German radar coverage of Frisian Islands, February 1942

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I read today that while the early Würzburg radar had a range of 21 miles, the Würzburg-Riese which was introduced early in 1942 had a range of 36 to 42 miles.

On 7 February 1942, 32 RAF Hampdens were ordered to fly 30 miles off the Dutch coast before reaching their target area off the Frisian Islands. This would enable them to be out of range of Würzburg radar (that was used to guide the German nightfighters close to their target) but not of the Würzburg-Riese, and according to a German book the pilots of 4./JG 1 trained to work with a Würzburg-Riese radar.

So this may explain the success of JG 1 that day if British crew were convinced that they were outside of the area where German radar could lead fighters to them, while they were now inside it.

My question: does anybody have an idea where Würzburg-Riese radars were used on the Dutch and NW German coast on early February 1942, and where the "old" Würzburg had not been replaced yet ?

[edwest2]

Regarding radars on the Frisian Islands, I hope the following is helpful.


http://www.626-squadron.co.uk/willem11.htm




Ed

[SES]

Hi,
The W-R was not deployed at that time, but the Germans had full radar coverage with the Freya radars deployed in the area. These had a useful range of about 100 nautical miles.
bregds
SES