SCR-299

The SCR-299 was a U.S. Signal Corps mobile military communications unit used during World War II.

Shelter-mounted version of the SCR-299, the SCR-399

History

Hallicrafters SCR-299 ad c. 1944, depicting DUKW mounted SCR-399 version

The SCR-299 "mobile communications unit" was developed to provide long-range communications during World War II. The US Military sought improvements of range, flexibility and durability over its existing SCR-197 and SCR-597 transmitters. In 1942, Hallicrafters Standard HT-4 was selected as the SCR-299's transmitter, known subsequently by its military designation as the BC-610. The SCR-299 was first used on November 8, 1942 during Operation TORCH involving companies of the 829th Signal Service Battalion establishing a radio net that could exchange messages between beach-landed forces and bases in Gibraltar. Despite initial problems unloading the sets from convoy ships, the SCR-299s served until the installation of permanent Army Command and Administrative Network stations.[1] According to US Army military historians, "General Dwight Eisenhower credited the SCR-299 in his successful reorganization of the American forces and final defeat of the Nazis at Kasserine Pass."[2]

SCR-299 housed in K-51 panel van

The range of the SCR-299 exceeded original specifications, sometime establishing contact over 2,300 miles (3,700 km).[3]

The SCR-299 provided reliable communications with England during the North African campaign, and in Normandy on D-Day, served as a connection between two airborne divisions with Britain.[4] The SCR-299 was also used in the invasion of Sicily and the Allied invasion of Italy.[2]

War correspondents and press reporters frequently made use of the SCR-299 and SCR-399. Access to the sets was provided to them by US Second Army and US Third Army Group Communications Teams, and in one instance, the SCR-399 became the only means of getting press copy direct to London.[5]

In 1944, a short subject film was produced by the Jam Handy Organization and sponsored by the Hallicrafters Company that showed the construction of the SCR-299 and dramatized its use during World War II.[6][7]

Hallicrafters Company advertising of the period sometimes used illustrations of the shelter-mounted SCR-399 to describe the achievements of the SCR-299.[8]

Specifications

SCR-299 interior operators desk and gear, from Hallicrafters ad, 1942

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Fort Huachuca Scout, January 22, 2009. Signal Corps carries the Torch, by Kristen Gregan, NETCOM Historical Staff
  2. 1 2 The SCR-299, United States Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, GA
  3. ↑ The SCR299, Army Communicator United States Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, GA
  4. ↑ Kennedy, David M. (2 October 2007). "The Library of Congress World War II Companion". Simon and Schuster – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ "Normandy - The Technical Services : Signal Corps".
  6. ↑ Handy (Jam) Organization (1 January 1944). "Voice of Victory (Part I)" – via Internet Archive.
  7. ↑ Handy (Jam) Organization (1 January 1944). "Voice of Victory (Part II)" – via Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ Dachis, Chuck (1996). Radios By Hallicrafters. Schiffer Publishing,Atglen(USA).
  9. ↑ Directory Of Components, The SCR299, Army Communicator United States Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, GA
  10. ↑ Fort Gordon Museum, Transportable Sets
  11. ↑ Fort Gordon Museum


References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/30/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.