SCR-299 explained

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

History

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 8 November 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]

The range of the SCR-299 exceeded original specifications, sometime establishing contact over 2300miles.[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

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/1857873/fhs_01222009A20.pdf Fort Huachuca Scout, 22 January 2009. Signal Corps carries the Torch, by Kristen Gregan, NETCOM Historical Staff
  2. http://www.gordon.army.mil/ocos/ac/WWII/SCR299.asp The SCR-299, United States Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, GA
  3. http://www.gordon.army.mil/ocos/ac/WWII/SCR299.asp The SCR299, Army Communicator United States Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, GA
  4. Web site: The Library of Congress World War II Companion. David M.. Kennedy. 2 October 2007. Simon and Schuster. Google Books.
  5. Web site: Normandy - The Technical Services : Signal Corps.
  6. Web site: Voice of Victory (Part I). Handy (Jam) Organization. 1 January 1944. Internet Archive.
  7. Web site: Voice of Victory (Part II). Handy (Jam) Organization. 1 January 1944. Internet Archive.
  8. Dachis, Chuck (1996). Radios By Hallicrafters. Schiffer Publishing, Atglen (USA).
  9. http://www.gordon.army.mil/OCOS/Museum/ScrComponents/scrPart2.asp Directory Of Components, The SCR299, Army Communicator United States Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, GA
  10. http://www.gordon.army.mil/ocos/Museum/AMC/radio2.asp Fort Gordon Museum, Transportable Sets
  11. http://www.gordon.army.mil/ocos/museum/scrcomponents/scrPart2.asp Fort Gordon Museum

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