The Radar Army: winning the war of the airwaves

The Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE) was one of the major secret research centres that contributed to the war effort of the Allies during the Second World War.The Radar Army by Reg Batt provides a detailed account of some of the work of TRE from when he joined as a young researcher in 1940 until the end of the Second World War. Despite the name, TRE, use of radar was the major focus of the research there.

In this book this author describes some of the projects undertaken including the development of centimetre technology and H2S to produce radar systems for aerial navigation, aid to locating bomb sites, plus warning of oncoming aircraft on planes and also on land during the day and at night. The author provides a detailed account of the progress of the research including what worked and what didn't work. He also discusses the other research centres that TRE worked with in order to solve the challenges presented. Although TRE was part of the airforce there was also contact with researchers in the army and navy.

TRE made a number of moves during the war including several years at two locations at Swanage in Dorset. In May 1942 TRE was relocated to Malvern College at Malvern. The author describes the challenges in moving the equipment and staff of a major research establishment in three weeks.

The Radar War provides a detailed insight into the challenges faced by scientists and engineers as they raced against time to develop practical equipment to assist the military and protect the general population in Britain.