Overview

Prior to World War II, both Britain and Germany had discovered that radio waves could be used to detect aircraft. Thus began the battle to develop and deploy the most effective radar systems possible. In late 1941 British scientists discovered that Germany was using a new, mobile short-wave system called Wurtzburg. It was highly effective in terms of plotting and detecting even individual planes. It was critical that Britain discover a method to counter this new radar if it was to win this so-called 'battle of the beams'. It was decided that an airborne raid would be launched to seize a Wurtzburg system located at Bruneval on the French coast. Major John Frost (of later Arnhem Bridge fame) and his C Company of 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment dropped on Bruneval during the night of 12 February 1942. After weeks of rehearsal, the raiders swung seamlessly into action, neutralizing the small enemy garrison and establishing a defence screen to allow the system to be slowly dismantled ready for transportation. However, German forces began counter-attacking almost immediately and the raiders rapidly found themselves embroiled in a small, but deadly firefight. Finally they were able to make a fighting withdrawal to the beach with their crucial cargo. Those of Frost's men who had survived the attack boarded small landing craft and safely withdrew. Unfortunately, two of the party had been killed, one was seriously wounded and six were missing and later captured. However, it was a huge success for the beleaguered British forces battling against the might of the Third Reich. The equipment that was smuggled back to England proved hugely significant, and a jamming device was eventually created. The success of the raid also prompted a reorganization of German security around radar and radio sites, tying down troops that would soon be urgently required. Perhaps even more significantly it was a great morale boost for the British public and armed forces during possibly the darkest year of the war.

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9781282727373

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