The UK has recently halted the export of rare military documents that once belonged to the national hero Allan Turing, a pivotal figure in the Allied victory during World War II by successfully hacking the code of Nazi Germany’s Enigma machine.
These documents pertain to the little-known “Delil” project, which aimed to create a portable encryption system for military use. As reported by the Ministry of Culture in the UK, the temporary ban on exporting these documents is intended to prevent their sale to foreign buyers, allowing British institutions time to potentially acquire them.
The Delil project encompasses two interconnected notebooks and six sets of loose sheets dating back to 1943-1945, valued at approximately £397,680 (around $513,000 USD).
British government officials emphasize the significance of these documents in providing insight into Allan Turing’s exceptional intellect, underscoring the importance of keeping them within the country for further study and recognition of his contributions to national history.
Allan Turing, often regarded as the pioneer of modern computer technology, gained renown for his decryption of the Enigma machine, a feat credited with shortening the war by several years according to many historians. His story was popularized in the 2014 film “The Imitation Game”.
Tragically, Turing faced persecution for his homosexuality in the 1950s, ultimately leading to his tragic suicide at the age of 41 in 1954. In 2013, he was posthumously pardoned by a royal decree, with his likeness now adorning the £50 banknote.
Furthermore, in 2015, a 56-page notebook belonging to Turing was auctioned off in New York for over $1 million.
This recent move by Britain to restrict the export of valuable artifacts aligns with previous actions to preserve items of cultural significance, such as a table linked to Louis XIV and an ancient British coin from 40 BC, underscoring the country’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage.