The term originates from the Allied Signals Book (ATP 1). Signals are sent
as letters and/or numbers, which have meanings by themselves sometimes
or in certain combinations. A single table in ATP 1 is called "governing
groups," that is, the entire signal that follows the governing group is to be
performed according to the "governor." The letter "B" indicates this table,
and the second letter (A through Z) gives more specific information. For
example, "BA" might mean "You have permission to... (do whatever the rest of
the flashing light, flag hoist or radio transmission says) "BZ" happens to be
the last item in the governing groups table. It means "well done."
> "laserlight@quixnet.net" wrote:
"BZ"
> happens to be the last item in the governing groups table. It means
As per http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/questions/bzulu.html ? ;-)
Mk
You learn something new everyday.
--- "laserlight@quixnet.net" <laserlight@quixnet.net>
wrote:
> The term originates from the Allied Signals Book
From: "Indy" <kochte@stsci.edu>
> "laserlight@quixnet.net" wrote:
"BZ"
> > happens to be the last item in the governing groups table. It means
I was going to write to Laserlight regarding saying more than was wise about
ATP 1 vol 2, but since the USN has the data on the web, I won't have to shoot
him.
ATP 1 vol 2 is (to state the bleedin obvious) classy. 20 years go, it was
highly classy IIRC. BZ was in common usage, but even the existence of
governing groups wasn't widely known.
> From http://home.earthlink.net/~mcmillanj/signals/Signals.html
> Allied Tactical Publication 1, Volume II, Allied Maritime Tactical
(This also has pix of the hoist "BZ")
This conflicts with
http://www.swos.navy.mil/doc/CP%20I/Module%202/Student%20Guide/Informati
on%2
0Sheets/Is2-16.doc where Vol II is classified as "NATO RESTRICTED", the
lowest grade of classification there is.
> (1) ATP 1 (VOL. I), Allied Maritime Tactical Instructions and
> 2) ATP 1 (VOL II), Allied Maritime Tactical Signal Book - contains
I don't know whether it's my memory that's at fault, or whether these have
been declassified, but IIRC both had higher classifications in the past.
This from http://smmlonline.com/archives/VOL0424.txt says a lot more,
but apart from
one real code (Alpha Delta Two Eight - also commonly known), uses
hypothetical examples.
> Consider a *hypothetical* page "AA" in the signal book that means
might be for "Take Station in Column Open Order" instead of Line Astern, and
AA3 might mean "Take Station in Line Abreast". To use the amplifying info,
"AA1-2" might mean "Take station in line astern of the Guide at twice
the normal spacing between ships". This would use the rectangular flags for
A,
A, 1, and 2, and a tackline between the 1 and the 2. If something other than
the normal sequence of ships is desired, the signal would designate sequence
with pennant number flags for ID. Therefore, to tell the group to line up with
triple spacing with CG29 leading, FFG10 next, followed by DD966, the
signal might look like "AA1-3", "desig" (pennant), "C" (flag), "9"
(pennant), "desig", "F" flag, "0" pennant, "desig", "D" flag, "6" pennant.
This would be spoken as "alpha alpha one tack three desig charlie niner desig
foxtrot zero desig delta six. These 12 flags would not all fit on one
halyard, so they would have to be read in a sequence - I think it was
outboard to inboard. As soon as the signal was understood by all and executed
by the Officer in Tactical Command (OTC), as the first ship in the new line,
CG29 would fly flag "Golf", indicating the "Guide" of the new formation. Of
course, that was for a *hypothetical* signal.
> Another hypothetical signal might break to "On arriving in port,
> On a final note, in Portsmouth, UK, I bought a mug from "Pusser's Rum"
(as opposed to Budweiser) with AD28 on the side. This just happened to break
to "Splice the Mainbrace".(note from Shane: "oh no", now we'll see that on all
Brit ships :-) ) I don't mind giving away a signal that doesn't work on
our "dry" ships.
On Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:29:06 +1100 "Alan and Carmel Brain"
> <aebrain@webone.com.au> writes:
Never assume your enemy (or your ally currently) is stupid.
> So I guess that someone figured out that since the opposition already
Actually an executive order down graded (not declassified) a ton of stuff
years ago. Projects were put on hold while the classification of 'stuff' was
changed to reflect teh new reality. At least according to the media...
Gracias,
Official answer from work.
"No, just because you see it published does not mean you may comment on it at
all."
Hence if a classified document is published (never happens of course) in the
open press you are to say "I can neither confirm or deny..."
Same thing for sensitive materials even if declassified.
And as for Op Sec (operational security - the thing kept the military to
tell Defense Mapping about Grenada until 24-72 hours before hand - "You
don't have maps of Grenada!?!?!") it can turn the mundane in to chaos if for
SBU facts like stock levels or existence of maps. Ever seen a grid on a
tourist map? Sad, almost pathetic.
During Desert Storm it was reported in the media (no comment of course by me)
that people could tell how active the pace of preparation was by the number of
pizza and Chinese food deliveries at the Pentagon.
All the above is certainly hypothetical.
Gracias, Glenn
On Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:29:06 +1100 "Alan and Carmel Brain"
> <aebrain@webone.com.au> writes:
> At 08:59 AM 1/16/03 -0500, you wrote:
"BZ"
> > happens to be the last item in the governing groups table. It means
Having recently read the Lensman books, is Smith's use of "QX" based on real
codes, made up from something like the above, or just wholly invented? It is
pretty obvious what it *means* but I'm curious if anyone has any insight as to
whether it really "came from" someplace.
[quoted original message omitted]