RAF / Coastal Command etc Codes for Patrols - inquiries

RAF / Coastal Command etc Patrol Codes inquiries


First Question:

What is a Stepper Patrol?
I found this in a Coastal Command loss report at:
http://rotherhamwarmemorials.weebly.com/panel-2-right.html

"Hudson mk V AM669 QX-F went out on a Stepper Patrol.
On the 25 December 1941 the aircraft was reported missing when it failed to return."

Is there a list of Coastal Command codes for operations like this?
_________________

A Percussion Patrol was the code name Coastal Command used for sorties in the Bay of Biscane to keep U-Boats underwater until their batteries ran out.

 

Though it may conceivably relate to 'stepper dives', as practised by both aircraft & submarines, I suspect this is more cryptic with the answer to be found in 244 Sqdn's ORB appendix. And given that the Hudson was lost out of RAF St Eval (~10m from Stepper Point) I also suspect the name derived from a cryptic local headland/landmark theme - as you say, a code.

So ... anyone got 244 Sqdn's Xmas '41 ORB & appendix handy ?

Steve

Stop press: I've just found Recherche de France-Crashes 39-45 describing the mission as an anti-submarine patrol.

PS (trivia): 2 Bn RCE later established a related quarry on Stepper Point as partially-related here:

My bold (ref: The Story of 2 Bn R.C.E.)

 

Next request:

What was a Coastal Command "EMRO" Patrol?

Example: http://www.number59.com/new_59/roll/crew_html/blen_date.html

 

3d request:

What was a Coastal Command Moon Patrol?

Example: http://www.number59.com/new_59/roll/crew_html/blen_magee.html

 

4th request:

What was a Coastal Command "CLA" patrol?

Example: http://www.number59.com/new_59/roll/crew_html/blen_johnson.html

 

5th request:

What was an RAF Fighter Command "Instep" Patrol?

Example: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=30229

Sorry, I have tried hard to find a source for all this...

 

6th request:

What was an RAF Bomber Command "Rover" Patrol?

Examples: http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=13040
http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=11978
http://lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=11697

 

Tnx Owen!!! Not knowing what trick you are using Owen! I have tried every google search imaginable... thus the LONG buildup of queries...
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A Coastal Command "Hach" Patrol was:
Answer: an anti-invasion/reconnaissance

Example: http://www.number59.com/new_59/roll/crew_html/hudson_rogerson.html

 

CLA was Creeping line ahead search

This was for anti submarine purposes

Cheers

Lawrence

 

I usually find these described in detail within the Group ORB's, with revisions, as they keep changing.
They are interesting to read.
Regards,
Nick

 

More of interest for the list.

1. An RAF / Coastal Command "Wander" Patrol.

Answer: An armed 24 hour wandering patrol / mobile patrol, whose patrol times are intermittent to avoid setting patterns.
__________________

I would be very grateful to get help completing this list:

2. Coastal Command Convoy Escort Codes:

i. "Patrick" when flashed to surface vessels from an aircraft, meant: "I am on an independent patrol, but can assist you if necessary".

ii.

iii...

 

Next request.

What was an RAF Coastal Command "Pirate 2" Patrol?

Example: http://www.number59.com/new_59/roll/crew_html/blen_munro.html

Fun stuff this. Thanks for all the help folks, (this from someone who considers themselves somewhat of an ace at Google Searches.)

Sighed Fried Ed. <===<-:
(A Smiley that is about to Tie One On!)

 

Squealer Patrol - from http://www.626-squadron.co.uk/willem25.htm

Blenheim IV V6339 WV-C from 18 Squadron, based at Horsham St. Faith near Norwich in Norfolk, took off at 12.30 in the afternoon of 16th September 1941 with two other aircraft to patrol Squealer Beat B.

A Squealer beat was against German trawlers which were equipped with intelligence-gathering equipment, listening to radio frequencies, etc....
These "spying trawlers" were called "squealers", and attacks against them used that name.

 

I found an answer to many of my questions at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_RAF_code_names

• Channel Stop – Air operations intended to stop enemy shipping passing through the Strait of Dover.
• Circus – bomber attacks with fighter escorts in the day time.
  The attacks were against short range targets with the intention of occupying enemy fighters and keeping their fighter units in the area concerned.
• Flower – patrols in the area of enemy airfields with the intention of preventing aircraft from taking off and attacking those aircraft that succeeded.
• Instep – missions to restrict attacks on Coastal Command aircraft by maintaining a presence over the Western Approaches.
• Jim Crow – coastal patrols to intercept enemy aircraft crossing the British coastline from Cap Gris Nez to Flushing, originally intended to warn of invasion in 1940
• Kipper – patrols to protect fishing boats in the north sea against attack from the air.
• Mahmoud – sorties flown by de Havilland Mosquitoes equipped with backward radar, when enemy aircraft were detected a 180° turn enabled an attack.
• Mandolin – attacks on enemy railway transport and other ground targets.
• Ramrod – short range bomber attacks to destroy ground targets, similar to Circus attacks.
• Ranger – freelance flights over enemy territory by units of any size, the intention was to occupy and tire enemy fighters.
• Rhubarb – operations when sections of fighters or fighter-bombers, taking full advantage of low cloud and poor visibility, would cross the English Channel and then drop below cloud level to search for opportunity targets such as railway locomotives and rolling stock, aircraft on the ground, enemy troops and vehicles on roads.
• Roadstead – dive bombing and low level attacks on enemy ships at sea or in harbour.
• Rodeo – fighter sweeps over enemy territory
• Rover – armed reconnaissance flights with attacks on opportunity targets.

From Run The Gauntlet - The Channel Dash 1942 By Ken Ford

Liner South East (Stopper) Patrol sweeping the sea lanes from Ushant to the Bay of the Seine.
Habo Patrol. Bay of the Seine to past Charbourge keeping within 12 miles of the French Coast.

 

What is a RAF Coastal Command "Roll Patrol"

 

Lunch?