History
Annex D - Katakana Code
Sequence displayed is in simple KATAKANA character, its phonetic sound, its morse signal
| A | I | U | E | O | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Vowel |
__ A --.-- |
__ I .- |
__ U .-- |
__ E -.--- |
__ O .-... |
| K | __ KA .-.. |
__ KI -.-.. |
__ KU ...- |
__ KE -.-- |
__ KO ---- |
S |
__ SA -.-.- |
__ SHI --.-. |
__ SU ---.- |
__ SE .---. |
__ SO ---. |
T |
__ TA -. |
__ CHI ..-. |
__ TSU .--. |
__ TE .-.-- |
__ TO ..-.. |
N |
__ NA .-. |
__ NI -.-. |
__ NU .... |
__ NE --.- |
__ NO ..-- |
H |
__ HA -... |
__ HI --..- |
__ HU --.. |
__ HE . |
__ HO -.. |
M |
__ MA -..- |
__ MI ..-.- |
__ MU - |
__ ME -...- |
__ MO -..-. |
Y |
__ YA .-- |
__ YU -..-- |
__ YO -- |
||
R |
__ RA ... |
__ RI --. |
__ RU -.--. |
__ RE --- |
__ RO .-.- |
W |
__ WA .-- |
__ N .-- |
as for N |
as for N |
__ WO .--- |
G |
__ GA |
__ GI |
__ GU |
__ GE |
__ GO |
Z |
__ ZA |
__ JI |
__ ZU |
__ ZE |
__ ZO |
D |
__ DA |
__ DI |
__ DU |
__ DE |
__ DO |
B |
__ BA |
__ BI |
__ BU |
__ BE |
__ BO |
P |
__ PA |
__ PI |
__ PU |
__ PE |
__ PO |
Katakana and Harigana are Japanese phonetic writing systems. There are 71 individual characters each representing a simple Japanese phonetic sound and 36 digraphs representing single syllables. Groupings of characters could approximate most Japanese and many other language words. Note that there is no "L" and no "F" sound. Japanese morse code messages during World War II utilized Katakana. A morse code assignment was made for each simple Katakana character while digraphs representing single syllables were not assigned morse codes. Messages were sent in plain text or encoded and often standard abbreviations or letter groups were substituted for common names. Katakana characters were often transposed or replaced to create codes, two and three character Kana codes being very common. Reliance upon plain text, same or similar codes for periods in excess of six months often simplified the "cracking" of messages. The Japanese used manual and machine cipher systems. The United States developed a machine, code word "PURPLE" which could simulate the Japanese cipher machines. The refined intelligence information gained was called "MAGIC".
By September 1941 the Americans were reading most Japanese diplomatic messages. Unfortunately, information gained was not always utilized effectively or in timely manner resulting in such allied misfortunes as the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbour. British endeavours had broken Japanese naval codes. Commencing in 1941 Australian SIGINT agencies worked closely with both American and British SIGINT services. Information shared among the allies provided a fairly complete overview of Japanese diplomatic and naval intentions and activities. Penetration of Japanese high grade army codes became possible in late 1943.
When Japan entered the war allied leaders had agreed that the defeat of Germany would be the allied priority. Canada initially concentrated its "Signals Intelligence" or SIGINT on the European theatre of war, relying on its allies to monitor Japanese activities.
In 1944 "CANO CODE" (or Katakana) operators arrived at NRS Massett to commence "secret duties" (involving the interception of Japanese radio communications). Sending speeds of 40 to 50 words per minute, on the other hand, were common among Japanese operators, creating the occasional dilemma for intercept operators who could not request a "say again"!
On 13 January 1945 No 1 Special Wireless Group, RCCS departed Victoria B.C. enroute to Australia, arriving in Brisbane, Australia on 16 February. At that time the Australians were the recognised Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) experts in the South West Pacific Area with over 5,000 personnel involved in SIGINT duties. The Royal Australian Air Force, alone, had six mobile wireless units (WU) and considerable fixed plant. Even General Douglas MacArthur, the area Supreme Commander and his Chief Signal Officer, Major General Akin (both Americans) preferred to use Australian WUs rather than a more lavishly equipped American Special Radio Intelligence Company, of which there were eight in theatre. At the time Canada had begun to refocus its military effort which was concentrated on the number one Allied priority, the defeat of Germany. With Germany defeated massive pressure would then be brought on Japan. Canada's assigned army contribution was 6 Canadian Division however hostilities ended before the division could be committed. In view of the massive differences between the two theatres of war and the lead time necessary for it to be come proficient this SIGINT group was formed and deployed to gain the vital experience necessary. Working with the Australians provided an excellent opportunity for this Canadian group to come up to speed in this very different Pacific war. After initial training with No 1 Australian Special Wireless Group the 13 officers and 277 men of the Canadian electronic warfare unit commenced operational duties against the Japanese from Darwin on 13 April. They were in continuous operation until war's end. On 5 February 1946 they departed Australia arriving back in Canada on 26 February 1946. Unfortunately, as the group was under Australian operational control there are no Canadian operational records held. The group's war diary, which is held only at the C & E Museum archive contains only administrative material.
