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RAF call signs

Pat Pattle

Pat Pattle

SOH-CM-2025
Hi all,

During the war each RAF station had (still has) a callsign... eg Biggin Hill was 'Top Hat' (I think).

These were used as a code so that the LW didn't know what we were talking about over the R/T. Also each squadron had a similar callsign as did towns and facilities too.

I'm trying to find a list of the airfield callsigns, I've trawled through all my BoB and RAF books as well as the 'net and this subject is hardly mentioned.

Anyone any ideas please? Gordon??

Cheers,

Pat :)
 
callsigns

Hi Pat,

What I can immediatly tell you is about the USSAF, there's a site that shows callsigns of the Mighty eight fighter groups :

Search for site :
littlefriends.co.uk

If I find the same for the RAF I will Email you.
FFD Alain95
 
Hi Clive

Not much help I'm afraid.

Remember 'Sapper' as being the call sign for Biggin 'Hello Pimpernel leader this is Sapper calling'.

Only found a few others some because had funny connutation.

Pershore was 'Firkin' - 'Recalling all Firkin aircraft'.

East Kirkby - 'Silksheen'.

USAAF Winkton - 'Drainsink'.

Stornoway - 'Pigsty'

Metheringham - 'Coffee Stall'.

Duxford - 'Steersman'

Skellingthorpe - 'Black Swan' - the local pub was re-named.

Thorney Island - 'Whitewell'.

Gordon
 
That Pimpernel callsign came from 'Angels One Five didn't it Gordon? That was RAF Neethly in the film (Kenley in real life which concurs what I've listed below, probably coincidence).

I thought Biggin Hill was 'Sapper'
Click to expand...
yes very likely, I've found nothing written either way, do you have a source for that please?


The BoB2 sim has these included but without cross referencing them I wouldn't take them as read especially when 7 of them have the same name!

TANGMERE - SHORTJACK
KENLEY - SAPPER
BIGGIN HILL - TOP HAT
HORNCHURCH - LUMBA
NORTH WEALD - COWSLIP
DEBDEN - GARTER

NORTHOLT - SUN DIAL
DUXFORD - SUN DIAL
WITTERING - SUN DIAL
DIGBY - SUN DIAL
KIRTON-IN-LINDSEY - SUN DIAL
FILTON - SUN DIAL
MIDDLE WALLOP - SUN DIAL

Think I'll try the IWM.
 
Benson was "Gingerwine"

But wouldn't they have changed them occasionally to keep German intelligence off balance?
 
Good pints, (those too but also good points which is what I meant:icon29::icon29:), Clive as would be good if we get audio spawns for directing pilots in BoB missions.:applause:
 
But wouldn't they have changed them occasionally to keep German intelligence off balance?
Click to expand...

I don't think they changed them but they did use the wrong ones to confuse the LW (and our own pilots I expect!)

Josh - that's a great site that I've used before, I can't find any specific callsign info though, am I missing something? :)
 
I think Sapper for Biggin comes in "RAF Biggin Hill" by Graham Wallace, but it's ages since I read it. I'll see if I can find it.
 
Here's another confirmed: "Kenway" for 2TAF 83 Group control in Normandy. This is in "Wing Leader" by Johnnie Johnson, "Greycap".
 
I think Sapper for Biggin comes in "RAF Biggin Hill" by Graham Wallace, but it's ages since I read it. I'll see if I can find it.
Click to expand...

Page 105 to be precise! Thanks :) I've that book plus a number of similar - I was hoping to find a definitive list rather than having to skim read through them all. Laziness on my part ....:redface:

Here's another confirmed: "Kenway" for 2TAF 83 Group control in Normandy. This is in "Wing Leader" by Johnnie Johnson, "Greycap".
Click to expand...

Thanks for that too. I've read that Douglas Baders was 'DogsBody' after his initials on his aircraft.
 
Sorry I was digressing, it's aerodromes I was particularily after, the squadron call-signs are readily available in a number of books and on websites, the airfields are a lot harder to track down!

Thanks for the help so far chaps! :ernae:
 
Acft or squadron callsigns

I am intrested in finding callsigns used by RAF aircraft pilots, as opposed to airfield callsigns. Is there a complied list somewhere?

Also, I'd like to find sopecific information on radio communications protocol...as used during BofB. Were acft callsigns used always ( I doubt) ...informal use of real names?? What format was used for vectoring aircraft towards targets? For example, would it be "Bandits Vector XXX, altitude XXX Angels, Distance XXX' ????
 
I am intrested in finding callsigns used by RAF aircraft pilots, as opposed to airfield callsigns. Is there a complied list somewhere?

Also, I'd like to find sopecific information on radio communications protocol...as used during BofB. Were acft callsigns used always ( I doubt) ...informal use of real names?? What format was used for vectoring aircraft towards targets? For example, would it be "Bandits Vector XXX, altitude XXX Angels, Distance XXX' ????
Click to expand...

I have some of this info somewhere, let me look and get back to you.

Cheers,

Pat
 
Pat Pattle said:
I have some of this info somewhere, let me look and get back to you.

Cheers,

Pat
Click to expand...

Thanks.
FYI, I am writing a screenplay for a TV show about Pattle of 33Sqdn and 80 Sqdn, and Malan of 74 Sqdn. Any callsign info concerning Pattle would be of great interest.

I would like any/all information on WWII RAF call sign usage and selection, and air-to-air and ground -to-air radio communication procedures. A few years ago I did some research and found some info on WWII RAF communications procedures and terminology, but I'd like more if I can find any.


I have a related question: Previously in researching for an earlier screenplay, I thought I had learned that the terms "Roger" and "Wilco" had been incorporated into RAF comms only after the USAAF had come to the UK. Anyone know if that is true or not? I ask, because in the 1969 movie "Battle of Britain", those two terms are used quite a bit.

Thanks for any help offered.

DoolittleRaider aka Wiley
 
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