Winning the Radar War

Peter Henderson teaches history at Douglas College in New Westminster,
B.C.

This book is aptly titled, and discloses a number of facts about the technological conflict of World War II not previously revealed.

The author has been mentioned in other books as the technician who took part in a raid on a German radar installation in occupied France — accompanied by a bodyguard from the South Saskatchewan Regiment who had orders to kill him rather than let him fall into enemy hands. However, it is only now that he has told his own story.

What helps greatly in holding the reader’s attention is the description of the background to his work and career. The author was young and gifted, but of Jewish immigrant working-class origins. Accordingly, although he was permitted to perform work vital to the British war effort and given considerable power, he was never given the formal rank to go with it.

Happily, he has no chip on his shoulder about this, and comes through in this well-written and entertaining account as a man of considerable spirit, humour, and courage.

The book is to be recommended for both content and style.