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Library Reference Number: 054

'Window' - 60th Anniversary

Harry Fisher, Scottish Saltire Branch, ACA.

Harry Fisher describes one of the aircraft defensive measures taken, when the RAF turned the tables in taking the battle back into Nazi Germany.

RAF Bomber Command now being the Allied Front Line, in challenging the German occupation of Europe, had been suffering appalling losses. This was largely due to the sophisticated application of German radar systems. Sixty years ago in July 1943 however, things were about to change. Approval had at last been given for aircrews to use a most secretly developed counter-measure against these radar systems, code-named - 'Window.1

I was Wireless-Operator in one of the 125 Stirling bombers out of a total of 791 aircraft that took part in that bombing operation over Hamburg, when 'Window' was used for the very first time. Details of Window were announced to crews during briefing for the first Hamburg raid on 24725th July 1943, and by each Station Commander using these authorised words:- "Tonight you are going to use a new and simple counter-measure 'Window' to protect yourselves against the German defence system. 'Window' consists of dropping packets of metal strips which produce almost the same reactions on RDF equipment as do your aircraft. The German defences will therefore become confused, and you should stand a good chance of getting through unscathed while their attention is being wasted on the packets of 'Window."

"There are two points which I wish to emphasise. Firstly, the benefit of 'Window' is a communal one; the Window that protects you is not so much that which you drop yourselves, as that which is already in the air dropped by the aircraft ahead. To obtain full advantage it is therefore necessary to fly in a concentrated stream along the ordered route. Secondly, the task of discharging the packets of 'Window' will not be an easy one. You are hampered by your oxygen tube, intercom connections, the darkness and the general difficulties of physical effort at high altitudes. Despite these hardships, it is essential that the correct quantities of 'Window' be discharged. So important is this new Hun-baffling device considered, that semi-automatic machines are being produced to ensure a steady flow from each aircraft. Two-thirds of our present losses occur on the way home, 'Window' can only reduce these homeward losses if each one of you makes a special effort to adhere strictly to the ordered return route."

Returning to my personal experience, we took off at 22.30 hrs that evening, and the total flying time was 5 hours 20 minutes. Our Squadron 218 (Gold Coast) based at Downham Market provided 20 of the Stirlings operating that night. There were also diversionary raids by Mosquitoes and Lancasters. In all, there was a grand total of 850 aircraft operating. I can remember the onerous task it was helping to toss out those metal strips of aluminium, although we had been well warned at briefing. It was essential to keep to the rate of one bundle per minute, and over 90 million strips of 'Window' were dropped.

Our approach to the target was from well out to sea having left the English coast over Cromer. We were in the third wave, consisting of all Stirling aircraft to attack Hamburg. Visibility was good with light winds, little or no cloud but considerable black smoke over the target. T.I. Markers were considered to be well placed. There was fairly intense heavy flak and moderate light flak. The heavy flak appeared to burst into 4 or 5 portions, which again disintegrated with yellowish flak covering an area of about 100 cubic yards. We bombed from 16,000 feet, aiming point on concentrations of green T.l.s. Many large fires were seen and defences appeared relatively poor.

Something over a third of a million incendiaries was dropped and smoke billowed to about 22,000 feet. Thanks to 'Window' the loss rate was only about 1.5% of the force that attacked Hamburg, about a quarter of normal losses at that time on similar operations. Of the 12 aircraft missing three were Stirlings, and we lost one - our Squadron C.O. W/Cdr.D.T. Saville and his crew who failed to return. As a matter of fact, we were over Hamburg again on the night of 29/7/43, and the devastation to that city is well documented. Aircraft losses were greater this time, from an attacking force of 777 bombers, 27 aircraft were missing (3.5%) and four were Stirlings, one of which was from our Squadron.

Viewed from 60 years on, the destroying of a city and the killing of over 1500 people seems a dreadful thing, but at the time there was a general feeling of satisfaction throughout Britain. Retribution indeed for London, Coventry, Bristol, Liverpool, Clydebank etc. and so the list goes on. In the words of 'Bomber' Harris, "They sowed the wind, now they are reaping the whirlwind."

(Acknowledgements due to 'The Stirling Story' by Michael JF Bowyer, for details relating to Stirling aircraft).

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