With the imminent release of the ‘Imitation Game’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing there’s a big interest in the espionage and code-breaking of Bletchley Park during WW2. It turns out that some of those British Intelligence agents were actually recruited through the Daily Telegraph Crossword Puzzle.

Following complaints in 1942 that the Daily Telegraph’s crossword was too easy the paper’s then editor, arranged a competition in the newsroom on Fleet Street. People were asked to come in and complete the crossword in 12 minutes. Five people managed it.

The next day, 13th January 1942, the Telegraph reprinted the crossword and asked the public to have a go. Unknown at the time was that British Intelligence were watching all of this. Many of the skills used in a crossword are very similar to what’s needed when you’re trying to decipher coded intelligence. As a result some of the contestants in the crossword challenge were contacted by the War Office and asked to come and work in the code-breaking division at the famous Bletchely Park where they attempted to break German military code.

This Saturday on Futureproof we hear all about this from Michael Smith, the author of Station X: The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park. Michael began his own working life in the Intelligence Division in the British Army.

Why not give the crossword a go yourself. If you can complete it in 12 minutes or less you may need to change careers. Answers at bottom of page, don’t cheat.

 

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^{Telegraph Crossword Answers Across: 1 Troupe, 4 Short cut, 9 Privet, 10 Aromatic, 12 Trend, 13 Great deal, 15 Owe, 16 Feign, 17 Newark, 22 Impale, 24 Guise, 27 Ash, 28 Centre bit, 31 Token, 32 Lame dogs, 33 Racing, 34 Silencer, 35 Alight. Down: 1 Tipstaff, 2 Olive oil, 3 Pseudonym, 5 Horde, 6 Remit, 7 Cutter, 8 Tackle, 11 Agenda, 14 Ada, 18 Wreath, 19 Right nail, 20 Tinkling, 21 Sennight, 23 Pie, 25 Scales, 26 Enamel, 29 Rodin, 30 Bogie.}