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U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Abstract • The period of 1950 to 1960 represented an unprecedented buildup of US military forces in Europe. This was accompanied by a strategic long lines comm. requirement unparalleled in the history of the U.S. Army. Limited technology required adaptation of existing commercial equipment. The 102d Signal Bn. (MW&RR) provided a multichannel backbone for USAREUR from 1955 to 1967. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Signal Corps in Vacuum Tech Age U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Occupation and the Constabulary Long Line recovery of the German Infrastructure (Lorenz VHF) Deutche Post was required. • German underground wire infrastructure not suitable for Army use. • No strategic theater system in place, only various tactical net to net Comm. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Berlin Blockade • Demonstrated Occupation level communications inadequate. • Berlin cable and telephone lines cut. HF jammed. • Deutche Post Bocksberg link to Berlin only multichannel available (commercial). • Realigned national policy to defend Western Europe. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Reach Back • Two cables available, Hamburg(diplomatic) and Cherbourg. • Army ACAN network used HF radio, limited to 2 or 3 voice channels, 15 TTY channels. • HF sites at Orleans and Neuostheim. • Tape radio relay sites use manual paper to paper transfer. • HF affected by sun spots, outages for days. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Defend Europe (1950) • Army grows from 50,000 to 500,000 • Combat units to Czech & E. German border • Hq. 7th Army and USAREUR in Germany • Hq NATO in France • Berlin Brigade reinforced • Strategic and Tactical infrastructure TBD • Build up competes with Korean Police Action U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Requirements and Goals • Provide multichannel comm. from Paris to Munich (SAC) and to Berlin. Mimic Bell Tel. • Backbone architecture & expandable. • USAREUR asset, peace time application. • Use military and commercial equipment and practices. Paid by German reparations. • Contractor built permanent facilities. • Lease German physical property for 99 years. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Available Potential Assets • AN/FRC-23/26 S-Band 24 channels PPM • Siemens Halski commercial 24 channel PPM • Lorenz VHF commercial 24 channel FDM • AN/TRC-6 C-Band 8 channels PPM • Philco Commercial C-Band 24 channel PPM • Bell Telephone long haul 960 channel C-Band FDM -as used since 1948 coast to coast • AN/TRC-8 230 to 250 Mhz U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Personnel • Require large number of Microwave repairmen (281.1 MOS). • Two shifts in Signal School at Fort Monmouth. • Compete with US Army Long Lines in Japan. • Create new TD&A with career growth potential for RA. • Conscripts not eligible due to training length. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
USAREUR Multichannel Radio Telephone Network is Born • 4th Signal Group tasked to plan network 1951. • Largest LL network operated by U.S.Army. • Contracts awarded 1952 for German portion Lorenz AG (VHF) in South & Berlin link Siemens-Halski (microwave) else ware. Paid for by German WW2 reparation funds. • Adaptation of commercial grade equipment. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
4th Sig. Gp. Command Structure • 315th Signal Bn is transferred 20 Oct 1953 to manage the new network • 315th pulls together various MW units to incorporate into network (503 Sig. Co.,550 Sig. Co.,22 Sig. Det., 506 Sig. Plt.&7793 Sig. rel. Pl) • 315th supports 7th Army Cmd. Post manuvers • 315th Conducts test shots in France for Fr. Link • Support HICOG network-State Dept. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
315 th Signal Bn (Constr) • Atlanta, Georgia Reserve unit • Activated early 1951, sent to Fort Jackson • “Gyro’ed” to Worms, West Germany late 1951 • Strung wire in Worms area • Transferred to Karlsruhe Oct 1953 less personnel and equipment, renamed MW&RR U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Progress USAREUR Multichannel Network • Southern VHF Lorenz Network operational in 1954. • Siemens-Halski network near completion 1954. • Spring 1954 -French link from German border to Maison Fort begun using AN/FRC-23/26. • July 1954-french link operational. • Spring 1955- Overall network operational 53 sites. KSL given operational control. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
102d Signal Bn. (MW&RR) • Constituted 12/1/44 -Heavy Construction • Re-designated light constr. 5/1/45 • Returned to CONUS 5/2/45 • De-activated Camp Miles Standish,Mass • While inactive designated MW&RR 2/1/55 • Activated 3/18/55 Smiley Barracks, Karlsruhe • De-activated Nov 1967 • Po River Valley, North Appenine Campaigns U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
102d Signal Bn. • TD&A structure • Roughly 700 personnel • Five lettered Companies (B HQ in Munich) • Subordinate to 4th Signal Group • Excluded the Berlin terminal • Konigstuhl control center • Lt. Col. William Felty first CO, (last CO of 315) U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
102d Sig. Bn Locations • Bn. Hq/Hq. Det- Feudenheim • Co. A-Frankfurt (FKT) • Co. B-Munich (MNH) • Co. C-Kaiserslautern (KLN) • Co. D-Vernou, France • Co. E-Heidelberg (KSL) • Did not operate Berlin Terminal U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
USAREUR MULTICHANNEL RADIO TELEPHONE NETWORK U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Training • US Army Signal School, Fort Monmouth, NJ 26-30 weeks -MOS 281.1 • Equip. AN/FRC-23/26, AN/TRC-29, AN/TCC-13 • In-Theater- Siemens-Halski, Lorenz AG, OJT • High School guaranteed school choice prog. • Only open to RA (no US) 3 year enlistment • Basic Signal Officers Course, Fort Monmouth U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
USAREUR Multichannel Radio Telephone Network Operational • Network operational 1955 • 53 sites participating • 102d Sig. Bn strength approx. 700 • Dial class A service available in Germany & Fr. • Contractor support at terminals • Largest ARMY Long Line project ever • High reliability for vacuum technology era. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Portrait of a Typical siteHohenstadt Radio Station • Isolated site (814 meters elevation) • Six personnel (E-7, SP1, four SP2’s) • Two Lorenz systems 48 channels (HPG,SGT, KSL) • Emergency 40 KW generator • Logistics support from 4th AD Goeppingen • Difficult Winter conditions. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Physical Security • HST to be defended by 6 M-1 carbines and one Browning 30 Cal Crew served weapon. • Network considered expendable in wartime. • Station to be destroyed if threatened. • Curious validation/confirmation process. • “Combat Passes” available in site safe. • No realistic order of battle available. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
A Unpleasant Sea Voyage U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Stuttgart Terminal Site U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Munich Terminal Site U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Walt and Dorit 1957 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Hohenstadt Cook U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Lorenz VHF Equipment U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
US Forces Civilian License Plates U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Tour Jacket Front U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Tour Jacket Back U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Uniform of the Day U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Hohenstadt K-9 Security Dog U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Digging Out U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Hohenstadt Severe Weather U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Hohenstadt Snow Storm U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Snow U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Military Payment Certificate (MPC) U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
USAREUR Ration Card U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
Troposcatter; the beginning of the end • Troposcatter emerged from the Signal Corps Labs in the early 1960. • Did not require line of sight operation. • Extended distances and decrease no. of relays • No need for manpower intensive relays and difficulty to defend those relays. • Feasibility demonstrated in Viet Nam using commercial equipment ( BACK PORCH). U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
The System is Aging • Demands of wideband requirements in the 1960’s Tax the network. • Viet Nam experience shows value of tropo. • Planners are delayed due to Viet Nam needs. • Signal Corps Labs Develop military hardware. • STRATCOM planners evolve to new system. • Change over begins. • 102d Signal Bn. Will not be the new owner. U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
The End • The USAREUR Multichannel Radio Telephone Network is decommissioned in Nov. 1967. • The 102d Signal Bn is deactivated shortly. • The 68th Signal Bn. Takes over all remaining sites that remain active using tropo. • Additional duties include CEMATARY network. • This becomes the forerunner of the ET/A backbone (digital). U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ
References • http://groups.msn.com/TheOne-Oh-Duece • http://www.usarmygermany.com/Sont.htm U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ