RAF Radar in Egypt and Libya - 1941/42

What it says on the tin.

I have reasonable info on German radar during the period, but sweet FA on the RAF. I know they used radar, and that radar on Malta could detect shipping at reasonable distances. But nothing on the air war in North Africa.

Anyone got anything?

All the best

Andreas

 

As an ex-RAF Fighter Controller (1981-2013), I’m embarrassed to admit that I have no idea - so, I’m hoping some wise soul on here will be able to enlighten both of us!

 

There is a brief oral history from a GCI operator of 833 AMES in the Middle East, pages 121-126:

Radar : a wartime miracle : Latham, Colin : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

 

Hi Andreas,

The middle east campaign narratives are the best source for overall picture for a specific time period and RDF/AMES policy/application.

All four volumes as free to download pdfs at the RAF AHB site.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisa...branch/second-world-war-campaign-narratives1/

Malta is discussed in the overall area narratives and also with it's own specific narrative 1940 to 1945
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisa...st-campaigns-vol-xi-malta-june-1940-may-1945/

Appendix X is of particular note


Ross

 

Provides an interesting first hand view of life in front line unit.

 

Ross beat me to it. Thanks Ross and good job, Orwell.

Jim

 

Thanks for that - just ordered a copy! I’d no idea that such a book was out there. I have a copy of ‘Off to War with 054’ but assumed there were no others - and I am very interested in the mobile radar units, having served on our more ‘modern’ version in the 1990s.

 

Thanks everyone, this has been exceedingly helpful, as I suspected it would be.

All the best

Andreas

 

Follow-up question, which war diary would normally contain this information?

All the best

Andreas

 

Does this include any information on the Western Desert?

All the best

Andreas

 

No, it doesn’t. Purely Normandy - but ver6 interesting (if you’re 8n to that k8bd of th8ng!)

 

Individual AMES unit ORBs but will be only local situational/admin detail based on type of AMES operated not greater strategic situation.

Chain Overseas Low (COL) was almost universally used for aircraft detection - the system was not typically set up for sea traffic unless designated CD with Army Artillery reporting. This was also a limitation of that the COL unit reported to a filter unit that took aircraft Movement Liaison Section detail to resolve plot type and tell to the Operations Rooms.

So naval movements if seen were spasmodic and not usually reported beyond Filter Room.

Ross

 

Without going into the detail of radar theory, I’ll add to Ross’s comments the bottom line is that radar systems designed to detect airborne targets (usually at ‘long’ range), especially, given the technology of the day, struggle to ‘see’ surface vessels. Basically, the sea can generate much ‘clutter’ and relatively slow moving vessels are very hard to detect. It happens occasionally, but it’s unusual.

 

Hi Ross, thanks for weighing in.

What I am after is some detail on the organisation of Middle East radar on the El Alamein line in July 1942, very specifically. I presume it was affected by the loss of the fixed stations at El Adem and Matruh, but then they had the mobile stations, which may have been able to make up for it. But I just don't know.

The COL comment for Malta was just a throwaway observation, as I had seen a remark to this effect in a document a while back, and whoever wrote it seemed quite positively surprised that this actually did work (on that occasion).

All the best

Andreas

 

So...

For example, would this document: "Sector HQ Port Said, Egypt; later became 12 Sector Operations Room, Port Said; moved to Port Fuad 1 September 1943; moved to El Firdan 3 March 1945. With appendices" (AIR29/23/6) contain any relevant operations in this regard?

All the best

Andreas

 

I've not looked at this ORB so cannot make comment on contents.

As a support/command unit then typically only Form540 will have been required as a return eg Monthly Summary.

Usually this was two/three sides per month - no great detail just postings in/out and locations. Appendices not a separate volume so again suggestion is reduced detail if almost two years of operation and appendices in a volume with other Sector Operations Rooms.

Gut feeling is superficial detail only - page estimate would be a better guide.

A volume eg AIR29 usually runs to 600 to 700 pages.

Ross

 

Hi Andreas,

Sorry, I haven't got anything that directly relates to that period but thought you might like to see a page from an AMES war diary from the beginning of 1942. This particular unit went on to Ceylon in early 1942, hence my interest.

This was from AIR 29/174:



The rest of the diary contains a similar level of detail.

Regards

Tom