Cryptography Machine Series M-209 Mystery Cache

A series of puzzles featuring cryptography machines

Cache is Not at the posted coordinates!

It’s October 1944, you’re a PFC in the 3rd infantry division somewhere in the Vosges Mountains in eastern France. Your unit has lost some men since you landed in Southern France back in August, among them, your friend Tim. Tim was the radio operator, and when he was injured yesterday, you sort of took over his duties. This morning, you received a coded message from headquarters. The CO believes it contains important orders and directions for your unit. Before Tim was taken to the rear for treatment, he gave you a key sheet and the instruction manual for the M-209 converter. Your unit is counting on you! Decipher the code!

KKTEF UFHXA PBBTH THFXZ WQHVP JNSYO GCPZI QHDOW DWQZK UVSCW SKRCO WXSPC BLWXN EIGSR KJXIM YKHSJ SSOES YKRJY WSTHW IBNAY GSDBR IZDQC GTKNS MKVUW YSARY QYKJT GZVGZ IFXDV WNMSX TOTSC SNKUI VWXOB GCQJZ WTLPC KSIHE VGFJG YCXKM EWDKY PSCTC ONIOG FRNGB VXPRR AZXYV KTLTR BILSO PSNYQ BGRMD IFJBO HJCGS BOXBS EEJPG OHXMR ZGRSE YPCZN LCPNF YZNPL DRKCB TRTOE YXUIA ZNYXW OYRJV HUBSV DKFST SNXFP NXZDT BRKZN TEKPD THPDB URIZJ LJIDJ TPKOR AKCGO OCJPI OLGJB YNGVM DNVJI KIBNW VSIBX KKTEF UFHXA

In cryptography, the M-209, designated CSP-1500 by the Navy (C-38 by the manufacturer) is a portable, mechanical cipher machine used by the US military primarily in World War II, though it remained in active use through the Korean War. The M-209 was designed by Swedish cryptographer Boris Hagelin in response to a request for such a portable cipher machine, and was an improvement of an earlier machine, the C-36.
The M-209 is about the size of a lunchbox, in its final form measuring 3.25 by 5.5 by 7 inches (83 by 140 by 178 mm). It represented a brilliant achievement for pre-electronic technology.

Image and accompanying information, Copyright:Rijmenants, Dirk. Cipher Machines & Cryptology

For history and more information on these amazing machines:http://www.cryptomuseum.com/