Warriors and Wizards : The Development and Defeat of Radio-Controlled Glide Bombs of the Third Reich

In August 1943 the Luftwaffe began using radio-controlled anti-ship glide bombs, and within weeks they had sunk one battleship, crippled another, wrecked two cruisers, and destroyed numerous merchant ships. Yet a year later the Germans abandoned their use, defeated in part by electronic systems to jam the radio links that guided the bombs. Drawing on a wealth of new sources, Martin Bollinger examines what happened from both a historical and technological perspective and lays out a mission-by-mission analysis of effectiveness. Based on interviews with participants, intelligence documents, and a.;Tables and Illustrations; Acknowledgments; Introduction: "Wellsian Weapons from Mars"; Chapter 1. Egret Explodes; Chapter 2. Development of German Glide Bombs; Chapter 3. Death of a Battleship and Crisis at Salerno; Chapter 4. Early Warnings from Agents and Analysts; Chapter 5. False Hope: Initial Countermeasures Development; Chapter 6. II./KG 100's Struggles in the Mediterranean; Chapter 7. Transition Time:KG 40 and the He 177; Chapter 8. Intelligence Work Leads to Improved Electronic Defenses; Chapter 9. Stalemate at Anzio andon the Convoy Routes. In August 1943, The Allied Navies Were Shocked By The Introduction Of The Luftwaffe's New Wonder Weapons: Radio-controlled Anti-ship Glide Bombs. Within A Few Weeks These Weapons Sank One Battleship, Crippled Another, Wrecked Two Cruisers And Destroyed Large Numbers Of Escort Ships And Merchantmen ... Using Interviews With Participants, Declassified Documents, And Archival Records From Four Countries, This Book Chronicles The Entangled Battles Of Warriors And Wizards During This Year Of Conflict. Bollinger Provides A Detailed Treatment Of The Subject From Both A Historical And Technological Perspective And Seeks To Correct Previous Mistaken Accounts. It Is Also The Story Of Physical Courage, Technical Achievement And Sacrifice -- On Both Sides Of The Conflict--jacket. Egret Explodes -- Development Of German Gllide Bombs -- Death Of A Battleship And Crisis At Salerno -- Early Wrnings From Agents And Analysts -- False Hope -- Ii./kg 100's Struggles In The Mediterranean -- Transition Time -- Ilntelligence Work Leads To Improved Electronic Defenses -- Stalemate At Anzio And On The Convoy Routes -- Lessons Learned, Moves, And Countermoves -- Last Gasps -- How Effetive Were The Glide Bombs And Electronic Countermeasures. Martin J. Bollinger. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In August 1943 the Luftwaffe began using radio-controlled anti-ship glide bombs, and within weeks they had sunk one battleship, crippled another, wrecked two cruisers, and destroyed numerous merchant ships. Yet a year later the Germans abandoned their use, defeated in part by electronic systems to jam the radio links that guided the bombs. Drawing on a wealth of new sources, Martin Bollinger examines what happened from both a historical and technological perspective and lays out a mission-by-mission analysis of effectiveness. Based on interviews with participants, intelligence documents, and archival records in four countries, his book chronicles the yearlong battle between Allied seamen and Luftwaffe airmen (the warriors) and German and Allied scientists (the wizards) for a story of courage, technical achievement, and sacrifice. In August 1943, the Luftwaffe began using radio-controlled anti-ship glide bombs and within weeks they had sunk one battleship, crippled another, wrecked two cruisers, and destroyed numerous merchant ships. Yet, a year later the Germans abandoned their use, defeated by scientists who developed electronic systems to jam the radio links that guided the bombs. Drawing on a wealth of new sources, Martin Bollinger examines what happened from both a historical and technological perspective and lays out a mission-by-mission analysis of effectiveness. Based on interviews with participants, intelligence documents, and archival records in four countries, his book chronicles the yearlong battle between the Allied seamen (the warriors) and the scientists (the wizards) for a story of courage, technical achievement, and sacrifice.