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Hand OTP USSR DDR Stasi
The image on the right shows a typical OTP booklet as it was used by agents
of the former Soviet Union (USSR)
and East-Germany (DDR) during the 1960s.
It was used by an agent for decoding encrypted instructions
that were sent via Numbers Stations
on the short wave radio bands as well
as for sending messages by means of a
spy radio transmitter
(often a Soviet one).
The booklet consists of a stack of 50 very thin small pages,
each with a 60 five-digit groups, organised as 10 rows by 6 columns.
The pages are folded, perforated and then sewed together.
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Each time a page is required, it must be torn at the perforated edge.
For each new message, a fresh OTP sheet was used. If the message was longer
than one page, multiple OTP pages were used. If it was shorter, the rest of
the page was discared. After use, the page was destroyed.
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The pages of the booklet are sewed together and then glued inside an orange
carton cover that was folded and then closed with a wax seal in order to make
it tamper-evident.
In the booklet shown here, the page on top of the stack is numbered 19,
which means that the agent had already used it in the past to send or receive
at least 18 secret messages before being caught.
The books were printed on the thinnest possible paper, to make it easier to hide them.
It also made it easier to burn or eat the page after use.
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OTPs like this, were commonly used by secret agents for sending coded
messages to their Spy base, by means of a spy radio set,
such as the Russian R-353.
Most agents however, did not have a spy radio transmitter, but used the
OTP for decoding the secret instructions that were sent by Base
via the One-Way Voice Link (OWVL), als known as the
Numbers Stations,
on the short wave radio bands.
The OTP booklet shown here, was found in The Netherlands in the possession
of a Dutch citizen who worked as an agent for the
East-German Stasi (MfS).
Similar OTP booklets are held in the internal collection of the
Dutch General Intelligence and Security Agency AIVD.
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The major disadvantage of the OTP, is the logistical problem of its
distribution. A unique pair
of OTP booklets must be issued and distributed to each individual agent
abroad. As the OTP will be destroyed immediately after use, sufficient
and timely supply of new OTPs has to be guaranteed.
During the Cold War, OTPs were often smuggled
into a country by means of a concealment, such as
the one shown in the image on the right. This regular travel kit was cleverly
converted into a concealment device by the
East-German Stasi.
➤ More information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Friday 28 August 2015. Last changed: Saturday, 27 September 2025 - 17:12 CET.
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