The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau

how Australia's signals-intelligence network shortened the Pacific War

By: David Dufty

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Paperback | 28 February 2023

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464 Pages

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23.5 x 15.5 x 3.5

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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.

About the Author

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.

Industry Reviews

'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 The Strength of a Nation and When This Thing Happened

'This is history and military strategy written at its most engaging.' - Waikato Times

'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

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