U534


Bild "The U534 messages:U534_k.jpg"
U 534 at Birkenhead Docks
German submarine U-534 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. She was built in 1942 in Hamburg-Finkenwerder by Deutsche Werft AG as 'werk' 352. She was launched on 23 September 1942 and commissioned on 23 December with Oberleutnant Herbert Nollau in command.
The U-boat is one of only four German WWII submarines in preserved condition remaining in the world, the only other IXC boat being U-505 in Chicago, USA. This boat was used mainly for training duties, and during her life sank no other ships. A Royal Air Force bomber sank her on 5 May 1945 in the Kattegat some 20 kilometers northeast of the Danish island of Anholt. U-534 was salvaged in 1993 and since February 2009 has been on display in Birkenhead as part of the U-boat Story.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

There are rumors about irregular ENIGMA machines used on U 534. We disproved this: All messages decrypts on standard M4 machines.

Bild "Enigma Printer"
Enigma Schreibmax device
Some M4 Enigmas used the Schreibmax, a small printer that could print the 26 letters on a narrow paper ribbon. This eliminated the need for a second operator to read the lamps and transcribe the letters. The Schreibmax was placed on top of the Enigma machine and was connected to the lamp panel. To install the printer, the lamp cover and light bulbs had to be removed. It improved both convenience and operational security. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Picture: Ben Slivka CC BY-SA 3.0

Bild "Enigma paper strip Schreibmax"
Schreibmax paper strip U534
There is a clue that the radio operators from U534 used a "Schreibmax" printer device for the Enigma M4 machine. On the left hand side you can see a printed paper strip. It contains plaintext from Message P1030660. Maybe this is the reason, why there is no hand written plaintext on the most of the U 534 cipher forms.