Mobile Signal Unit (MSU)

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Paul Dunstone, Aug 21, 2018.

  1. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Hello
    My father LAC 1547649, Cyril Charles Dunstone disembarked 1st July 1944 as part of MSU 519 G. Think he was in Group 83 and moved around Holland and Germany. I am trying to find out where he set off from, landed and route through Europe. Not sure if this unit had an Operations Record Book. I have asked TNA for help.
    Thanks for any help.
    Paul.
     
  2. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Hi and welcome, no doubt someone will help.
    as soon as we know where abouts in Germany your father was, I might be able to help.
    Stefan.
     
  3. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Paul,

    I do not immediately see MSU 519G listed as being a 2 TAF unit. I see six other 'G' units. They were small units of 17 men so would be attached to a larger unit. They are unlikely to have their own diary. If we can find to which larger unit it was attached we could perhaps trace its movements.

    A group of forum members studied the MSUs and their vehicles in 2011 but I do not think we ever found out what a 'G' unit did.

    Mike.
     
  4. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Hi Mike
    Thanks for the reply. I have been told that MSU 519 was in the 83 group and used 2 very low powered HF W/T reinforcement channels.
    Their task was to provide signals communications for ground controllers as they followed the forward advance of the airfields and aircraft.
    Do you know how the 83 group crossed the channel?
     
  5. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Hi Stefan
    I understand his unit was in the 83 group and all I have is a list of their HQs.
    They were in Holland in October 1944 and move to Lechtingen, Wunstorf, Bispingen (April 45), Luneberg (May 45) and Schleswig (June 45)
    Hope this may help.
    Thanks
    Paul.
     
    Lindele likes this.
  6. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Paul,

    I looked back at our research in 2011 and find that we concluded that MSU 'G' were indeed low power HF wireless units used by 2 TAF service units.

    Now I am looking in the right place, and with better glasses, I have found the following:

    24 July.
    MSU 519G was with 71 MTLRU (Motor Transport Light Repair Unit) at Sequeville en Basin.

    MSU 511G was with 50 Mobile Field Hospital.
    MSU 512G was with 53 Mobile Field Hospital.
    MSU 513G was at Airfield B6 at Coulombs.
    MSU 514G was with 70 MTLRU at Cully.
    MSU 515G was with 307 MSSU (Mobile Signals Servicing Unit).
    MSU 516G was with 307 MSSU.
    MSU 5020 was with Airfield B11 at Longues.

    This does not mean that 519 was not used later in the role you describe.

    83 Group was a large and complex organisation. At first servicing commandos set up landing grounds and squadron aircraft used them only during daytime, returning to UK each night. Later squadrons and the airfield servicing units moved to France permanently. It is difficult to say when the smaller units crossed to France and even more difficult to say how they crossed. Vehicles could be carried on LSTs, LCTs or Motor Transport Ships and land either over the beaches or at Mulberry B.

    Still thinking. Every little piece of information helps so if you recall anything else ……

    Mike
     
  7. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Paul,
    excuse my ignorance, but Wunstorf, I think had an air strip, so was he part of the RAF ?
    Stefan.
     
  8. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Stefan
    Yes he was a wireless mechanic with a mobile signals unit (MSU 519G) and was in the RAF (LAC 1547649)
    Paul
     
    Lindele likes this.
  9. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Paul,

    I have a poor quality photograph of vehicles of a MSU Type 'G'. This shows two Bedford MW 15cwt trucks with signals body type E. These are RAF Signals Type vehicles 314 and 315. A two vehicle set with one carrying two wireless receivers and the other two transmitters. There would be other vehicles for personnel, baggage and equipment.

    Mike
     
  10. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Thanks Mike
    So, we agree he was with the 2 TAF and 83 Group. His unit MSU 519G was with another unit 71 MTLRU on 24th July 1944.
    I have a list of 83 Group HQs. I have photos of him in the field with his wireless. Thanks again for your help. Paul.
     
  11. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Hi Mike
    I have photos also. I am willing to upload them if anyone is interested.
    Paul.
     
  12. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Paul,
    I lived in Ha nnover from 1948 til 1966 which is only some 25 km away. Schleswig, what time? lueneburg is the right spelling.
    Stefan.
     
  13. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Stefan
    There was an 83 or 85 Group HQ at Lueneburg, Lower Saxony in May 1945. I think my father was with the 85 Group then.
    Thank you for your help.
    Paul.
     
  14. Paul Dunstone

    Paul Dunstone Member

    Thanks again for your help. I am wondering about the organisation of the 83 Group and the hierarchy. You mention that MSU 519G was with 71MTLRU on the 24th July 1944. Were these units attached to a squadron / wing of the group? I assume they were in daily contact with 83 Group HQ. Would the MOD have records of these units and their movement in 1944? Paul.
     
  15. MarkSt

    MarkSt New Member

     
  16. MarkSt

    MarkSt New Member

    I was inspired by this forum and followed up on the suggestion that Mobile Signal Units were assigned to Mobile Field Hospitals. Lately I've been reading the fascinating records of the MFH 53 from the National Archives and found that MSU 517 G was attached to them, travelling with the hospital through northern Europe. I wonder if anyone knows anything about the role of MSU 512 G ? My father was a wireless operator in this unit so it has special interest for me.
    Mark.
     
  17. George U

    George U Member

    It's been a while since I checked out WW2 Talk but today keyed in RAF mobile signals units and came up with this listing which includes my Dad's unit number, 515G, he was a Cipher officer,my understanding is that all signals were deciphered and he would have worked alongside a W'less op. His brother once said that Dad had been landed on D+1.
    ?? I don't know. He spent some time in Eindhoven (records show HQ there in winter 44) and wound up in Copenhagen .
    As an aside read Eric Sykes autobiography, he was in an MSU, and the book is a great read and has insight to MSU training and action. I will look for more new info now on this site. Thanks for your 2011 research.
     

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