Graf Spee radar components salvaged by British agent?

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Dave55, Apr 9, 2020.

  1. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    I've found many versions this story on small websites around the net but nothing really official looking. Anyone have some better sources?

    Graf Spee
     
  2. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

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  3. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    I had seen that article but thanks. I thought if he recovered information or technology that proved valuable that there might be some sort of official documentation about it. Maybe it wasn't anything earth shattering or game changing?
     
  4. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    What was important was that it revealed that the Germans actually had gun ranging radar rather than any particular part of the technology. Britain's development of naval radar had concentrated on air attack warning and AA gun target acquisition. see The Development of Radar Equipments for the Royal Navy, 1935-45 ed F A Kingsley
     
  5. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

  6. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Okay I forgot I had a reference to check in my book of recent purchases.
    Radar At Sea: The Royal Navy in World War Two was commissoned by the Naval Radar Trust.
    The Graf Spee is covered on pages 45 to 49 including some pictures the British obtained from an Argentinian chemist. He was of English descent so when a Graf Spee officer brough a film into his store to be developed he made extra copies to forward to the British Naval attache.
    On page 49 is the following passage:
    "An interesting postscript arose nearly two years later when the Treasury wrote to the Admiralty claiming that the 14,000 [POUNDS] paid for the wrecks as well as Thos. Ward Ltd.'s expenses [the cover firm the British used to smuggle in naval experts to examine the wreck] 'had gone down the drain finally'. DSD made the following indignant reply:
    "
     
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  7. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

  8. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Excellent! Thanks. Do you know what DSD is?
     
  9. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    In this case:
    Director of the Signal Department/Division
    From wiki:
     
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