The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau
how Australia's signals-intelligence network helped win the Pacific War
Published on 3. August 2017
Book
Hardback
464 pages
978-1-911344-71-1 (ISBN)
Description
Alan Turing saved millions of lives. But Bletchley Park wasn't the only major code-breaking operation during World War II. Down under, there was Central Bureau.
Central Bureau - Australia's own large and sophisticated intelligence network, built from scratch. It was this group of mathematicians, code-breakers, and radio experts who intercepted the travel plans of the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, Admiral Yamamoto, leading to his ambush and death. Australian signals intelligence also played a vital role in the battles of the Coral Sea, Milne Bay, Hollandia, and many others. General Douglas MacArthur, the supreme commander of the local Allied forces, went so far as to insist that the men of Central Bureau accompany him on his counter-attack in the Pacific.
After the war, the US sought to give these non-combatants the highest awards possible - honours that were suppressed by the Australian government in their need for secrecy. A groundbreaking work of military history, The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau gives these talented and dedicated individuals their due at last. It is a rich account of the shadowy side of military strength and of the men and women whose work was, in the words of the US navy, of 'immeasurable importance in the successful prosecution' of the Pacific War.
Central Bureau - Australia's own large and sophisticated intelligence network, built from scratch. It was this group of mathematicians, code-breakers, and radio experts who intercepted the travel plans of the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, Admiral Yamamoto, leading to his ambush and death. Australian signals intelligence also played a vital role in the battles of the Coral Sea, Milne Bay, Hollandia, and many others. General Douglas MacArthur, the supreme commander of the local Allied forces, went so far as to insist that the men of Central Bureau accompany him on his counter-attack in the Pacific.
After the war, the US sought to give these non-combatants the highest awards possible - honours that were suppressed by the Australian government in their need for secrecy. A groundbreaking work of military history, The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau gives these talented and dedicated individuals their due at last. It is a rich account of the shadowy side of military strength and of the men and women whose work was, in the words of the US navy, of 'immeasurable importance in the successful prosecution' of the Pacific War.
Reviews / Votes
'Who knew? This enthralling study tells a deeply human story. The men and women who gave our troops a significant edge in the fight against the Japanese are the genuine heroes in this engaging and exciting book.' -- Michael McKernan, author of <i>The Strength of a Nation</i> and <i>When This Thing Happened</i> 'This is history and military strategy written at its most engaging.' * Waikato Times * 'The author weaves a true tale of intrigue, remarkable perseverance, urgency, and good luck.' * Hawkes Bay Weekend * 'A delightfully and thoroughly engaging story of the emergence of the Australian contribution to the signals and radio interception intelligence ... Dufty's writing style is light and easy to read, reminiscent of other contemporary historical narratives that tell a series of stories, most notably the emphasis of the human story associated with these experiences.' -- Rhys Ball * NZ International Review *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 39 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-911344-71-1 (9781911344711)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
David Dufty
Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau
how Australia's signals-intelligence network helped win the Pacific War
E-Book
06/2017
Scribe Publications Pty Ltd
€34.49
Available for download
Person
David Dufty is a Canberra-based writer and researcher. He completed a psychology degree with honours at the University of Newcastle, has a PhD in psychology from Macquarie University, and has worked as a statistician and social researcher at the University of Memphis, Newspoll, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. His previous book, How to Build an Android, described modern developments in robotics and artificial intelligence.