Navigation and Bombing Aids

This section covers those units set up to provide navigational support (such as GEE and LORAN) and improve bombing accuracy (such as OBOE and GEE-H). Those units designated as such are listed below with further details to be added in due course.

This was formed at Welford under the control of No 90 Group on 21 September 1950, moving to Wythall on 15 May 1952, where it disbanded on 1 December 1953.

This was located at Saligo Bay (Station 7411) being opened around March 1945 and closed around July 1945

This was located at Canewdon (Station 7223) being opened around October 1942 and closed around July 1944

This was located at Downhill (Station 7421) being opened around April 1945 and closed around June 1945

This was located at Kilkenneth being opened around March 1945 and closed around July 1945

The HQ was located at Great Bromley with another station at Barkway, being opened around March 1942 and closed around November 1945

The HQ was located at Elstree with other stations at Wrotham Tower and other places, being opened around August 1945 and closed around November 1945

The HQ was located at Richmond, Yorkshire being opened around February 1944 and closed around June 1945

The HQ was located at Downhill with other stations at Saligo and Kilkenneth, being opened around May 1945 and closed around November 1945

The HQ was located at Burifa Hill, Caithness with other stations at Scousburgh (Shetland), Windy Head and Sango being opened around June 1942 and closed around October 1945

The HQ was located at Brandy Bay, Dorset, later moving to Worth Matravers and was opened around June 1942 and closed around December 1945

The HQ was located at Treraw with stations at other places, being opened around July 1943 and closed around November 1945

This was formed as part of the Tripoli GEE Chain Castel Benito in November 1945. It was later based at Garian, Libya in December 1945 and disbanded in November 1945

This was formed as a Mobile GEE station in Holland in January 1945. It was initially deployed to Roermond in Holland before moving to Winterberg in Germany in April 1945, where it disbanded in November 1948

This was located at Grangewood being opened around February 1943 and closed around November 1944

This was located at High Street being opened around September 1943 and closed around November 1944

This was located at Kilter being opened around May 1943 and closed around July 1943

This was located at Worth Matravers being opened around January 1944 and closed around July 1944

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Type 100) at Plomodiern in France under the control of No 2 Group in February 1945. It moved to Parthenay, France in January 1946, where it disbanded in November 1946

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Type 100) at Renscombe Down under the control of No 2 Group in March 1944. It moved to Wasserkuppe, Germany in June 1945, where it disbanded in April 1946

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H Station (Type 100) at Cardington under the control of No 2 Group in May 1944. It moved to Winterberg, Germany in May 1945, where it disbanded in September 1945

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H Station (Type 100), possibly in the UK under the control of No 2 Group in June 1944. It was based at Prades, France in June 1945 and disbanded in June 1947

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Heavy type 100) at Swanage in August 1944. It moved to Rosee, France in December then to Laroche, France in February 1945, Delmenhorst, Germany in June and finally to Alverdissen, Germany in November, where it disbanded in October 1946

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Heavy type 100), possibly in the UK in August 1944. It was based at Boekel, Holland in October 1944, moving to Blaubeuren, Germany in June 1945, where it disbanded in August 1945

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Heavy type 100) at Grangewood in May 1944. Initially located at Trelanvean and Kilter Farm it was under the control of No 83 (Signals) Wing. It arrived in France on 29 July landing on Utah Beach becoming operational at Anseville-sur-Saire. On 30 August it was ordered to move to Commercy, arriving three days later. By March 1945 it have moved to Langenfeld in Germany and on 22 April it moved to Neubronn but on 5 August it was recalled to Mons, where it disbanded in August 1945

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Heavy type 100), possibly in the UK in December 1944. It crossed from Dover to France on 10/11 December and set off for Mutzig on 16 December, arriving two days later, becoming operational on 22 December. Due to the German advance in the Ardennes, the unit retreated to Commercy and Mons between 5 and 27 January 1945. From 1 February to 3 April the unit was based at St Avold, moving on to Edenkoben, where it remained until 24 April. Its final move was to Wildenreuth, which took four days, arriving on 29 April and it disbanded in October 1945

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Heavy type 100) at Cardington in January 1945. It was based at Epe, Holland from October 1945 and disbanded in October 1946

This was formed as a Mobile Gee-H station (Heavy type 100) at Cardington in December 1944. It moved to Delle, France in February 1945, then to Gotha, Germany in April and finally to Wasserkuppe, Germany in August, where it disbanded in September 1945

This was located at Clee Hill in No 60 Group, being opened around January 1944 and closed around January 1945

This was located at Danby Beacon being opened around December 1944 and closed around January 1945

This was located at Port Errol being opened around December 1943 and closed around October 1945

This was located at Skaw (Station 713) being opened around July 1944 and closed around July 1944

This was located at Worth Matravers being opened around November 1943 and closed around November 1945

This was located at Burifa Hill in No 60 Group, being opened around June 1945 and closed around November 1945

This was formed at Stenigot, Lincolnshire in 1944. It moved to the Far East via Chigwell and was a Mobile CH station modified as a one-off navigation aid – LORAN-B for service on the Cocos Islands. A disbandment date has not yet been found.

OBOE was a 200 MHz transponder-based navigation system - Oboe Mk I ground station - Oboe Mk III, S band

This was located at Beachy Head (Convoy 9411 and 9421), being opened around April 1944 and closed around September 1944

This was located at Cleadon, being opened around July 1943 and closed around September 1945

Air Ministry Experimental Stations 9132, 9162, 9212, 9222, 9312 & 9322 (AMES) Type 9000

These were located at Hawkshill Down, being opened around October 1942. The Mk I equipment working with Trimingham I ceased operations on 20 November 1945, whilst Hawkshill III, working with Winterton II carried out its last operation on 14 January 1945. The final operations carried out by Mk II and III equipment were on 8 May 1945, marking dropping sites in Holland for Bomber Command aircraft to deliver food parcels to Dutch civilians.

This was located at Sennen, being opened around January 1943 and closed on 6 November 1944.

This was located at Swingate, being opened around May 1943. The Mk I equipment working with Trimingham ceased operations in April 1944 but was retained for training purpose until mid January 1945, whilst the Mk I equipment working with Hawkshill Down I ceased operations on 20 November 1945

These were located at Tilly Whim, being opened around May 1944 and closed around February 1945. AMES 9412 joined Unit 2/9000 and by 1 March 1945 was at Laroche, whilst AMES 9411 joined Unit 5/9000, which was at Rips by 1 March 1945.

This was located at Treen, being opened around April 1944 and closed on 6 November 1944.

These were located at Trimingham, being opened around December 1942. The Mk I equipment working with Swingate ceased operations in April 1944 but was retained for training purpose until mid January 1945.

Air Ministry Experimental Stations 9161, 9211, 9221 9311 & 9321(AMES) Type 9000

These were located at Winterton, being opened around May 1943.The Mk I equipment at Winterton II, working with Hawkshill III carried out its last operation on 14 January 1945. The final operations carried out by Mk II and III equipment were on 8 May 1945, marking dropping sites in Holland for Bomber Command aircraft to deliver food parcels to Dutch civilians.

These were located at Worth Matravers being opened around February 1943. It carried out its last operational task on 28 September 1944 when the ground battles moved out of range of the Mk I equipment.

The table below gives the operational characteristics of the Type 9000 station shown above: -

Station & Number	Position and Aerial Reference Numbers	Height of Aerial above MSL (ft)	Radio Frequencies			Baillie Beam Positions Azimuth Arc
Station & Number	Position and Aerial Reference Numbers	Height of Aerial above MSL (ft)	Transmit	Transmit	Receive	Baillie Beam Positions Azimuth Arc
Trimingham I 9121	52:53:36.34N 01:24:11.64E	246	216	228	232	Caistor 078-140^o
Trimingham II 9131	52:53:24.27N 01:24:41.37E	212	228	236	232
Winterton II 9161	52:42:27.472N 01:42:01.508E	56	212	220	236
Hawkshill Down I 9132	51:11:30.081N 01:23:53.219E	160	216	228	232	Oldstairs 0-360^o
Hawkshill Down II 9162	51:11:30.081N 01:23:53.298E	131	212	220	236
Swingate 9122	51:08:07.050N 01:21:24.233E	397	228	236	232
Worth Matravers I 9142	50:35:42.370N 02:03:07.850W	416	216	228	232	Worth Matravers 070-230^o
Worth Matravers II 9152	50:35:41.496N 02:03:09.436W	412	212	220	236	Worth Matravers 070-230^o
Sennen 9141	50:03:56.690N 05:40:14.053W	304	216	228	232	Constantine 070-230^o
Treen 9151		326	212	220	236	Constantine 070-230^o

OBOE Mk II (December 1943)

Station & Number

Position and Aerial

Reference Numbers

Height of Aerial

above MSL (ft)

Baillie Beam

Positions

Azimuth Arc

Winterton I

9211

52:42:30.619N

01:41:59.293E

Caistor

078-140^o

Winterton III

9221

52:42:25.146N

01:42:03.101E

Hawkshill Down IV

9222

51:10:57.532N

01:23:42.509E

221

Oldstairs

0-360^o

Hawkshill Down II

9212

51:11:25.913N

01:23:49.370E

131

OBOE Mk III (January 1944)

Station & Number

Position and Aerial

Reference Numbers

Height of Aerial

above MSL (ft)

Baillie Beam

Positions

Azimuth Arc

Cleadon III

9313

54:58:07.363N

01:22:57.579E

54:58:07.855N

01:22:56.760E

275

Cleadon

090-140^o

Cleadon IV

9323

54:57:58.835N

01:22:49.884E

54:57:59.318N

01:22:49.022E

265

Hawkshill Down V

9132

51:10:55.285N

01:23:41.595E

51:10:55.595N

01:23:41.604E

225

Oldstairs

0-360^o

Hawkshill Down VI

9162

51:11:52.342N

01:23:35.939E

51:11:51.683N

01:23:35.644E

221

Winterton IV

9321

52:42:19.960N

01:42:05.830E

52:42:19.547N

01:42:06.684E

Caistor

078-140^o

Winterton V

9161

52:40:59.101N

01:42:59.270E

52:40:58.644N

01:42:58.431E

Tilly Whim

9314

50:35:42.035N

01:57:21.718W

50:35:41.501N

01:57:22.407W

282

284

Worth Matravers

070-230^o

3150-3180 and 3210-3240 Mc/s

OBOE Mk II (Mobile) (April 1944)

Station Type & Number

Radio frequencies in Mc/s

Baillie Beam

Positions

Azimuth Arc

Tilly Whim II (WM)

9411

3,150-3,135

Worth Matravers

070-230^o

Tilly Whim III (SM)

9412

3,240-3,225

Tilly Whim IV (SM)

9412

3,195-3,180

Beachy Head I (SM)

9421

3,195-3,180

Oldstairs

0-360^o

Beachy Head II (SM)

9421

3,240-3,225

Beachy Head III (WM)

9411

3,150-3,135

Hawkshill Down II (SM)

9212

3,240-3,225

Hawkshill Down IV (SM)

9222

3,195-3,180

This was a mobile OBOE unit known as Convoy 1/9000 being set up around December 1944 and operated in Alsace until closing down around September 1945. The table below gives more details of this unit.

This was a mobile OBOE unit known as Convoy 2/9000 being set up around October 1944 and operated in La Roche and Germany until closing down around October 1945. The table below gives more details of this unit.

This was a mobile OBOE unit known as Convoy 3 being set up around January 1945 and operated in Belgium and Germany until closing down around October 1945. The table below gives more details of this unit.

This was a mobile OBOE unit known as Convoy 4 being set up around January 1945 and operated in France and Germany until closing down around August 1945. The table below gives more details of this unit.

This was a mobile OBOE unit known as Convoy 5 being set up around February 1945 and operated in Germany and other locations until closing down around August 1945. The table below gives more details of this unit.

This was a mobile OBOE unit known as Convoy 6 being set up in early 1945 and operated in Netherlands and Germany until closing down around August 1945. The table below gives more details of this unit.

These were formed as Mobile OBOE units at Beachy Head (Convoy 9411 and 9421), being opened around April 1944. By 1 March 1945, AMES 9411 was part of Unit No 5/9000 at Rips, whilst 9421 was used by Units 3/9000 at Florennes and 4/9000 at Commercy.

This was probably formed at Bawdsey, Suffolk, being opened around June 1944 and by 1 March 1945 was used by Units 1/9000 at Molshein and 5/9000 at Rips

This was formed as a Mobile OBOE station, at Cardington in August 1944. After landing on a beach at Boulogne it moved to Mons and then on to its first operational location at Laroche later moving to Rosee in Belgium in September and then to Florennes, Belgium in October, where it disbanded after this date

This was formed as a Mobile OBOE station, at Durnford, near Swanage in August 1944. Its first operational location was at Barraque Fraiture in the Ardennes region of Belgium from late September. In December the unit had to retreat to Mons as a result of German advances through the Ardennes but on Boxing Day it set off to a new site at Selvigny but returned to Barraque Fraiture at the end of January 1945. It moved into Germany in April arriving at Quechbron on the 21st of the month, remaining until 11 August when it moved to Fort Schaar near Wilhelmshaven, where it disbanded in December 1945.

Unit	Site	Convoy	Channel	Cabin
No 1/9000	Molsheim	9422 9431 9451 9452	12A 13A 11C 11B	15 14 9 12
No 2/9000	Laroche	9442 9442 9431 9412	13A 11B 11C 12	6 7 13 62
No 3/9000	Florennes	9432 9432 9452 9421	13A 11B 11C 12	1 2 11 64
No 4/9000	Commercy	9441 9441 9451 9421	11B 13A 11C 12	3 5 10 63
No 5/9000	Rips	9411 9411 9412 9422	11B 13A 12 11C	51 52 61 16
No 6/9000	Tilbourg	9461 9461 9462 9462		17 18 19 20

A detailed description of the deployment of mobile OBOE equipment is given here.