Why would a Royal Navy vessel use it's peace-time call sign in battle?

[10ClarionSt]

On a TV documentary about HMS Glorious (sunk in June 1940), a telegraphist from HMS Devonshire said he picked up a distress signal from the Glorious. He said he knew it was the Glorious because she used her peace-time call sign. Why would the Glorious's telegraphist use the peace-time call sign when under attack? Thanks.

[Cheeris]

Good question, can't say I have a good answer, but maybe it was considered it didn't really matter if a ship was under fire and in trouble. Clarity counts more than secrecy when under attack by two of the enemy's capital ships I suppose. Or maybe it was just panic?

[kempie]

Just out of curiosity, is the documentary you mention the episode of Channel 4's 'Secret History' detailing those events and first shown during 1997?

I have no specific expertise or understanding of the battle etc. but I wonder if it is pertinent that this analysis...

http://www.warship.org/no11994.htm

... makes mention of Gneisenau having a transmitter pre-tuned to RN frequency in order to jam any outgoing signals from Glorious.

"The Germans used a rather subtle jamming technique; instead of generating a lot of noisy interference, they attempted to drown out the legitimate signal by simultaneously generating a series of false signals which would overwhelm it, using standard RN call signs and procedures. No ship or shore station reported receiving Gneisenau's bogus messages, and in fact Devonshire was unaware that the Germans were attempting to jam Glorious' signals."

If Glorious was aware that this method of false telegraphy could be employed (although apparently wasn't) and false messages could be misinterpreted as originating from herself, is it then not conceivable that utilising her peacetime callsign was a way of emphasising the true origin of her signals?

[Jonus]

Hi 10ClarionSt,

Do you know how I might be able to get hold of a copy of that Channel 4 Secret History Documentary? I've recently been doing a bit of research, for my own interest really, as my great uncle was killed on board HMS Glorious. I recall seeing the program when it was shown originally but didn't manage to record it. My Great Uncle was a signalman and died only 19 years of age aboard Glorious. I find the entire enigma surrounding the sinking to be fascinating, as well as being tragic obviously. I would be extremely grateful, if you or any other members might know how I can get hold of it.