Ben James, D-Troop Sound Ranging HQ, section A.

I have been retired from the teaching profession some 26 years but quite contrary to expectations of a quiet life style I find myself as busy as ever.

AT the outbreak of the 2^nd World War teachers were reserved from service in the forces; but after about 12 months those who were under the age of thirty were made available for war service. A number of us with some knowledge of maths and could add up and subtract (albeit with a little struggle)were allocated to the Survey Section of the Royal Artillery. Thus we arrived at Larkhill to be instructed in the mysteries of theodolites and ways to measure, eastings and northings, logarithms, triangulation’s and traverse etc etc . After 3 months training we were subjected to a 3^rd class trade test. Strangely enough we all succeeded the test! At that juncture we were allocated to further training in one of the following units:- Survey (to a further dimension), Sound Ranging, Flash Spotting.

This allocation was somewhat haphazard but I never regretted being in Sound Ranging. Those who had further training in Survey itself however, would have been well qualified foe a career as surveyors in civvy street after the war. After a further 3 months training in particular allocation we were regarded as 1^st class Surveyors and were able to have the appropriate badge sewn on to the sleeve of our uniform. Maxy Furnell did a good trade in sewing on stripes badges etc being a tailor previous to becoming a soldier. He also made a charge as you might expect.

Sound Ranging

During our early training with 3 cumbersome and extremely heavy pieces of recording apparatus which were a left over from the 1^st World War. I cannot remember a single thing about them and I don’t think any one of us understood how they functioned not even the sergeant instructors. Mercifully the ancient monstrosities were quickly replaced with a single instrument (Mark 2) a much more portable and efficient affair, but not without certain deficiencies. For instance, to switch the thing into life a lever on top of the instrument had to be moved forward by the operator. Unfortunately the operators fingers often were wet with film developer and caused the contact made by the lever to be messed up. A temporary solution was provided on the suggestion of a bright arab to place a condom over the lever it was not a complete success but once again good fortune came with the Mark 3 instrument. This instrument was even more portable than the Mark 2 and more reliable. Indeed it remained with us throughout the rest of the war.

Gordon Brown, a gifted artist and actor prepared the "board" which he did with considerable alacrity and precision. The surveyed positions of the 5 microphones were placed on the grid with strings attached. Initially the "board" was drawn up on cartridge paper but because the paper was liable to shrink with the action of humidity or even expand, there could be inaccuracies in locating. Thus it was we were provided with an Anodized board. However, we were not able to place drawing pins as before, to fix strings to the microphone positions. Sellotape to the rescue (then known as "afflex").

Within the instrument (as you yourself well know), was the "harp" to which were connected the microphones. The sound of the firing enemy guns or the shell burst of our guns on enemy territory was passed from the microphones to the harp via D8 cable or radio to the strings of the harp causing them to "kick" which in turn was recorded on the film passing in front of the harp. The film bore time divisions and thus was recorded the difference in time that the microphones received the sound. These differences in time reaching the microphone wee read out by the film reader to the "board" operator and hey presto a cats cradle formed by the intersection of the strings gave you (theoretically) the location being sought. When shelling took place in response to enemy fire any difference between the two was amended by an instrument called a "comparator" and enabled further shelling by our guns to be with greater accuracy.

There was a time I think probably in Holland when the enemy attacked from 2 fronts. Our CO came up with a suggestion for us also to counter this by having 2 fronts ourselves which meant lots of microphones and 2 instruments in our forward HQ both to be manned by the same number of personnel! It worked but wasn’t needed for too long fortunately.

Order to Move

Each truck with its own members carried the necessary equipment for its own assignment "Field Section" had the responsibility for the APs and Microphone parties. "Forward HQ" consisted of the Box Truck (carrying the recording instrument) and the Plotting equipment Truck. Stores Trucks carrying Kitchen equipment and general requirements, plus electric batteries for operating the recording apparatus were in fairly close location to those conducting the actual work, when in action which at certain times was demanding.

After coming ashore in Normandy our first deployment came at short notice. Away we went via Bayeaux to assist an American artillery unit further to the right flank. We set up the Box Truck and Plotting Truck in a sunken lane and did our exercise as we had done in our training. Very soon we realised that better siting was essential in order to prevent fatalities. Our contribution however was greatly appreciated by our Americans as we had pin pointed the German gun locations which they summarily silenced. The important lesson we had quickly learned was to dig in and later to occupy underground cellars whenever available.

Once the troop was in action the 2 APs and the forward Headquarters were kept very busy. The microphone parties frequently had a dangerous job surveying in the microphones and wiring them to HQ; and having completed this part of their work they could relax until a cable by some mischance became severed. It was then their task to locate the break, carry out a repair and await confirmation from HQ.

The general organisation was well thought out. Each group had its particular assignment and our officers played their part well in overseeing their respective responsibilities. Capt. Small as Troop Commander was very efficient. Tom Lewis i/c HQ was always a good friend to those who worked in his department. From a personal view point both Sam and Tom have been great friends of mine since the end of the war (sadly both are dead now).

Ben