Wilhelm Fenner
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Wilhelm Fenner (14 April 1891 in Saint Petersburg, 25 July 1961)[1][2] was a German cryptanalyst, before and during the time of World War II in the OKW/Chi, the Cipher Department of the High Command of the Wehrmacht, working within the main cryptanalysis group, and entrusted with deciphering enemy message traffic (Cryptography).[3] Wilhelm Fenner was considered an excellent organizer, an anti-Nazi, an anti-Bolshevik and a confirmed Protestant and was known by colleagues as someone who was keen to continue working in cryptology after World War II.[4] To quote military historian David Alvarez:[5]
- Wilhelm Fenner was the central figure in the evolution of the German Cipher Bureau between 1922 and 1939, and a major personality in the history of German communications intelligence in the interwar period. Under his direction, the Cipher Bureau evolved into a highly professional communications intelligence service, which scored impressive cryptanalytic successes against the diplomatic and military systems of many countries.
Quick Facts Wilhem Fenner, Born ...
Wilhem Fenner | |
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Born | Wilhelm Fenner 14 April 1891 (1891-04-14) |
Died | 25 July 1961(1961-07-25) (aged 70) Unknown |
Nationality | German |
Occupation | Engineer |
Spouse | Elise Sophie Katharine von Blanckensee |
Parent(s) | Heinrich Gottlieb Fenner, Charlotte Georgine Fenner |
Engineering career | |
Discipline | Cryptography |
Institutions | Royal Institute of Technology |
Significant advance | Cryptology |
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