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Times given in reports -- across the International Date Line

Discussion in 'WWII General' started by ken martin, Mar 21, 2024.

  1. ken martin

    ken martin New Member

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    In after action reports for the Pacific Theater, I find the time is often followed by a capital "I" and in some cases the the word "Item". For example, 4 pm on March 31st near Okinawa is written: 311600 I

    What does the "I" stand for?
     
  2. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    The time zone. ITEM is UTC+9.
     
  3. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Luckily there are 24 time zones and 26 letters. But which two aren't used?
     
  4. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    One! :D J, which indicates "local time" if
    ZULU Time is Greenwich or 0.
    Running East it is:
    +1 - A
    +2 - B
    +3 - C
    +4 - D
    +5 - E
    +6 - F
    +7 - G
    +8 - H
    +9 - I
    +10 - K
    +11 - L
    +12 - M - AKA the International Date Line

    Running West it is:
    -1 - N
    -2 - O
    -3 - P
    -4 - Q
    -5 - R
    -6 - S
    -7 - T
    -8 - U
    -9 - V
    -10 - W
    -11 - X
    -12 - Y - AKA the International Date Line again :D
     
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  5. ken martin

    ken martin New Member

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    Thanks. Is "ITEM" official terminology or jargon for India Time Zone?
     
  6. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    ITEM is the World War II standard phonetic alphabet for the letter "I".

    In the modern NATO STANAG it is INDIA.

    See: WWII Phonetic Alphabet | Saco
     
  7. ken martin

    ken martin New Member

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