Decoded an Italian Enigma message used for Royal Navy's ambush at the Battle of Cape Matapan.
On March 1, 1941, Mavis Batey deciphered an Italian Enigma message. The message referred to 'Today’s the day minus three,' setting off three days of Herculean effort that led to insights critical to the British Navy’s ambush at the Battle of Cape Matapan. This engagement marked a pivotal triumph for the Allies, achieved with minimal casualties on their side. Batey's code-breaking excellence exemplifies the unseen yet crucial contributions women made to the war effort, challenging the gender barriers of the era.