The First Numbers Stations

by Ryan S on November 30th, 2014

Summary

As mentioned in the article “World War I: 100 Years of Espionage” the first known instance of a numbers station was in WWI.  Issue 12 of the original ENIGMA newsletter wrote about the earliest known listener, Anton Habsburg.  He listened in on a few of the enemies stations and wrote down about 30 pages of material every day and would drop them off at the War Office.  This story was originally featured in the Austrian radio program “Kurzwellenpanorama” (Shortwave Panorama).  Also as mentioned in the article, the station(s) were likely in Morse code.

“Letters To ENIGMA” ENL #12

The following is the direct passage from ENIGMA Newsletter #12.

“Who was the first numbers station listener? Well Andreas in Germany may have tracked him down…

The following is taken from a feature “Kurzwellenpanorama” (Shortwave Panorama) about one of the most interesting Austrian radio pioneers, Anton Habsburg.  He was born in 1901 and as a little boy became interested in radio.  He had a room, built some equipment and learned Morse code.  Because of his position in the Austrian monarchy he had no judicial problems with his activites…..READ MORE

 

 

 

 

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