An Early Memoir of Using RADAR

[Media Team Leader]

FOLLOWING A CHANCE MEETING WITH ONE OF THE SOCIETY’S COMMITTEE
MEMBERS, LT. CDR. (RTD) LESLIE RUSSELL HARVEY PROVIDED THIS MEMOIR OF
HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE EARLY USE OF RADAR.

By the start of the Second World War Radio Direction Finding was in
its infancy. In this country the BBC occasionally experienced
interference to its radio programmes. It was discovered that the
interference coincided with aircraft operating in the vicinity. Our
scientists, in particular Watson-Watt, endeavoured to simulate the RDF
effect to control aircraft reflections for the purpose of Defence of
the Realm.

(AFTER 1941:)

The Germans were on to this as well but whereas they experimented with
infra red power (a decision they later regretted) W-W worked on
microwaves. He achieved considerable electron power using the
magnetron. This device concentrated electrons into bunches by passing
current through a strong magnetic field. These bunches of intense heat
were literally spiralled through the magnetic field to further
reinforce them. Hence RDF was formed. It was during his experiments
that W-W found his bar of chocolate had melted and this led to the
invention of the microwave oven.

The system had progressed sufficiently by the start of WW II that
warnings of enemy aircraft became a reality and eventually replaced
all the elaborate audio listening posts.

There were sceptics who would not use the new technology. The first
air raid over Scapa Flow was a case in point. HMS Sheffield, fitted
with the new RDF system (since renamed RADAR), gave a warning which
appears to have been unheeded by the top brass.

The Germans singled out my ship (HMS Norfolk) which was still painted
in the light colours of the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, two
midshipmen perished. The ship’s commander was more fortunate. The bomb
that penetrated his cabin failed to explode. It obviously did not have
his name on it.

This is just a small reminder of the origins of some of our
technologies and their consequences.


Thanks to LT. CDR. (RTD) LESLIE RUSSELL HARVEY for this contribution
to the forum.


>>>> Do you have any stories to share with us ? Please join as a member of our group to post your stories <<<<

[peter grace]

Dear Team Leader                                 Sunday 23 August 2009   The memories of Lt. Cdr Russell are not in keeping with chronology.   By the time Randall and Boot had developed the magnetron Watson-Watt had been promoted to a staff position. Watson-Watt and Wilkins used short-wave frequencies NOT microwaves - wavelength 25 metres down to 12 metres. In Germany, Telefunken were able to generate wavelengths down to 1.5 metres for their Freya system. They may have experimented with infra red but so did Britain.   If the memoir was published on the WWSoB website it could bring us into disrepute with knowledgeable people still alive.   I am away for a week until 2nd September but perhaps we should meet early in September so that I can provide you with some cointent for the website   Regards                    Peter Grace   ex RAF Techical Branch                                                      ex Decca Radar                                                      Friend, RAF Air Defence Radar Museum --- On Sat, 22/8/09, Media Team Leader <watso...@mearnswood.com> wrote: