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Old 5th Jul 2018, 3:28 pm   #1
baldwinuk
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Default Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Hi, I am writing a film about a wireless operator in a Lancaster bomber on a mission to Germany in 1945 and am looking for help compiling the typical responsibilities and communications the W/OP would have made during the trip. The story is based on a story written by my father, JJ baldwin W/OP in 630 squadron flying out of East Kirkby. I have his log book, but I need the details of his moment by moment experience. He survived his tour, and a few more, but sadly he passed away in 1993. Do you know anybody or can you direct me to where I might discover this kind of information, especially any surviving W/OP's? I am aware that details of all comms were given in to the Signal officer at the end of the trip, are you aware of any surviving documentation that I could access?

I'd appreciate any help you can give, Thanks in advance, Bob Baldwin
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 8:46 pm   #2
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Bob,

I'm sure that members of this forum will be able to help you but I have also passed on your request to the Vintage Military Amateur Radio Society (VMARS). Their technical magazine "Signal" recently had an article on radio operators of Bomber Command and I'm sure they will be happy to let you have a copy.

My late mother's first husband was an RAF Hampden pilot who was KIA in 1941. We were able to obtain copies of the Operations Record Book for his squadron (50 Sqdn) and were able to see the actual missions he flew and a precis of the action. The ORBs are held by the National Archive on microfiche.

Hope this is of interest and good luck with the project.

Regards

Roger
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Old 6th Jul 2018, 8:11 am   #3
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Bob, some information can be found from books written by various former WW2 bomber aircrew which mention the WOP’s duties. These changed slightly as the war progressed and new equipment was introduced into bomber aircraft.

On the ground during the taxi and take-off signals would be exchanged with the watch office (control tower) and runway control caravan in Morse code using an Aldis lamp, so as not to alert the enemy’s radio listening stations of the forthcoming activity. On the outbound route to the target radio silence was important, with the WOP listening for updated instructions from their control station and weather broadcasts on his HF (high frequency) radio.

There is a short thread on the VMARS Member group on Yahoo (WW2 VHF Bomber Command) which mentions the change from the WOP receiving targeting instructions from the Master Bomber on HF during the final run-in to the target prior to the introduction of an additional VHF radio, which the pilot then used direct.

To aid navigation to and from the target the WOP could tune to MF (medium frequency) radio beacons and the DF (direction finding) loop antenna would be used to take a bearing on the station.

‘Window’, bundles of aluminium foil strips, was dropped at times to disrupt enemy radars. I’m not sure whose role that was, possibly the WOPs?

From my father’s WW2 pilot training notes the WOP would be busy during the approach and landing phase, particularly obtaining bearings from the airfield’s HF DF station in poor weather. There was also an emergency service called the ‘Darky’ system on 6440kHz which the pilot could contact using RT (voice) radio if in need of assistance. Again the introduction of a VHF set as well as MF/HF changed the WOPs role in short-range communications with their airfield.

The vast majority of the WOPs radio traffic would be sent and received using Morse code and a system known as the Q code, where a 3-letter group, starting with Q, would represent a phrase. For example, QDM 270 would tell the WOP that a magnetic heading of 270° would be required for the aircraft to fly towards the DF station giving the bearing.

The WOP would also have to wind out the aircraft’s trailing aerial for use on the lower frequencies, and ensure it was wound back in prior to landing!

The bomber stream would also have specially equipped aircraft from 100 Group interspersed with specialist WOPs on board, whose role was to find and jam enemy radars and communications with fighter aircraft. Again the equipment used and their role would have changed as the war progressed.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Martin
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Old 6th Jul 2018, 9:11 am   #4
lesmw0sec
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

My father was a wireless operator on Lancasters but sadly can't help with any further info as they crashed over France when I was around 2 years old. Oddly enough as a teenager I messed around with T1154 & R1155's without even being aware that this was the type of kit he would have been familiar with!
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Old 6th Jul 2018, 9:35 am   #5
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

I think the third paragraph of post 3 is confusing, as is the comment regarding 'the WOPs role in short-range communications with their airfield'.

The Lancaster (and the other heavy bombers) were fitted with two radio systems. The T1154/R1155 HF system was under the control of the Wireless Operator, and its primary use was receiving instructions, weather report etc from control, using Morse code. He had to monitor regular broadcasts every half hour, and log a code-word which was then checked at debrief to prove he hadn't been asleep!
There was then another radio system, initially a TR9, then replaced by a TR1196 (both on HF), this was then replaced by a TR1143 and finally by the SCR-522, the latter two being on VHF.
This second system was normally used by the pilot, on voice, to communicate locally with other aircraft or with the airfield on return from a mission.

In American terminology, these two systems were the 'Liason System' and the 'Command System', but this terminology wasn't used by the RAF.

So normally in failure-free conditions, the WOp wouldn't have any involvement with the TR9/TR1196/TR1143/SCR-522, and the pilot would have no involvement with the T1154/R1155

Of course in the event of equipment failure or crew injury whatever radio was working would be used by whoever could use it!

Andy
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Old 6th Jul 2018, 12:23 pm   #6
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Thanks for the clarification Andy. Makes perfect sense. I see there was a short vertical antenna for the pilot’s HF radio. The ‘personal recollections’ I sourced my info from were a bit misleading then...!
Cheers,
Martin
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Old 6th Jul 2018, 5:06 pm   #7
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

I wonder if the Air Historical Branch of the Royal Air Force may be of help? They have large records and archives for historical purposes and are usually helpful.
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Old 6th Jul 2018, 5:35 pm   #8
M0FYA Andy
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

One of the books I have is the recollections of a Lancaster Wireless Operator, I'll dig it out and check its title/author. I do remember that one of his major jobs once over enemy territory was acting as lookout, with a lot of time spent with his head in the astrodome whilst keeping an eye on the Fishpond Indicator (mounted on his table alongside the T1154/R1155) to spot night-fighters approaching from below, not forgetting to listen at the scheduled times for any important messages from control.
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Old 6th Jul 2018, 6:26 pm   #9
ms660
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

My step Grandad's son was on a Lancaster mission to Leipzig, needless to say he and his mates never returned GWGC says Wireless Op./Air Gunner. 625 Squadron.

Lawrence.
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 8:31 am   #10
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

One source of (fictional) info on Wireless Ops is the book by the late Alan Sillitoe, who was an RAF ground op post WW2, "The German Numbers Woman". The main character in the book is a blinded op who keeps up his skills as a short-wave listener post-war. Sillitoe wrote other fiction with a radio aspect, e.g. "The Lost Flying Boat" with R1155 and T1154 being mentioned.

Also, although it's 50 years since I read it last, Hammond Innes's "The Land God Gave to Cain" covers a disabled ex-op with the callsign G2STO. (never issued!).

73

Roger
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 9:44 am   #11
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Bob, This could give you an idea of what it sounded like in the operator's headphones. We had a net commemorating the radios used during the great Dams Raid 75 years before with four T1154 transmitters on air. Here's an edited version. http://www.v-d-r.net/images/DAMS NET.mp3 When MW0LUK tunes his T1154 onto frequency that's what it must have been like on air from a hundred aircraft tuning up before a raid.
73
Andrew
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 12:51 pm   #12
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Love the drift & chirp!
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 1:41 pm   #13
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Have you been in contact with East Kirkby ? They have a Lancaster and run up the engines from time to time, the plane isn't airworthy any more, they also have lot of information about the airfield when it was operational and might have what you are looking for. Ted
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 2:58 pm   #14
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

It is (or was) the case that you could buy your way into one of the turrets for a slow taxi run in 'Just Jane'. Quite expensive but understandably so.

I have a very detailed book on the Lanc, which needs to be dug out and consulted.

dave
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 3:47 pm   #15
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Totally off topic, but coincidentally a Lancaster flew over here about an hour ago!
Unlikely to have been on HF though, most likely 123.75 (from memory)
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 5:51 pm   #16
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AC/HL View Post
Totally off topic, but coincidentally a Lancaster flew over here about an hour ago!
Sadly, I think you probably mean "the" Lancaster, assuming it to be of UK origin .
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 5:53 pm   #17
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Yes, of course!
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Old 7th Jul 2018, 10:43 pm   #18
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ms660 View Post
My step Grandad's son was on a Lancaster mission to Leipzig, needless to say he and his mates never returned GWGC says Wireless Op./Air Gunner. 625 Squadron.
Further to the above, the uniform badge was a WAG badge (Wireless op/Air Gunner)

Most seem to be Sergeants.

The young lad and his crew mates referred to in my previous post were lost in the disastrous raid on Leipzig during the 19th/20th February 1944, they weren't the only ones not to return. it was one of the worst air raids of the war so far as losses went, below is a link that gives an idea of the losses involved that night and that's just the Lancasters, I believe more than 70 heavy bombers were lost in total, grim reading:

http://www.bomber-command.info/LeipzigNewDoc.htm

From what I've found out, Lancaster ME588 from 625 Squadron crashed at Almke and he and possibly others were buried at Marienthal, the bodies being later exhumed to be reinterred at Hotton, Belgium.

Lawrence.

Last edited by ms660; 7th Jul 2018 at 10:56 pm.
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Old 8th Jul 2018, 8:54 am   #19
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

Bob

You could try contacting The Nanton Aircraft Museum in Nanton, Alberta, Canada They have a good Lancaster there which is occasionally run up. They may have some info/contacts as many were flown by Canadian crews.

http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/main_museum.html

I have internal photos if they are any use to you.

Trevor

Last edited by valveaudio; 8th Jul 2018 at 8:59 am. Reason: added website
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Old 8th Jul 2018, 10:12 am   #20
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Default Re: Lancaster Bomber Radio signals and communications.

There is an authentic clip of intercom chatter a few minutes long, available on youtube. A failed nightfighter attack occurs during this, which suggests it is a short sequence chopped out of a much longer recording.

The Lanc was deemed fairly docile apart from a tendency to nose over in the dive as around 330-360 IAS was exceeded (!) Losses in training (Heavy conversion units, mainly) were significant compared to losses in action. Bail out-survival rates from a couple of the crew positions was poor compared to the Halifax and Stirling, the interior being rather cramped and the main spar a large obstacle. American manufacturers considered that their a/c had to hold men, who needed to move around and be relatively comfortable. British a/c, not so much!

An engine failure, even on the return journey, was more of a problem than we might think- 3 times out of 4 this knocked out the hydraulic power assistance to one of the turrets, reverting it to 'mandraulic' manipulation. There was a version which used Bristol Hercules engines, to mitigate the effect should there ever be a shortage of Merlins. I don't know of any that still remain.

I can focus this info more on the role of the WOp when i find my books.

Dave
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