Missions "Type 16 control"

[Henofred]

Hello,

I would like to have some explanations about missions named “Type 16 control”.
I know that it is a free lance patrol to disturb the enemy but how it is organized, directed...and so on.

All the best,
Frederic.

[drgondog]

The RAF maintained high resolution Radars on the coast. Under what they called Type 16 Control (call sign Beachy Head) they could detect and vector US Fighters toward suspected concentrations of German Fighters.

The 8th AF 65, 66 and 67 Fighter Wings had their own Ground Control center - starting with 65th Wing (Colgate). Later for short range missions (particularly France during Invasion) Colgate would often pass control to (Type 16) Beachy Head on both a planned and 'interrupt' basis. Beachy Head, based on the High Resolution Radar would then direct a specific Fighter Group based on plotting board location, to a Luftwaffe threat.

Both Wing Ground Control and Beachy Head Type 16 communicated to the specific fighter Group via 'A' Channel.. each A channel for the group was different from the A Channel to another group to avoid confusion.

Does this help?

Regards,
Bill

[Henofred]

Hello Bill,

Thank you very much for this explanation.
Warmest regards from France.

Frederic