Area position codes on the continent 1944

[Mikkel Plannthin]

I am in the process of adding the operational sorties of Sgt. Palle Thomsen, 331 (N) Sqn. to my database. Doing this I have encountered different codes used for areas and positions.

E.g. "Movements area B and C" in
http://danishww2pilots.dk/pilotsSort...&sortie_id=269

"M.2441" in
http://danishww2pilots.dk/pilotsSort...&sortie_id=270

"L.9324 and L.8703" in
http://danishww2pilots.dk/pilotsSort...&sortie_id=266

I guess that they refer to positions on a map, but could anyone enlighten me ...?

TIA,
Mikkel Plannthin

[Col Ford]

Mikkel,

What they are referring to is the Map Grid Reference system where they refer to the letter and series of numbers. See the website below for a description of how the system worked and a coordinates translator that gives a fairly close translation of a set of grid coordinates into a location.

http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-welcome.php

For the notation as to what areas 'B and C' were you would have to find a description somewhere in Squadron records, Wing records or hopefully recorded in a pilot's log book of what those exact areas were. I know for Tac/R pilots, areas of the Netherlands were designated by an area title that represented a reconnaissance area to be covered in a sortie - almost like a bus route.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks Colin,
I'll study the reference with great interest.

Mikkel

[SES]

Dear Mikkel and Colin,
Thank you for the question and the prompt reply. I have hastened to add your link Colin to the page on my WEB-site, which deals with the grid systems used by the various services of the nations involved in WW II. Please see:
http://www.gyges.dk/reporting_grids.htm
It would be of great value if someone could provide a link to a site, which explains the system used by the Royal Navy.
brgeds
SES
www.gyges.dk

[Mikkel Plannthin]

SES,
I thought that the question might be of interest to you :-)

But as it was a RAF grid, I did not ask you directly.

Mikkel

[SES]

Hi Mikkel,
And a good thing you didn't, I could not have answered, I learned something to-day, now we need the "Merlin" with the RN Grid.
bregds
SES

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Excellent site. I have now tried to convert "M.2441" (http://danishww2pilots.dk/pilotsSort...&sortie_id=270) using the sites "coordinates translater:
Latitude : 49° 40' 51'' N
Longitude : 1° 07' 40'' E

Taking into consideration the impresicion factor given at the site, and that the road may have moved since then, it could be that the convoy mentioned in the ORB as "making east" was heading east along what is at least today the N29.

It might be interesting - just for the fun of it - to take a look at a 1944 map of the area.

Great link.

Mikkel

[olliball]

Dear Mikkel,

You can use this web site http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-translator.php

You follow the explainations to find the appropriate grid (and the appropriate square) and to find the good letter to add before the coordinates that are written in the MACRs. For example, L1660 in the MACR becomes vL1660 with the French Lambert Zone 2 grid.

Good research,

Olliball

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Can someone please tell me the actual placenames and/or Lat-Long where the following two codes are in Italy ?

Q-7196
and
M-852162

Many thanks
Alex

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Alex
Using the link provided in this thread you'll get

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?l=44.01...11.14174673141

for the first code (wQ7196 / North Italy Zone).

The second would translate into

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?l=44.226185004227&g=12.562125123593 (its at sea)

for this one (wM852162 / North Italy Zone), but I would not know if that is at all the case.

Mikkel