210: The Battle Before Britain Pt. 2 - Flying Blind

This episode delves into the fascinating, high-stakes cat-and-mouse game of radar and radio countermeasures during the Battle of Britain. Discover how British intelligence meticulously deciphered the German “Knickebein” and “X-Gerät” bombing guidance systems—starting with insights from captured soldiers and culminating in signal detection—and how they scrambled to develop countermeasures like the surprisingly simple “Aspirin” system. From strategically placed radio transmitters to deliberately set countryside fires, this episode reveals the ingenuity—and occasional rushed decisions—on both sides as they raced to disrupt enemy bombing raids, highlighting the crucial role of signal intelligence in the skies over Britain. Contact [e-mail] to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices