Quote:
Originally Posted by SES
Dear Larry and Doug,
What a tremendous piece of work, the list of abbreviations is in itself a nugget.
I very much look forward to going through the lists and using them in my research.
One small point. You have like scores of others before you translated zbV almost literally to "for special purpose". The correct transliteration is "provisional" i.e. "not in the normal establishment/organisation". Knowing Larry's attention to detail I trust my comment will be appreciated.
bregds
SES
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Hi SES,
Many thanks for your commentary on "z.b.V." (zu besonderer Verwendung, or zur besonderen Verwendung). The reason we translated it as we did is because we used the translations provided in: Air Ministry (A.I.12), "
Manual of German Air Force Terminology, German - English, Part I - Administrative and General Terms" (London, Air Intelligence Directorate, n.d.), p.13. We used this Manual with premeditated intent for just this purpose: to avoid squabbles over terminology. However, since your translation as "provisional" and accompanying definition also fits very nicely indeed, Doug will add it to our list of future amendments as an "add on". In other words, we will add "provisional - not in the normal establishment or organisation" to what we already give. Since this meaning and definition was well-known to the Allies and one they used for their own units when applicable, it must have been an omission of error on their part not to include it. Interestingly, there was another term that is usually translated as "provisional":
an der Kommandoweg aufgestellt. This was used for units formed in the field by a senior field command on a provisional basis with a duration of no longer than 6 months. Its existence past 6 months could only be authorized by the Organisationsabteilung/Ob.d.L.
Cheers,
Larry