3.(F)/31

[cz_raf]

Hi all,

would be anyone so kind and provide me the full and correct name of this unit? As my main interest is RAF I am not bale to decode it properly.

I think it may be 3. (Fernaufklarungsgruppe)/Aufklärungsgruppe 31 but it is correct?

TIA

Pavel

[Jaap Woortman]

Almost.
Third Staffel of Fernaufklärungsgruppe 31

Jaap

[cz_raf]

Many thanks Jaap!
I was thinking that two names ending gruppe is nonsense

Pavel

[cz_raf]

But are you sure Jaap?
As there was not any Fernaufklärungsgruppe 31, only Aufklärungsgruppe 31..

Pavel

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by cz_raf

Many thanks Jaap!
I was thinking that two names ending gruppe is nonsense

Pavel

You were right and the abbreviation as written leaves a lot unsaid:

3. = "3rd" (the "." is the German equivalent to "rd" or other ordinal))
(F) = "Fern" = long distance
31 = the individual Gruppe.

So it doesn't actually tell you anywhere that it's a reconnaissance unit, they seem to have taken it for granted everyone would already know.

[cz_raf]

Hi Nick,

many thanks for explanation.
I have taken this unit abbreviation from the book BoB then and now pg. 600 - where is mentioned that a Dornier Do 17P 5D+JL was shot down - from this I am thiking it was a reconnaissance unit.

Pavel