Pre D-Day attacks on the German radars on the Channel coast.  
     
 

Home

  
     
The subject has always fascinated me, and recently I came into possession of some ADI (Science) files that describe the planning in detail.  It is perhaps well known, that the Allies conducted an operation consisting of a number of attacks on German radar sites on the Channel coast.  It was my belief, that the main purpose was to deprive the Germans of early warning of the approaching invasion fleet, but this is far from the case, the main purpose was to deny the Germans a recognized air picture and the ability to perform close control of nightfighters (Himmelbett), no doubt to ease the plight of the airborne landings.  Every Flugmeldemess Stellung ("GCI-site") from Calais to Cherbourg was targeted, whereas multiple sea surveillance radar sites were ignored as were the Jägerleit Stellungen, which performed Y-Verfahren of day- and nightfighters.  For sure some sea surveillance radars were spared so they could detect the spoof operations TAXABLE and GLIMMER.  If one defines "The assault area" as the coastline with the five landing beaches, it is certainly true, as stated in some sources, that two or more radarstations were attacked outside the area than inside the area.
  As early as in March 1942 Lft.3 had ordered that all Würzburg in the Flugmeldemess Stellung should be employed for sea surveillance, when they were not required for fighter control.  So neutralizing the W-Rs would serve a dual porpose.  
     
  Based on an ULTRA message kindly provided by Nick Beale, it seems as if the fleet was never detected by radar, but only acquired visually at dawn break.  This however is contradicted by a statement by a POW from DIESTELFINK.  
     
  In order to attack the radar sites, they first had to be located.  So a chain of ELINT stations called Ping Pong were set up on the southern coast of England.  Some sources say only three stations, other just state a chain.  Since the stations could D/F with an accuracy of 1/4 of a degree, and since they were widely spaced, they provided for fairly accurate fixing.  E.g. at 90 NM less than 1/2 NM.  This was more than accurate enough to task a photo recce flight, and eventually nearly all radar site positions were fixed, photographed and the types of radars identified.  In one source it is mentioned that the Ping Pong covered 390 - 1550 Mhz.  This cannot be correct since many early warning and some sea surveillance radars operated at around 125 Mhz.   
     
  Map of D-Day operations.  
   
     
  Spread sheet describing the targets.  The capital letters are the serials contained in the original ADI document.  Please also see map below.  
       
   
     
  Two German views.  
     
   
     
   
 

 

  
  This indicates to me that more sites were attacked than those on the original target list.  
         
  and some results.  
         
     
  Serial F, Tausenfüssler   Serial R, Arromanches  
         
     
  Serial Z, Houlgate.   Serial E, DIESTELFINK.  
         
     
     
     
   
         
 

Home