433 Squadron (RCAF) 6 Group Skipton-on-Swale

Window Falling

This picture shows Window falling. The 12 inch strips of foil made it difficult for German radar to decipher what was foil and what was an actual bomber. Click the Previous link above to read about the development of 'Window' which was first tried over Heligoland July 25, 1943. Subsequent records from a German radar station on Heligoland showed that the Window appeared to be 11,000 bombers. The report states" The picking up of genuine aircarft is made extremely difficult. Once they have been picked up, it is difficult to follow them." Source: The Canadians at War 1939/45 Volume 2; Reader's Digest, 1969, page 378.

Bomber Command reported losses of 12 aircraft that night compared to normal losses of 50 aircraft and crew, all accomplished by dropping 40 tons or 92,000,000 (92 Million ) strips of aluminum foil. Clearly a great success, but advances on both sides soon surpassed the development of 'Window'.

On a lighter note, click here to read about how else 'Window' was used for Christmas Decorations at Skipton-on-Swale.