Help with military abbreviations

My father served with an AAA unit during WW2.
I made a trip to the NARA to research his unit history
I got copies of some of the S-1 and S-2 logs
He did his basic training at Fort Bliss

While on a training mission the tactical problem simulated the landing of hostile aircraft from carriers.
The log states "batteries commanders were notified by S.C.B. 543."
What does S.C.B. stand for? My guess, Standard Communication Bulletin

Here's another, "Two prisioners captured by MTO around 2400 ..." Again my guess for MTO - Medical Technical Officer. Is that correct?

During another tactical problem the 90mm guns fire at O.Q.A. and P.Q. 8 radio controlled planes.
Can anyone provide information on these targets or what the initials stand for?

Thanks in advance.

 

OQ series designation was 1942-47, "Aerial Target, Flying Model".
PQ series designation was 1942-47, "Aerial Target, Manned".

P.Q.8 was a Culver-produced monoplane, used in several versions as target drones. See: Culver Cadet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I can't find a reference to an O.Q.A., and the designation doesn't look right to me,so I suspect a typo or misunderstanding. There was an OQ-2A, OQ-2B, and OQ-3, etc. But, I can find no mention of one designated simply OQA. Most of the OQ series in the WW2 timeframe seem to have been produced by a company named Frankfurt or by another company named Radioplane.

As to your other questions-- I seriously doubt that MTO Meant "Medical Technical Officer". Not only is that a designation I have never heard used, but it would be highly unlikely (even in an exercise) for Medical Officers to be capturing prisoners.

I think the S.C.B. 543 was a specific model of Army Radio set, but I can't find it specifically. The S.C.R. 543 was definitely a radio set, and there were other models designated S.C.B.

Have fun!

 

I couldn't find anything on SCB either. Could it be a typo for SCR? In any case this site might be of interest:
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a509813.pdf
as might this one.
The Hammer of Hell

 

Just a guess, but could MTO be Motor Transport Officer?

 

DocL / lwd / urgh

Thanks so much for the leads, I have read The Hammer of Hell.
The clearification on the aerial targets and radio is more than helpful.
Following is the exact entry in the log, this might help to figure out MTO.

"December 26, 1942 -
Plans for tactical problem north of Bidds field are in progress.... Airborne is expected to attack us while in the field....Battalion pulled out from AATC to protect Hueco tanks that lie in Hueco quadrangle at 2000 o'clock.

December 28, 1942 -
Blackout conditions existing, convoy dicipline satisfactory. Two prisoners caaptured by MTO and were deliverd to Battalion C.P. for questioning which was of no use."

Hueco Tanks is actually a place not a weapon.
The reason I thought MTO was a medical officer is because of an earlier entry.

"December 10, 1942. - 1st Lt. John K______, MC is tranferred to this Battalion from the 480 CA Bn (AA) and addigned to the Medical Detachment....."

From this link I know WW2 US Medical Research Centre :: The WW2 Medical Detachment - Infantry Regiment "Battalion Medical Section was commanded by the senior Officer (MC)"
I thought maybe the prisoners health condition was checked by the medical officer then escorted to the command post.
Anyway Motor Transport Officer maybe closer to being accurate.

One more initial identification if I may.
Two entries state that when the Battalion left the AntiAircraft Training Center the lead serial crossed the I.P. In one entry the I.P. was 2 street names. On the 2nd entry the I.P. was a single street name.
I assume I.P. stannds for Initial Point, is that correct?

You guys are so helpful, I just love this site.
My father didn't get discharged until Aug. 3, 1945 so I'm just starting to decicpher all this military lingo.
Hope you don't mind if I continue to ask questions.

Thanks again

 

No, there were SCB radio sets. It could be a typo, or it could be correct. Simply outside my area of expertise.

 

IP= Initial Point sounds right to me.

 

Here's a link to info for the OQ-2A Aerial Target:
Factsheets : OQ-2A Aerial Target

And a photo of a PQ-8A along with its Cessna C-78 mother ship.

 

Thanks so much for the help.

I have another subject. I've reached the point NARA documents to the point where my father's unit, 409th CA Bn (AA) has left the AATC at Fort Bliss, Texas and has tranfered cross country to Camp Sutton, North Caolina. While at Camp Sutton the battalion receives a rating of A2A.
What goes a A2A rating mean? Good, not so good, mediocre, bad. Would the Army or the CAC issue this rating? Is there a list of other ratings that could have used?

Thnaks again for your expert knowledge.

 

Here is the exact entry in the unit diary copied from the NARA, at College Park, Md.
"March 5, 1943 - The 409th was handed a rating of A2A."
Does that help at all?