[ARC5] [Boatanchors] Example Log Entry: WWII Merchant Marine Signals

[howard holden]

P.D.L.    Pass down the line? As in let subordinate units/ commanders/personnel know?

Howie WB2AWQ

Sent from my iPhone

On May 11, 2014, at 9:51 AM, "David Stinson" <arc5 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> Here are some excerpts from daily logs.
> First from June 6th, 1944 (anyone know that date?).
> Ship: Stk. South Mountain (I.D #64)
> Travelling Gourock, Scotland to New York.
> 28 May to 9 June 1944.
> 
> NOTES:  Notations in brackets [ ] are "translation" to plain text.
> 
> Signal methods:
> "FH"  Flag Hoist
> "FL"  Flashing Light
> "CL" Colored Lights (hoisted on the flag lanyard at night).
> "TBY"  TBY VHF Radio
> 
> Time notations:
> "T.O.O."  Time notation.  Uncertain, but seems to be used only for receptions that are to be relayed-
> perhaps "Time Of Observation."  Always followed by:
> "T.O.X."  "Time Of Transmission"  Time the signal was received or transmitted.
> 
> Identification:
> "B"  Commodore commanding the convey merchant ships.
> "A.S."  All Ships
> (52, 64, 71 etc.)  Ships in the convoy were addressed by
> a number when in formation, by their radio call signs when in port or independent.
> "Lion" Escort Commander
> 
> Other:
> "E" and "I" pre-arraigned Zig-Zag maneuvers>
> "Black Pennant" (from escort) Submarine Contact.
> Proper names:  Code for distances.
> Colors: Code for numbers
> 
> One of the codes we need translated is "P.D.L." 
> 6 June 1944
> FROM / TO / T.O.O / T.O.X / SIGNAL / METHOD
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> B / A.S. / - / 0525 /  For the information of all hands.
> The invasion of France started at 0333 this morning. / TBY
> B / A.S. / - / 0800 /  Q80 / FH
> B / A.S. / 0810 / 0815 / N-ZU [Secure TBY] / FH
> 52 / A.S. / - / 0810 / FN / FH
> B / A.S. / 0820 / 0825 / S275 [Steer 275 Degs] / FH
> B / A.S. / - / 1250 / SN / FH
> B / A.S. / - / 1315 / Based on maintaining present speed
> ETA of number 51 at Ambrose Light 090230 Queen./ FL
> B / A.S. / - / 1330 / WU30-0200 /FH
> 
> 
> 7 June 1944
> FROM / TO / T.O.O / T.O.X / SIGNAL / METHOD
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> 71 / 64 / - / 0130 /  64 move ahead six tenths John.
>  65 move ahead seven tenths John. (DE63) / TBY
> 64 / 63 / - / 0130 / Roger.  Wilco.  Out. / TBY
> 73 / A.S. / 1020 / 1027 / Breakdown balls. / FH
> B / A.S. / 1215 / 1220 / WG / FH
> Lion / A.S. / - / 1250 / Black Pennant / FH
> B / A.S. / - /  1255 / E / FH
> B / A.S. / 1256 / 1257 / E / FH
> B / A.S. / - /  1305 / I / FH
> B / A.S. / - /  1310 /I / FH
> B / A.S. / 1321 / 1324 / S267 [Steer 267 degrees] / FH
> B / A.S. / - /  1330 / To all ships BT Action stations
>  not required but keep an alert lookout. BT 1320
>  (P.D.L.) / FL
> 64 / 63 /  1335 / R DE 65 / FL
> Escort / A.S. / 1343 / Black Pennant / FH
> B / A.S. / - /  1344 / I / FH
> B / A.S. / - /  1352 / E / FH
> Escort / A.S. / 1357 / Black Pennant / FH
> B / A.S. / - / 1410 /  WU30-0200 / FH
> 
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