Secret Codes and the American POW

Since I was a young boy, all things intelligence, investigation and law have been sources of fascination and passion. James Bond, "Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "Mission Impossible" and a host of others could hold me in rapt attention.

Granted, a lot of what I observed after going active reminded me more of Maxwell Smart or Inspector Clouseau... but I digress.

One of the many disciplines of intense study focused on the use of secret codes (cryptography) coupled with concealment devices throughout history.

The image below is a variation on a code that was developed and used by American POW's in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Contact was severely restricted and punished among the "guests," so the messages were tapped out on the cell walls to share information and encouragement.

The letter "C" would also used for the letter "K" due to the identical letter sounds. The letters would be composed of, say the number across, a short pause, and the number down. The process was painfully slow, yet time was one commodity that was not in short supply.

To prevent detection, a small portion of the water ration might be "spilled" onto the floor just outside a cell, or some of the rice ration. An approaching guard would either be seen reflected in the water puddle or by the sounds of rats scurrying away from the rice.

These communications helped many a service member hold onto his sanity and morale.