EV1665
Untitled by Luxor
Setter’s Blog
Communication codewords hidden within each column indicate letters to be entered into the top row, giving the title ALPHABET SOUP
Most cryptic crossword solvers will be familiar with the police communication alphabet. The words are frequently used by setters when single letters must be indicated in clues. Developed during World War 1 to ensure clarity for radio operators, regardless of signal quality, the words were carefully chosen to avoid any ambiguity. Standardised by NATO in 1956, the alphabet is used by many services around the world and plays a crucial part in international operations.
The puzzle came about when I realised it might be possible for every letter of the title to be represented by one of these words. I arrived at the title ALPHABET SOUP quite quickly but getting all twelve letters into the columns, while keeping the rotational symmetry, took numerous attempts. I didn’t want the hidden letters to be obvious to solvers too soon, so having a jigsaw type of puzzle was an obvious choice, especially as it fitted in with the overall theme.
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A full review of this puzzle can be seen over on fifteensquared.