Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
On the 8 February 1941, four Americans arrived at Bletchley Park for a meeting with Alastair Denniston, then Head of the Government Code and Cypher School.
It was to prove an important turning point in the history of both the UK and the US. That night, as intelligence secrets were shared, the Special Relationship was founded. That alliance continues to be crucial to both nations today.
Join Bletchley Park as we share fascinating stories from our Collections exploring how this alliance began and what it involved: bletchleypark.org.uk/news/bletchley-parks-special-relationship
#BPSpecialRelationship #WhenTheAmericansCame
American’s at Bletchley Park 00:10
Commander Alastair Denniston 00:25
Abraham Sinkov 00:36
Leo Rosen 00:41
Prescott Currier 00:43
Robert Weeks 00:43
HMS King George V 00:51
Purple Analogue 01:30
Japanese codes 01:30
Bombe machine 01:35
Intelligence alliance 02:02
IMAGE CREDITS:
Abraham Sinkov , Leo Rosen, Prescott Currier , Robert Weeks, Purple Analogue - All courtesy of the National Cryptologic Museum.
Commander Alastair Denniston, Bombe machine, Bombe blueprints, Bombe technical drawings, Secret stamp front cover page, Hinsley Travis Tiltman Nov 1945 All Crown Copyright. Reproduced by kind permission, Director GCHQ.
Discover More
Become a Friend: bit.ly/2PNhRen
Bletchley Park Roll of Honour: bit.ly/2x96pmG
Visit Bletchley Park: bit.ly/2vBFKyK
Bletchley Park Podcast
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3tubepIcPUs2lHJXfCtOU2
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/bletchley-park/id550861736
AudioBoom: audioboom.com/channel/bletchley-park
Facebook: facebook.com/Bletchleypark1/
Twitter: twitter.com/bletchleypark
Instagram: instagram.com/bletchleyparkuk
About Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum, open daily to visitors.
It was the home of British World War Two codebreaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to make groundbreaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.
This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks.
During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war.
The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.
The Bletchley Park Trust
Bletchley Park Trust is a registered charity, heritage attraction and independent museum. As an independent charity, we rely on income from our visitors, Friends and supporters to secure the long-term future of the site.
Registered charity number: 1012743
On the 8 February 1941, four Americans arrived at Bletchley Park for a meeting with Alastair Denniston, then Head of the Government Code and Cypher School.
It was to prove an important turning point in the history of both the UK and the US. That night, as intelligence secrets were shared, the Special Relationship was founded. That alliance continues to be crucial to both nations today.
Join Bletchley Park as we share fascinating stories from our Collections exploring how this alliance began and what it involved: bletchleypark.org.uk/news/bletchley-parks-special-relationship
#BPSpecialRelationship #WhenTheAmericansCame
American’s at Bletchley Park 00:10
Commander Alastair Denniston 00:25
Abraham Sinkov 00:36
Leo Rosen 00:41
Prescott Currier 00:43
Robert Weeks 00:43
HMS King George V 00:51
Purple Analogue 01:30
Japanese codes 01:30
Bombe machine 01:35
Intelligence alliance 02:02
IMAGE CREDITS:
Abraham Sinkov , Leo Rosen, Prescott Currier , Robert Weeks, Purple Analogue - All courtesy of the National Cryptologic Museum.
Commander Alastair Denniston, Bombe machine, Bombe blueprints, Bombe technical drawings, Secret stamp front cover page, Hinsley Travis Tiltman Nov 1945 All Crown Copyright. Reproduced by kind permission, Director GCHQ.
Discover More
Become a Friend: bit.ly/2PNhRen
Bletchley Park Roll of Honour: bit.ly/2x96pmG
Visit Bletchley Park: bit.ly/2vBFKyK
Bletchley Park Podcast
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3tubepIcPUs2lHJXfCtOU2
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/bletchley-park/id550861736
AudioBoom: audioboom.com/channel/bletchley-park
Facebook: facebook.com/Bletchleypark1/
Twitter: twitter.com/bletchleypark
Instagram: instagram.com/bletchleyparkuk
About Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum, open daily to visitors.
It was the home of British World War Two codebreaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to make groundbreaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.
This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks.
During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war.
The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.
The Bletchley Park Trust
Bletchley Park Trust is a registered charity, heritage attraction and independent museum. As an independent charity, we rely on income from our visitors, Friends and supporters to secure the long-term future of the site.
Registered charity number: 1012743
