German Radar-Equipped Night Fighters 1943

[utbresearch]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to determine whether the German night fighters in the spring of 1943 that were first equipped with radar were actually a success against the Allied bomber streams. I'm finding conflicting reports. One source, "New Zealanders in the RAF" by Wing Commander HL Thompson explains that the Germans had a very hard time adjusting to the whole night fighting idea. I've read other sources saying that the first German radar-equipped night fighters were devastating to Allied Bomber Command and could attack them virtually uncontested for a period of time. Anyone have a good source or statistic that would back either side up?

[Oxby R]

Sorry, can't do the stats. However, can supply some anecdotal evidence as the old man was with 89 & 219 Sqns flying nightfighter Beaufighters and Mosquitos through 41-45. By 1943 they were with 2nd TAF flying intruder work, and often up against German NFs looking to nail Allied bomber streams. Even managed to knock down a 110 N/F once over Cologne - one of the highlights of his operational career I think. Anyway, he always retained highest respect for German NF aircrews some of whom he said were exceptional. There is little doubt they were indeed disruptive to Allied bomber streams although as the war progressed longer range Allied escorts for the larger raids, plus more frequent attacks on enemy nightfighter airfields accounted for many e/a on the ground, as they prepared for take off, or even whilst in the circuit preparing to land. It all took a toll. Toward the end of 45 the game was up. They were exhausted & hopelessly outnumbered by the combined USAAF/RAF N/F units hunting them down. A case of the hunter having become the hunted. Check out 'Enemy in the Dark' by Peter Spoden for the German side of the story. Btw Peter Spoden is an occasional contributor to this forum. Atb richard.

[Oxby R]

For interest's sake. Extract p86 'Enemy in the Dark' P. Spoden :

'In June, 1943, within a few weeks of this happening (a German crew with their radar equipped N/F defected to the UK), British nightfighter a/c carrying a new search radar, 'Serrate', made their appearance. Serrate could home on the transmitter aerial of the Lichenstein AI radar. At a stroke we, the German nightfighters, had ceased to be the hunters and become the hunted. In July 1943 alone No. 141 Squadron RAF equipped with Beaufighter long-range N/F aircraft, claimed to have shot don 23 German machines.'

Don't get the wrong impression from the above though. The Luftwaffe remained a potent force, right upto middle of 1945...