About the Author: John Guntharp
John G. Guntharp, the author of Topics in Radio Technology, Applications, Techniques and Countermeasures in WWII and Early Cold War, has long been interested in the history of electronics and technology in warfare. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering he was involved for over 30 years in the development, fielding, and testing of airborne and ground-based surveillance and reconnaissance systems for the USAF. He retired after serving as the Director of Engineering and Systems Acquisition for the Air Force Intelligence Command and was inducted into the Command’s Hall of Honor.
Why: To provide selected examples of World War II and early Cold War events, operations, procedures, systems, and equipment related to the use of electronics and radio measures, countermeasures, and surveillance.
When: WWII and early Cold War.
Where: Geographically, the events and actions addressed in this document occurred in Britain (primarily the WWII Battle of Britain), Germany (Luftwaffe actions over Britain and British special operations in WWII occupied France), cold war events in London (surveillance and counter-surveillance), and Russian electronic surveillance within the United States embassy in Moscow.
Who (the players): Royal Air Force (RAF), German Air Force (Luftwaffe), MI5 (British Security Service), MI6 (British Secret Intelligence Service), British Special Operations Executive (SOE – primarily British F-Section French operations), Government Code & Cipher School (GC&CS –Bletchley Park codebreakers), British Y-Service (communications intelligence and support to SOE), German-British-Soviet counterintelligence, Soviet KGB (Committee for State Security), and Soviet GRU (Main Intelligence Agency).
What (equipment and support): Radio electronics in general. More specifically: Radar (ground and airborne detection, warning, weapons system control), radio navigation and bombing aids, general radio communications, covert radio operations, radio countermeasures, radio counter-countermeasures, electronic surveillance, espionage (electronic surveillance and agents), WWII SOE agent operations, procedures, codes, and codebreaking.
How: Operational procedures, techniques, support, and equipment.
