GPT-6 Astra has successfully decoded a set of German radio messages from World War I that were encoded using the ADFGVX method. The messages were part of a collection of unsolved ciphers and were originally transmitted on November 27, 1918.
Model ReleasesGPT-6 AstraAstra
GPT-6 Astra Decodes Unsolved WWI German ADFGVX Radio Messages
The ADFGVX method uses a keyword to assign values to cells in a table, which are then used to encode the message. Astra identified "TRUPPENVERSCHIEBUNG" as the encryption key, which allowed the model to reconstruct the original message: "AN ENGLISH CRUISER ARRIVED AT SEVASTOPOL ON THE 24TH AN ALLIED SQUADRON FOLLOWS ON THE 26TH."
Astra verified the accuracy of the decoding by cross-referencing the message with historical naval logs. The decrypted content regarding the arrival of the British cruiser HMS Canterbury at Sevastopol on November 24, 1918, was confirmed by the vessel's original logs.
Sources
- GPT-6 Astra Solves a WWI German Radio Cipher （Hacker News Frontpage, 2026-09-19）
- Naval History