Fighters radio communication in massive battles

• Jan 12, 2014

• #1

J

Jenisch

Staff Sergeant

1,080

17

Oct 31, 2011

Hello,

I'm wondering how radio communication was employed among WWII fighters when there was a great numbers of planes in a mission, like with the USAAF bombing escorts. Did each squadron used a specific frequency?

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2014

• Jan 12, 2014

• #2

drgondog

Major

9,597

6,280

Jun 28, 2006

Scurry, Texas

there were four push button selectable, crystal controlled frequencies in the VHF SCR 522.

USUALLY there was one set to escorted bomber wing frequency, one set to Group inter communications, one for Homing and one for Rescue.

on long range missions a Radio Relay was often flown by a couple of fighters within the group to transmit Fighter Command or Type 16/Beachy Head control directives - going to the group Command channel.

 

• Jan 12, 2014

• #3

Aozora

Staff Sergeant

1,013

145

Dec 23, 2012

drgondog said:

there were four push button selectable, crystal controlled frequencies in the VHF SCR 522.

USUALLY there was one set to escorted bomber wing frequency, one set to Group inter communications, one for Homing and one for Rescue.

on long range missions a Radio Relay was often flown by a couple of fighters within the group to transmit Fighter Command or Type 16/Beachy Head control directives - going to the group Command channel.

Click to expand...

Radio set up for P-51Ds (the SCR-522-A was called "Command equipment" because it could be used to communicate with the bombers and fighters, as well as ground stations):

 

• Jan 14, 2014

• #4

bobbysocks

Chief Master Sergeant

3,942

321

Feb 28, 2010

Pennsylvania

i dont know how often they actually talked with the bombers....which were most likely on their own freq.

 

• Jan 14, 2014

• #5

D

derek45

Airman

14

0

Nov 4, 2013

B-17 Aluminum overcast I crawled through a few years ago.







note this one is 6-9.5Mhz ( MC ) HF

I know a ham radio operator who still uses one of these on CW ( morse )...





reel antenna

 

• Jan 15, 2014

• #6

drgondog

Major

9,597

6,280

Jun 28, 2006

Scurry, Texas

bobbysocks said:

i dont know how often they actually talked with the bombers....which were most likely on their own freq.

Click to expand...

They were in contact always when a.) they exchanged info regarding timing and position for R/V, and b.) when the bombers were in trouble.

The latter is the often overlooked 'force multiplier' for fighter escort' - namely respond very quickly to a LW attack out of immediate view and position.

 

• Jan 15, 2014

• #7

bobbysocks

Chief Master Sergeant

3,942

321

Feb 28, 2010

Pennsylvania

i would image that communication with the bomber groups was done by sq leaders or select members...please correct me if i am mistaken. from the stories i have heard of R/Ts when FGs engaged enemy ac it would have been hard for bombers to communicate with each other because of all the radio activity.

 

• Jan 15, 2014

• #8

drgondog

Major

9,597

6,280

Jun 28, 2006

Scurry, Texas

True - Gp CO and Sq CO were tuned into C channel