ULTRA - 4

[Richard T Eger]

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Rabe Anton
Luftwaffe Anti-partisan Ops in Yugoslavia
Mon Jul 19, 2026 17:18
132.60.240.80

You probably won't like this, but it's a fact nonetheless.
ULTRA Main Series of Signals to Allied Units in the Field
(104 rolls in Series I, 39 rolls in Series II) (Clearwater Publishing, 1979) on 35mm microfilm is one of the best (and least appreciated) sources for Luftwaffe operations in the Balkans. A goldmine of information if you're willing to go after it. The original messages, of course, are in the Public Record Office at Kew, England. I thank Steve W. for putting me onto this invaluable source some years ago. If you find some substantial literature on anti-partisan ops, please let us know. It is not a pleasant subject, and it seems little has been written about it.

RA

[Richard T Eger]

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Steve W.
Clearwater
Sat Jul 31, 2026 23:35
149.174.164.19

"Question for Steve W and Rabe Anton: could you explain me a little bit more about the Clearwater microfilm rolls."

Clearwater, which had its offices in Tampa, Florida, at the time, won a contract from the PRO in London to microfilm all ± 50,000 "ULTRA signals to the field commands" that were part of PRO record group DEFE 3. Some 140+ rolls of 35 mm microfilm were produced between 1976 and 1978. These were then sold as positive copy sets to universities and libraries, mostly in North America. In the early 1980's Garland Publishing in New York City purchased Clearwater.

I do not know if the microfilms are still available for purchase. You might try an internet search for Garland Publishing and see if they have an on-line catalog.

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Rabe Anton
ULTRA on Microfilm
Sun Aug 1, 2026 15:09
64.12.116.71

Further to Steve W.'s excellent comments on ULTRA on microfilm.

In addition to the 104 rolls comprising Series I, a further 39 rolls make up Series II. These were produced in ca. 1979-1980 and cover late March 1943-ca. mid-August 1943.
For some bizarre reason, about a dozen rolls in Series II are duplicates of other rolls, so that in effect one actually has only about 20-25 rolls to explore.

I might add that using the ULTRA microfilm is a chancy and time-consuming business for many reasons. First, of course, the Germans sent only a part of their Enigma traffic over the radio, and only a part of that was intercepted and decrypted. Because of the watery expanses and because of the weakness of the telephone net, a disproportionate amount of ULTRA messages were intercepted in the Mediterranean Theatre. Conversely, very little traffic for northwestern Europe was snagged until after D-Day.

Of course, only a part of the total volume of intercepted messages concerned Luftwaffe activities, so that only about 25 percent of the content of the ULTRA microfilm represents Luftwaffe intelligence.

In short, confronting ULTRA material is a daunting proposition. On the other hand, as Nick Beale and others will testify, there is no substitute for it. For many many Luftwaffe subjects, the failure to include ULTRA as a research source is a failure to get the whole truth.

RA

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Mikael Olrog
Follow on question...
Sun Aug 1, 2026 20:00
213.89.145.2

Is there any registry or directory of some sort either in different archives or made by private individuals? Or is the only option to "confront" the material head-on and hope to come out alive at the other end with some valuble pieces of information relating to ones subject of interest.

It sounds like it could be very rewarding, but also that there is a high risk involved when it comes to time and money, especially if one has to travel to PRO (or appropriate archive) and arrange lodging etc.

/Mikael

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve W.
ULTRA signals
Sun Aug 1, 2026 23:03
205.188.116.83

The c. 50,000 messages are arranged chronologically and assigned a two-letter designator, e.g., VL, XL, ML, KV, etc. Most of designators cover 9,999 ULTRA messages, e.g., ML1 - ML9999. The content guide provides a time frame reference for each block of 250 or so messages, e.g., VL3001-3250 (1-5 Jan 44). Outside of that, there is no index or other finding aid. This arrangement holds true for both the paper copies at the PRO in London and the Clearwater microfilms.

By the early 1990's, Garland Publishing in New York had sold the ULTRA microfilm negatives to CIS Academic Editions, 4520 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20264-3389, toll-free telephone number 800-638-8380. The price of individual rolls (reels) at that time was $55.00. Since then, CIS has changed its name and I don't remember what the new name is.

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Boris Ciglic
Thanks to all for these valuable comments (nm)
Mon Aug 2, 2026 22:53
212.124.160.6

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Don Caldwell
[email protected]
For what it's worth....
Wed Aug 4, 2026 05:35
216.176.25.245

....I worked my way thru the main series of Clearwater rolls in about two years, at no cost to me, thru interlibrary loan. All it takes is a sharp librarian who can find them and a home microfilm reader. The density of useful (Luftwaffe) messages is low, but scanning can be done at the rate the crank can be turned. A two week loan of five rolls was about right, working only weekends and at night on them.

Good luck!

Don

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Nick Beale
ULTRA
Sun Aug 1, 2026 23:45
80.225.123.107

I've been tackling ULTRA "head on" since 1990, and then only in the period from January 1944 to the end of the war (the period most of my projects fall within).

The messages themsleves give some help when they include comments directing you to previous messages on the same subject. For that reason, there is some sense in starting at the end of the period that interests you and working backwards. You just have to commit the time and if there's an easier/quicker way then I overlooked it so far!

Also, there is so much fascinating information that it is easy to get distracted from what you should be looking for.

As far as I have noticed, there is a lot of material there from Flifü Kroatien. In 1944 this mainly (but not exclusively) refers to Nahaufklärungsstaffel Kroatien, NSG 7 and NAG 12. It looks as if there is detail of almost every mission NAG 12 flew, there is so much about this unit.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Andrew Arthy
Re: Follow on question...
Mon Aug 2, 2026 02:03
129.180.1.124

Hi Mikael,

I have gathered a bit of ULTRA, but I use a researcher at the National Archives/PRO, rather than the microfilms mentioned by Steve and Rabe.

I've got ULTRA from the HW 1 and HW 5 series. The former are high-level signals sent to Churchill, and the latter are low-level signals.

There are summaries available for the HW 1 series. Just go to the National Archives catalogue, type in a HW 1 reference, and see what you come up with, e.g. HW 1/965: "North Africa: orders to prevent losses of aircraft on ground due to air raids Oct 10 details of supplies and reinforcements required by German Forces in Africa, Oct 8 forward movements of Allied reinforcements, estimates of Allied aircraft shot down, PM instruction to C on release of information to Middle East Forces, Oct 12."

Every HW 1 reference for the war has a summary, and I found it was a very useful way to start collecting ULTRA for my research projects.

Cheers,
Andrew A.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Nick Beale
HW1 series Ultra
Mon Aug 2, 2026 14:16
212.104.129.221

Just to add to what Andrew said... The HW1 file series are Ultras that were thought worthy of Churchill's attention and as such they are only a tiny selection of the tens of thousands of items in the DEFE3 series at the UK National Archives.

The great advantage of the HW1s is that you get both the message as relayed to Allied commands (i.e. what's in DEFE3) AND the original translation of the German signal. This will sometimes give greater detail but may also be harder to understand. The Germans used nonsense words like GEKOZ and GAMOZ to denote different command levels. These appear in the original translation but are turned into some thing recognisable (e.g. Jagdkorps II) in the signals that went out to Allied Commands

It seems Churchill had problems with the 24 hour clock because, for example, "14.00 hours" will be annotated in the margin as "2 p.m."

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Mikael Olrog
Gentlemen, thank you!
Mon Aug 2, 2026 09:59
213.89.145.2

Thanks for your very informative and helpful replies.

I will definitely devote time to these files when I go back to PRO next time.

Best wishes
/Mikael

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Rabe Anton
[email protected]
ULTRA Related
Mon Aug 2, 2026 17:14
132.60.240.80

Mikael,

If you will send your e-mail address, I can perhaps help you further with the question of ULTRA messages.

RA

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Larry Hickey
Early-war ULTRA
Tue Aug 3, 2026 10:47
67.173.250.240

Rabe,

It is my understanding that there is not much in the way of detailed Luftwaffe messages for the period of my primary interest--1939-40. Is that true, or am I missing an important treasure trove of information by not spending much time on that subject?

Thanx

Larry Hickey

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Rabe Anton
Early ULTRA
Tue Aug 3, 2026 14:39
132.60.240.80

Not much for 1940 for two reasons: (1) Decrypting an Enigma message at this time remained a very slow and chancy process (it was before the "Bombe"), and (2) As said before, the land line net in northwestern Europe was very good, and the Germans usually preferred telex over wire rather than wireless communications. Bottom line: relatively low volume of ULTRA traffic before 1942, at least.

RA

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Franek Grabowski
Early ULTRA
Mon Aug 9, 2026 16:34
213.25.54.73

I stand to be corrected but the Bombe or Bomba was pre-war Polish invention. In 1940 Germans added another rotor to Enigma, thus multiplying combinations of code. Subsequently it caused serious delays with decryptage.
Franek

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Mark R.
[email protected]
Schlachtgeschwader Chain of Command
Tue Aug 24, 2026 23:42
141.116.72.189

Hello, this is my first time posting anything, however, I am very impressed with the depth of knowledge I have seen on this site. Plus I recognize a number of authors names...
I normally do not research LW topics, but having just finished editing the Seventh Army War Diaries for Normandy, I decided to examine the Luftwaffe's participation in that campaign a bit more closely. On the surface, it seems as if the LW did more than the ordinary landser (or his commander) would give them credit for. If anything, German pilots faced even more daunting odds than infantry or panzer soldiers. In my initial bout of research (prior to recieving two orders from the PRO and a planned trip to Maxwell AFB) within whose chain of command did SG 101 and SG 103 fall? I do not see them listed under Luftflotte 3. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I hope to be able to return the favor soon.

Sincerely,

Mark Reardon

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve W.
SG 101 and SG 103
Wed Aug 25, 2026 00:37
64.12.116.81

These were training (school) Geschwader that came under the training chain of command. Nearly all matters involving chain of command subordination break down into (1) administrative, (2) operational/tactical, (3) discipline, and (4) housekeeping. In some cases a unit could report to separate bosses for all four of these. So to be more specific you will have to tell us the exact date you are concerned with and which subordination you are interested in.

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Mark R.
Thanks
Wed Aug 25, 2026 03:40
209.247.222.108

Steve,

My original interest stems from the listing of Luftflotte III assets available to respond to the invasion yet SG 101 and SG 103 were not listed. However, they appeared in operational ULTRA traffic. At least one Gruppe of SG 103 appears to have been caught by American fighters on D-Day (hence you could say they were theoretically "available").Your response makes sense based on the material I have found that discusses these units. They are not listed under Luftflotte III but apparently Fliegerkorps II had some operational arrangement with SG 103 for a short period of time. I based this assumption on an ULTRA message (KV 7138 dated 091705Z/6/44 in which Fliegerkorps II mentions that "I Gruppe SG 103 at Le Mans is being withdrawn from operations" during its update on unit dispositions for 8 June. Obviously I/SG 103 was placed under the operational control of II Fliegerkorps (from some losing organization of course) for a short period of time. I am also assuming that I/SG 103 was the Gruppe equipped with JU-87's that lost eleven aircraft to the 339th and 355th Fighter Groups near Orleans on 6 June.

The references to elements of SG 101 (6th Staffel and Stab Kompanie to be precise) were found in an ULTRA message KV 7472 dated 111412Z/6/44 that reported the transfer on 9 June 44 of that unit from Clermont Ferrand to Bruenn. This report was made by the GAF Station Commander.

I have seen mention of an organization designated 4th Training Fliegerdivision that seemed interested in goings on at Clermont Ferrand. I think that this possibly could be the original parent headquarters of SG 101 and SG 103.

Many thanks for your helpful response.

Sincerely,

Mark

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve W.
Addendum
Wed Aug 25, 2026 16:29
205.188.116.80

SG 101 (Kommodore Maj. Friedrich Lang), which came under 4. Fliegerschuldivision/Luftflottenkdo. 10, was nearly wiped out on the ground at Clermont-Ferrand on 30 April 1944 by 117 8th AAF B-17s. It reported 38 Fw 190s, Hs 129s, Ar 96s, Fw 58s, Bü 133s and W 34s destroyed or damaged. The Geschwader immediately packed its bags and departed for Brünn, and was operating from there by 4 May. A few aircraft remained under repair in the workshops at Clermont-Ferrand with the last of these departing for Czechoslovakia on or about 9 June. SG 101 played absolutely no role in Normandy.

SG 103 (Kommodore Oberst Clemens, Graf von Schönborn) was based at Metz-Frescaty under 3. Fliegerschuldivision/Luftflottenkdo. 10 with Fw 190s and Ju 87s. On 6 June 1944 an all-Stuka Einsatzstaffel was quickly assembled and dispatched to Le Mans to carry out early morning attacks on invasion shipping off the Normandy beaches in the Caen area on 7 June. The Einsatzstaffel was intercepted by U.S. fighters in the vicinity of Voves/24 km SSE of Chartres and destroyed. The Staffel lost 4 Ju 87s shot down, 5 more damaged, 3 crew KIA, 11 WIA and 2 MIA. Needless to say, no combat missions were flown the next day by the Einsatzstaffel. There is no indication from German records that SG 103 took any further part in operations over Normandy. It returned to its training activities at Metz-Frescaty under 3. Fliegerschuldivision.

HTH,

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Mark R.
Addendum
Wed Aug 25, 2026 19:57
141.116.72.189

Steve,

It helped immensely and makes sense given the relatively few mentions of those units in the many pages of ULTRA messages that I have collected so far. I have found that its easier to obtain information on fighter units as opposed to bomber, ground-attack, and reconnaissance units. However, I think I will hold off a bit on questions until after my trip to AFHRC at Maxwell AFB. Appreciate your time and patience.

[Richard T Eger]

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Steve W.
Flakscheinw.Abt. 360(v)
Wed Aug 25, 2026 15:16
205.188.116.80

You won't find the details you are looking for on the Internet, that's for sure.

I have researched through all of the surviving Flak records held by BA-MA Freiburg, including a few that deal with Normandy in June 1944, but there was no mention of this Abteilung.

ULTRA signal KV6627 identifies it at Friedrichshafen as part of Flakgruppe Friedrichshafen on 27 May 1944. The fact that an Enigma radio signal containing this information was intercepted strongly suggests that the Abteilung was either in transfer or about to be transferred on that date. There is no further mention of it in either Allied or German documents, at least not that I've been able to find.

Georg Tessin says it was "disbanded in France in 1944."

Your only hope, it seems, will be to try and located some other veterans who belonged to 360 at the time, although there are probably few (if any) still alive. These searchlight units were usually manned by personnel from the older age groups who would be around 90 or older today.

Steve W.