By R. V. Jones
Some know about the devastating bombing of Coventry early in in WWII but less still will know of the pivotal part German radio signals played in that attack. Maybe the heroic efforts of those working in British Scientific Intelligence to thwart these attacks should be better known but The Wizard War sets out to put that right by shining a light on these dramatic military intelligence triumphs, secretive detective work and true-life espionage dramas.
This is a first-hand account by R. V. Jones who from 1939 to 1945, was tasked with coming up with countermeasures to German radio beams and much more. The 'Wizard War', as Churchill called their efforts, sought to find technical ways to combat Germany's applications, including newly developed navigational beams, chaff, and radar. Jones was directly responsible for breaking Germany's navigational beam system, which Luftwaffe bombers had been using to destroy British targets with devastating accuracy. This success with the 'Battle of the Beams' proved critical in the outcome of the Battle of Britain. The radio projects recounted do not stop either and you will find accounts of Edda, X-Apparatus, Knickebbin, Wotan's other eye, Freya, Window and so much more. Jones also devised defences against deadly German retaliation weapons such as the V-1 flying bomb and the V-2 rocket, as well as their nuclear weaponry developments. His work with radar enabled the success of the Allied bomber offensive, played a key role in preparations for D-Day and helped the Allies achieve ultimate victory.
In over 600 pages and 53 chapters The Wizard War is a highly acclaimed memoir, with Jones offering a riveting insider's perspective on the scientific achievements and strategic decisions made during the War. A thoroughly recommended read for anyone interested in radio, radar, and the scientific battles of WWII.
Size 152x230mm, 608 pages, ISBN: 9781635610796
+44 (0) 1234 832700
