TheCodeBreakers
m. the
operation went off without the least hint of enemy interference. It seems
likely that had the Japanese solved these elementary enciphered
messages, they would have taken some action against the rescuers or the
rescued or both. They did nothing. If their communications intelligence
had been better, how might contemporary history have been changed!
Their failure sharpens the contrast with Allied successes. For Allied
cryptanalysts—which in the Pacific meant mostly Americans—galloped
like Tartars through the phalanxed ranks of a legion of Japanese
cryptosystems. They ravaged and plundered with a prodigality that did
not trifle with petty matters. One system, when solved, proved to be used
by direction-finding teams; though this might have afforded some
indirect clues to Japanese attacks, it was cast aside for richer treasure.
Commander Dyer estimated that American cryptanalysts demolished 75
Japanese naval codes during the war.