While the true purpose of Numbers Stations may never be known, many, including the notorious E03 “Lincolnshire Poacher” are thought to have been integrally connected to the most secret operations of various paramilitary and police agencies of countries throughout the Cold War.

These stations, which began in the World War I era, broadcast seemingly random series of morse code bursts over shortwave radio frequencies. For the most part, they follow a single set procedure, sending groups of numbers or letters. However, longtime listeners have noted very occasional interpolations, in some cases, of entirely different material--snatches of songs, human voices declaring “end” or some string of nonsense syllables, probably indicating cessation of a message. Or, of course, given the esoteric provenance of these facilities--they may be designed simply to mislead unauthorized listeners.

Among the most ambiguous and disturbing out-of-the-ordinary broadcasts by these stations are the following as-yet-mysterious audio events:

1. December 23, 1956, Station G3, “Gong”: “Achtung! eins, zwei, vir. Achtung...Mein Schwanz ist ein Flammenwerfer...einundzwanzig, siebzehn, sieben…”
2. November 22nd, 1963, Station S12, “Cherta”: “0000, 0010, 0100, 0001, 1110 [coughing], Пожалуйста, прости меня. Я сапог-лизающий коммунист Да-мужчина. Хороший выстрел, товарищ Освальд. 1101, 0100, 1001”
3. July 28th, 1982, Station E9, “Magnetic Fields”: Seven….Stupid...Two….Three…[sound of air horn]...Where’s the Beef...9...12...65...20…Land”