SLIDE
Thank you. But do you know why those 2 particular letters were selected?
Nope it was decided in the 1950s when the manual was put together.
I can still tell you a bunch of other signals from memory, but as to why any specific signal was assigned I’d assume all those authors have likely passed on to Davey Jone’s Locker.
Here is the list of "B" signals, from Bravo Alpha to Bravo Zulu:
BA Action is being carried out (or I am)
BB Action is completed (or I have)
BC I recommend
BD Report time when you will be ready (to ____ )
BE Report when ready (to ____ )
BF Ready (to ____ ) (at ____ )
BG My present intention is to ____
BH Request permission to ____
BI Action is not being carried out (or I am not)
BJ If you desire
BK When you desire
BL When ready
BM Enemy/opponent is or I am being ____
BN When able
BT For use, see paragraphs 194e and 194g.
BU Unable to ____
BV Take action or information as indicated from appropriate supplementary table (see Chapter 34)
BX Indicates end of series of groups governed by governing group
BY Report when action completed
BZ Well done
Volume I and Volume II are usually contained in two 3-inch binders. They are used around the clock on the bridge, CIC, signal bridge, and radio central on ships. Also used on aircraft, subs, shore bases.
The first two letters of the code tell you which tab to use to start the decode/encode: e.g. TA = Tactical, then followed by other sub-codes and values:
TA-12-1-1200 = Maintain distance of 1,200 yards (using the below table.
TA12 . . . . . DISTANCE. Maintain present distance (or take ____ ).
1. Distance of ____ hundred yards
2. Distance of ____ miles
3. Double standard distance
4. Standard distance
5. Proper distance
6. One-half standard distance