192 Squadron : Bagful ELINET Ops
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192 Squadron : Bagful ELINET Ops
I'm looking for a spot of research help from any interested Members please 
Dragartist and myself are trying to help a contact at the RAF Henlow Signals Museum with information relating to 'Bagful ELINET' Ops during WWII. Whilst ELINET was essentially Signals Intelligence gathering and interpretation, the corresponding 'Jamming' of enemy transmissions (aka Carpet Ops) was the beginning of what we know today as ECM.
The research/information request is very specific and relates to the Bagful Receiver/Recorder R1622
The R1622, usually carried by a Wellington/Halifax, was a self-recording search receiver designed to provide an automatic scan of a given frequency band and to record the signals received. A three-inch wide roll of dry electrochemical paper was used to record any transmissions. The data collected was analysed by intelligence officers to gain knowledge of the enemy’s radio and radar capabilities, thus allowing counter-measures to be developed/deployed. Very much the start of Spectrum/Waterfall Analysis in todays terms.
The R1622 operated in the following Frequency Bands ... 300-420 Mhz, 355-475 Mhz and 450-590 Mhz (during WWII these were Radar Frequencies).
My information request shouldn't be confused with a similar Receiver/Recorder designated 'Blonde'.
I've given Google a bit of a thrash ... but what we are really looking for is any pics of the R1622 either standalone or installed in an aircraft. I suppose the a real gem would be an example of a recoding trace ... but I suspect that is a very long shot (but I'm continually surprised what our Membership can turn-up/achieve
)
Here is a URL for the Obituary of Ted Cooke-Yarborough who headed 'Bagful' & 'Carpet' development during WWII.
Ted Cooke-Yarborough - Telegraph
Here is a bit of historical context on 192 Squadron's ELINET Ops.
Quote Credit : 192 Squadron ELINT WWII Ops
All help, information and assistance will be greatly appreciated ...
Best ...
Coff.
Dragartist and myself are trying to help a contact at the RAF Henlow Signals Museum with information relating to 'Bagful ELINET' Ops during WWII. Whilst ELINET was essentially Signals Intelligence gathering and interpretation, the corresponding 'Jamming' of enemy transmissions (aka Carpet Ops) was the beginning of what we know today as ECM.
The research/information request is very specific and relates to the Bagful Receiver/Recorder R1622
The R1622, usually carried by a Wellington/Halifax, was a self-recording search receiver designed to provide an automatic scan of a given frequency band and to record the signals received. A three-inch wide roll of dry electrochemical paper was used to record any transmissions. The data collected was analysed by intelligence officers to gain knowledge of the enemy’s radio and radar capabilities, thus allowing counter-measures to be developed/deployed. Very much the start of Spectrum/Waterfall Analysis in todays terms.
The R1622 operated in the following Frequency Bands ... 300-420 Mhz, 355-475 Mhz and 450-590 Mhz (during WWII these were Radar Frequencies).
My information request shouldn't be confused with a similar Receiver/Recorder designated 'Blonde'.
I've given Google a bit of a thrash ... but what we are really looking for is any pics of the R1622 either standalone or installed in an aircraft. I suppose the a real gem would be an example of a recoding trace ... but I suspect that is a very long shot (but I'm continually surprised what our Membership can turn-up/achieve
)Here is a URL for the Obituary of Ted Cooke-Yarborough who headed 'Bagful' & 'Carpet' development during WWII.
Ted Cooke-Yarborough - Telegraph
Here is a bit of historical context on 192 Squadron's ELINET Ops.
The RAF pioneered the creation of a squadron and aircraft that had a dedicated ELINT function. Y-Service, the RAF signals intelligence unit began employing ELINT aircraft in 1940 using Anson and later Wellington bombers to plot out the Knickebein beams used by the Luftwaffe for guided night bombing.
The German's use of radar bomber offensive over Europe underscored the need for a dedicated ELINT aircraft unit and in January 1943, 192 Squadron was established with a mixture of Wellingtons, Hallifaxes, and Mosquitoes. Generally, 192 and other ELINT units preferred large bombers like the Halifax for ELINT work as their was sufficient space in the fuselage to accommodate the bulky equipment. Later in the war, surplus B-17s and B-24 became available and supplemented the ELINT aircraft. The pioneering work by 192 allowed for the USAAF to develop its own ELINT aircraft, modifying B-24 and P-38 droopsnoots to supplement the 8th Air Force's jamming units.
One of 192 Squadron's basic missions was to plot out the Luftwaffe's radar network on the continent. The aircraft carried paper and wire sound recording devices like Bagful and Blonde that could pick up the radar frequencies and their duration. This allowed the RAF to keep abreast of German radar developments and the location of its radar stations. These missions also overlapped with spoof raids in which not only would the aircraft record German radar network, but also give false signals to confuse the Luftwaffe's defense network in advance of major raids. The ELINT work done by 192 and other units of 100 Group proved to be quite valuable for wider military operations beyond the bomber offensive. The ELINT aircraft flew patrols over the North Sea, the Channel, and the Bay of Biscay to determine the scale and type of Fortress Europe's radar network in advance of Overlord. This allowed the Allies to develop effective countermeasures to prevent German radar stations from picking up the Allied invasion armada.
The German's use of radar bomber offensive over Europe underscored the need for a dedicated ELINT aircraft unit and in January 1943, 192 Squadron was established with a mixture of Wellingtons, Hallifaxes, and Mosquitoes. Generally, 192 and other ELINT units preferred large bombers like the Halifax for ELINT work as their was sufficient space in the fuselage to accommodate the bulky equipment. Later in the war, surplus B-17s and B-24 became available and supplemented the ELINT aircraft. The pioneering work by 192 allowed for the USAAF to develop its own ELINT aircraft, modifying B-24 and P-38 droopsnoots to supplement the 8th Air Force's jamming units.
One of 192 Squadron's basic missions was to plot out the Luftwaffe's radar network on the continent. The aircraft carried paper and wire sound recording devices like Bagful and Blonde that could pick up the radar frequencies and their duration. This allowed the RAF to keep abreast of German radar developments and the location of its radar stations. These missions also overlapped with spoof raids in which not only would the aircraft record German radar network, but also give false signals to confuse the Luftwaffe's defense network in advance of major raids. The ELINT work done by 192 and other units of 100 Group proved to be quite valuable for wider military operations beyond the bomber offensive. The ELINT aircraft flew patrols over the North Sea, the Channel, and the Bay of Biscay to determine the scale and type of Fortress Europe's radar network in advance of Overlord. This allowed the Allies to develop effective countermeasures to prevent German radar stations from picking up the Allied invasion armada.
All help, information and assistance will be greatly appreciated ...
Best ...
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 9th Mar 2016 at 18:15.
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Thanks for starting this of Coff. Look like we will have more detail soon.
When I was a young man at EWAU the visitor book showed RV Jones was a regular.
Cheers
Drag
When I was a young man at EWAU the visitor book showed RV Jones was a regular.
Cheers
Drag
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
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Simply outstanding ... and it only took 24 Hrs
It never ceases to amaze the depth and breadth of knowledge shown by Mil Forum Members. Many thanks to RS for providing the pics along with other material that I'm sure the RAF Henlow Signals Museum will welcome
The Bagful Receiver/Recorder R1622
Image Credit : HMG National Archive (Low Rez Image)
Example Output Trace
A Frequency/Timebase plot where horizontal line patterns (in the current orientation) would be 'frequencies' of interest.
Image Credit : HMG National Archive (Low Rez Image)
It would appear that this particular R1622 ended up serving with 192 Squadron. Again the level of British technical innovation is impressive.
Drag ...
I'll drop you a line over the weekend with a bit more info
Coff.
It never ceases to amaze the depth and breadth of knowledge shown by Mil Forum Members. Many thanks to RS for providing the pics along with other material that I'm sure the RAF Henlow Signals Museum will welcome
The Bagful Receiver/Recorder R1622
Image Credit : HMG National Archive (Low Rez Image)
Example Output Trace
A Frequency/Timebase plot where horizontal line patterns (in the current orientation) would be 'frequencies' of interest.
Image Credit : HMG National Archive (Low Rez Image)
It would appear that this particular R1622 ended up serving with 192 Squadron. Again the level of British technical innovation is impressive.
Drag ...
I'll drop you a line over the weekend with a bit more info
Coff.
