ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY The Cold War, Long Lines and Army

ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY The Cold War, Long Lines and Army Strategic Communications in Europe The 102d Signal Battalion (MW&RR) 1955 to 1967 Vladimir G. Gelnovatch, Director (RET) U,S,Army Electronic Technology and Devices Laboratory Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 1

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 2

Signal Corps in Vacuum Tech Age 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 3

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 4

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 5

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 6

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 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 7

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 8

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 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 9

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 10

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 SiemensHalski (microwave) else ware. Paid for by German WW2 reparation funds. Adaptation of commercial grade equipment. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 11

4 Sig. Gp. Command Structure th 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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 12

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 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 13

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 14

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 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 15

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) 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 16

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 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 17

USAREUR MULTICHANNEL RADIO TELEPHONE NETWORK 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 18

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 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 19

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 20

Portrait of a Typical site Hohenstadt 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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 21

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 22

A Unpleasant Sea Voyage 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 23

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Stuttgart Terminal Site 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 25

Munich Terminal Site 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 26

Walt and Dorit 1957 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 27

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Hohenstadt Cook 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 29

Lorenz VHF Equipment 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 30

US Forces Civilian License Plates 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 31

Tour Jacket Front 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 32

Tour Jacket Back 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 33

Uniform of the Day 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 34

Hohenstadt K-9 Security Dog 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 35

Digging Out 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 36

Hohenstadt Severe Weather 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 37

Hohenstadt Snow Storm 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 38

Snow 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 39

Military Payment Certificate (MPC) 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 40

USAREUR Ration Card 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 41

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). 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 42

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. 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 43

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). 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 44

References http://groups.msn.com/TheOne-Oh-Duece http://www.usarmygermany.com/Sont.htm 4/25/2008 U.S. Army Electronic Technology & Devices Lab. Fort Monmouth,NJ 45