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Hut 3 was built in June 1940, to replace a smaller hut erected in August 1939. It housed an inter-service section to analyse the decrypted material material generated by Hut 6, and specifically 'to translate and annotate high-grade German signals (Enigma and non-morse) and to report the results to Ministries and to Commands in the Field' (English Heritage 2004, vol. 1, 223). Activity in the hut revolved around the Watch and Index rooms, the former lying at the north end of the south range and the latter occupying much of the west end of the north range. The Watch Room's personnel undertook the translation of Enigma decrypts received from Hut 6. Translations were then passed to Army and Air Advisers in the building who assessed the intelligence using index cards in the large Index Room maintained by the Army and Air sections and by a special Research Section formed in March 1941. Communication to government was facilitated by a direct (secret) teleprinter line to London, agreed in May 1941, together with a standard Typex system with a special security setting. Teleprinters were installed in May 1941. Over time, Hut 3 acquired numerous sub-sections, including an air traffic analysis section, and a German Book Room. In February 1943 Hut 3's staff moved to Block D, one of the new purpose-built brick blocks.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: Hut 3's significance is principally historic. It was an important building in the early phase of Bletchley Park, which is renowned for its part in this breaking of the German Enigma code, and in contributing to the Allied victory (especially in the Battle of the Atlantic). It was in Hut 3 that from June 1940 crucial analysis of decrypted German army and air force communications took place. The twin hubs of the building were the Watch Room, where Enigma and other materials were translated and annotated, and the Index Room which housed the card indexes used in the intelligence analysis. Although architecturally undistinguished, and internally much changed, the building is little altered externally and, with the other huts (notably the adjoining Huts 1 and 6), captures the character of Bletchley in its pre-expansion phase. The whole of the hut as here described, including the boiler house, merits inclusion on the list because of its historic significance through its central role in the early part of 'the Bletchley story'. Hut 3 has considerable group value in the complex, notably with Hut 6.

historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/139179...

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