MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, FEB.7/98 INDEX: MYSTERY RADIO; The BC-745/SCR-511, Part III by Dennis Starks DUMB QUESTION; HUMOR; **************************** Remember, your want's and trade's should be in by tonight in order to go out with the rest Sunday morning. Any modifications to your existing list should also be in. Thanks Dennis **************************** MYSTERY RADIO; The BC-745/SCR-511, Part III by Dennis Starks TRIAL IN COMBAT, As with many of the other radios that had just entered service with the U.S. Army, the Pogo Stick made it to the troops just in time to participated in the U.S.'s first major campaign. Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa in November 1942. It, along with the BC-611, 620, & 659, went ashore with the first assault waves. Naval contingents at the same time, carried their TBX's, and TBY's. Once on the beaches, they were the first radios on the air, making initial contact, providing directions for following waves, and directing Naval gun fire. In this capacity the BC-745 as with other radios that performed this function, was referred to as a "Beach Master's" radio. By all accounts, it performed most admirably. As successive waves came ashore, and the first progressed inland, so too did the BC-745. Followed up quickly by the larger more powerful sets, the SCR-284, and 288(remember this one? It too was just supposed to have been used only for "training"). The Pogo Stick was found to work so well that it was moved up in the ranks. Though originally only intended to be used no higher than at company level, it also served at the battalion level where the longer ranges required were not thought possible of the little radio. But remember, it had 10 times the output power of the BC-611, a slightly more efficient antenna system, multiple power supply options, and the added ability to drive a loud speaker(when used with the PE-157). Heres just one account: "The 18th Infantry, part of the 1st Infantry Division, used SCR-511's for it's regimental command net. The regimental commander and each battalion commander had a set, and they were never out of contact during the battle for Onan." "Other units declared that the SCR-511, though good only while it's batteries lasted, provided a very successful link between ship and shore." (Ref.#6, Capt R.W. Green, Com Officer 18th Infantry Regiment) It should be noted here, that because of the improper loading of the invasion ships, signals equipment could not be off-loaded in order of it's importance, or need. For two days(D plus 2) besides performing it's normal tactical and intra-battalion duties, the SCR-511, was the sole communications link between the above division and it's offshore support. Operation Torch was a learning experience in every avenue of warfare. Ideas, doctrine, equipment new and old, and of every type, would either fail and be discarded, pass with glory, or require a major revamp if continued in use. The SCR-511 was no exception to this test. Though it served with distinction, above and beyond it's design intent, basic flaws did surface that would eventually add to other factors to spell it's demise. The next major offensive was Sicily, here again the Pogo stick was among the first radios ashore, and on the air. Every company commander was expected to carry either it or the BC-611. It's duties were much the same as those in North Africa, but the clock had started ticking. Some of the task formerly assigned to it were being relegated to the FM portables, BC-620, and 659. But we also see a new application for the now vulnerable Pogo Stick, one where the available FM sets (the SCR-300 has not yet entered the field) could not compete in terms of range and portability. One that would keep it in service even after it was overshadowed in other applications. The Airborne! Yes, they jumped out of airplanes with these things. It must have been like riding a mechanical bull with a mouth full of toothpicks. The FM sets in the field at the time were far too heavy, and bulky for an individual solder to jump with, also they lacked the range of the BC-745, one mile as apposed to five. While they were accompanied by their little brothers, the BC-611's, it could not provide a link to higher echelon, and support units. So again, the Pogo Stick was first on the seen. Besides other data, in Ref.#9 two photos survive to illustrate the airborne use of the SCR-511. While it's true that wartime publications such as this should be highly suspect in regard to their accuracy, in this case we have supporting evidence. The first is a combat photo with the caption,"U.S. Paratroopers advancing in Sicily after landing at Gela". A Pogo Stick is sticking out of the ground, and the squad taking cover under a tree(this was not a "put up", "propaganda" photo). The second depicts an airborne signalman in full jump gear demonstrating his jump stance, he is holding the BC-745 out in front of him at almost arms length. A similar picture exist from a Free French magazine published in England just prior to "D" Day, here the soldier is described as a French Commando. An interesting point about this second photo of Ref.#9, is that the caption includes a list of the soldiers equipment as follows, "helmet, jump suite, boots, .45-cal pistol, trench knife, *machete*, M-1 rifle, 200 rounds of ammunition, bayonet, six air-ground liaison panels, and SCR-511". The M-1 rifle is actually an M1A1 carbine, concealed, folded up in a canvas jump bag. The soldier is standing in the sand, and the trees in the background look tropical. The presents of a machete, especially as this one looks like an Australian cavalry sabre, would all indicate that this was in the Pacific theater. The machete/sword, is of particular interest, these were issued as an expedient to U.S. troops do to a shortage of machetes. Both the M1A1 Carbine, and it's bayonet were introduced in the later part of the war. Also included in the soldiers inventory is a "Trench Knife", sadly though, it is not visible in the photo, as it too could have helped to place, and date the location of the photo. While the BC-745 continued to serve throughout the rest of hostilities in Europe, the appearance of the "New Baby" in the family, the SCR-300, and with the attention always drawn by a new baby, it's exploits rather than those of the Pogo Stick now filled the reports of official annals, and wartime promotional propaganda. Almost completely overshadowing the continued contributions made by the SCR-511. Or until our story continues! Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com References; #1) MYSTERY RADIO; BC-745/SCR-511, PART I, by Bill Howard MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JAN.14/98 #2) Military Intelligence, a Picture History, by John Patrick Finnegan. #3) TM 11-227, Apr.1944, Radio Communications Equipment; Signal Communications Directory. #4) TM 11-487, Oct.1944, Electrical Communications Systems Equipment #5) U.S. Army in WW-II, The Signal Corps: The Emergency, by Dulany Terrett #6) U.S. Army in WW-II, The Signal Corps: The Test, by Thompson, Harris, Oakes, and Terret #7) U.S. Army in WW-II, The Signal Corps: The Outcome, by G.R. Thompson, and Dixie Harris #8) TM 11-245, Radio Set SCR-511, 30 July, 1943. #9) QST, Sept. 1944, The U.S. Army Signal Corps. #10) Post WW-II mystery manual, date and history unknown, cover missing. #11) History of the Squad Radio, by Marvin W. Curtis ECOM-4451, Nov. 1976 #12) SCR-511 DISCUSSION; by Lenox Carruth, & Dennis Starks MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, JAN.15/98 #13) MYSTERY RADIO; The BC-745/SCR-511, Part II, by Dennis Starks MILITARY COLLECTOR GROUP POST, FEB. 6/98 **************************** DUMB QUESTION; In the TV commercial currently running for Ravioli that is a spinoff of the movie,"Predator". What is that radio that is dropped on the jungle floor by the running man? It looks like a cross between a BC-611, and a PRC-6. I want it! Dennis **************************** HUMOR; MORE BUMPER STICKERS 1. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm 2. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines 3. Early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese 4. I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol 5 I intend to live forever - so far, so good 6. I love defenseless animals, especially in a good gravy 7. If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends? 8. If you ain't makin' waves, you ain't kickin' hard enough! 9. Mental backup in progress - Do Not Disturb! 10. Mind Like A Steel Trap - Rusty And Illegal In 37 States 11. Quantum Mechanics: The dreams stuff is made of 12. Robin Hood was a terrorist 13. Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it 14. Shake well before and after use 15. Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have 16. The light at the end of the tunnel is a muzzle flash 17. The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes. 18. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. 19. People are more violently opposed to fur than to leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs. And my all time favorite.... 20. 'Honk if you have never seen an Uzi fired from a car window.' ------------------------------------------ Clinton and the Pope died on the same day, due to some administrative foul up, Clinton gets sent to heaven and the Pope gets sent to hell. The Pope explains the situation to the hell administration, they check their paperwork, and the error is acknowledged. They explain, however, that it will take about 24 hours to make the switch. The next day, the Pope is called in and the hell administration bids him farewell and he heads for heaven. On the way up, he meets Clinton on the way down, and they stop to chat. Pope: Sorry about the mix up. Clinton: No problem. Pope: Well, I'm really excited about going to heaven. Clinton: Why's that? Pope: All my life I've wanted to meet the Virgin Mary. Clinton: You're a day late. ----------------------------------------- Q: What do Monica Lewinsky and Bob Dole have in common? A: They were both upset when Bill finished first. Q: What is Bill's definition of safe sex? A: When Hillary is out of town. Q: What is the difference between Clinton and the Titanic? A: Only 200 women went down on the Titanic. Q: How does Bill keep Monica Lewinsky away from the White House? A: He keeps offering to send Ted Kennedy over to give her a ride. Q. What does Bill say to Hillary after a romantic interlude? A: "Honey, I'll be home in 20 minutes." Q: Why does Bill Clinton cheat on Hillary? A: He wants to be on top. Q: How did Bill Clinton paralyze Hillary from the waist down? A: He married her. Q: How many women does it take to satisfy Bill Clinton's sexual appetite? A: It Takes A Village! -------------------------------------------------------- President French-Fry was out jogging when a Hooker standing on the corner hailed him. "Hey Mr. President! Fifty bucks!" "No, no." Bill replied with a grin, "Five bucks!" and kept on jogging. This exchange soon became a part of the President's normal routine. Each day as he'd approach the corner, the hooker would yell out, "Hey Mr. President... Fifty Bucks!" and Bill would holler back, "No, Five Bucks!" Well, one day, Hillary decided she wanted to go jogging with Bill. As they neared the corner, Bill suddenly realized what a terrible scene was about to happen. Sure enough, there was the hooker, and just like all the other times she smiled and waved and yelled out, "Hey Mr. President......See what you get for Five Bucks!" ----------------------------------------------------- Q: When did Clinton realize Paula Jones wasn't a Democrat? A: When she didn't swallow everything he presented. Q: What's the difference between Bill Clinton and a gigolo? A: A gigolo can only screw one person at a time. Q: What's the definition of an Arkansas Virgin? A: A girl that can run faster than the Governor. Q: What does Teddy Kennedy have that Bill Clinton wishes *he* did? A: A dead girlfriend. Q: What game did Bill Clinton want Paula Jones to play? A: Swallow the leader Q: Why is Clinton so interested in events in the Middle East? A: He thinks the Gaza Strip is a topless bar. **************************** EDITOR; Dennis Starks; MILITARY RADIO COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN military-radio-guy@juno.com