Scale of Effort

[PeteT]

Was there a particular form used to advise stations / squadrons of the scale of effort required, or was it sent by telex or phone?. If there was a form, has anyone got an example that they could e-mail me?

Regards

PeteT

[ianh]

Hi Pete. They were telexed through to the various Stations, I think. That said, I think I've seen in a couple of the few-preserved station Flying Log Books, handwritten notes of messages received from Group with notice of requirements for ops later that day. Maybe prior to the formal telex will all the details.

[CZ_RAF]

Hi Pete, I think Pete is right. I have seen notes in CC Groups ORBs how many aircraft are requested for operation each day for which patrol and there was also time of origin. I remember it was an evening before in normal cases.
So I suppose the method would be identical or similar for BC operations. Maybe I will be able to locate some telex from 1941 when 311 Sq was with the BC if it will be of any use to you.

Pavel

[jossleclercq]

Hello

We had a thread a few months ago about the various codifications about "maximum effort" that Bomber Command Squadrons had to give, Following orders from Command / Group, depending on their establishment, for example half the strength of the Squadron's crew, with crews left on leave, or recalled from leave, etc...

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...maximum+effort

HTH

Joss

[PeteT]

Thanks Joss .... I have those details, but was trying to establish how it was communicated to the squadrons (and whether there were any examples of the information being communicated)

Regards

PeteT

[JDCAVE]

Pete: There were two levels of directives of which I am aware: HQ Bomber Command sent by telex a "Form A" to Groups. I have not seen examples of these so I cannot comment on the content of these forms or what code words were or were not used. The "Groups" presumably reviewed this communication and put together a "Form B" communication that was telexed to stations. I have a nearly complete collection of Form B's for ONLY March of 1945. These do not use code words for the "level of effort" but instead refer to the number of aircraft of each squadron within the group and also the number of aircraft provided by the other groups. The "Form B" then goes on to detail the bomb loads, fuel loads, routes, tactics (including pathfinder marking methods, etc). Obviously, what the Form “B’s” contained depended on whether they were from Main Force Groups, 100-Group or 8-Group. For example the 8-Group ORBs detail which squadrons did what roles and what T.I.s they may have carried. That level of information was not sent to Main Force Squadrons.

I'm not a particular expert on this. This is only what I have determined from the March Form "B's". If you wish I can send you examples of some.

Jim

[JDCAVE]

Hi Pete: I sent via WeTransfer examples of the Form B’s for the daylight raid to Cologne, March 2, 1945, 6-Group and 8-Group. Note that they changed the colour of the PFF smoke puff markers from Yellow to Red. The ground troops used yellow smoke and there were major steps taken to emphasize the colour change.

A colleague reminded me that there were also communications sent back and forth about the number of serviceable aircraft available, regularly updating Group and HQBC of the available operational strength. I have not seen the content of these forms so cannot comment on that.

I've sent you a schematic diagram, dated February 21, 1943, detailing the flow of these forms back and forth from HQBC, Groups and Stations.

Jim

[alieneyes]

Pete,

I, too, sent you some Form B pages (from the August 1944 Stettin raid). This was on the 11th of January.

Can you verify receipt? They went to your btinternet email and most unlike you to not acknowledge.

Regards,

Dave

[PeteT]

Sincere apologies to all ..... my life is manic at the moment with house renovations, research enquiries and other matters (but that is no excuse for my tardy response) ..... all files received but I have not had the opportunity to follow up on this matter, but I think I have all the information needed at this time

Regards (and apologies, once again)

PeteT