Meddo-Bericht

Fachbericht Nr. 13

Gesamtbearbeitung

H. Wilke, Telefunken

Sonderkos ? Funkmeßtechnik, A.K."C" Beuteauswertung

(this is the equivalence of the US: CEE or Captured Equipment Enemy)

C-Best.-Nr. 12 /44gAKC

unter Mitarbeit von

 

Herrn:

 

Some of the critical components, like the pulse modulator tubes (829A, 715B and the 725A magnetron) were X-rayed, as to investigate their internal constructions though, without destruction. The complete equipment was flown by the Germans in a captured US  B 24 H bomber aircraft. I guess, that it was then already stationed at Werneuchen, north-east of Berlin.

 

This report was also considered in the AGR protocols (Chapter 15)  

Reading this German report, it is evident that, in contrast that some would like to believe, they very well have understood the implications of the technology concerned!

In 1944 US radar technology and equipment was leading in the world. Some might not be amused hearing it, but there is no doubt possible!

 

The AN/APS15 PPI unit as was captured by the Germans in 1944. This apparatus is where this German report is about (AGR-protocols chapter 15)

We have though, to apologize for the rather poor photo quality of Wilke's report, which likely is due to the way it has been Xerox copied and recopied in the days since.

I guess, that this report was initiated late 1943 or very early 1944, still before they could lay their hands on an untouched AN/APS15 set. The German codename "Meddo" is derived from the first captured remains found nearby the very tiny village (gehucht) of Meddo in Holland, just near to the Dutch/German border; this must have been early or mid 1943. That they later captured an untouched AN/APS15 was purely luck (sometimes happening on both sides), as a US crew had to make an emergency landing not too far from Calais on German occupied territory; whether this was caused by a navigational error I cannot judge. The B 24 H was repaired and flown to Werneuchen for tests and trials, with German designation since.

However, also in respect to the US 3 cm cavity magnetron type 725 A they showed sound understanding of its technology and implications.

 

However, Germany's wartime fortune had deteriorated such - that they could not derive much practical benefit from it, as their industry was no longer free to anticipate on this new technology. Although, it is clear that they since have favoured 3 cm radars instead of the 9 cm systems.     They had just introduced militarily their Berlin-A radar system (FuG224), which was more or less based on captured British H2S technology (@ 9 cm). In the final months of the war (springtime 1945) they possessed, nevertheless, about three 3 cm radar prototypes in trial stage. At the end of the war, about 150 Berlin-A sets at 9 cm (including their derivates used in other systems, like Renner I and II, Kulbach, FuG240N1, Rotterheim etc.) were being accepted by military services. From which only a few samples survived the war. Please regard also Exhibits-details very down that page.          

 

This unique document is being made public by courtesy of: Mr. Ernst S. Wagner, Greding, Germany

 

Please consider also, our: APS15A survey page

 

Please go back to, or proceed with: Handbooks papers and product information

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