Covert Radar and Signals Interception: The Secret Career of Eric Ackermann

by David Haysom, Peter Jackson

Overview

Of German stock dating back to 1530 in Saxony, Eric George Ackermann GM was born on the Isle of Wight in 1919 and became a leading figure in the world of signals and electronic intelligence. As a Junior Scientific Officer at the Telecommunication Research Establishment, Boscombe Down, with an honorary commission in the Royal Air Force, he made numerous flights over occupied territory searching for, monitoring and destroying Germany's Wuerzburg, Knickebein and X Band radar systems. Much of his research was passed to the highest levels of wartime government, and was highly prized, ensuring that tactical plans could be executed that took full advantage of known, top secret German intelligence. A host of secret missions to assess the enemy's radar capabilities were carried out in North Africa, Gibraltar and Italy. This new and engaging biography explores the various highs and lows of his operational deployment at the vanguard of tactical intelligence operations in these exciting theaters of war. Winner of the George Medal for conspicuous gallantry, his efforts weren't confined to the offices of war. He saw conflict up close and personal, and was therefore aware of the urgency of his endeavors, and the extent to which his findings made a difference. The end of the war was a cause of great celebration, but it did not signal the end of Ackermann's role, far from it. He was to play a major part in the setting up and implementation of a string of listening stations built along the borders of Soviet Bloc countries which were destined to glean a wealth of invaluable post-war intelligence. Further work in aeronautics and satellite construction in the States followed, meaning the reach of Ackermann's influence could be allowed to stretch yet further. Yet despite the might and scale of his achievement, he has never before been the subject of a book-length study. The authors, Peter Jackson and David Haysom, have made every effort to rectify that in this new publication which is sure to appeal to aviation enthusiasts, as well as the more general reader curious to gain new insights into twentieth century intelligence practices and their often far-reaching consequences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399020510
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	05/18/2023
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	776,329
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Jackson is an author and a historian.

Table of Contents

Illustrations and Maps vi

Preface vii

Chapter 1 Family Background and Early Life 1

Chapter 2 The Telecommunications Research Establishment 6

Chapter 3 North Africa and Italy: Torch, Husky and Avalanche 47

Chapter 4 The George Medal 61

Chapter 5 Eric Ackermann and the Flying Bombs 66

Chapter 6 North-West Europe, 1944 to 1946 80

Chapter 7 The Long March to Lindau, 1946 90

Chapter 8 The Air Scientific Research Unit 101

Chapter 9 Life and Work at Obernkirchen 121

Chapter 10 No. 646 Signals Unit and the RAF Signals Intelligence network in Germany 138

Chapter 11 Farewell to Obernkirchen 163

Chapter 12 The 646 Signals Unit badge 166

Chapter 13 Farewell to Germany 171

Chapter 14 Migration to Maryland 175

Chapter 15 The Family Man 182

Chapter 16 A Full and Useful Life 186

Bibliography 190

Index 192

Editorial Reviews

Enjoyed it.

Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"This is an interesting look at the life of someone who served in an important technical role."

HistoryOfWar.org