Wireless Operators

[David Layne]

During WW2 how much aircraft communications was by morse code and how much by regular radio "talk?"

[Kyt]

There were a number of communications - internal, reception and transmission

Internal was of course either through direct speech, the intercom or by morse light.

Reception - the vast majority of radio signals were actually the ones sent out by bases, especially as individual aircraft were generally instructed to remain on radio-silence.

Transmission - as far as I know the majority of the signals sent out by aircraft was morse code, especially on the outward journey, and when over enemy territory.

[David Layne]

What got me thinking was, I know as a W/O in Bomber Command my father was familiar with morse code. As and when they used it I am not sure.

So what really got me thinking was single crew aircraft. It would not have been practical for a pilot to operate a morse code key so obviously all of their communications had to be of a vocal type.

What was the range of vocal communication as opposed to morse code?

[morse1001]

Originally Posted by David Layne

During WW2 how much aircraft communications was by morse code and how much by regular radio "talk?"

Difficult question to answer correctly, as it varied with the different areas of the spectrum.

Most aircraft had MF/HF radios for long range work and VHF for short range Air to ground comms.

Morse was mostly used on the MF/HF band. The TR1154/55 which was fitted to almost all of the big bombers, had voice capability but it was advisable not to use it for a long period of time, as it tended to blow the transmit valves!

[Andy in West Oz]

Owen might be a good one to ask, DL, as in his discussions with Ken McGlashan, it was clear that radio comms were a contributing factor to Mac being shot down over Dunkirk. Admittedly, the technology wasn't that great at the time but Owen should be able to add something.

[Kyt]

One must remember that the question of radio-silence etc wasn't the same for fighters. The fighters were going up specifically to fight other fighetrs/bombers. The bombers had to try to keep radio-silence as long as possible so that they could not be located.

[morse1001]

Originally Posted by Kyt

One must remember that the question of radio-silence etc wasn't the same for fighters. The fighters were going up specifically to fight other fighetrs/bombers. The bombers had to try to keep radio-silence as long as possible so that they could not be located.

One of the many ways the germans found to warn of forthcoming raids, was the fact that bombers used to test their HF radios before takeoff. That gave an indication of the amount.

[Adrian Roberts]

So what really got me thinking was single crew aircraft. It would not have been practical for a pilot to operate a morse code key so obviously all of their communications had to be of a vocal type.

Not necessarily! I'm bringing in my WW1 knowledge here. In WW1, the artillery observation crews used morse (which was all there was) to communicate with the artillery batteries. Originally, the observer used the wireless and the morse key. But, by mid-1916, it was realised that keeping a target on the ground within sight was much easier if done by the person flying the aircraft, and with the difficulty in communication between the crew of a two-seater at the time, the pilot would also need to operate the morse key. The observer was better occupied keeping a look-out for enemy aircraft.
Clearly the pilot's role must have been difficult, but they certainly managed it. Once they were proficient in Morse, transmitting would have been second nature, but they still had to fly the aircraft accurately, avoid letting the nose come up and stall, etc.

By WW2, single -seaters had voice W/T, so this dual role was a skill that was lost. I wonder whether AOP Lysanders used Morse and if so which crewman used it?

[morse1001]

Originally Posted by Adrian Roberts

Not necessarily! I'm bringing in my WW1 knowledge here. In WW1, the artillery observation crews used morse (which was all there was) to communicate with the artillery batteries. Originally, the observer used the wireless and the morse key. But, by mid-1916, it was realised that keeping a target on the ground within sight was much easier if done by the person flying the aircraft, and with the difficulty in communication between the crew of a two-seater at the time, the pilot would also need to operate the morse key. The observer was better occupied keeping a look-out for enemy aircraft.
Clearly the pilot's role must have been difficult, but they certainly managed it. Once they were proficient in Morse, transmitting would have been second nature, but they still had to fly the aircraft accurately, avoid letting the nose come up and stall, etc.

By WW2, single -seaters had voice W/T, so this dual role was a skill that was lost. I wonder whether AOP Lysanders used Morse and if so which crewman used it?

The Pilot's Notes for the Lysnader III just states that there is a short wave RT transceiver in the back cockpit. it does not mention what kind of radio it is.

[David Layne]

I asked this question of Hubert Spencer who was a Lancaster W/O, here is his response.



Hi David,
While we were training and flying cross country exercises we were given
specific morse contacts to make which were recorded in a logbook. These were
assessed back at base. As wops we (or at least I ) didn't use R/T, the pilot
would use R/T when he contacted base on return. Besides using morse we had
to practise getting bearings from beacons for the navigator to confirm his
calculated position - and I remember doing that for real once or twice. So
really most of the wops activities involved morse reception and
transmission. During an operation the Main Force maintained radio silence
but ready to receive important messages from base e.g. being recalled to
base, or receiving new information about the weather to assist the navigator
in his plotting. When Master Bombers were used, to control the bombing and
reinforce target markings, we switched to R/T to hear his orders. Hope this
helps, regards, Hugh.