Athens Enigma Mystery Cache

The Enigma cipher machine, invented by Arthur Scherbius, was perhaps the first modern cryptographic system: it did not rely on keeping the method of encryption secret, but on the encryption key. The Enigma had a number of moving encryption rotors (Walzen) with settable rings, and the key consisted of knowing which rotors to use, and their initial position. A plug board (Steckerbrett) that transposed letters further complicated the settings.

To find this puzzle cache, you will need to decipher the cache coordinates. To do this, you will need an Enigma machine. There were basically 3 versions of the Enigma machine: the 3-rotor Wehrmacht & Luftwaffe model, the 3-rotor M3 used by the Kriegsmarine (Navy) and the 4-rotor M4, also used by the Kriegsmarine. In addition to these 3 or 4 rotors, there was one more rotor inside the machine, called the reflecting rotor (Umkehrwalze or UKW). There are several emulators available on the internet, and most of them will allow you to specify the model and settings of the machine. Some of them use English and some use German for their settings, so I have used both in my description, to help you set up your machine.

For this puzzle, you will need a 3-rotor Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe machine, with the "B" reflecting rotor (UKW). Set your machine as follows:

Rotors used (Walzenlage)
IV III V

Reflecting Rotor (Umkehrwalze): B

Ring setting (Ringstellung)
01 01 01
(that is, use the ring initial position of 01 or A on all 3 rotors - usually the default)

Plug connections (Steckerverbindungen)
None.

The settings you have just performed on your Enigma are part of the cryptographic key, but to keep this puzzle relatively simple, I have provided them for you. Also for simplicity, we are not changing the rotor ring settings from their default position of 1, and we are not using plug connections (Steckerverbindungen).

There is one more piece of the key missing, and this is the initial setting on the 3 rotors - the three initial letters to set your rotors and start decoding.

To find the 3 letter Enigma key, you will need to go to the initial coordinates given for the cache. There, you will find a statue made out of black stone. On it, there are two words engraved. The first word has four letters - take the first three letters as your Enigma key. Set your rotors, and decode the following message:

IFKIN OXPBU ELULE UEHNF KVJCW
XCTWM AFEFZ VGUVA CTASQ CYIAM
GEBFH DXRWK UOFNY JJWPI FUESJ
JGYUR IRAQI XQAPP QQ

The Enigma machine only supports letters. There are no spaces, and the following abbreviations are used:

XX = colon (:)
X = period (.)
ZZ = comma (,) - this is the decimal separator

The 5-letter groupings above mean nothing, it's the way that Enigma output was usually grouped for transmission.

Once you have the coordinates, the cache itself should be easy to find. It is a tupper container, placed under a bush and covered with rocks. No bushwhacking is needed - just go around the bush if it's in your way! Please note that the actual cache location is only accessible during the day (public park).

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

NOTE: This cache may require two trips, one to get the 3-letter key, then back home to decode it, and then another trip to the actual cache, unless you bring your Enigma machien or your laptop along - the two stages are not that far apart.

For out-of-town geocachers, who may not have the opportunity to make two trips, I will email you the 3-letter key upon request so you can do your decryption at home. On the other hand, if you bring along a real Enigma machine to decode the cache, I would like to meet you and see this for myself!!!