A Curious Discovery in The Telegraph
In May 1944, weeks before the D-Day invasion, British intelligence noticed unusual activity in the Daily Telegraph crossword. Key codenames like “Utah,” “Omaha,” “Overlord,” and “Neptune,” crucial to the Allied invasion plans, appeared as answers in the puzzles.
Alarm Bells at MI5
The repeated appearance of these sensitive terms triggered alarm within MI5. The authorities feared a security breach, suspecting the crossword’s creator, Leonard Dawe, might be leaking classified information. Dawe, a school headmaster, was interrogated by intelligence officials.
The Innocent Explanation
After investigation, it turned out the inclusion of the words was coincidental. Dawe often allowed students to suggest words for his puzzles, and they may have picked up military terms from overhearing soldiers stationed nearby.
D-Day Went Ahead as Planned
Despite the scare, the breach was deemed unintentional, and the D-Day invasion proceeded successfully.
In May 1944, weeks before the D-Day invasion, British intelligence noticed unusual activity in the Daily Telegraphcrossword. Key codenames like “Utah,” “Omaha,” “Overlord,” and “Neptune,” crucial to the Allied invasion plans, appeared as answers in the puzzles. pic.twitter.com/ku9GowdVa7
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