Did Radio Traffic Provide Warning of 8 AF Raids?

[drgondog]

Don - I want to be clear (Lol) with respect to my somewhat flippant remark. USAAF doctrine vis a vis radio silence was much more focused on tactical links being kept open for the commanders - to command - not as a first priority 'don't let 'em know we're coming'

I vividly remember being a child who would sneak out of his room when the fighter pilot community was in session - and one discussion in particular between my father, Gabby Gabreski, Clay Kinnard and Bill Whisner.

The subject was how difficult it was to teach young fighter pilots when to say something and when to shut up - and all the 'lost' opportunites because a leader a.) didn't know what just became important, or b.) couldn't communicate to rest of squadron/group because of too much chatter.

It seemed the three most important bits of communication for the fighter commanders were;
1.) "lookee thar, 40 plus of them gray lookin thangs at 4 o'clock (above/below) us, or behind the bombers we're supposed to protect
2.) "354 and 358 stay with bombers, 357 go get em" or "Blue/Green flights stick, Yellow - follow me"
3.) hear 'Help' from a nearby bomb group

On the other subject of 'strike security', I still communicate with a lot of Brit friends who vividly remember a sense of ground shaking from the roar of 5000+ radial engines and 600 in-lines during take off and assembly around the airfield known as England.

And that was just a typical early morning in April 44 - for just the 8th and 9th AF. I suspect we never suprised the Luftwaffe in that regard.

Regards,

Bill