Standard Spanish frequencytableTable for Message Case4-a
A11111111111111111111111111127A11
B112B11111117
C1111111119C
D111111111110D
E111111111111111111111111111128E11
F112F111115
G1113G
H112H11
I11111111111112I1113
J11J11
L111111111110L1113
M1111116M11
N11111111111112N11
O111111111111111116O1111116
P111115P1113
Q112Q1113
R11111111111111115R112
S1111111111111114S
T111111118T
U11111117U
V112V
XX112
Y112Y
Z11Z11

Our first assumption might be that B = A and F = E but it is evident at once that in that case, S, T, U and V (equal to R, S, T and U) do not occur and a message even this short without R, S, T or U is practically impossible. By trying B = E we find that the two tables agree in a general way very well and this is all that can be expected with such a short message. The longer the message the nearer would its frequency table agree with the standard table. Note that if a cipher disk has been used, the alphabet runs the other way and we must count upward in working with a graphic table. Note also that if, in a fairly long message, it is impossible to coördinate the graphic table, reading either up or down, with the standard table and yet some letters occur much more frequently than others and some do not occur at all, we have a mixed alphabet to deal with. The example chosen for [case 6-a] is of this character. An examination of the frequency table given under that case shows that it bears no graphic resemblance to the standard table. However, as will be seen in [case 7-b], the preparation of graphic tables enables us to state definitely that the same order of letters is followed in each of a number of mixed alphabets.

General Remarks

Any substitution cipher, enciphered by a single alphabet composed of letters, figures or conventional signs, can be handled by the methods of case 6. For example, the messages under case 4-a and 5-a are easily solved by these methods. But note that the messages under case 4-b and 5-b cannot so be solved because several alphabets are used. We will see later that there are methods of segregating the different alphabets in some cases where several are used and then each of the alphabets is to be handled as below.

Case 6-a.

Message

QDBYP BXHYS OXPCP YSHCS EDRBS ZPTPB BSCSB PSHSZ AJHCD OSEXV HPODA PBPSZ BSVXY XSHCD

This message was received from a source which makes us sure it is in Spanish. The occurrence of B, H, P and S has tempted us to try the first two words as in case 4 and 5 but without result. We now prepare a frequency table, noting at the same time the preceding and following letter. This latter proceeding takes little longer than the preparation of an ordinary frequency table and gives most valuable information.

Frequency Table

PrefixSuffix
A112ZDJP
B111111118DPRPBSPZYXSBSPPS
C111115PHSHHPSSDD
D111115QECOCBROA
E112SSDX
F
G
H1111116XSSJVSYCSCPC
I
J11AH
L
M
N
O1113SDPXSD
P1111111119YXCZTBHABBCYTBSOBS
Q11D
R11DB
S11111111111112YYCBBCPHOPBXOHEZCBHZEZVH
T11PP
U
V112XSHX
X111115BOEVYHPVYS
Y11114BHPXPSSX
Z1113SSSPAB