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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Paul Dunstone on Tuesday 14 August 18 10:51 BST (UK)
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My dad was in the RAF voluntary reserve and trained as a wireless mechanic. On his service record it states that on 1st July 1944 he disembarked (Rec / D878) and then with his Moble Signals Unit 519 (G) he travelled through Europe. Has anyone got any information about this unit and it's journey. Thanks. Paul.
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Paul
I get no hits for 519 MSU (or variants) at the National Archives or on a number of RAF oriented sites and it is clear that there are almost no specific operations record books for these units.
Just generally, and from research I did some time ago, a specialised WW2 and/or RAF forum may be the place to go. These small units ( a type G had 17 men apparently) were under command of a larger formation within 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force post D Day and most records are under the heading "Miscellaneous units". The unit belonged to 83 Group is about as far as I have been able to go. Their task was to provide the signals communications for the ground controllers as they followed the forward advance of the airfields and aircraft.
Sorry it is not too detailed but one forum that is a whiz at WW2 has admitted to not being too up to speed on MSUs - given the size of the units I am not surprised!
MaxD
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Hi MaxD
Thank you very much for having a go. You have given me a few leads.
I need to know a bit more about the 83 group and 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force.
Did they go over by boat or plane?
Does MSU mean Mobile Signals Unit or Miscellaneous Unit?
I believe he was at the liberation of Eindhoven and was billeted nearby.
There is a subscription forum called www.rafweb.org but I have not tried it yet.
Thanks again.
Paul.
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They would have landed from some sort of vessel. The site you mention has only a listing of the existence of 519 (G) Mobile Signals Unit with no details at all.
Wikipedia will give you a start with 2 TAF (I got ahead of time with the word Allied) "http://military.wikia.com/wiki/RAF_Second_Tactical_Air_Force
83 Group http://military.wikia.com/wiki/No._83_Group_RAF
As is so often the case, you will find an awful lot about X or Y Squadrons and their operations, small units of 17 men and two or three trucks, however important, get hardly a mention!
A new thread here or elsewhere with a specific title of 519 (G) MSU specifically asking if anyone has knowledge of 519 (G) Mobile Signals Unit may be the way to get better results. The title at the moment is far too broad.
More advice by PM follows
MaxD
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Thanks MaxD
I will register with the forums and the other links you mention and if I get more information I shall pass it on. All the best.
Paul.
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Hello
My Dad was in MSU 519 G. He disembarked on the the 1st July 1944. I was told that his unit was with 71 MTLRU at Secqueville en Bessin on the 24th July 1944. I assume these units were in 83 Group. I need to know the structure of the 83 group and how they travelled across the channel. Where did they disembark?
I was told that there were 10 wings to the group e.g. 125 Wing with Supermarine Spitfires. I have a list of 83 Group HQs. I suspect that the units followed he route of the HQs.
Thank you for any help with this.
Paul.