A most rare SD spy set transmitter
once operated in Persia
about 1941 - 1943 (The firstly noticed information was apparently wrong! Mayr's arrest had been caused by the fact of being betrayed by a Persian (Habibullah Naubakht), put under pressure by British interrogators; after coming to an agreement of his release, he provided crucial information necessary for ultimately catching Franz Mayr in Teheran, on 15th August 1943; leading consequently to the captivity of other companions as well)
Albeit that Friedrich Schulze-Holthus was caught somewhere in 1944
By the way, he was directed by the Abwehr.
The photos shown in this contribution originate from the GB-NA files on Franz Mayr (on the jacket of the file series is noticed Mayer Franz)
To my knowledge: nobody has actually ever seen such set, before.
Which did not originate from the
regular Abwehr construction and communication site, located in Stahnsdorf.
Rudolf Staritz himself was engaged there, from January 1941 up to April 1942.
Page initiated 22 February 2018
Status: 15 March 2018
Studying the on Mayr dedicated files comprehensively, I would like to let you enjoy some of my recent findings. Of course, in this particular context dealing with aspects of communications; inside Persia (Iran) as well as the crucial communications Teheran to Berlin.
Therefore, I have today introduced a genuine section C
Which shall be attached at the end of our currently existing web page
This new webpage clears up what wasn't yet known.
According to: KV 2/1478-4, page 34
Quoting:
The two SD sets only were used. The Abwehr set had a large aerial which might be detected whereas the SD type did not require outdoor installation. The remaining Abwehr set in Teheran was therefore not used.
AOB: in my perception, the reason for it may have been - that the SD set possessed a quite versatile way of matching onto various antennae. See for it the further down noticed considerations.
On 11/15 March 2018, continuing
on the Franz Mayr's file series, I came across:
KV 2/1479-1, page 63, notices (quoting):
SD.
STEPHAN Transmitter (20 watt)
RADIONE R3 Receiver
N.B. No accurate calculation necessary when erecting the aerial. The sets were contained in two suitcases.
AOB: This implies, that the transmitter suitcase contained the transmitter as well as the power supply which are shown next.
Because the second suitcase containing the Radione R3 receiver and auxiliaries; please notice the genuine suitcase on the left-hand side; but neglect the wooden box designated Quarz, because this being meant for the transmitter.
In my perception, the Radione RS20M wasn't fitting for the job in Persia (Iran). Because, its frequency spectrum was too much restricted - as well as based on quartz control solely. And, just this aspect was most significant. In regular Abwehr W/T communications the Leitstelle decided what frequency should be taken at what time of the day and season.
Crown Copyright Derived from KV 2/1477
The power supply
Please notice in front the multi-pin connecting cable between power supply and the transmitter module.
Additional connections were necessary due to the applied stabilised voltages used in the concept of the transmitter module (shown next).
(stabilised VFO HT and G2 of the RL12P50 had been kept stabilised; for it a STV 280/40 [the frosted glass envelope] had been implemented in the power supply, providing: 70 V - 140 V - 210 V and 280 V, 40 mA. A smart option, for example, when the 70 V connection being connected onto ground level, minus 70V was also provided; albeit, that than a maximal stabilised + 210 V HT remains).
The purpose of a second (male) mains-like plug I don't know.
In my perception, on the front panel right-hand side, we see a power-line voltage meter.
However, compact it really is!
Please notice also the black electrolytic capacitors made by Jahre (Jahrelyt).
Crown Copyright Derived from KV 2/1477
The transmitter module, with pulled-out coil-box unit
For me rather exciting: is the application of a plug-in coil box. They might have utilised two plug-ins; considering the two visible scale ranges.
Following some of the British information on this set - the selector switch on the left-hand side of the plug-in module, was provided for the selection of the optimal antenna-impedance-match (choosing PA coil-taps).
The external meter module on the right-hand side, ment for measuring the HF antenna current; according to Rudolf Staritz, it is of a, so-called, hot-wire meter type; considering its none -linear scale reading (from his wartime memory). Albeit, that also a thermo-couple could have done the job as well; but such device is rather more sensible to break-down.
Notice also the quite flat Morse key, apparently made by the C. Lorenz Company.
Just read in KV 2/1748-1, page 60:
1.8.43 Teheran to Berlin .... I propose you send SCHWERDT and GRUENING with the second plane to to DORA (AOB, whether is meant Mayr or his W/T station). Until then train Gruening as a W/T operator. After BERTA one or two Persians trained with the 10 w set. Might it have been: that this set was known as 10 W set? This would no be un-logical, because according British data provided in the file the captured W/T transmitter provided 8 - 12 W antenna power.
Habib arrived here yesterday evening and brought me your letters. He started off again this morning without delay. I have just learned that the W/T traffic with you has been mutually successful, since we heard you well on 11/7 with various frequencies. Unfortunately however the corresponding necessary coils were not prepared. I have been saved a longer letter however since we can contact each other daily
Derived from KV 2/1478-2, page 58
It clearly refers to the application of a separate coil box (necessary coils)
Crown Copyright Derived from KV 2/1477
The rear side of this neatly built transmitter
On the left an EF 14 oscillator valve (operating as a triode) and on the right-hand side the RL12P50 PA valve. According to British information:- the TX provided between 8 - 12 W output power.
The switch on the rear side is the: mains on-off.
I wonder, how is the other end of the power cable (visible on the power-supply photo) connected onto the transmitter module; or, might we just see a glimpse on the far right-hand side? When this would be the case, then the power-supply might operationally have stood on the left-hand side - and the transmitter module on the right-hand side. However, open is also the length of the interconnecting power cable. And, how was managed when it was not in operation?
Such simple transmitter concept was also known as MOPA (Master-oscillator power-amplifier)
Just in a brief telephone conversation Rudolf Staritz told me: that once, already in wartime days, an article appeared in the DASD periodical CQ about a DAP 50* transmitter valve (die deutsche amateur Pentode) . But apparently it couldn't be purchased from their DASD components service. Maybe the article had been written before the war started.
* 50 stood for anode power dissipation, hence, 50 W
Some consider the RL12P50 about equivalent to the famous LS50. Being rather acquainted to both valve types, the RL12P50 responds definitely softer than does the LS50s. Which latter type was used in radar applications; occasionally operated at levels just surpassing 2kV pulses (IG 62, IG 62a)! (Würzburg radars)
To my knowledge, I am only familiar with type was used in Telefunken transmitters in the T200FK39, T200L... and T800FK... series. Applications:- PA driver as well as PA input limiter valve.
Interested in the according receiver?
Don't be disappointed!
Crown Copyright Derived from KV 2/1477
The regular Radione R3 receiver, covering the range of 2.5 - 26 MHz
The type R3 was equipped with a tuneable BFO.
Whereas the foregoing transmitter could be operated between 2.5. - 20 MHz.
However, the Radio R3 was a commercial product, made by the Company ELTZ*, in Vienna (Wien). *Thank you Florian for your correction!
It is a reasonable sensitive receiver, with a quite good signal to noise ratio.
However, it clearly being a receiver commercially obtainable, and quite handy, because it also could be at will instantly operated from a car battery. Albeit, that sets were delivered for: 6V - 12V or 24V DC operation. Also its steel-plating made it quite rugged.
They operationally might not have come in the situation, for example, as to what station Schwert encountered in Sofia. When they applied to Funkleiter (Ii) (Maj. Hotzel) of station Wera, (Wien = Vienna) for a permission changing their transmitter frequency 100 kHz. (not clear in the British translation was meant: + or - a particular frequency). They transmitted the keyword [zustopfen]; in English language this means, technically, blocking. However, the British translator translated it: stoppage. Now converting it into a plumbing discipline matter. You can quite often encounter these kinds of incorrect translations; linguist are, in most occasions, none technical.
Please consider my very extensive
KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE lecture
in the first subject dedicated to KLATT (Richard Kauder). Herein you will encounter an RRS intercept dealing just with this very fact.
A reflection concerning the time frame
Briefly: this party headed by Franz Mayr (Mayer) left Germany about late 1941. According to his interrogation, it most likely had been - designed and built - in the Havel Insitut, a clearly SD controlled institution. This institute successively took over all Abwehr and wireless matters after Adm. Canaris had been removed from office, on 12 February 1944; after the defection of the Vermehren couple to the British in Istanbul.
What is also apparent, is: its concept and the way it has been built is constructed more-or-less amateur-like. By the way, as were most spy rigs worldwide, in WW II!
Would you like to know more about this intriguing subject:
Nazi Secret Warfare in Occupied Persia (Iran)
The failure of the German Intelligence Services in 1939-45
By Adrian O'Sullivan
ISBN 978-1-349-49127-8
This latter publication is based on a Sullivan's dissertation
(C)
On 8 March 2018
Quoting from KV 2/1478-4, page 34:
Considering: Communications between Teheran and Berlin.
Times twice daily, three quarter hour sessions, between 0400 and 0700 hrs and again between 1600 and 2000 or 2100 hrs (Central European time)(AOB, my comment, German during the war didn’t use such time designation, but DGZ deutsche gesetzliche Zeit!) Time and frequency were changed daily. Each day the Teheran operator gave Berlin the time and frequency for the next day.
Frequencies: same for morning and evening sessions. Mayr’s operators discovered by experience that within the frequencies given below the same wave-length would give approximately the same results at both times, provided atmospheric conditions were favourable. If reception was poor they fell back on 15.100 kHz which invariable gave the best results. Mayr gave the following list of frequencies used:-
13.500 kHz 15.100 kHz
13.800 “ 15.300 “
14.000 “ 15.600 “
14.200 “ 16.000 “
14.500 “ 16.300 “
14.700 “ 16.800 “
AOB: exceptional in my perception, was, that the operator in the field told the so-called Leit (Leitdienststelle) at what frequency next should be communicated.
KV 2/1478-4, page 35
Sets: there seemed to be no trouble in communicating between Dora’s Abwehr set (AOB, 99/40 or in this document designated: 99/50) and Grille’s SD set. The Aggregat (oil-petrol dynamo) was damaged and the Tretsatz (pedal dynamo) had to be used instead. Owing to the variation in speed in pedalling certain amount of interference was heard in Teheran.
(D)
On 11/15 March 2018, continuing
on the Franz Mayr's file series, I came across:
KV 2/1479-1, page 63, notices (quoting):
SD.
STEPHAN Transmitter (20 watt)
RADIONE R3 Receiver
N.B. No accurate calculation necessary when erecting the aerial. The sets were contained in two suitcases.
AOB: This implies, that the transmitter suitcase contained the (Stephan) transmitter as well as the power supply which both are shown on foregoing photos.
Because the second suitcase containing the Radione R3 receiver and auxiliaries; please notice the genuine suitcase on the left-hand side; but neglect the wooden box designated Quarz, because this being meant for the transmitter.
In my perception, the Radione RS20M wasn't fitting for the job in Persia (Iran). Because, its frequency spectrum was too much restricted - as well as based on quartz control solely. And, just this aspect was most significant. In regular Abwehr W/T communications the Leitstelle decided what frequency should be taken at what time of the day and season.
In contrast, it were the SD W/T agents abroad (Persia) who informed the Wannsee SD* communication centre - at what frequencies they wanted to communicate the next time. In my perception, not too many Abwehr agents had been sent abroad without an expected operational time frame. But the SD operators in Persia virtually stayed there for a none predictable period.
* according Rudolf Staritz: reception was commence inside the Havel Insitut compound, but transmission were remote controlled; the transmission location was at the premises of a Yacht Club, actually situated on a pier heading into the Wannsee.
Discovering tiny facts when studying files creates always a thrilling moment, because such kind of hidden information can be found nowhere else; whatever deep search on the web!
We may consider that the transmitter was known as "Stephan Gerät". Whether the SD W/T operators (for example): Holzapfel, Blume, Grille or Rockstroh have been aware of its designation isn't provided. But, on the other hand, who could otherwise have informed D.S.O. CICI in Teheran upon this very facet, in 1943?
To be continued in due course
By Arthur O. Bauer