Call signs - Radio

[Celtic]

Hey all, Ive had problems with my email so haven't been on since my registration. Fixed it now and am back.

I've been looking for the Call signs for the Jagdwaffe units. No where, it seems, can I find an answer.
How did pilots refer to one another in the air? The RAF as we know called 'red 2' 'rabbit leader' ect.
What about the Jagdflieger?
I read Hartmann was called Karlaya 1, and some other pilots are known.
Did they just make it up themselves? Or did they follow the RAF in naming sections?
In the new book with Stigler they called him by is last name.

Thanks for the help!

Sean

[Nick Beale]

Judging from allied monitoring reports it varied but quite often a fighter Gruppe had a codename and then each pilot had a number which was added to it. (This was for voice communication, bombers using morse might use a letter/number combination).

In summer 1944, III./JG 53 in Italy was "Altvater", SG 4 used "Apfel". Some others are given here (scroll down to "Intelligence").

[Celtic]

Thanks for your reply Mr. Beale. Thats the first time I've seen an actual reference to it. Is the basis of how a code name was chosen known? Doesn't seem to be a standard operational procedure for the Jagdwaffe.

[SES]

Hi,
For night fighter units please see:
http://www.gyges.dk/Luftwaffe%20comm...lities%201.htm
And I don't quite understand your last comment, IMHO it was SOP in the Luftwaffe. One name for the entire unit, individual pilot numbers. BTW a system adopted by the Soviets.
bregds
SES

[ouidjat]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

... In summer 1944, III./JG 53 in Italy was "Altvater", ....

Hi Gents,

Funny ... and quite a coïncidence when Hptm. Franz Götz, III./JG 53 Gr.Kdr, nickname was "Altvater"!!!!

Something to do with?

Then (I speculate) "Vati 12", "Pips 4", "Bubi 1", "Dolfo 8" and so on ?????

Hmmm Let's go a little bit deeper;
IF SO, does it mean that they got their nickname only after reaching a Gruppe command? or, if they got it before, that the Gruppe did change their call sign after they took command?

Regards, Franck.

[SES]

Hi,
As you say these were probably nicknames and not official unit callsigns.
bregds
SES

[Celtic]

Hey all,
Thanks for your replies. I'm actually debating writing a novel about a fighter pilot. He would join his unit just before May 1940. Only thing that's stopping me is
1. Call signs in the air.
2. Fighter school length + location.

SES you said they had numbers? I just meant I've never found anything on this subject but for Fredrick's 'nicknames'- would have thought it was a major thing. Maybe I'm just ignorant?

Cheers,
Sean

[SES]

Hi Sean,
Yes my understanding is that the unit had a name. which was used as voice callsign, the individual pilot being identified by a number, please consult the link I posted earlier.
bregds
SES

[Celtic]

Thanks SES I understand it now, I don't look closely at the text on the link before.
These are for the luftflotte...?
Would the infividulal Jagdgeschwader have had the same names? They would definitely be along the same guidelines of how the names though correct?
Thanks again, this is a big help.

Sean

[SES]

Hi Sean,
Please read the entire page i.e. scroll all the way Down.
bregds
SES