15-CWT, 2K1, WIRE 5 Body Details

[David Dunlop]

The storage of this item can be a bit confusing due to the various different Wireless Bodies in service during the war. In several vehicles, it was stored on a mounting bracket on the right side wall of the body close to the fuse box. In the 2K1 and 2K2 series of wireless trucks, the Switchboards, Charging No. C5 was actually stored face down, slid into a pair of steel rails underneath the central portion of the wireless table.

David

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by RichCam

Guys,

Jim pulled the terminals apart since we needed to know just how and what they looked like from both the inside and outside.
As per the pictures, Brass stud, brass wing nuts, washer, bakelite round spacer and bakelite spacer.
So, they were insulated from each other, you could pass + current through one and - current through the other. There is a 3rd terminal, on the inside, that ties directly into a steel stud. That would be a logical ground. I agree with Robert, this would be excellent for a field telephone connection as well as an external power port.

It's much too heavy for a telephone connection point! I'm fairly sure it is intended to supply 12V power to the penthouse when that's in use. The wingnut terminals are typically those used for slotted-lug connections on the various "Batten, Terminal" strips. Are they marked with + & -?

Chris.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

This particular Signals vehicle is probably the smallest wheeled vehicle used by the Corps with just a crew of four making up the personnel: Wireless Operator, Cypher Clerk, Driver and Co-Driver, which makes it an ideal candidate to better understand how the crew was put together and how it actually functioned.

What I would like to better understand, is whether or not these four positions would actually be filled by specifically trained individuals for each position, or would the crew have been fully inter trained? My civilian gut tells me if all four crew were fully cross trained, it would be the best way to man the vehicle. Any one of the crew could drive as needed, operate the wireless, or perform the code work. You would get the best possible shift rotations and be at a minimum of risk with potential illnesses, or injuries within the crew.

I could be wrong, but it is my understanding the crew would all be RCCS personnel who are seconded to 'XYZ Regiment' to perform that Regiments communication functions.

I would assume that whatever the structure of the crew for this size of vehicle, would just be increased in required numbers for larger vehicles like a Command Low Power, or Command High Power.

If the crew positions were filled by specifically trained personnel, I have a bit of trouble wondering what the driver and co-driver would be doing if the Wireless truck was set up in one fixed location for an extended period of time.

Experts…I await your enlightenment.

David

During WW2 (and after) they trained signallers in specific roles (after the basics of "Signal Training, All Arms", of course).

I suspect the crew of four would be:

NCO I/C, who can probably handle any task except that of the Cipher Clerk.
Driver - "ED" (Electrician/Driver) and is drive, vehicle & generator mechanic, electrician and battery charging expert.
Operator - "OWL" (Operator, Wireless and Line).
Cipher Clerk - this is a specialist role and subject to security clearance.

Chris.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Chris, i think you are right on with the roles.

[Robert Bergeron]

Gents,

i tought i would post this picture .

Alex de W. from Holland says it was taken in Utrech Holland at the end of the war.

Nice !