Mandrell - Jamming German Radar

Heroes Remember

Mandrell - Jamming German Radar

I was chosen to go on a project called Mandrell, and this is a rather an interesting story, if you've ever read the book, Green Beach. It's a book about Canadians at Dieppe, but a big part of the book was about a British, an RAF, flight sergeant radar specialist. His name was Jack Nissenthal, or Jack Nissen, as he went by, and he came to Canada to live, finally. But he went in with the Canadian forces with the intention of trying to find out as much as he could about the German radar, so that it would be determined whether it was practical to jam it or not. And in this story, it's just... You'd, you'd think it was fiction if you didn't know it was true. How he got back ever got back alive, I don't know. He was not able to accomplish all he set out to do, but he accomplished enough for them to know that it was practical to jam the German radar. And, so, this Mandrell was the offshoot of what he found. And don't ask me anything about the operation of Mandrell, ‘cause I've completely forgotten it. But it did, it did literally open a corridor 200 miles wide into Germany. And the first results were really excellent. It really did its job. And there, again, they began to find ways of jamming it, and then, they would, the British would do something to offset what the Germans did. It was a whole sort of cat and mouse game throughout the war, as far as radar was concerned. But it turned out to be very successful. It was extremely successful on D-Day on the D-Day landings. It was used out in the Middle East. In fact, I'm told it was even used after the war. It was that successful. So they sent us to London, to Wembley, to take a course on this Mandrell. And included in the course, we actually worked in a factory. It was called the Claude Gen (sp.) Electric. It was a subsidiary of British General Electric. And we actually worked in the factory and helped assemble the first Mandrell sets. And, so, when I came back as a Mandrell mechanic, we came back to Mildenhall and were based there. We had several vans which were suitably equipped for servicing Mandrell, and we went to various squadrons, where they had Mandrell installed in the aircraft. And we would stay overnight and, and maybe take two or three squadrons in a day, depending on their location. But as I say, it proved very successful, but it was funny to talk to some of the aircrew. One guy would say, "Boy! We were coned by searchlights and we turned Mandrell on and the searchlights just disappeared." Another guy would say, "We turned on Mandrell, and all the searchlights found us." It was funny, you know. I guess it was just how they reacted to it, but I'm sure they believed what they told us.

Mr. James describes being assigned to project Mandrell - assembling and learning to maintain new radar jamming units - and returning as a mechanic. He also recalls how airmen's opinion on Mandrell's effectiveness ranged widely.

Albert James

Mr. Albert James was born in London, Ontario, on April 3, 1919. He attended school there until grade 13, before beginning work with D.H. Hauden and Co. - including years spent in the war, he stayed with the company for over 43 years. In 1940, Mr. James joined the London Militia, and on April 28, 1941, was called to report to the RCAF. After 4 weeks basic training in Toronto, a 14 week radio course at University of Toronto, and 5 weeks training at a RAF radio school in Clinton, he was posted overseas as a radar mechanic. He would eventually land in Gourock, Scotland, on November 23, 1941. From there Mr. James spent a short time in Yatesbury before being posted to #3 group, 115 Squadron with RAF Bomber Command. There he installed, tested, and maintained G radar - a new technology, introduced to aid in navigation, that would revolutionize bombing. In the fall of 1942, Mr. James was selected for project Mandrell and was sent to London to help assemble, and learn to maintain, new radar jamming units. He and other mechanics returned to RAF #3 Group to service the new units for squadrons in the area. Eventually he was promoted to corporal, and put in charge of one of the servicing units. In July 1943, Mr. James was promoted to Senior NCO in charge of the radar section for #75 New Zealand Squadron - RAF Bomber Command. He would remain as an administrator for the remainder of the war, returning to Canada on August 25, 1945. He received his discharge in October, and immediately returned to work.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 03:34
Person Interviewed:: Albert James
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Branch:: Air Force
Units/Ship:: RAF Bomber Command
Rank:: Sergeant
Occupation:: Radar Mechanic

Related Videos

Never a Question of Not Serving

Mr. James recalls how obvious it was to his family that war was imminent and they would be involved. He then explains how those trained as radar mechanics were sure to be deployed overseas rather than remain in Canada.

We Marched Like Veterans

Mr. James recalls how during basic training in Toronto, a new air force recruit embarrassed the drill instructor by accepting his challenge to get the other recruits to march properly.

Gee Radar

Mr. James recalls when Gee radar was brought into service. He describes how it operated, installing the units complete with security, and how it put a whole new slant on bombing.

Heavy Losses in Bomber Command

Mr. James recalls the affect the losses in Bomber Command had on the #75 New Zealand Squadron, describing the state of a survivor of a 'milk run' that claimed 7 of 8 planes.

Bombs Away

Mr. James recalls being frustrated with lugging bombs across town and describes how they began to handle them roughly. He then goes on to describe two instances of faulty bombs exploding while being loaded in grounded Lancasters.

True Valour and Honour

Mr. James speaks against the portrayal of Bomber Command in the CBC production "The Valour and the Horror." He also shares his opinion on how disgraceful it is that no campaign medals were issued for Bomber Command.

Date modified:: 2024-12-30