Nationality: USA – US Army

Year/time: World War II (1943)

Shared by: Bertrand F.

In detail: This typewriter-like machine is actually a US Army Converter M209 encryptor. This is a mechanical coding apparatus designed for the encryption and decryption of secret messages. It had to be destroyed before being captured, which explains the scarcity of this type of equipment. Stowed in a canvas cover, it can be worn as a shoulder or belt, as seen on some known shots of paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division ready to jump in Normandy. This model B, there is also a version A to the different coding system, is new. Encrypted messages could then be attached to the paw of a traveling pigeon.