Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine radar equipment of World War II

Lore & Background

The Würzburg radar, first operational in summer 1940, used a parabolic antenna about 3 metres in diameter; some models could be folded for transport. Its name was chosen at random by pointing at a map of Germany. The Würzburg was produced in the thousands, with estimates between 3000 and 4000 sets, including up to 1500 of the Würzburg Riese variant. The Riese had a 7.5-metre dish weighing over 9.5 tons and was built solely by the Zeppelin company. The Würzburg D model, introduced in 1942, had a usable range of about 40 km and used conical scan for fine accuracy. The FuMG 65 Würzburg Riese combined D-model electronics with a 7-metre dish for a range of about 70 km. The Mannheim radar, an advanced development from the Mainz, had a 3-metre lattice reflector covered in fine mesh and was accurate enough to control flak guns, but its cost was about three times that of a Würzburg D, limiting deployment. The Ansbach, a mobile radar with a collapsible 4.5-metre reflector, was produced only in small numbers and did not see operational service.

Reader's Guide

German radar equipment of World War II was notable for its role in directing flak, searchlights, and fighters, though no ground radar was accurate enough for direct flak fire control. During the day, radar directed optical fire control; at night, it indicated targets to searchlight crews. Fighters were directed to visual contact by day, and at night used onboard AI radar after ground-based direction. The Würzburg series, produced in large numbers, was the backbone of fire-control radar, while the Freya provided early warning and target indication. The Mannheim offered improved accuracy but was too costly for mass production. The Ansbach, though promising, arrived too late for operational service. The EGON system, based on Freya and the FuG 25a transceiver, was tested for night fighter control but was limited by the number of aircraft it could handle; the Y system was used instead. These systems reflect the German emphasis on radar for air defense, despite jamming and production challenges.

Did You Know?

• Only the Zeppelin company had the technical skill to build the Würzburg Riese.
• The Freya Fahrstuhl was a 3D version that measured height by moving the antenna up and down on a rack.
• The EGON system used a Freya to trigger the FuG 25a transceiver in aircraft, similar to the British OBOE navigation system.