Echoes of Bawdsey - The Story of Radar

Bawdsey was an RAF station from 1937 to 1991, and in this episode, we hear stories from former service personnel about what life was really like while stationed there.

From a homesick American who took matters into his own hands one night, with fatal consequences, to the return of a very important figure from Bawdsey’s past, these personal stories offer a fascinating glimpse into life on the station.

We also reach the end of the Second World War, as the Allies celebrate VE Day as the war in Europe finally ends.

Plus, we hear about how radar impacts our lives now and what the future holds. 

Listen now and discover the stories, people and moments that bring Bawdsey’s remarkable history to life.

Did you have a relative who served at RAF Bawdsey? The Bawdsey Radar Connections system lists those who served, trained or worked at RAF Bawdsey from 1937 to 1991.

We are very interested in hearing about anyone who should be added.

Please visit the website https://www.bawdseyradar.org.uk/search-bawdsey-connections/

If you were part of the RAF Bawdsey story, then we are particularly keen to capture your details and stories from those days.

What was it really like to live and work at Bawdsey Manor? In this episode, we hear from the people who experienced it first-hand, brought to life through fascinating archive recordings. Discover what it was like catching the ferry to Felixstowe — and what happened if you were late getting back after a dance or a night at the cinema!

We also continue the story of radar and its vital role during the Second World War. As America enters the war in December 1941, the Battle of the Atlantic reaches several major turning points.

We also hear the personal story behind Bawdsey Radar Trust President Mary Wain’s family connection to the manor. 

Listen now and discover the stories, people and moments that bring Bawdsey’s remarkable history to life.

Did you have a relative who served at RAF Bawdsey? The Bawdsey Radar Connections system lists those who served, trained or worked at RAF Bawdsey from 1937 to 1991.

We are very interested in hearing about anyone who should be added.

Please visit the website https://www.bawdseyradar.org.uk/search-bawdsey-connections/

If you were part of the RAF Bawdsey story, then we are particularly keen to capture your details and stories from those days.

As the Blitz continues to devastate Britain, the Tizard Mission travels to the United States in a bid to secure American support. There, the British astonish their hosts by revealing the powerful and robust cavity magnetron, a breakthrough that would revolutionise radar technology. Meanwhile, Suffolk comes under attack from Italian bombers. Churchill feared that the merchant convoys carrying food, fuel, and other vital supplies to the British Isles would fall victim to German U-boats. However, radar and the Enigma code, working hand in hand, proved to be the twin keys to victory in the Battle of the Atlantic, helping to detect and defeat the submarine threat. 

With thanks to the staff and pupils of Bawdsey CEVC Primary School for their help with the Bawdsey Now section of the podcast. 

It's June 1940 and most of Europe has fallen under Nazi control. Hitler is planning the invasion of Britain, Operation Sealion, but before that could happen the Luftwaffe had to destroy the RAF.

What followed was the first major military campaign fought entirely in the air. The Battle of Britain.

Without radar the British would have not won the battle.

Notes on the Soundscape: At the end of the episode is a soundscape which is when you record the sounds of a place or event and you capture the atmosphere through the sound. The sound takes your imagination wherever it wants to go and there is no commentary. I was walking from the Bawdsey Manor terrace by the sea, across the gravel path in front of the manor and onto the Bawdsey Village fete in the grounds of the manor, and as I walked around you hear snatches of conversation and noises from the stands and crowds.

Soundscape is an technique used in audio and some people use them for ASMR ( Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) to ease stress, relax or even fall asleep to.

It's 1939, and Britain has declared war on Germany, but this is the time of the 'phoney war' before any fighting actually started. We find out what the Army and Navy were doing, alongside the RAF, in the race to get radar ready for war.

The scientists have to leave Bawdsey for Scotland, but things don't go to plan, and just as things seem hopeless, a major development is made, just in time for our biggest test so far.

Series 2 Echoes of Bawdsey - The Story of Radar. 

In this series, we hear about the part radar played in the Battle of Britain, as well as stories from the people who lived and worked at Bawdsey Manor.

We’ll also hear how Bawdsey became an RAF station, how radar is now used everyday, and Bawdsey’s place in young people’s lives and the community today. 

One of the untold stories of the birth of radar at Bawdsey is the part that women played. Even in the early days of radar, women were operating the equipment, long before most people even knew it existed. This episode explores the contribution women played in the development of radar.

We hear stories of their determination and bravery and how they fought against prejudice and preconceptions to become a vital part of the war effort.

You can read more about the Women of Radar on the Bawdsey Radar Museum Website

In 1938 the Munich Crisis holds off the threat of war but only for a year, and in that time huge advances are made in the development of radar.

Decisions are made on who will manufacture the transmitters and receivers, we fool the Germans with a 50 HZ frequency, and a little device called Pipsqueak helps us identify on the screen who was a friend and who was a foe.

By 1937 work was well underway to develop ground radar but what advances were being made in the search for a workable airborne radar system? 

We hear about the world's first airborne radar flight, which took place at Martlesham Heath in Suffolk, and Bawdsey Manor becomes an RAF training school.

The Daventry Experiment had proved that aircraft could be detected at a distance using radio waves but the scientists needed a new home to continue their research.

A chain of transmitters are built to defend the home nations, and things get heated as politics plays it's part.

Extra links and additional material:

Adam and Ben from the BT team are interviewed about the development of the Bawdsey VR application whilst the project was still ongoing: S02|E01 - Bawdsey Radar Museum - Mind The XR Gap | Podcast on Spotify

Video trailer for the application and info on the Bawdsey Website: Bawdsey Radar Virtual Reality Experience • Bawdsey Radar MuseumThe research paper on assessing how well VR aids historical learning: Work-in-Progress—Using Virtual Reality in Museums to Assist Historical Learning | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore (subscription required)