This is a Key WT 8 Amp key enclosed in a sheet metal case with two canvas leg straps to secure it to the leg of the radio operator. It was widely used in vehicles during WWII.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
WOW!!! What a wealth of information! I found myself exploring these links and more. Thanks for the time & effort put into this.
Al - A friend of mine who drove jeep for B Company, 327th Engineers emailed me privately and said, as you did, that their radio was at Company level. He said it was medium sized, about 6x8x12 inches and could be carried as a back pack - not a walky talky.
Things you learn on this forum: For 65 years I thought the hand held radio was THE walkie-Talkie? NOW you tell me the Company Commanders radio was the walkie-talkie!
Every radio operator should know their hardware, Thus I stand corrected.
Ah yes, the good old walkie talkie radio (the SCR-300) The Infantries favorite as it
had a range of about 5 miles. A back pack radio, being powered by a battery pack wieghing about half the wieght of the complete unit. Also the famed handie talkie radio
(the SCR- 536) . Good only, "maybe up to 1000 yards". Hand held and nowhere near
as heavy as the SCR-300. (not like as portraid in the movies where it really reached out. ) .
Hey Joe, I am back for a little bit tonight. First night that I've actually spent some time on my forum. Man do I feel out of the loop.
I just watched a couple of shows within the last few weeks that spoke about the handie-talkies, the ones that guys like you would have used. Don't feel bad about being confused. According to the last show I watched, many folks call that little darlin' by it's wrong name.
What is your exact question about the SCR-536?
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
No. no I am not confused a bit. The back pack SCT-300 was self padded with its own carrying harness as a unit. (called a walkie talkie).. the hand held SCR-536 was much smaller by far and had one strap for carrying over the shoulder. (Called the handi talkie).. Check out the web site http://users.skynet.be/jeeper/page100.html
Only thing I found incorrect on this site is to me they slightly underestimated the range
of the 300 and overesimated the range of the 536 radios.
A while back I received an email from a gentleman named Brian. He is working on a book about improvised radios built by servicemen during WWII and later.
Attached you can read the intro letter, accompanying questions to vets, and a story from the New York Times on June 25, 1944.
Brian, I hope I provided you with some info for your book, by introducing you to several veterans I know. Good luck!
If anyone can contribute to his book, please get in touch with me. Thanks!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Thank you very much for doing that! Mr. Cassic received one of the 300 or so letters I sent out to the Anzio Beachhead Veterans mailing list. The response was incredible - several interviews, some wonderful letters, and a photograph of one of the veterans using one of the radios!
I appreciate all of your help with this, and I will let you know what sort of responses I get.
Best wishes,
Brian
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
