff. If you would ever like to find out more information about Hut 14 and what your Mother's work might have included, do get in touch. I can see she is on our Roll of Honour already: bletchleypark.org.uk/roll-of-honour/7022
My mother died in 2018 with dementia. A year or so before she went into care her husband told me she'd been stationed at Bletchley Park as a WAAF. She didn't ever want to say much about her WAAF career other than how proud she was to have served during WWII. When asked she initially said she could not talk about it. She remembered her service number and after some reassurance she told me a little about her time there - It all matched to the experiences I listened to in a subsequent visit to BP. I'd dearly love to know more and so wish she'd talked about it more before her health and memory declined. Vanda Ashton stationed Chicksands and Blackbrook aged 18 and 19..
Spuggy Newton my Dad who was one of the originals recruited in 1938 at 3.15min. If people want to know more then Geoffrey Pidgeon's book 'The Secret Wireless War' is well worth a read and some of the adventures these guys had were amazing. So sad my dad passed before I knew any of this. My Mother was a translator at Bletchley having quite a good knowledge of German. She is caught on some of the other film one of 2 in deck chairs with sun glasses.
This comes up as Alex who is my son so Spuggy was his grandfather who he never knew. My U tube comes up with Alex login!!
Thank you for your comment! Geoffery Pidgeon was able to identify your father, but we haven't actually been able to identify the ladies in sunglasses.
Would you mind getting in touch with us on enquiries@bletchleypark.org.uk and our collections team will follow this up with you.
Good show! Blessings to your tribe and thanks.
@@alexnewton1892 🇻🇳📺
My mother died in 2018 with dementia. A year or so before she went into care her husband told me she'd been stationed at Bletchley Park as a WAAF. She didn't ever want to say much about her WAAF career other than how proud she was to have served during WWII. When asked she initially said she could not talk about it. She remembered her service number and after some reassurance she told me a little about her time there - It all matched to the experiences I listened to in a subsequent visit to BP. I'd dearly love to know more and so wish she'd talked about it more before her health and memory declined. Vanda Ashton stationed Chicksands and Blackbrook aged 18 and 19..
Ordinary people, extraordinary lives. Heroes one and all.
Thank you for your comment, we are glad you enjoyed the video!
Schäm dich,von diesen Leuten als Helden zu sprechen.Sie haben uns WUNDERVOLLE DEUTSCH IN DIE VERSKLAVUNG GEBRACHT!Bis Heute......schämt euch!!!
@@juttajehle1365 Hallo Jutta, ich verstehe dich , wir müssen uns von dieser Manipulation befreien, das stimmt. Gott hat uns als ein edles unglaublich, starkes Volk erschaffen und er möchte die Welt durch uns segnen. Unter der Unterdrückung der Alliierten nach dem 1. Weltkrieg haben wir allerdings die Hand des Teufels ergriffen und uns mit dämonischen Mächten eingelassen. ( Thule Gesellschaft, NSDAP) das hat uns verflucht . Jetzt ist es an der Zeit unsere Volksseele zu heilen. In Wahrheit sind wir ein Gutes Volk, voller Erbarmen und Weisheit.
@@ibinitschlecht Lieber Jonathan,ich verneige mich vor deiner Seele. Danke,ja wir als Deutsches Volk ,müssen unser selbst wieder bewusst werden.Wie in alten Zeiten bei den Israeliten die sich in Kaanan mit den falschen Völkwrn eingelassen haben und dadurch benutzt wurden,geht es dem Deutschrn Volk.Unsere Regierungen geht es nicht mehr um das Deutsche Volk,sie haben um der Macht und des Geldes wegen sich auf satanische Machenschaften und Bündnisse eingelassen. WIR WERDEN HILFE BEKOMMEN, DAS DEUTSCHE Volk wird erstarken.Unsere Welt wird eine andere sein,aber wir werden Frieden an Gottes Hand bekommen. Vorher wird noch vieles umwälzendes kommen .Gott,Jesus Christus unser wahrer König wird uns helfen.Liebe Grüße Jutta
An amazing donation and incredible to see actual footage of those heroes.
Thank you Jamie, we really are so lucky to have this as part of our collection now!
Went to Bletchley Park for the first time today. It is right up there with any must-visit places in Britain. Being in Hut 11 where the Bombe machines were housed is an awe-inspiring experience
Who the hell dislikes this? These people were amazing.
Nazis living in Argentina?
Because they are descendants of the Abwehr people.
I would guess this weird recent trend in historical nonfiction that has to degrade or state some aspect of historical importance is over-rated, everything needs to be revisionist to be published or feels like.
The book coming out imminently is a good example, saying the breaking of Enigma codes at best shortened the war by a couple of months.
When I read this on BBC this morning it made eyes spin in my head. Not to even mention how breaking the codes to the U-boats saved the UK from being starved out, the code breakers ensured no surprise counter-attacks could be carried out by Germany against Operation Crusade, and knowing every step taken, down to every single battalion transferred from the Soviet Front and where they were taken out of the line directly enabled Operation Bagration to know where and with how much force to hit to ensure obliterating Armee Gruppe Centre almost completely, which basically ensured the war was won.
I'm just an average arm chair historian with a subscription to MHQ and a couple of other journals, and watch the odd Second World War documentary, yet even I know on its face that a historian claiming Bletchley Park at best shortened the war by 2 months to be complete hogswallow.
I don't know what started this trend of historical contrarianism, apparently for its own sake and to sell books, but I hope it ends soon and is wholly forgotten.
"The Real Lincoln" is another prime example of historical revisionism in the face of a mountain of evidence saying the exact opposite of an author's premise.
One of the reason I esp. like one new book on Lincoln (called "Abe"), is that it doesn't seek to deconstruct the historical figure as some sort of overrated myth, again, seemingly just for the sake of the edgy controversy of it all. I'm sick to death of revisionist history for nothing but the tabloid nature of it pushing sales. It's gotten quite ridiculous.
nazis? lol
Deplorables!
My grandmother was a code breaker at Bletchley park but sadly passed away years ago
Have you had a look on our Roll of Honour to see if you can find out more about your Grandmother?
If you can't find her on there and have some more information, please do get in touch with us and we can amend/add a listing.
bletchleypark.org.uk/roll-of-honour
My name is Mrs Sheila Race my maiden name was Chetwynd.Anne Chetwynd Stapleton was listed
In the Role of Honour ..I would like to contact her daughter as I may be related to her
What an extraordinary film! Thank you for sharing it. A BIG thank you to those who worked at Bletchley Park - we owe them a debt of gratitude.
As an American watching the film, when I read the subtitles on the film I actually heard them with an English accent, which makes it extra special.
Arthur Perry We are so glad you enjoyed it Arthur! 😊
This is amazing. Not only B/W footage but some color footage too! Wow. Such a find.
God, wouldn’t it be amazing to see some footage from inside the Park and the remarkable people who worked there.
We are so pleased you enjoyed the footage! We are so lucky to have it as part of our collection.
I visited bletchley park. It was not only stunning all the artifacts and the historical preservation of this place was impeccable.. I felt like I went back in time and was experiencing wwii through my own lens ..
This is remarkable. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if any more people will spot relatives in the film? I do hope so. It would be wonderful for them and Bletchley Park Trust.
Thank you Kerry. We are very excited about the film.
Geoffery Pidgeon has been invaluable in helping us identify some of the people in the film, including his father, but we do hope that by sharing this film, we can identify more people!
To the Men and Women Of Bletchley Park. May we Never forget them, and what they have dun for Us all.
WIE TOLL.....
DIE TOTALE UMERZIEHUNG DER Der Deutschen.Die Vernichtung unseres Schulsysthems,die Vernichtung unserer Baukultur.
Nur weil AH sich aus dem Weltfinanzsysthem verabschiedet hat und mit dem Ausland getauscht hat,hat die City of Lodon nichts mehr verdient.
WIESO GEBT IHR DIE AKTE RUDOLF HESS NICHT FREI.....
Grateful for these heroes every single day
Thank you for your comment Sofia, we hope you enjoyed the film!
Absolutely sofia ❤
Lovely to see and great to hear Peronel and David giving their views and commentary. Roll on the day when Bletchley Park reopens.
Thank you Nick, we look forward to when we can open our doors again.
Where can I find the full video? As far as I know, my nan used two work for Bletchley during the war. Even after she got dementia, she could still remember Morse. Sadly she is no longer with us.
Clinton Sequerah-Salmon You can watch the original footage here: th-cam.com/video/bvVaFE5O3eY/w-d-xo.html
( a street near the Microsoft Campus outside Seattle was named for Alan Turing a few years ago )
Remarkable and strangely moving. Thank you for this! My Dad was in England during WWII (although not at Bletchley(as far as I know)).
Thank you Carolyn, we are glad you enjoyed the video!
Can we see the actual footage rather than 10 second snippets? I get the context thing but if it is so extraordinary at least put the footage at the end.
Doug Eisen Hi Doug, you can watch the original footage here: th-cam.com/video/bvVaFE5O3eY/w-d-xo.html
3:20 - Probably an officer seconded from a cavalry unit - they often wore coloured caps with khaki service dress.
What a wonderful little video. Remember history so we do not repeat it.
Thank you!
You did not learn about it. Just look around. 🙂
I wish i had people like this in my life
Thank you BP, my mother Rose Bunfield (Bunny) is now on the roll of honour, I still need to finalise docs asap. I love watching these videos and testimonies. Would anyone know a lady called Jelly? I think they both worked at Whaddon Park and BP .
Absolute heroes!! All of them!
Fantastic stuff -- very humbling to watch.
Thank you Robert!
I am reading Mr Pidgeon's book at the moment. Great stuff.
Great to hear Colin!
These people won the war, divine intervention with the sun revealing the enigma code then these geniuses doing the rest, everything during world war 2, the battle of kursk was the 1 that finally cracked the nazis, the battle of Berlin was more a waste of lives but you guys at Bletchley you were amazing
Thank you for your comment we are pleased you enjoyed our video!
I can't help but wonder if even a single math teacher of any of these remarkable people ever learned what miracles came from the seeds they planted.
We can only imagine that they would be immensely proud!
@@BletchleyParkTrust Oh my goodness, I know they are proud in heaven above!
What a wonderful story. However, I am wondering why the film transfer quality is so...basic? Today's digital telecine scanners, combined with judicious colour grading, dust, scratches and noise reduction and other enhancements could do wonders with this old footage (presumably 16mm). Was this just a quick initial transfer awaiting additional funding or support to do the comprehensive restoration this footage deserves? You have some excellent film restoration talent in the UK who could do another pass on this treasure and bring it even closer to life than it already is. Perhaps a dedicated online fundraising effort could be initiated for this purpose - I would contribute.
Hi David, thank you for your feedback and kind offer.
The film was 8mm and it was a digitised cinefilm donated to us along with the original canister. We really wanted to retain the original magic of this film rather than turn it into a HD full colour graded piece of film. It wouldn't have been seen in this way and we feel this gives an even bigger sense of the time from which it originates.
So very sad that our parents were silenced, I so wish that even in the 1990's they could have felt free to talk to family.
An era of utmost challenges,mayhem and the fight for survival just as it is now for the dreadful Corona virus.Mankind is always threatened by evil severely but we will prevail.
i feel that there is more to Bletchley Park than we are told. :/
I'd love to see the film in one whole piece not chopped up with interviews, it would be great just to watch it.
Suzy Gillett Hi Suzy, we’ve posted the original footage on our TH-cam channel. Check it out here th-cam.com/video/bvVaFE5O3eY/w-d-xo.html
my grandad albert bertie hagley .....we never knew what he did ..was a great artist amateur golfer etc ..had the york house cafe in weybridge (near brooklands factory)in surrey then find out after the 50 years he was involved in bletchley ..if anyone can shine more light on this ..would be nice
It is sad, that at the end of the war they destroyed some of the equipment from Bletchley Park, but I'm sure they felt it prudent.
Denke das sie ihre Verbrechen gegen das Deutsche Volk vertuschen wollten!
@@juttajehle1365 Decken Sie die Verbrechen deutscher Faschisten auf . . .
Deutsche Faschisten haben damit begonnen, die Welt hat es beendet.
Sei froh, dass dir keine Atombombe in den Arsch gerammt wurde.
(Das Brechen von Chiffren war etwas weniger schmerzhaft.)
@@nigelholmes9332 Genauso seid ihr,armer Kerl.
Uh, Bletchley park. One piece of the puzzle. You can't kill a spirit. The truth will always prevail.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing it. 🥰
We are glad you enjoyed it!
Is Alan Turing in the film footage?
Alan Turing isn’t in this film clip. This footage is of MI6 Section VIII members of staff at Whaddon Hall in Buckinghamshire, which was a site connected to the work at Bletchley Park. During World War Two, this was where Ultra intelligence produced by the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park would be sent, and then passed on to Allied commanders in the field.
Alan Turing was based at the main Bletchley Park site where cameras would have been strictly prohibited.
@@BletchleyParkTrust My dad (U.S. Army) had photos of groups of servicemen outdoors at Bletchley Park. Not surprising, however, if any indoor or more informative photos were prohibited.
Thank you all
Can we see the full original version anywhere now or at some time?
The gentleman at the 3min 25sec mark...When he took his glasses off I thought his nose and mustache were gonna come off too😂
Joking aside, this is a really cool find!
Thanks William, we are very lucky to have it. It really adds a human element to our history.
Very well done thank you
Superb!
Thank you Mark, we are pleased you enjoyed it!
@@BletchleyParkTrust My wife and I visited Bletchley Park during our London sojourn 2008-2010 and it was fabulous. Well done all!
Remarkable.
Thank you Sean, we are very lucky to have this film as part of our collection!
The fact is that it was was the three Polish engineers Rejewski, Różycki and Zygalski who are the ones that did in fact break the code first.
Thanks for your comment. We always acknowledge the contribution of the Polish Mathematicians in our exhibitions - we know they are very important to the Bletchley Park story.
Our exhibition, The Bombe Breakthrough tells the story of the early breaks in Enigma, and how it paved the way for future breaks. Do check out our Enigma 80 Twitter takeover where we share more insights about the Polish Codebreakers - twitter.com/i/events/1219991212347809795
...and look up the American Elizabeth Smith Friedman who went after Japanese submarines Enigma
The podcast "The World Beneath" covers her, from The Grat War to Inter-War Rum-Runners to WW2
@@markrossow6303 For a fascinating biography of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, read Jason Fagone's book, "The Woman Who Smashed Codes," 2017.
A wonderful film. The only problem with all things Bletchley is the almost complete ignorance of the man who started it all with his personal purchase of the house, Admiral Hugh Sinclair. The far-sighted Sinclair should be recognised far more than he is and not just as a side note to the marvellous Commander Alistair Denniston!
Thank you everyone for making me a free person.!
Brilliant what would we have done without those people they at Bletchley park
We need to get these girls to investigate our presidential election.
Very brave wonderful people jobs well done
Silent heroes everyone of them.
POEM CODE-
Code Word: BLETCHLEY
RCY IOG SGI ERN NFE EEP PFO TED AEX
Code Word: PARK
ENO IOR LON GHU
1 6 3 8 2 5 7 4 9
B L E T C H L E Y
R E S T I N P E A
C E G E O F F R E
Y P I D G E O N X
3 1 4 2
P A R K
L E G I
O N H O
N O U R
❤
It doesn't matter that Turing was non-binary. There were Girls too!
Kanaaniter...!