Navigation map reading examination paper
Title
Navigation map reading examination paper
Description
Two images showing a three-question, written examination paper in navigation map reading for air bombers. Page one gives the time and marks available and written instructions and sets a scenario for the examination. Page two has four question, the second of which has 17 parts.
Creator
Date
1943-10-29
Temporal Coverage
Coverage
Language
Type
Format
Two-page typewritten document
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
MRoyallGL1801494-220420-06
Transcription
[underlined] CENTRAL EXAMINATIONS BOARD. [/underlined]
[underlined] NO. OF AIR SCHOOLS: [/underlined] 41, 42 & 43.
[underlined] RESPECTIVE NO. OF COURSES. [/underlined] 18, 18 & 3.
[underlined] STATUS OF PUPILS: [/underlined] AIR BOMBERS.
[underlined] EXAMINATION IN: [/underlined] NAVIGATION MAP READING.
[underlined] TIME ALLOWED IN 2 HOURS. [/underlined]
[underlined] DATE OF EXAMINATION: [/underlined] 29/10/43.
[underlined] TOTAL NO. OF QUESTIONS. 6. [/underlined]
[underlined] TOTAL MARKS 200. [/underlined]
[underlined] MARKS ALLOTTED ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS AFTER EACH QUESTION. [/underlined]
[underlined] ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. [/underlined]
[underlined] SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS. [/underlined]
Aa. Air Bombers Log Form 1659 required.
Ab. 1;500,000 Topographical Map of STRAIT OF DOVER Sheet 8 and 1;250,000 Topographical Map of BERLIN Sheet N33/10 required. [underlined] NOTE: [/underlined] Topographical Maps to be retained by schools.
Ac. Dividers, Protractors and Parallel rules required.
Ba. Answers should be brief, to the point and written in ink, except for Form 1659 which should be written in PENCIL.
Bb. Speeds and distances in m.p.h. and statute miles respectively.
Bc. In this examination all positions are to be given in Latitude and Longitude, unless otherwise requested.
[underlined] IMPORTANT: [/underlined] BEFORE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS IT IS ESSENTIAL TO STUDY THE NARRATIVE AND THE STORY OF THE FLIGHT, IN ORDER TO APPRECIATE FULLY THE GOVERNING FACTORS AND ALSO WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED ON THIS PARTICULAR SORTIE.
[underlined] NOTE: [/underlined] In your Reconnaissance Examination Paper questions were se[missing letters] on a fictitious high level daylight photographic-reconnaissance.
This paper concerns the journey to and from the reconnaissance area.
In order to refresh your memory, the narrative is reproduced below.
[underlined] “NARRATIVE: [/underlined] 179 Squadron, LUTON, BEDS. August 26th. 1943. [underlined] Aircraft: [/underlined] Stratosphere Wellington. [underlined] Captain: [/underlined] W/O Winfield. [underlined] BOMB AIMER: [/underlined] Yourself.
[underlined] DUTY: [/underlined] To carry out a combined high level daylight photographic-reconnaissance of BERLIN and a high level precision bombing attack on the Siemens Factory at SPANDAU (52°33 1/2 N 13°07 1/2 E).
The photo-reconnaissance to be a line overlap of the railway junction and built-up areas from SPANDAU along a Track of 144° T for a distance of 16 miles.
To be over the area two hours before sunset, at 18.18hrs.
[underlined] Double British Summer Time. [/underlined] Operational Height 30,000 feet.” [underlined] On completion of duty return to REDHILL (51°12 1/2' N 00° 08 1/2 W) [/underlined]
[underlined] “INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION: [/underlined] 2,000 tons of bombs were dropped over the BERLIN area between 01.45 and 02.30 hrs. August 26th. 1943.
[underlined] WEATHER FORECAST: [/underlined]
[underlined] Berlin Area [/underlined] 5/10 Cu. Base 2,000 feet, cloud tops up to 12,000 feet. Possibility of Cb. with tops up to 19,000 feet. No high cloud and no likelihood of Vapour trails. Winds: -
1,000 feet 240/30 mph.
10,000 feet 255/40 mph.
20,000 feet 270/60 mph.
30,000 feet 270/65 mph.
[underlined] VISIBILITY: [/underlined] 15 miles.”
[underlined] MOON: [/underlined] In last quarter, setting at 20.13 hrs. D.B.S.T.
[page break]
(2)
[underlined] QUESTION 1. [/underlined]
In your answer book, construct a time and speed scale for use on the half million topographical map, with a speed range of 110-250 m.p.h. time interval of 10 mins.
This is to be used when applicable to obtain the answers to question 2. (20 MARKS)
[underlined] QUESTION 2. [/underlined]
The following is the story of the flight. Complete form 1659; and [underlined] also [/underlined] answer the various questions in your answer book. (20 MARKS FOR LOG KEEPING.)
Airbourne LUTON S/C SPANDAU Tr.088° T. DISTANCE 578 miles. G/S. 245 m.p.h. climbing on track.
(a) What must be the time to set course from BASE to arrive over SPANDAU at the ordered time? (5 MARKS)
(b) After setting course from BASE, what will be your next Pin point? (5 MARKS)
(c) What is the E.T.A. for your chosen P.P.? [inserted] (5 MARKS) [/inserted]
16.14 1/4 P.P. WALTON-ON-THE-NAZE (51° 51’N 01° 16’E)
(d) What do you deduce from this? (10 MARKS)
16.20 Over 10/10ths. cloud Height 30,000 feet T.A.S. 180 m.p.h.
(e) What will be the radius of the circle of uncertainty if you break cloud over BERLIN, assuming D.R. Navigation to be reasonably accurate. ([deleted] 10 [/deleted] 5 MARKS)
18.07 3/4 P.P. GENTHIN (52° 24 1/4 N 12° 09 1/4 E) A/C 17° P.
18.10 1/2 P.P. BRIEST Aerodrome (52° 26 3/4 N 12° 24 3/4 E).
(f) What is the new T.M.G.? (5 MARKS)
(g) What is the new G/S.? (5 MARKS)
(h) What is the revised ETA SPANDAU? (5 MARKS)
18.33 Operation completed. P.P. Road & Railway junction (52° 18 1/2 N 13° 25 1/2 E) S/C REDHILL Tr. 267° T. Distance 578 miles TAS 180 m.p.h. G/S. 115 m.p.h. Height 30,000 ft.
(i) What is ETA REDHILL? (5 MARKS)
18.40 Flying over 10/10ths. cloud.
21.52 Flying in cloud, severe icing.
22.03 Aircraft struck by lightning. All compasses U/S. Descending rapidly.
22.11 Break cloud at 10,000 feet continue flying straight and level over 10/10ths cloud.
(j) What rough aids has the pilot got to enable him to keep on course. (5 MARKS)
(k) Assuming D.R. Navigation reasonably accurate, what is the radius of the circle of uncertainty at the time the aircraft was struck by lightning? (10 MARKS)
(l) What is the [inserted] DT [/inserted] position of the centre of the circle? (10 MARKS)
22.57 P.P. CAP GRIS NEZ (50° 52’ N 01° 34 1/2’ E)
(m) Within what bearings can you guarantee TMG since aircraft was struck by lightning? (10 MARKS)
23.11 P.P. DUNGENESS (50° 54 1/2’ N 00° 57 1/2' E) A/C REDHILL.
(n) What is new TMG? [inserted] 276. [/inserted] (5 MARKS)
(O) What is new G/S? [inserted] 94 [/inserted] (5 MARKS)
(P) What is ETA, REDHILL assuming same G/S? (5 MARKS)
(q) 23.35 What is your D.R. Position? (Denote this position in your answers by two different methods) (10 MARKS)
– Over REDHILL.
– LANDED.
[underlined] QUESTION 3. [/underlined]
Of the two maps you are using, which is the better one for map reading at the height at which you are flying? State your reasons. (10 MARKS)
[underlined] QUESTION 4. [/underlined]
When you pin pointed yourself at CAP GRIS NEZ at 22.57 hrs. what made you so certain of your position? (10 MARKS)
P.T.O.
[underlined] NO. OF AIR SCHOOLS: [/underlined] 41, 42 & 43.
[underlined] RESPECTIVE NO. OF COURSES. [/underlined] 18, 18 & 3.
[underlined] STATUS OF PUPILS: [/underlined] AIR BOMBERS.
[underlined] EXAMINATION IN: [/underlined] NAVIGATION MAP READING.
[underlined] TIME ALLOWED IN 2 HOURS. [/underlined]
[underlined] DATE OF EXAMINATION: [/underlined] 29/10/43.
[underlined] TOTAL NO. OF QUESTIONS. 6. [/underlined]
[underlined] TOTAL MARKS 200. [/underlined]
[underlined] MARKS ALLOTTED ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS AFTER EACH QUESTION. [/underlined]
[underlined] ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. [/underlined]
[underlined] SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS. [/underlined]
Aa. Air Bombers Log Form 1659 required.
Ab. 1;500,000 Topographical Map of STRAIT OF DOVER Sheet 8 and 1;250,000 Topographical Map of BERLIN Sheet N33/10 required. [underlined] NOTE: [/underlined] Topographical Maps to be retained by schools.
Ac. Dividers, Protractors and Parallel rules required.
Ba. Answers should be brief, to the point and written in ink, except for Form 1659 which should be written in PENCIL.
Bb. Speeds and distances in m.p.h. and statute miles respectively.
Bc. In this examination all positions are to be given in Latitude and Longitude, unless otherwise requested.
[underlined] IMPORTANT: [/underlined] BEFORE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS IT IS ESSENTIAL TO STUDY THE NARRATIVE AND THE STORY OF THE FLIGHT, IN ORDER TO APPRECIATE FULLY THE GOVERNING FACTORS AND ALSO WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED ON THIS PARTICULAR SORTIE.
[underlined] NOTE: [/underlined] In your Reconnaissance Examination Paper questions were se[missing letters] on a fictitious high level daylight photographic-reconnaissance.
This paper concerns the journey to and from the reconnaissance area.
In order to refresh your memory, the narrative is reproduced below.
[underlined] “NARRATIVE: [/underlined] 179 Squadron, LUTON, BEDS. August 26th. 1943. [underlined] Aircraft: [/underlined] Stratosphere Wellington. [underlined] Captain: [/underlined] W/O Winfield. [underlined] BOMB AIMER: [/underlined] Yourself.
[underlined] DUTY: [/underlined] To carry out a combined high level daylight photographic-reconnaissance of BERLIN and a high level precision bombing attack on the Siemens Factory at SPANDAU (52°33 1/2 N 13°07 1/2 E).
The photo-reconnaissance to be a line overlap of the railway junction and built-up areas from SPANDAU along a Track of 144° T for a distance of 16 miles.
To be over the area two hours before sunset, at 18.18hrs.
[underlined] Double British Summer Time. [/underlined] Operational Height 30,000 feet.” [underlined] On completion of duty return to REDHILL (51°12 1/2' N 00° 08 1/2 W) [/underlined]
[underlined] “INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION: [/underlined] 2,000 tons of bombs were dropped over the BERLIN area between 01.45 and 02.30 hrs. August 26th. 1943.
[underlined] WEATHER FORECAST: [/underlined]
[underlined] Berlin Area [/underlined] 5/10 Cu. Base 2,000 feet, cloud tops up to 12,000 feet. Possibility of Cb. with tops up to 19,000 feet. No high cloud and no likelihood of Vapour trails. Winds: -
1,000 feet 240/30 mph.
10,000 feet 255/40 mph.
20,000 feet 270/60 mph.
30,000 feet 270/65 mph.
[underlined] VISIBILITY: [/underlined] 15 miles.”
[underlined] MOON: [/underlined] In last quarter, setting at 20.13 hrs. D.B.S.T.
[page break]
(2)
[underlined] QUESTION 1. [/underlined]
In your answer book, construct a time and speed scale for use on the half million topographical map, with a speed range of 110-250 m.p.h. time interval of 10 mins.
This is to be used when applicable to obtain the answers to question 2. (20 MARKS)
[underlined] QUESTION 2. [/underlined]
The following is the story of the flight. Complete form 1659; and [underlined] also [/underlined] answer the various questions in your answer book. (20 MARKS FOR LOG KEEPING.)
Airbourne LUTON S/C SPANDAU Tr.088° T. DISTANCE 578 miles. G/S. 245 m.p.h. climbing on track.
(a) What must be the time to set course from BASE to arrive over SPANDAU at the ordered time? (5 MARKS)
(b) After setting course from BASE, what will be your next Pin point? (5 MARKS)
(c) What is the E.T.A. for your chosen P.P.? [inserted] (5 MARKS) [/inserted]
16.14 1/4 P.P. WALTON-ON-THE-NAZE (51° 51’N 01° 16’E)
(d) What do you deduce from this? (10 MARKS)
16.20 Over 10/10ths. cloud Height 30,000 feet T.A.S. 180 m.p.h.
(e) What will be the radius of the circle of uncertainty if you break cloud over BERLIN, assuming D.R. Navigation to be reasonably accurate. ([deleted] 10 [/deleted] 5 MARKS)
18.07 3/4 P.P. GENTHIN (52° 24 1/4 N 12° 09 1/4 E) A/C 17° P.
18.10 1/2 P.P. BRIEST Aerodrome (52° 26 3/4 N 12° 24 3/4 E).
(f) What is the new T.M.G.? (5 MARKS)
(g) What is the new G/S.? (5 MARKS)
(h) What is the revised ETA SPANDAU? (5 MARKS)
18.33 Operation completed. P.P. Road & Railway junction (52° 18 1/2 N 13° 25 1/2 E) S/C REDHILL Tr. 267° T. Distance 578 miles TAS 180 m.p.h. G/S. 115 m.p.h. Height 30,000 ft.
(i) What is ETA REDHILL? (5 MARKS)
18.40 Flying over 10/10ths. cloud.
21.52 Flying in cloud, severe icing.
22.03 Aircraft struck by lightning. All compasses U/S. Descending rapidly.
22.11 Break cloud at 10,000 feet continue flying straight and level over 10/10ths cloud.
(j) What rough aids has the pilot got to enable him to keep on course. (5 MARKS)
(k) Assuming D.R. Navigation reasonably accurate, what is the radius of the circle of uncertainty at the time the aircraft was struck by lightning? (10 MARKS)
(l) What is the [inserted] DT [/inserted] position of the centre of the circle? (10 MARKS)
22.57 P.P. CAP GRIS NEZ (50° 52’ N 01° 34 1/2’ E)
(m) Within what bearings can you guarantee TMG since aircraft was struck by lightning? (10 MARKS)
23.11 P.P. DUNGENESS (50° 54 1/2’ N 00° 57 1/2' E) A/C REDHILL.
(n) What is new TMG? [inserted] 276. [/inserted] (5 MARKS)
(O) What is new G/S? [inserted] 94 [/inserted] (5 MARKS)
(P) What is ETA, REDHILL assuming same G/S? (5 MARKS)
(q) 23.35 What is your D.R. Position? (Denote this position in your answers by two different methods) (10 MARKS)
– Over REDHILL.
– LANDED.
[underlined] QUESTION 3. [/underlined]
Of the two maps you are using, which is the better one for map reading at the height at which you are flying? State your reasons. (10 MARKS)
[underlined] QUESTION 4. [/underlined]
When you pin pointed yourself at CAP GRIS NEZ at 22.57 hrs. what made you so certain of your position? (10 MARKS)
P.T.O.
Collection
Citation
Central Examination Board, “Navigation map reading examination paper,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed March 16, 2026, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/40397.

