Looking For ... - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

robdab · #1 18th June 2009, 21:25

Any help in finding a copy/scan of,

"No complete transcript of the report by Robert Watson-Watt was available, but a digest, with many direct quotations, is in History, Sixth Air Force, Mar. 1942-May 1943, pp. 26 ff."

would be much appreciated. I've searched long and hard but have been unable to come up with these digest pages.

Bruce Dennis · #2 18th June 2009, 23:13

What is the source of your quotation, and what is the subject of the 'report' mentioned? It might also help to know to whom the report was addressed and when, if that is possible.

Bruce

robdab · #3 19th June 2009, 15:34

Bruce,

Thanks for the reply and for your interest.

The quote that I posted is footnote #161 from page #300 of http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/I/AAF-I-8.html which addresses the 6th Air Force's 1942 defences for the Panama Canal. Potential weaknesses in that defence and in the Canal itself were highlighted in March of 1942 by the British radar expert who had just helped the UK through it's "Battle of Britain" air combats with Germany.

I believe that Watson-Watt's report went directly to Secretary of War Stimson and then on to FDR himself.

robdab

Bruce Dennis · #4 19th June 2009, 16:25

Have you seen this file?

AIR 2/7623

MISSIONS AND VISITS (Code B, 51): Mr Watson-Watt: visit to U.S.A. 1941-1942

It is held at the National Archives, Kew, near London.

Bruce

robdab · #5 19th June 2009, 18:03

Bruce,

Many thanks for that. I await an estimated cost from them.

I was so fixated on Panama and Stimson/FDR that it never even occurred to me to check the Archives of Watson-Watt's homeland. 'Tis amazing what benefits a fresh point of view can bring.

Will let you know what transpires ...