[ARC5] SCR-287 (BC-375 & BC-348) WW II Operational

[MARK DORNEY]

B-17 bombers were equipped with both a radio compass and GEE/APN-4 ( LORAN A ), and some with OBOE. Even with the electronics, navigation was challenging. 

Mark D. 

“In matters of style, float with the current. In matters of Principle, stand like a rock. “.   -   Thomas Jefferson 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 2, 2025, at 4:04 PM, releazer at earthlink.net wrote:

A book by a B-17 navigator described how radio operators in the lead aircraft would send position reports back to 8th AF HQ, and that obviously had to be by CW and in all probability, using coded messages.  On his first mission as Group Lead Navigator for the 100 BG the poor guy could not tell where they were due to heavy clouds, and had no idea that an unforecast strong tail wind put them over the target in Norway two hours early.  He only found the target when the clouds cleared up and the Germans were generating a smoke screen to try to hide it, which was like waving a huge flag. And since the Nav  did not know where he was he was unable to pass position reports to the radio op.  As a result the Germans were not able DF them, so they avoided interception except by two Ju88, which they shot down.

Wayne
WB5WSV
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