Update 2025

Last year I did a lot of research on the Typex and M-209 cipher machines. While researching the Typex I also found interesting information on the lesser-known Combined Cipher Machine. This device was widely used by the US and British armed forces in WWII and in the 1950’s yet there are only a few references in books and these do not include details on its operation and message procedures.

For this reason, I decided to write the detailed essay ‘The Combined Cipher Machine 1942-1962’.

I’ve also uploaded the files ‘CCM 1943-45’ (from the US National Archives) and a Typex and CCM distribution list from 1945 (from the British National Archives).

The Combined Cipher machine - 1942-1962

Cipher machines were extensively used by both the Axis and the Allies during WWII.

The Germans had the Enigma, the Lorenz SZ 40/42 and the Siemens T-52.

The Japanese had the Type B Cipher Machine (Angooki Taipu B).

The Americans had the Converter M-134-C (SIGABA) and the Hagelin M-209.

The British had the Typex.

Another machine that became increasingly important for the Allies, in the period 1943-45, was the Combined Cipher Machine - CCM. Unfortunately, this machine has not received a lot of attention from historians because there is limited information available on its internal operation and use in the field.

Here I have attempted to present information on the CCM from various sources that are not easy to find (the timelines section has detailed sources):