Coastal Command Area Codes Dutch Coast Sept 44

[andy bird]

Have a recce sortie that found enemy convoy and dispatched signal

WJR/2 WDM/2 425-12-UN

I'm guess UN is unidentified, could anyone help out with the rest ?

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[edwest2]

Hello Andy,


Based on my research, new code books were issued daily. Likely in the case that if one was captured by the enemy, its useful life would be limited. In any case, the RAF used a three letter code. Their maps carried basic information, including longitude and latitude, so the information you've presented is likely a coded latitude and longitude plus a heading for the convoy sighted.

As far as area codes, it appears that aircraft crews were given a search grid based on the assignment. I have found no specific area codes. So a mission would be: "Patrol a box defined by these latitudes and longitudes." Of course, information would be given about suspected and known flak positions at or near the target/search area.





Best,
Ed

[andy bird]

Your help is very much appreciated.

Andy B.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Andy,
Don't know if this helps ?

In this link you will see two squares, marked as wC and wH.
If you look at the whole map you will see that if it follows the pattern the squares next to those noted will have been wD and wJ.
Then within those squares another set of squares with a single letter "M" and "R".
Take squares "M" and "R" and within those squares yet another set of squares, this time numbered in both cases "2".

https://www.echodelta.net/mbs/articl...sh_cassini.gif

I would put forward the possibility that the number 425 relates to time, 4h 25mins, "12" perhaps the number of vessels in the convoy and as you offer, UN would perhaps relate to the type of vessel as been unknown.

Then again I may be completely wrong .
Good luck, hope you find the answer.
Alex

[SteveB]

If you have identified the purpose of the signal correctly then I think there would need to something in it that indicated the heading of the convoy...north towards Germany or south towards Rotterdam. In the unpublished AHB History "RAF in the Maritime War" Vol IV AIR41/48 there are descriptions of a reporting system proposed/used early in 1943. This was based on 22 squares each with a letter code and each divided into two - labelled '1' or '2'. The signal was intended to comprise the number of ships, the codes for the box and the course being steered.

Steve

[edwest2]

Inside an RAF Ops Room:


https://museumcrush.org/inside-the-b...useum-duxford/


Movie short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsx8dOqNRYY



Here is a period map with a zoom function. Just left of the middle, near the top, is a box with a heading that reads: "Incidence Of Grid Letters" with further instructions below it.


http://www.8thafhsoregon.com/archive...ruary-1944.jpg





Hope this helps,
Ed

[andy bird]

Dear Ed, Steve, and Alex,

Sincere apologies for my late reply - head down doing last minute edits and re-writes for Heroes of Coastal Command.

Superb really appreciated and thank you for taking the time to reply.