Loss Ju 52 Fliegerstaffel LN/Regt. 2

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Stig Jarlevik

Matti/Nick

Thanks for the suggestions.
I can visualize some kind of teletype equipment onboard (back up to radio perhaps) but not quite a general telephone....

So Matti gets my points (sorry Nick)

Cheers
Stig

Well maybe, but as far as I know a teletype/telegraph is a »Fernschreiber« (schreiben = to write) whereas »Fernsprecher« (sprechen = to speak) is a telephone.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Good point Nick

But I still can't visualize a "telephone switch board" inside a Ju 52.
During 1939-45 surely a telephone operator was still using some kind of fixed line/wire to operate?

I admit I am hopelessly non-technical but I still need an explanation what kind of telephone this was....

Cheers
Stig

[Merlin]

That unhappy flight was not a training flight but a transport flight with a lot of ground personal including one "Fernsprecher" and several "Funkers".

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Merlin

That unhappy flight was not a training flight but a transport flight with a lot of ground personal including one "Fernsprecher" and several "Funkers".

THAT was different and a situation I never took into account....

Thanks Gerhard for setting things straight.
BTW full points to you Nick!

All the Best
Stig

[Larry deZeng]

Hmmm..............
Technologically speaking, I don't think air-to-ground and vice versa telephones existed at that time - everything was via radio. Perhaps this aircraft, outfitted as a flying classroom to train radio operators (Funker), used an on-board telephone setup to communicate instructions from the instructor to the Funker students who, presumably, all had headsets on? I can visualize the instructor in front of the students talking to them over an intercom-type telephone, much like stewardesses do with passengers on commercial airliners. The latter have sound-proofed interiors. The 1940 Luftwaffe Ju 52 did not, so an in-aircraft speaker system wouldn't have worked.

L. deZ.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Stig Jarlevik

Then you will have to explain to me what kind of telephone was installed in a Ju 52?

Cheers
Stig

The fact that a transport/cargo plane carried one man described as a telephonist does not have to mean that the aircraft itself was a flying telephone exchange.

The "signals Junkers" seems to have been quite a feature of the Luftwaffe in 1940 (and later in the desert war). They crop up in ULTRA quite a lot, assigned to different units or taking signals equipment to airfields, radar stations etc. A lot of them seemed to have St.Kz. beginning NQ+ or NR+. For example, from ULTRA in September and October 1940:

A/c NQ+AB is reported to have left Koethen for Vannes early on 6/9.

At 0830/9/10 A/c NR+AP set out on a flight from Köthen to Radom for W/T range trials (Reichweitenversuch).

[edwest2]

Larry,

I have seen photos of rather elaborate switchboards from the period. One surprised me as it showed a number of separate dialing units on a separate board.

[Larry deZeng]

Ed -

Those Ln. aircraft with switchboards were flying command posts that landed on deserted enemy airfields to set up forward command centers during offensive campaigns. Ln. and Heeres-Nachrichten telephone line-men then strung the cable and wires to interconnect the headquarters and units taking part in the offensive with the telephone switchboard and operators that came with the aircraft. This is well-covered in:

Hoffmann, Karl Otto, Ln: Die Geschichte der Luftnachrichtentruppe, 3 Bde (Neckargemünd, 1965-73). Band II/Teil 1: Der Flugmelde- und Jägerleitdienst 1939 – 1945, c. 762 pages. Band II/Teil 2: Drahtnachrichtenverbindungen Richtfunkverbindungen 1939 – 1945, c. 694 pages.

Seeing flying command posts to be a good idea, the USAF's Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) established its 1st Mobile Communications Group with specially designed and equipped C-130s and some 2,500 personnel. The Group was formed along lines originated by the Luftwaffe. It was stationed at Altus AFB/Oklahoma in 1963 when I first heard of them and had detachments all over the world. You can look 'em up on Google. I spent 5 years with AFCS so I am familiar with the 1st MOB.

"This group was commonly called the 1st MOB or sometimes "Black Hats". The Black Hat was a baseball cap emblazoned with "FIRST MOBILE". Their motto was "First In Last Out", of course this wasn't always the case. The 1st Mobile was manned from the general Air Force pool of communications personnel."

L. deZ.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Gents

Again, I am no technical guy, but the suggestion by Gerhard seems to more or less comply with most later
answers. I am happy to go with his expertise in this matter.

No telephone equipment in the aircraft, but telephone specialists onboard the aircraft on a transfer flight.

Cheers
Stig

[hanshauprich]

Hello,
the Luftnachrichtentruppe have 10 different positons with Privates/NCO Qualifications:

1. Luftnachrichtenpersonal mit Fernsprechprüfung B (Privates)

2. Fernsprechunteroffiziere B (NCO) same as No.1

3. Luftnachrichtenpersonal mit Fernschreibprüfung B (Privates)

4. Fernschreibunteroffiziere (NCO) same as No. 3 Qualified telegraphist
NCO

No. 1 and 2 handle all Communications with an Telefon incl. an switchboard on the ground (Airbase, Air Controll, Tower etc.)

No. 3 and 4 handle all written Communications given with an telegraphist incl. the ENIGMA!

The No. 5 to 10 handle all duties (Peil- und Horchfunker) (Sound & Directional Radio Operator)

The main duties for an Ju 52 in the Fliegerstaffel Luftnachrichtenregiment was the transport of Men and technik
from Base to Base. Each Luftnachrichtenstaffel has an own flying unit. In this case here I'm sure the switchboard was an transportable one. All wearing an Luftwaffe Trade and Proficiency Badge at the left forearm of the Lutwaffe flying blouse, service tunic, parade uniform and greatcoat.
h.