(Al Dykes) wrote in message ...
As an armchair admiral, I've always wondered how A/C in WWII knew how
to find the carrier after being away for a couple hours on a mission.
I assume the pilots were told, roughly, where the carrier plans to be,
but sh*t happens. I always assume the carrier doesn't broadcast any
radio signals.

How do they do it, today ?

Well, for WWII USN carriers, generally pilots got a "Point Option"
that would give them a general idea where their carrier was supposed
to be. Then it became a matter of sorting out the homing signal.
Presume the RN worked the same way as they had similar homing
equipment. Don't think the Japanese used homing signals.

Rich