Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 2, B2 Suitcase Radio, Special Operations Executive, 1942

Subcollections
Communications Gallery - Centenary of Royal Australian Corps of Signals
Overview

Type B2 Mk II, British manufactured clandestine suitcase transceiver (spy radio) used on Special Operations Executive missions in Burma and South West Pacific but more frequently by agents in Occupied Europe during World War 2

Historical information

Example of a clandestine suitcase transceiver · 1942 Type 3 Mark II, commonly referred to as B2, a British WWII portable clandestine transceiver, also known as a spy radio set, developed in 1942 by (then) Captain John Brown at SOE Station IX, and manufactured by the Radio Communication Department of the SOE at Stonebridge Park. The set was issued to agents, resistance groups and special forces, operating on occupied territory. The official designator is Type 3 Mk. II but the radio is also known as Type B Mk. II, B.II and B2.

The B2 came in two flavours. The initial version came in an unobtrusive leather suitcase that allowed an agent to travel inconspicuously. This is the most well-known variant. Later in the war it was dropped by parachute in two water-tight containers, that were more suitable for use by resistance groups operating in the field.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-32-54-602
Contextual Information

This radio is located in the Communications Gallery commissioned by the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia as part of the Centenary commemorations of the Royal Australian Corp of Signals. Communication devices used by the Australian Army also are presented in their operational context throughout the Museum.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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SOE B2 Radio

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