Night Fighter books

[Airspeed]

I hope this is of some interest to you.
I've read "Night Fighter" by C.F. Rawnsley & Robert Wright.
It gave an inside story from the aircrew perspective, tracing from the early days when the RAF was unable to provide any resistance to night bombers, through to "A.I." = "Air Interception". Aircraft were Blenheims, replaced by Beaufighters, replaced by Mosquitos.
A.I. was secret, and after the first downing of a night raider, the RAF said they were training pilots to see in the dark.
The name "Cat's eyes Cunningham" was invented by the Press, hated by John Cunningham.
The early equipment regularly failed and/or caught fire, and could only be operated by non-aviators who had been taught how to read the black boxes.
Of course, improvements were constantly sought, and in time, Air Gunners were trained as Observers or Operators.
There were many incidents involving anti-aircraft fire, not to mention mistaken identity. Night binoculars were intended to eliminate friendly fire.
RAF crews thought of their work more as murder, than fighting, because they had to creep up on their target and blast it with 20mm cannons.
Germany added rearward facing detectors to their bombers, introduced "Window," and so cat and mouse continually escalated.
The Americans called the system RAdio Direction And Range (RADAR).
The screens which Operators watched over are depicted in the photo below; very basic and apparently difficult to read with interference and rebounding earth signals.
[I am now into "Cover of Darkness" by Roderick Chisholm]

Early AI cathode ray tubes SMALLER.png (937.07 KiB) Viewed 234 times

[emfrat]

Away back, in 1961 probably, I asked for this as a prize in my last year in primary school. Miss Scott emitted strong waves of disapproval, but either because it was available at a discount in the local bookshop or because my Dad was the Headmaster, I got my wish. That copy is long gone but a few years ago I found another via Abebooks. A very human account, especially Rawnsley resisting a temptation to raise his feet as the circuit came over some high ground nearby.

[Airspeed]

Away back, in 1961 probably, I asked for this as a prize in my last year in primary school. Miss Scott emitted strong waves of disapproval, but either because it was available at a discount in the local bookshop or because my Dad was the Headmaster, I got my wish. That copy is long gone but a few years ago I found another via Abebooks. A very human account, especially Rawnsley resisting a temptation to raise his feet as the circuit came over some high ground nearby.

Hi Mike,
I like his approach to the book. I think that his close association with John made for some interesting accounts.
I'm about half way through that second book, and a bit let down by his negativity.

[Tomliner]

I read this book several years ago and although I can’t recall much of it I do remember enjoying it. Well worth reading if you can find a copy.EricT

[Paul K]

I recommend 'Instruments Of Darkness' by Dr. Alfred Price, which is the history of electronic warfare 1939-45. A 'dry' subject, but it is so well written and in places even amusing. How Britain deceived the Germans, and led them up the garden path, is hilarious at times. A great book, IMO.

[Airspeed]

I recommend 'Instruments Of Darkness' by Dr. Alfred Price, which is the history of electronic warfare 1939-45. A 'dry' subject, but it is so well written and in places even amusing. How Britain deceived the Germans, and led them up the garden path, is hilarious at times. A great book, IMO.

Thanks for the tip, Paul, I'll look again in a few days:

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