R.I.X., R.C.X, V/S abbreviations

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by 379/101 HAA, Oct 5, 2022.

  1. 379/101 HAA

    379/101 HAA Ubique

    I`m currently reseaching a convoy in which the report from the log of HMS Capetown states:

    "Ocean escorts carried out R.I.X., R.C.X. and V/S exercises ahead of convoy".

    Not being familiar with the first two terms I`ve done some "Googling" and estblished R.I.X. = Rangefinding and Inclination Exercise, but I can find a reference to R.C.X. on-line and wonder if someone could please enlighten me. At a guess I expect it will be Range or Rangefinder Control Exercise, but obviously I don`t want to assume. V/S will be Visual Signals based on previous references I`ve seen.

    MTIA for any help.

    John
     
  2. Richelieu

    Richelieu Well-Known Member

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  3. 379/101 HAA

    379/101 HAA Ubique

    Hi Roberto,

    Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to reply, research and send the piece from this book.

    I`ve been back to the link you sent and, having read the relevant bits from the book relating to RCX, I think this reference is possibly too late. This is for a countermeasure system for German radio controlled anti-ship missiles (Fritz-X and Hs 193), the first of which Wiki indicates was used on 21 July 1943. It would seem from the link that early ECM systems didn`t come into use on ships until September 1943 and the convoy I`m researching took place in the Indian Ocean in June 1943.(Sorry, perhaps I should have noted that).

    I have a hunch that in this case R.C.X. may indicate Rangefinding or Range Control Exercise relating to the ship`s guns, but still no luck so far in confirming absolutely; albeit Naval stuff is a bit unfamiliar to me anyway - hence the query.

    Thanks again,

    John
     
  4. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Guessing but could they be Radio Interception Exercise and Radio Control Exercise.

    Tim
     
  5. 379/101 HAA

    379/101 HAA Ubique

    Hi Tim,

    Pretty certain from my research that R.I.X. = Rangefinding and Inclination Exercise, as noted above.
     
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  6. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

    Hello John,

    To confirm,

    From: The Gunnery Pocket Book, B.R. 224/45

    Range and Inclination Exercise.
    564. These exercises are done without firing the guns and are used for practising the control team fully in Radar, rangefinding and inclinating. Ranges and courses steered are signalled during the practice between the ships taking part.
    These exercises are of very great value and should be carried out as often as possible.​

    A possibility,

    From: HMS Howe (32) of the Royal Navy - British Battleship of the King George V class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net

    14 Jan 1943
    In the second half of the morning, HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN), conducted radar calibration exercises off Scapa Flow.​

    Richard
     
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  7. 379/101 HAA

    379/101 HAA Ubique

    Hi Richard,

    Thanks very much for your reply and the information.

    The Gunnery Pocket Book is a great find and it`s nice to see an exact explanation.

    Radar Calibration Exercise looks plausible but I`ve done some digging on the two ships involved, HM Ships CARTHAGE and CAPETOWN, and neither appear to have been fitted with RADAR in June 1943; CAPETOWN had her first equipment fitted in December that year.

    However, when I read the quote from the Gunnery Pocket Book I note it mentions - "Ranges and Courses Steered are signalled during the practise between the ships taking part". This leads me to think that R.C.X. could well mean Range and Course Exercise/s, especially as the original reference I quoted indicates R.I.X. and R.C.X. were conducted at the same time.

    I`ll read through the book some more to see if it mentions anything further on this but it looks very likely that`s what it is in this case.

    Thank you for the help.

    John
     

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