"SE Map reading" training for CC crew 1945

[CZ_RAF]

Hi all, I would like to ask if anyone have an idea what micght by a training flight described in the Watch Log as "SE Map reading".
It was flown by a Coastal Command squadron crew on Liberator GR Mk.V in early 1945. So far I was able to find out the particular aircraft has been equipped by two radars - ASV Mk.II a Mk.V - but the Gee is not mentioned.

Any thoughs would be much appreciated.

TIA

Pavel

[robstitt]

Hi Pavel,

‘SE’ was the abbreviation for ‘Special Equipment’ which referred to ASV radar installations in Coastal Command aircraft.

Not sure how that fits with map reading in this case but perhaps they were using ASV to pick up beacons to in turn fix position. Homing in on airfield beacons was standard CC practice in poor weather.

Robert

[bvs]

Perhaps similar to being able to use H2S for navigating to target and release point,H2S would clearly show Islands and Shorelines etc so perhaps ASV could be used to navigate around Islands and shorelines etc by comparing the screen PPI display with a small scale chart ?

[JDCAVE]

Just a FYI: the term “Special Equipment” may at times also be a reference to Oboe, showing up in some of the ORBs, both at the 8-Group level as well as at the squadron level.

Jim

[vrajm]

Hi Pavel,

There is the abbreviation S/E used 28 times.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/re...irks-home-page

Regards

Mojmir

[CZ_RAF]

Thak you all for your comment.
I have forgot to mention that I am familiar with the "SE" abbreviation but it does not make sense to me together with "Map Reading".

@ Robert - Not sure how that fits with map reading in this case but perhaps they were using ASV to pick up beacons to in turn fix position. Homing in on airfield beacons was standard CC practice in poor weather. - you are right but such flight is recorded always as "SE Homing" and other procedures like "BABS", "QGH" or "LORENZ".

@ bvs - so perhaps ASV could be used to navigate around Islands and shorelines etc by comparing the screen PPI display with a small scale chart ? - yes, this was also my idea but I have not heard about it before...

@ Jim - well I am definitely sure there was no Oboe on 311 Sq Liberators.

@ Mojmir - well, 10/28 and 11/28 reads also "S/E map reading" so it seems to me "Map Reading" was an "official expresion" used more frequently and not just specific of 311 Sq Watch Log. I have to dig a little bit more.


Pavel

[JDCAVE]

Pavel: I’m certain of that as well:-). I believe Coastal Command used the 3 cm band H2S at that time, but will confirm. It provided considerably better resolution for the purposes of navigation.

Jim

[Graham Boak]

Bomber Command used H2S for navigation and identification of targets, when this was useful. The example I saw was for a coastal city with a readily identifiable water feature. I feel sure that CC would certainly not have ignored this facility.

[GSinclair]

Almost from the start of radar being fitted there are reports of Coastal Command crews using it to figure out where they were as they approached/reached land. One of the training issues for all airborne radars was translating what appeared on the screen to maps.

[CZ_RAF]

Hi all, thank you for you additional comments.

Pavel