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Instruments of Darkness: The History of Electronic Warfare, 1939–1945
The rapid evolution of radio and radar systems for military use during World War II, and devices to counter them, led to a technological battle that neither the Axis nor the Allied powers could afford to lose. The result was a continual series of thrusts, parries, and counter-thrusts, as first one side then the other sought to wrest the initiative in the struggle to control the ether. This was a battle fought with strange-sounding weapons---Freya, - -Mandrel, - -Boozer, - and -Window---and characterized by the bravery, self-sacrifice, and skill of those who took part in it. During the war, however, and for many years after, electronic-warfare systems and their employment during the conflict remained closely guarded military secrets. When that veil of secrecy was finally lifted, the technicalities of the subject helped ensure that it remained beyond the reach of many lay researchers and readers.Long regarded as a standard reference work, Instruments of Darkness has been expanded and completely revised.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 1977
114 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Alfred Price
121 books19 followersAlfred Price seved for 16 years as an aircrew officer in the Royal air Force where he specialised in electronic warfare and air fighting tactics.
He left the RAF in 1974 and thereafter he worked full time as a writer on aviation subjects.
He holds a PhD in history from Loughborough University and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
He left the RAF in 1974 and thereafter he worked full time as a writer on aviation subjects.
He holds a PhD in history from Loughborough University and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 11, 2022
Interesting read, absolutely
July 8, 2018
July 2018
Still a good read, still recommendable, still love to read books during my summer holidays, can read books for hours of end :-)
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I have to admit it; I'm a tech-freak. I love to read about the technical aspect of military aviation, weapon systems, avionics, aerodynamics and stuff like that.
No victory in electronic warfare during WWI was lasting or absolute. Sooner or later your move would be followed by a countermove by the enemy. Thus the scientist had to stay at least one jump ahead at all times. The mapping of the enemy's technical and production capacity through electronic and other intelligence was essential. And every piece of intelligence had to be painstakingly put together in order to create an overall picture as clear possible.
And when to deploy new devises also had to be taken into consideration. Do we have a countermeasure to our own countermeasures? Like the 'Windows/Chaff' which was held back for some months as it was feared that the Germans had an equivalent - Düppel - in production. And if the Germans could see how efficient Windows/Chaff was they would begin air attacks on the UK using Düppel leaving the British radars blinded and British and Americans with no means to counter it.
Pure luck also played a part as when a JU-88 night fighter pilot lost his way and landed on an air base in the UK giving the scientist invaluable knowledge served undamaged at the end of the runway with so little fuel in the tanks that it was not even enough to make a fuel analysis.
I find this book as intriguing as any crime or spy novel. Easy to read and informative on a level where even I can follow. And as Dr. Alfred Price is one of my favorite authors I really had a good time reading it.
So if this subject has your interest, go get the book, find a good chair, sit down an submerge
By the way, I found this quotation as introduction to the last chapter in the book which I believe covers many things during war times:
"To inquire if and where we made mistakes is not to apologize. War is replete with mistakes because it is full of improvisations. In war we are always doing something for the first time. It would be a miracle if what we improvised under the stress of war should be perfect"
Vice-Admiral Hyman Rickover
Take care
J
Still a good read, still recommendable, still love to read books during my summer holidays, can read books for hours of end :-)
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I have to admit it; I'm a tech-freak. I love to read about the technical aspect of military aviation, weapon systems, avionics, aerodynamics and stuff like that.
No victory in electronic warfare during WWI was lasting or absolute. Sooner or later your move would be followed by a countermove by the enemy. Thus the scientist had to stay at least one jump ahead at all times. The mapping of the enemy's technical and production capacity through electronic and other intelligence was essential. And every piece of intelligence had to be painstakingly put together in order to create an overall picture as clear possible.
And when to deploy new devises also had to be taken into consideration. Do we have a countermeasure to our own countermeasures? Like the 'Windows/Chaff' which was held back for some months as it was feared that the Germans had an equivalent - Düppel - in production. And if the Germans could see how efficient Windows/Chaff was they would begin air attacks on the UK using Düppel leaving the British radars blinded and British and Americans with no means to counter it.
Pure luck also played a part as when a JU-88 night fighter pilot lost his way and landed on an air base in the UK giving the scientist invaluable knowledge served undamaged at the end of the runway with so little fuel in the tanks that it was not even enough to make a fuel analysis.
I find this book as intriguing as any crime or spy novel. Easy to read and informative on a level where even I can follow. And as Dr. Alfred Price is one of my favorite authors I really had a good time reading it.
So if this subject has your interest, go get the book, find a good chair, sit down an submerge
By the way, I found this quotation as introduction to the last chapter in the book which I believe covers many things during war times:
"To inquire if and where we made mistakes is not to apologize. War is replete with mistakes because it is full of improvisations. In war we are always doing something for the first time. It would be a miracle if what we improvised under the stress of war should be perfect"
Vice-Admiral Hyman Rickover
Take care
J
September 25, 2021
Excellent book on the history and development of electronic warfare during the WWII. While a bit light on technical details, the book is very well written and easily readable by any military history buff without a deep understanding of radar or electronic jamming.
Early development of British and German early warning and AA weapon control radars are covered thoroughly, in addition to the various jamming and deception methods that were devised to counter developments by the other side. While the book was written primarily from a British perspective (the author was a RAF electronic warfare officer), the developments in German, American and Japanese radar and EW technology are also described in some detail.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of radar and electronic warfare, and the effect these technologies had on the outcome of WWII.
Early development of British and German early warning and AA weapon control radars are covered thoroughly, in addition to the various jamming and deception methods that were devised to counter developments by the other side. While the book was written primarily from a British perspective (the author was a RAF electronic warfare officer), the developments in German, American and Japanese radar and EW technology are also described in some detail.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of radar and electronic warfare, and the effect these technologies had on the outcome of WWII.
December 31, 2017
The Perfect History of Electronic Countermeasures in WWII
What a find. For those of you who are interested in the technical history of WWII, this book is essential reading. It's a clear and lucid description of the radar and countermeasures battle of the British Air Force over Germany. It tells the story in chronological order, but with just right amount of context to make this exciting reading (even when you know how the story ends.)
Its strength is its only weakness. I only wished the author could have had written the equivalent radar/countermeasures story about the US Air Force in WWII.
BTW, the second edition adds a superfluous chapter on the radar/countermeasures battle over North Vietnam. The lack of declassified information makes this a much weaker addition to a great book.
What a find. For those of you who are interested in the technical history of WWII, this book is essential reading. It's a clear and lucid description of the radar and countermeasures battle of the British Air Force over Germany. It tells the story in chronological order, but with just right amount of context to make this exciting reading (even when you know how the story ends.)
Its strength is its only weakness. I only wished the author could have had written the equivalent radar/countermeasures story about the US Air Force in WWII.
BTW, the second edition adds a superfluous chapter on the radar/countermeasures battle over North Vietnam. The lack of declassified information makes this a much weaker addition to a great book.
October 25, 2020
Surprisingly well written account, well worth reading.
The author is a former Bomber Command officer writing before Ultra was revealed, and it shows - there is a lot about the bombing war, both British and German, and some token discussion of the bombing war in the Pacific, but almost no mention of the submarine war, other fronts, the naval war, or guided weapons.
However, the writing is a lively, informative, and very readable story with plenty of human interest. Considering the technical complexity of the subject the author does an excellent job of giving enough information to show what was going on without the book degenerating into minute details. You come away with a good overview of how important the electronic warfare war was to the bombing campaigns.
The author is a former Bomber Command officer writing before Ultra was revealed, and it shows - there is a lot about the bombing war, both British and German, and some token discussion of the bombing war in the Pacific, but almost no mention of the submarine war, other fronts, the naval war, or guided weapons.
However, the writing is a lively, informative, and very readable story with plenty of human interest. Considering the technical complexity of the subject the author does an excellent job of giving enough information to show what was going on without the book degenerating into minute details. You come away with a good overview of how important the electronic warfare war was to the bombing campaigns.
June 5, 2020
This has to be the most robust book on the history of electronic warfare. It is extremely well-written and broad. It's eye-opening to view history through a very specific lens. We are generally familiar with some of the battles of World War 2, but being able to understand them specifically through the lens of EW made me think about all the oft-unconsidered important aspects in battle and life. While the application of non-kinetics is clearly not sufficient to win a war, it seems like an absolutely necessary condition. For the inducement of "the fog of war" onto the enemy, for the intelligence gathering, and for the protection of friendly forces.
I read this book very slowly when I, and as such often lost the thread of each of the stories. For no fault of the author, there were not consistent characters to follow throughout the entirety of the war. For this reason, it became a little confusing at times to track what certain systems were called, who was battling who, etc. I would recommend for all those military folk who may be interested.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.blog.
I read this book very slowly when I, and as such often lost the thread of each of the stories. For no fault of the author, there were not consistent characters to follow throughout the entirety of the war. For this reason, it became a little confusing at times to track what certain systems were called, who was battling who, etc. I would recommend for all those military folk who may be interested.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.blog.
October 27, 2017
A thoroughly enjoyable account of the electronic wars between the Allies and the Axis in World War II. It does go into great details of the steps both sides took to track radar signals and to attempt to spoof them or jam them.
I know in school we are taught that the British had Radar and it is what saved them but in reality the German Radars were more advanced and showed greater details.
I know in school we are taught that the British had Radar and it is what saved them but in reality the German Radars were more advanced and showed greater details.
July 25, 2025
Another fantastic audiobook find! A very detailed history of top-secret electronic warfare during the Second World War. I even had this recommended to me by someone from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as I was part-way through it, and would completely concur on recommending this title.
April 15, 2025
Well researched and interesting (to really niche nerds). Firsthand accounts make this invaluable to a very narrow band of history geeks.
January 1, 2023
Good book, very readable. Good description of the electronic warfare and countermeasures developed by the UK and Germany.
May 15, 2020
First things first:
1. Such books set a benchmark for books on topics that are technologically complex but can be explained to a layman to give a rudimentary idea.
2. Another commendable fact about the book is that it is focused on the radar system evolution in a spam of 5-7 years and hasn't tried to squeeze multiple topics.
3. The book is almost neutral in it's evaluation of achievements of all the sides. It doesn't preach or make claims about morality, it stays focused on the subject.
4. I hold the opinion that the Allies were 'allies' to a considerable extent but the Axis Powers were almost isolated (well, Germany did came to Italy's rescue in Africa!) on various fronts. The book highlights how the Americans and the Brits mutually benefited to some extent by coordination while the Axis powers did too little, too late.
5. The readers get an idea about the people who made radars a reality and the aircrew who used it.
Like any war or revolution in any field, radar evolution was a series of systems, improvisations, innovation, failures. The book explains in brief the prominent radars, their fundamental functioning, usage and how it was countered. Personally, I like such presentation of facts.
The book details the field challenges and dangers faced by the operators and fighter pilots, the race against time that the scientific and engineering personnel were incessantly subjected to, the correlation and deduction methods (e.g: labels on German electronic devices to guess no. Of devices in use), how Intel. sharing helped the radar scientists, the cat-and-mouse game of deception.
The book has some limitations:
1. While I appreciate it's focus on radars, 'electronic warfare' is a broad term, which, IMHO, should also include the cryptography/encryption systems. The title is misleading and should be changed to clearly state its focus
2. The writer's RAF background makes it obvious what the focus would primarily be, however, the radar usage and events in the navies(on both sides), the Russian radars(however primitive), the budget and other monetary aspects of radar research and production and many such aspects aren't even highlighted.
3. Establishing a timeline of events, the various radar systems is quite difficult while reading this book. When did the battle of Britain begun, when did it end, when did the bombings of Germany begun - these dates are spread across chapters which doesn't allow the reader to form a coherent timeline, the focus keeps on tossing back and forth.
4. Too less diagrams of radars and operational concepts, given the no. Of systems and events covered.
Overall, this book should be present on shelf of every WW-II enthusiast(at least, the noobs like me).
1. Such books set a benchmark for books on topics that are technologically complex but can be explained to a layman to give a rudimentary idea.
2. Another commendable fact about the book is that it is focused on the radar system evolution in a spam of 5-7 years and hasn't tried to squeeze multiple topics.
3. The book is almost neutral in it's evaluation of achievements of all the sides. It doesn't preach or make claims about morality, it stays focused on the subject.
4. I hold the opinion that the Allies were 'allies' to a considerable extent but the Axis Powers were almost isolated (well, Germany did came to Italy's rescue in Africa!) on various fronts. The book highlights how the Americans and the Brits mutually benefited to some extent by coordination while the Axis powers did too little, too late.
5. The readers get an idea about the people who made radars a reality and the aircrew who used it.
Like any war or revolution in any field, radar evolution was a series of systems, improvisations, innovation, failures. The book explains in brief the prominent radars, their fundamental functioning, usage and how it was countered. Personally, I like such presentation of facts.
The book details the field challenges and dangers faced by the operators and fighter pilots, the race against time that the scientific and engineering personnel were incessantly subjected to, the correlation and deduction methods (e.g: labels on German electronic devices to guess no. Of devices in use), how Intel. sharing helped the radar scientists, the cat-and-mouse game of deception.
The book has some limitations:
1. While I appreciate it's focus on radars, 'electronic warfare' is a broad term, which, IMHO, should also include the cryptography/encryption systems. The title is misleading and should be changed to clearly state its focus
2. The writer's RAF background makes it obvious what the focus would primarily be, however, the radar usage and events in the navies(on both sides), the Russian radars(however primitive), the budget and other monetary aspects of radar research and production and many such aspects aren't even highlighted.
3. Establishing a timeline of events, the various radar systems is quite difficult while reading this book. When did the battle of Britain begun, when did it end, when did the bombings of Germany begun - these dates are spread across chapters which doesn't allow the reader to form a coherent timeline, the focus keeps on tossing back and forth.
4. Too less diagrams of radars and operational concepts, given the no. Of systems and events covered.
Overall, this book should be present on shelf of every WW-II enthusiast(at least, the noobs like me).
September 3, 2024
Very technical. It might be best appreciated by a radio operator or inventor. I listen to it in short segments so it was quite enjoyable to learn about each technology and how quickly it would be defeated.
Most technologies were expected to help the war effort for about six weeks before the enemy would have a working counter technology.
Most often one side would not begin using a technology until they had themselves figured out a good counter. With the number of planes being shot down a great technology would be expected to be used by the enemy within a few weeks after capture.
Most technologies were expected to help the war effort for about six weeks before the enemy would have a working counter technology.
Most often one side would not begin using a technology until they had themselves figured out a good counter. With the number of planes being shot down a great technology would be expected to be used by the enemy within a few weeks after capture.
September 20, 2020
I learnt a lot about the advancements made during the war effort, I've been a big fan of radars since playing Digital Combat Simulator and learning how to use the AJS-37s ground mapping radar to fight the aircraft. Fascinating to learn the details of each advancements and the challenges that arose and how they were worked around.
July 25, 2019
Certainly a must-read for those interested in the topic.
This book goes through all the topics about radio, radar, jamming, intelligence gathering, etc. And it does so by explaining the theatre of operations and the actions from an attacking or defending viewpoint.
This book goes through all the topics about radio, radar, jamming, intelligence gathering, etc. And it does so by explaining the theatre of operations and the actions from an attacking or defending viewpoint.
April 19, 2021
Eye Opening
I knew a fair amount about the EW between the Allies and the Axis. However, this comprehensive history of Ew has really broadened my knowledge. A great, informative read!!
I knew a fair amount about the EW between the Allies and the Axis. However, this comprehensive history of Ew has really broadened my knowledge. A great, informative read!!
February 3, 2024
“Instruments of Darkness” takes readers through the electronic warfare during WW2, with a strong emphasis on the strategic bombing offensives (against Britain, Germany and Japan). The book takes readers through the “battle of the beams” during the Battle of Britain and the night bombing offensive that followed, then through Britain’s strategic bomber offensive against Germany, as well as chapters on the electronic warfare elements used to assist the D-Day invasion, and a couple of chapters on the situation in the Pacific.
The writing is interesting and accessible, and supported by an extensive glossary and index. One of the book’s strengths is that it talks about the development of particular equipment in an operational sense – so the focus is on how the equipment were used, and what they meant in terms of the success or otherwise of operations. I can’t personally talk to the accuracy of the information, but the reputation of the author combined with the nuance and understanding evident in the writing suggest the book would provide an excellent overview of the impact of electronic warfare on the strategic bombing offensives, and Operation Neptune Overlord.
While the book does cover the German jamming to assist Operation Cerberus in Feb 1942 (the Channel Dash), nowhere does it mention the electronic warfare response to the German anti-ship guided weapons used in the second half of WW2, and its coverage of Japanese ECM/ESM relies too heavily on official US reports, which have since found to be severely lacking on this front. Sadly, the book is lacking a bibliography or reference notes.
Accordingly, while it’s an excellent history of the impact of electronic warfare in the context of Allied strategic bombing offensives, particularly in Europe, it’s very lacking when it comes to coverage of Japan’s efforts in this field, as well as somewhat lacking when looking at ECM afloat. It’s certainly well worth reading, and the what is there, outside of the reference to Japan’s ECM, is excellent, but it is important to recognise that in the Pacific or at sea, more sources need to be consulted to get a broader picture. The good material is very good, hence the four stars, but its lack of comprehensiveness and reliance on inaccurate US official records holds it back (of course the author is hardly to blame for the latter).
The writing is interesting and accessible, and supported by an extensive glossary and index. One of the book’s strengths is that it talks about the development of particular equipment in an operational sense – so the focus is on how the equipment were used, and what they meant in terms of the success or otherwise of operations. I can’t personally talk to the accuracy of the information, but the reputation of the author combined with the nuance and understanding evident in the writing suggest the book would provide an excellent overview of the impact of electronic warfare on the strategic bombing offensives, and Operation Neptune Overlord.
While the book does cover the German jamming to assist Operation Cerberus in Feb 1942 (the Channel Dash), nowhere does it mention the electronic warfare response to the German anti-ship guided weapons used in the second half of WW2, and its coverage of Japanese ECM/ESM relies too heavily on official US reports, which have since found to be severely lacking on this front. Sadly, the book is lacking a bibliography or reference notes.
Accordingly, while it’s an excellent history of the impact of electronic warfare in the context of Allied strategic bombing offensives, particularly in Europe, it’s very lacking when it comes to coverage of Japan’s efforts in this field, as well as somewhat lacking when looking at ECM afloat. It’s certainly well worth reading, and the what is there, outside of the reference to Japan’s ECM, is excellent, but it is important to recognise that in the Pacific or at sea, more sources need to be consulted to get a broader picture. The good material is very good, hence the four stars, but its lack of comprehensiveness and reliance on inaccurate US official records holds it back (of course the author is hardly to blame for the latter).
December 19, 2020
I must first say that I've enjoyed reading about other historical accounts. Two that I enjoyed most were about the making of the atomic bomb and the history of IBM. But I assume that my degrees in chemistry and information technology better allowed me to understand and enjoy the subjects. That being said, I have no radio electronics background so that may be why I eventually got bored with Instruments of Darkness. I shouldn't have been bored because this book contained alot of detailed action. But to me, reading a number of pages about a particular beam or radar technique seemed to repeat again and again as I kept trying to slog through the book. I did read all of the first thirty percent of the book and was going to stop there. But I then started reading about the U.S. entry into the war which peaked my interest. Unfortunately, that section was short and the story went back to repetitive stories about British and German radar development. I then read a few pages from the middle of the book and then a few more pages along the way towards the end. It all looked the same to me. I apologize to all those who loved this book. This book just couldn't keep my interest.
February 21, 2024
(Audiobook) (3.5 stars) This work is has a very specific focus for a specific timeframe in war. Granted, most are going to get all that excited to read about electronic warfare for air operations during World War II. However, Price does provide some good insight into an underreported and under-analyzed facet of World War II. The advances made in that war did much to define modern aerial combat, from the use of radar by fighters to intercept night bombing missions, to the use of radar for bombing accuracy to the use of jamming to throw off radar and fighter intercepts. Given that the British did most of the night flying operations during WWII in Europe, many Americans may not have the understanding of the importance of electronic warfare advances that occurred.
This work will not appeal to every reader, but for those with an interest in airpower, World War II and the genesis of modern air combat, this one is worth the read. It can get technical at times, but there are plenty of human interest stories and combat mission tales to help make the read more interesting. The rating would be the same regardless of format.
This work will not appeal to every reader, but for those with an interest in airpower, World War II and the genesis of modern air combat, this one is worth the read. It can get technical at times, but there are plenty of human interest stories and combat mission tales to help make the read more interesting. The rating would be the same regardless of format.
February 3, 2025
taking the time span of all of World War II and all its nuances, this book will give the guts of how the battles in the air and sea were won and lost by constantly changing, monitoring, inventing and blocking of Warfare Electronics that guided and misguided both Allied and Axis Powers. It is amazing that the technology was so versatile and everchanging but just as crucial as the weaponization both sides used and constantly updated. The Battle of Britain, as well as the war, was one and lost by use of these electronic surveillance devices and their faith in the inventors as well as the leaders who let the technology be used. A great book revealing an important aspect that made a crucial discovery having the Allies come out on top.
March 10, 2023
Overall it was a great book. It was very informational and went into depth about the development of British and German radar and the countermeasures the British used to protect their bombers from German radar guided flak and night fighters. It also went into depth on the US's radar and countermeasure development which was somewhat unexpected considering the author is British and served in the RAF. I'd recommend this book to anybody interested in WWII history you don't typically learn in school or that's interested in radar. In the end I only rate it 4./5 stars because there were times in the book, especially towards the end, that just felt like the author was trying to meet a word count.
April 5, 2022
I was looking for a book that provided a background story on Radar and RF evolution. This book was that and much more. I had no expectation of the impact these technologies had on the outcome of WW2. This book is truly and hidden gem, and anyone who wants to know how these invisible beams played a key role in the war should pick this one up!
June 29, 2019
excellent book covering a less glamorous aspect of ww2
i had read R V Jones book many years ago and i suspect this more recent coverage has benefited from the lifting of secrecy restrictions. It is well researched and written.
i had read R V Jones book many years ago and i suspect this more recent coverage has benefited from the lifting of secrecy restrictions. It is well researched and written.
December 20, 2020
Very interesting account
Really enjoyed this book, well-written and very, very, interesting. The war was alot more complicated than I realised. Definitely worth taking the time to read.
Really enjoyed this book, well-written and very, very, interesting. The war was alot more complicated than I realised. Definitely worth taking the time to read.
January 8, 2025
Well written book on SIGINT in WW2. It's cool that it was originally pubished in the lifetime of WW2 vets and that the author includes personal interviews as references. It has been updated to make it a great modern source.
August 5, 2018
Very good read. Interesting and fun read.
August 7, 2020
Great readable book. The topics are often touched on in other books, but this book brings it all together in on book. It also covers the Pacific war which is less often covered.
March 10, 2025
An interesting look at the earliest days of electronic warfare. Well worth the time investment to read.
May 10, 2025
Combination of well known and new information. Very focused om the British bomber offensive
March 23, 2025
A wealth of detail. Apparently the book was written and published some time ago, but despite 25+ years of reading WWII history, it took this book to show me the depth of electronic warfare that occured during the conflict. After the early, 'battle of the beams' covering how both sides used radio signals to direct bombers to target, the rest of the book focuses on radar and the measures developed to counteract it. While I knew radar came of age in the conflict, I wasn't aware of just how widespread its use was - and just how many applications both sides adapted it for. It took reading this book to realize that jamming also came of age during the war.
A little bit of 'voice' intercept and countermeasures is covered, but not much. And Japan gets short shrift, in part because she was notably behind Germany in radar. The Soviets are mentioned only in passing via an anecdote from an eastern front Luftwaffe night fighter pilot who complained that the Soviet Air Force was too primitive to have signals emissions to home in on. There's doubtless truth in the assessments, but hard not to think we're missing out on something. Still a very good read that definitely places you in war rooms, feeling the stress of the combatants as they struggle, grapple, innovate, and improvise.
A little bit of 'voice' intercept and countermeasures is covered, but not much. And Japan gets short shrift, in part because she was notably behind Germany in radar. The Soviets are mentioned only in passing via an anecdote from an eastern front Luftwaffe night fighter pilot who complained that the Soviet Air Force was too primitive to have signals emissions to home in on. There's doubtless truth in the assessments, but hard not to think we're missing out on something. Still a very good read that definitely places you in war rooms, feeling the stress of the combatants as they struggle, grapple, innovate, and improvise.
July 10, 2012
Fascinating history of the development of electronic warfare in WW2. Many of the German systems in the early years were technically more advanced than our own, but not backed by what would now be called an adequate C3i system (The Dowding System, the original, is still central to the air defence of the Uk) the axis forces squandered their chances to achieve strategic dominance, a story well documented in this volume
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews