"Splashers" -vs- "Bunchers"

Posted:
By: Bob Carson
On: 03/06/2006

As I understand it, there were several types of radio beacons used to gather formations together and assist navigation.

Were the "bunchers" fairly close to base, and used in formation gathering? I don't think there was one per base, was there? And if not, how many groups/squadrons/bases did each buncher handle? Was the same one used all the time, or did it depend on the eventual course?

Splashers seem to have been closer to the coast, as the formations went out over the Channel or the North Sea. I would imagine that various ones were used, depending on route. Is this correct?

Were these numbered, or named, or both? Were there any other types of beacons? Also, was the splasher at least used on the return trip as well?

Last, did the 401st have a formation ship? An old B-24 or B-17? If so, when was it first used, and how was it marked?

Thanks much. :)

Bob Carson

PS - I recently visited the 8TH AF Museum in Savannah. Very impressive. The diorama of Deenethorpe is incredible. If you haven't been there, I suggest you go.

BC

Re: "Splashers" -vs- "Bunchers"

Posted:
By: Paul Bellamy
On: 03/20/2006

Hi Bob,

Just a few notes regarding Buncher and Splasher Beacons.

From what I can gather, each base would have a Buncher Beacon, which was used by aircraft from another base. For example, 303rd BG at Molesworth formed up on the beacon at Harrington.

The beacon would transmit the code of the day, and after takeoff all the aircraft from the group would head toward it, and then orbit at a distance of 3 miles until the whole group was formed up. At this point they would head off toward another Buncher Beacon to form the Wing, and then head off on the mission.

To do this they would follow a line of Splasher Beacons, aiming for each one and passing directly over it, at which point they would either head toward the next one as briefed, or take a final heading towards the target.

All beacons were numbered, those established on mainland Europe following D-Day having a C prefix, presumably standing for Continental.

I'm currently compiling a list of UK beacons, and somewhere I recall seeing them all marked up on a map.

I hope this is of use.

All the best,

Paul Bellamy

Re: "Splashers" -vs- "Bunchers"

Posted:
By: Clyde Mings
On: 03/30/2006

Paul- I was a radio operator and the buncher beacons and splashers were low powered navigational aids used by our navigators to get us all together after takeoff. The bunchers gave an assembly area to allow the formation to get organized. Aircraft still use somewhat the same idea as outer, middle, and inner marker beacon signals projected vertically with fan shaped signals on 75 MHZ that tells the pilot where he is in respect to the runway approach by flashing different colored lights and audio tones. It is embarrasing to tell it, but prior to D-Day we blew our first mission because the navigator formed us on the wrong buncher. It was supposed to be 8R8 in Morse code and he misread it as 8A8. There is a single "dit" difference between A and R , but by the time I convinced him that we were in the wrong place, it was too late to join our own outfit and you just dont tag along with another outfit to an unknown target.I am no authority on either bunchers or splashers, but radio operators CAN read Morse!

Re: "Splashers" -vs- "Bunchers"

Posted:
By: Paul Bellamy
On: 03/30/2006

Thanks for your info Mr Mings,

It's always good to hear from those "in the know" on these things.
While I was looking into the Buncher/Splasher system the other day I found another report very similar to yours, regarding a wrong code, however on that instance it was the right beacon, but it was transmitting wrongly. 9L9 instead of 8L8 I think...
I'll have to see if I can find it again.

One thing that did come up was that the beacons could transmit on 4 or 5 different frequencies at once, although, as you say, on a fairly low range.

Just one last thing before I sign off... which you may be able to clarify. Or WWII RAF aircraft the D/F loop was controlled by the Wireless Operator, but as he was usually close to the Navigator readings were easily passed back and fortrh.
Now, on B-17s, the D/F loop seems to have been under the nose cabin, presumably controlled by the Navigator. Is that correct, or was the D/F loop controlled from the "Radio Shack"? After reading your account, it seems to have been used as a Navigator's instrument....

All the best,

Paul

Re: "Splashers" -vs- "Bunchers"

Posted:
By: Clyde Mings
On: 03/31/2006

Paul- you are correct about the ADF radio compass. The loop antenna inside the streamlined tear drop shaped housing automatically rotated and drove the syncho motor that turned the needle and gave the bearing to the station. It was used by the navigator and when we were in deep trouble in North Germany, for some reason the needle always seemed to be pointing toward Stockholm Radio! The B-17 radio operator could only listen to the radio compass audio and monitor the signals- not tune them.My next tour was on C-46's and 3 man crews and the radio op had the radio compass 3 station fixes and early Loran to keep us plotting a fairly accurate course on the Africa-India runs. We always got there, so it beat nothing!