Operations Record Book (ORB) abbreviations * part 3

[busdriver]

The following three screenshots are from 418 Squadron's August 1944 ORB. I'm trying to decipher the meaning of MET. I have some possible meanings, but I would like the opinion of like minded folk (meaning insatiable readers of RAF records) after you've read these entries.

 

 

In early August 1944, Anti-Diver patrols were still a primary mission for the squadron and the Lat/Long coordinates put them right in the region of many V-1 sites. Initially I thought MET might mean military equipment train as an unclassified term to describe a train hauling V-1 related equipment. But I now doubt that meaning due to the phrase "two other large trucks." Typical ORB entries use the word "wagon" rather than "trucks" or as Americans say "cars" when discussing trains. [edit 418 Squadron ORBs do in fact use "cars" and "coaches" when mentioning trains...and "locos"]

 

Thinking like an American perhaps MET could mean military equipment transport,  But I suspect it's more along the lines of motor (something) transport. The corresponding Form 540 Summary of Events entry for 13 August mentions many motor transports destroyed and damaged. So what might the E in MET stand for?

 

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2020 by busdriver

[LukeFF]

Motorised Enemy Transport ?

[busdriver]

1 hour ago, LukeFF said:

Motorised Enemy Transport ?

 

Works for me. 

[41Sqn_Skipper]

MET = Motorized or Mechanized Enemy Transport. Not sure which one is the original meaning, but as they mean the same target type it doesn't really matter. 

 

MT = Motor Transport. I think this is the official or very late war/post war term. It's used for example in a 1949 manual.

 

HDT = Horse Drawn Transport.

 

Edited October 12, 2020 by 41Sqn_Skipper

[busdriver]

Okay kids...put on your thinking caps.

 

From the February 1945 ORB of 406 (RCAF) Squadron, another abbreviation that is most likely describing some form of pyrotechnic warning signal (flare, very light, star shell). So what do you folks think ESN stands for...Enemy Suspected Nearby?

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2020 by busdriver

[AndyJWest]

Enemy Signal... something?

[LukeFF]

German flare cartidge:

 

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=17383

 

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/1433-for-your-flare-pistol-in-erla-haube-109s/?do=findComment&comment=32312

Edited October 14, 2020 by LukeFF

[busdriver]

Erkennungs Signale Nummer 

[busdriver]

Part 3

 

From 235 Squadron's July 1944 ORB summary...

 

 

 

Anybody know what T.T.A. stands for? I thought it might be something ambiguous like "trawler type auxiliary" or something, but mentioning two small armed trawlers confuses me. Disregard...next month's ORB spells out trawler type auxiliary.

Edited October 23, 2020 by busdriver