Agenda

(Diary)

During our annual Foundation Board meeting held on 13 November 2010 (Jaarvergadering), it was pointed that it would make sense to keep a Web-Agenda, as to show what our actual commitments are. It will be possible to inform web-visitors about what we are planning and what we actually are doing; as well as getting an idea what has been done in the past. It is evident that it will take some time to build up this new webpage.

Agenda page initiated on: 19 November 2010

Current status:  5 July 2023

We would like to keep the actual subjects in the upper section and then going backwards in time.

I have to apologize, that maybe not all has been worded in a logical order, as what has been noticed so far, is directly resulting from my memories. It might happen that something is more emphasized upon than other subjects. Simply, because it is better accessible in my actual mind. My aim is, however, that when the time passes by that my recollections will be filling-in some of these gaps.

    New plans, and what already has been achieved, my personal reflections on actual- historical - and/or hypothetical matters ...(AOB) :

•     Year 2023↓

      5_July_2023:    Quite some time have passed since my last 'Agenda' update.      Dr. Karl Heinz Kramer https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-147-k-h-kraemer.htm (Status 20 February 2023) up to the last contribution and all in between https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-156-k-h-kraemer.htm   (5th June 2023).   Technically we have been able to engender a new Nachtfee aircraft display concept; of course a more or less free reconstruction, but now using acryl: https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-acryl-air-dispay.htm .  Terminating the Karl-Heinz Kraemer's file series, all-in consisting of 2541 A4 document pages. For practical reasons, I prefer a html website structure, as this is rather flexible in regard to my specific design concept; I guess - that when my Kraemer files would all be printed-out - it might contain ca. 800 printed A4 pages.     I have, sometimes, to be rather critical, as some of the British handling Secret Service servants, albeit, constituting human beings, with all their usual shortcomings (like all of us) tend to behave more or less 'irrational'. Some key figures, like Kraemer and Paul Georg Fidrmuc (the latter's alias was Ostro) were both truly upsetting some of these men. But sometimes they lost their clear way of thinking, and they then started to reflect their frustrations in their related 'minute sheets'   https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-196-ostro-fidrmuc.htm    (6th June 2023).        In my perception: - their intellectual human derailing should, at least, be recognised and commented upon, when it is necessary (angebracht).       What is the aim of dealing with these kind of historical documents?    Do I consider our historical contributions  -being scientific - with all the necessary background research; implying - that a single file approach might take a half- or even a full year delay, at least? I therefore prefer to say: No! Though, on the other hand - it constitutes an unique aspect which has been introduced, and that is allowing someone: -  reading some of the genuine text  sections yourself,  and having transcribed them integrally; and herewith digitalising it.     My additional comments are always recognisable.  Is it therefore popular history? No! neither.    You will be guided by my 9 years of dedicated commitment in the fields of German Abwehr and British Secret Services.      Does it making sense?    I would like to reply: - Yes, indeed.    My historical commitments are, in my perception, rather unique and cannot be find elsewhere in the world.    Maybe, for some of you, it functions as a kind of teaser, for others it might be an intriguing means of curiosity or whatever.      From our website statistics we can notice what are currently the most favoured (30) subjects. Intriguing is, that sometimes subjects are popping-up out of the blue, and being watched in a short time >10,000 times.  However, some of the various subjects are - what the Germans would designate a: Dauerbrenner.     

•     20_February_2023:    In the past years we had been forced to adapt onto the Corona and related problems, which, as far we, Deo volente, hope, being solved. After our last exhibition cycle Secret Communications 3 we have kept, for practical reasons space free for a next Secret Communications 4.  However, in October up to early December 2022, we first provided space for my wife Karin's art colleague in cooperation with the local Counsel of Duivendrecht. https://www.cdvandt.org/expo-art-techno.htm.   In the meantime I dedicated considerable time in respect to the intriguing KV 2/xxx serials, first: https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-951-mochi.htm also an interesting casus on an Italian diplomat: https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-951-mochi.htm , which ended differently than the British Services had hoped for. Thereafter, I dedicated time to a French Military Attaché in Stockholm Pierre Garnier: https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-2128-garnier.htm , also an example of a clear lack of education and the apparent attitude as to neglect someone's diplomatic status. Being engaged with Stockholm and becoming confronted again with the German Military Attaché Dr. Karl Heinz Kraemer: https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-144-k-h-kraemer.htm , it was the third time I seriously studied the huge file series again; comprising of 2541 pages! Consisting today of 15 chapters divided over two web pages; due to the many internal bookmark references, it is necessary to keep the data-volume (amount) of htm / html below 1 MB. Today I have to close also: https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-147-k-h-kraemer.htm , and will create a successor web page next.  Another problem arose, controlling the temperature in our museum premises. We could check our energy consumption status on daily even hour status. We seriously discovered that only for the month December 2022, we will be charged about 1200 Euro! Consequently, some measures had to be taken. And we decided to clear our depot and returning our own artefact collection on display. So we did together with Paul and Mark we manage on 24 December to get most out of the depot. Now we could shut the door between depot and the rear exhibition room. This was reducing energy consumption with about 20 à 25%!  Lowering the temperature finally and we have reached now a bearable status and affordable energy bill we suppose.  Checking the uncontrolled temperature in the depot, and we notice for instance 6° C with a humidity of ca. 80%!   Therefore, we have decided to provide an open exhibition day on 6 May 2023.  Please notice our progress between 24th December 2023 and about, say currently: https://www.cdvandt.org/exhib-newly-arranged-12'22.htm . On 31 January 2023 Hans Goulooze and myself went to Middelburg as to collect a DMG 5K code-name Michael. We have got it on a longer lasting loan of 5 years: https://www.cdvandt.org/exh-details-43-dmg-5k.htm . Sadly, the two modules III and IV being incomplete, we otherwise would like to get this system operational in conjunction with a dummy-load, of course. So, we are looking for the two modules first.   Future plans?  Yes, we would like to provide a Secret Communications 4 Exhibition in September and early October, when the climate is allowing save and affordable storage in our depot of our own collection. November is having normally a poor reputation in respect to local climate; and according rise in energy expenses.

•     1_November_2022:    We have reached the semi-conclusion of our https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-airdisplay-right-hand-side-new.htm#22 project; albeit that Hans Goulooze will additionally add some information on technical aspects. I have again used the opportunity to explain the principles of Nachtfee again, but still a bit more comprehensively.   We also are preparing a Perspex cover for the newly constructed aircraft display; open are still several options.      As a kind of "Deux ex Machina" we got, from England, a series of 40 -  6x6 photos of limited reproduction quality, in my perception once taken by someone engaged in a T-Force Group,  visiting Schleswig-Holstein (Northern Germany towards the Danish border), in late Spring 1945.  I took up the challenge as to create a new webpage: https://www.cdvandt.org/t-force-photos-'45.htm  Viewing the various images, I realised, that all my former friends, whom might have supported me to unravel the mysterious technologies, have been passed away, since.   What I do not like - are those who pretend to know matters - whereas they do not - and further than guessing they can't.  However, I have attached these images peu à peu onto the new webpage; and reported additionally what I do see (understand) and accordingly notice. After all quite some curiosities have been encountered, as, for instance, images do sometimes fit together; and even increasing the curiosities.     Always delicate is, what should be accomplished next. Triggered due to an e-mail conversation, the names of Ursula (Ruth) Kuczinski or Mme Beurton and also the name of the famous Spy Klaus Fuchs was noticed.     Why not taking up Fuchs' file series KV 2/1245 ... KV 2/1270?  I did so, but I have hardly encountered a collection of such dull document series before! One conclusion: an enormous waste of time had been put in by the various British Institutions.    However, I came across again Ursula's file series. In the DDR days, and also during her early wartime Swiss period, she used the famous alias of Sonja.    Technically we got donated a post-war Lorenz wire recorder including two Al. die-cast cassettes; in its genuine wooden case.  But, the amplifier and, maybe, even the driving mechanism is lacking. However, it might constitute an interesting new challenge for Hans Goulooze.   I went through other files resulting also in a negative meaning.  I am currently approaching Gwozdawo-Golenko's file series. However, I am not yet certain whether this person is of interest.    During a systematic search I came across Trotsky's file series; whether of more interest I cannot yet judge.  Maybe Hans Kahle's file might be of interest, whom was among those interned in Britain and was sent and detained in Canada, after the Germans invaded western Europe on 19th May 1940; but both Klaus Fuchs and Hans Kahle had soon been released from imprisonment in Canada.  After considering Trotsky's file series KV 2/503 ..KV 2/505 I have decided that this file is not in line with our aims.    I therefore considered Goldschmidt's (Peasant's) file instead www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-467-goldschmidt.htm .       

•     15_September_2022:    Quite much matters have happened since the 18th July last.  Quite unexpectedly - I started, and have brought to a conclusion,  https://www.cdvandt.org/lord-'haw-haw'-4.htm maybe not everyone's choice, but history is more than primary desire.   However, we have been confronted with curious aspects of British Jurisdictions even going back to the year 1351 (a.D.).   ttps://www.cdvandt.org/v2-rocket-control.htm the V2 rocket control. It sounds maybe odd, but this time the papers were presented (Munich 1956, in the context of an AGARD Conference) by people who, during wartime days, were responsible for developing the concerned German technologies; thus presented by those who really have done the jobs.  The Americans had their unbeaten "Manhattan Project" which did cost billions of dollars, whereas the Germans had their unique rocketry projects, which expenses did not differ much from that of the U.S. Government. The Germans gained after all an advantage of ca. 20 years upon the Western Powers. Please bear in mind: that Werner von Braun and other ex-Germans, were leading involved also in the Apollo Project of the late 1960s.      Thereafter, I took up the Steimle Project. A delicate one, as Eugen Steimle had been involved in 'crimes against humanity' in Russia, for sometime. Nevertheless, he was set free on behalf of McCloy, in January 1951;  https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugen_Steimle and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugen_Steimle.    However, he was an academic and served at a high level at R.S.H.A Amt VI-B as well as Amt Mil B, both Referate he headed.  We, nevertheless, can learn quite much from what was left after he US interrogations, of late 1945.      We also reached a new status in our Nachtfee air display reconstruction: https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-airdisplay-right-hand-side-new.htm.   This morning I have uploaded to YouTube three more YouTube films.  There are still some points which necessitates improvement.  Not unlikely is, that some circuitry-fine-tuning may be necessary.        We are currently living in a quite intense (fearful) period in human life. Facing the war in the Ukraine, energy crisis in Western Europe; what might bring us the future winter of  2022/2023 and what about our Economics?  And Corona?  We are therefore considering to postpone the planed "Secret Communications 4" exhibition/event. Visitors come from all over Europe some even from far beyond. But, they have to travel long distances.      I read recently in a Dutch Newspaper, that for a car it is estimated:  that the patrol expenses for driving 100 km could be counted for ca. 15 Euros; though, distance have to be bridged vice versa.   When we postpone the "Secret Communications 4" in December 2022, January and February 2023; it then would make sense to replace again our own exhibits.   I have left free space (since the termination of our "Secret Communications 3 on 2nd February 2020) for my wife's joined 'Art Exhibition' scheduled for after mid October up to 3rd December, this year.        When we give "An open day" concerning our own collection, this concerns often a single day event, say a Saturday or a Sunday. And most visitors have to drive not from too far away.       I always express myself - Deo volente - and just this it is all about!

•     18_July_2022:         Currently being heavily engaged with the rather extensive William Joyce (also known as: Lord "Haw-Haw") file series; whom in wartime - and just in the early post-war days, generated quite some publicity.  Why - am I doing it, after all? Is is Science?  Not directly, but relying upon my quite comprehensive historical knowledge in the fields of the British KV 2/xxxx serials (implying Germany's military and Nazi context), it might trigger an interest in these (intriguing) historical aspects. Without being arrogant, I am able to add background knowledge which might enhance your general understanding  https://www.cdvandt.org/lord_'haw-haw'.htm . Since 2015, it becomes quite clearly visible, that, in some way or another, the KV 2/xxxx serials being visited rather frequently; you may think of, often, several thousand times per subject per months (currently). As to keep subjects running, I necessarily have to make selections, 'mine' of course; and, all is viewed via (through) my historical perceptions. This I am rather well aware of; the "art" is maintaining - an equilibrium.

•     29 June 2022:        Considering the nuisance encountered in my foregoing agenda, most of the annoying aspects have been solved in such a way, that I have reduced the ftp storage numbers from > 10,500 to, say, 7,800; thus now operating in the safe ranges of 'ftp' again. As to cope quickly - I approached the most space consuming subjects numbers first (what counts are the number of pictures or schematics - not the size of the html files). My aim is, to keep the layout of the files equal, the only thing that I have rearranged are the sources (folders) where the data being stored since. Therefore, I implemented a range of additional folders, counting now up to 12.  The only matter that apparently has changed, is, that in the passed, when someone touches a picture with the mouse-pointer, that the pointer is popping-up on the screen; though now a 'hand' (indicating that it concerns a hyperlink) becomes visible as long as your mouse pointer touches the illustration. The disadvantage being, that I previously (sometimes) provided additionally access to a PDF version; by simply clicking at the according picture, now this would result in viewing the illustration in a different (separate) browser viewer (the advantage being: that you can magnify the image); I therefore have to add an extra text-line noticing that you you can access the PDF version by clicking at the 'highlighted' text-line.     However, I have by far not converted (modified) all web-pages (subjects), thus quite many do still obey to the old method.    The advantage of this exhausting commitment is that I became delighted again by the many subjects dealt with currently. I reached about 7800 (ftp) numbers one or two weeks ago.    Hans Goulooze is still heavily involved in our Nachtfee aircraft display reconstruction https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-aircraft-display-recon.htm .   We also obtained a curious German wartime unit once assembled (produced) in the vicinity of Bludenz in (western) Austria, which new series I designated "unknown apparatus"  https://www.cdvandt.org/exh-details-42.htm .  The Bludenz area was towards the end of the war occupied by French Forces; and all technical gear and documentation had been removed.    Our new module I obtained from France, with the very kind intermediate support of a Dutch friend living in France; thus I was able to pick it up in Veldhoven (NL) instead of Normandy or elsewhere.     This apparatus apparently constituted an audio-signal DFing system, I suppose that the signals were originating from a group of four acoustic microphones mounted in a square (not comparable with submarine applications).   Again it has become a challenging Survey, without documentation. The only lucky circumstance being that I obtained, in late 2016, two similar plug-in units. Albeit, that one is completely scrap, but the other unit is partially genuine and can well be used as a reference. For instance, the modules in the apparatus recently obtained from France, did not respond at all in the beginning, as various anode-resistors were defect; but what value should these components constitute?     It started operating but consequently causing me - time and again - headaches.  The way it had been constructed being so dense as one hardly can imagine. They must have initiated an engineering (assembling) scheme as to allow that critical soldering points were still accessible first.     I consider that our module once had been plugged-in a bigger frame. Why?  Because, albeit that it is facilitated with a 220 V AC line connection (at its rear), a mains-switch (on-off) is lacking entirely; an impossible situation within German wartime practice.     My luck was, that I had seen such a device before in an issue of the "Funkgeschichte" (issue number 251) the periodical on behalf of the German GFGF (Foundation). Mr. Müller, the author, was very kind to me, and he did send me a copy of a very nice booklet which he once had published with wartime photos (but lacking schematics), including also copies of wartime correspondence between this company and the German "Funkstrahl" Company in Konstanz (Germany).        What next regarding the British KV 2/xxxx serials (of which I possess almost 150,000 pages currently)?     I recently went through the files concerning the personnel and Abwehr branches situated in Barcelona. It brought nothing making sense; the Germans expresses such a document: The mountain engendered only a mouse.      In my mind I consider nevertheless some files like on: Klaus Fuchs the communist Atomic-Spy.     Or, searching for a worthwhile other series.     Another option being on William Joyce - better known as "Lord Haw-Haw";  this story it isn't about espionage, but a British citizen whom went over to Germany a few days (26th August) before the outbreak of WW II.     M.I.5's role was that this entity considered that they should act as the British  "General prosecutor". But in many ways I admire the real British Justice system, and this resulted that almost all work invested by M.I.5 was nullified, because the Highest Court decided that Joyce could only be charged for what happened before 16th December 1939; and not, as was hoped for, the entire duration of WW II on the European continent. The reason for their decision was: that William Joyce became since a German citizen including a passport and according obligations.       Actually at the end James Joyce was sentenced to death, anyway.  The value of this documents shows extensively Joyce's growing-up in England (also living with his parents in New York) and the engagements with fascist groups in England, like the BUF; but also the broadcast environments in wartime Germany. Almost no one possess knowledge of these aspects nowadays.  William Joyce was to a high degree "anti-Semitic" but, in my perception, his story is nevertheless worthwhile to be confronted with; say about 80 years after it all took place.  Quite some of the file series being based on 'broadcast monitoring'.  Of course, the pre-war era, was considered from M.I.5's perception that it concerned 'British inland security'.

•     10 May 2022:        Last week I encountered a threatening shock - as the ftp server of my/our bhosted.nl server refused to show for instance: index.php as well as index (and more); I am, by the way, very satisfied by bhosted.nl 's services! In discussion with our Foundation Board Member Paul Reuvers - he found on Google that ftp is generally to manage up to ca. 10,000 files (however, the bhosted.nl servers operated faultlessly, still). However, our accounts (cdvandt.org and cdvandtext2.org) both exceeded (10,000) with > 600 file numbers. We concluded to start implementing a new images folder. I therefore went back to the genuine folder and was forced to:  first to select a series > 800 images and store them in the new images directory. This is already a quite challenging job. Store separately the according image name; which in our case is quite simple, as the first part is always consistent and only the last, actually indicating the KV 2/xxx-x page-numbers. But I add, when it concerns a row of succession like: Chapman-Zigzag-2-KV-460-2-p96a the next one making Chapman-Zigzag-2-KV-460-2-p97b  .. Chapman-Zigzag-2-KV-460-2-p110   and so on. Then sizing the picture and essential adding the according hyperlink - allowing its down-load at the according prepared space. It takes about 60 seconds for each picture/text copy. But it has to be checked as well. When this being accomplished and checked on the web, I have to delete all the according images outside the (over-loaded) image folder. It proves that our to web URLs aren't entirely equal: I expect to know why, maybe also some unexpected is occurring.  Since not yet one week, I managed to "modify" Rudi Staritz Stasi contribution  https://www.cdvandt.org/rudis-stasi-akte.htm ;  https://www.cdvandt.org/abshagen-karl-heinz.htm ;   https://www.cdvandt.org/abshagen-karl-heinz-2.htm ; https://www.cdvandt.org/erich-vermehren-case.htm ; https://www.cdvandt.org/chapman-zigzag.htm  ; https://www.cdvandt.org/chapman-zigzag-2.htm.    Viewers will not see any difference, be it that a check of the according hyperlink attached to each text/picture will indicate /images/file-name.    However, I would like to reduce the file numbers up to, say, 8000 à 9000. Most efficient is to consider the big documents containing >> 150 text/pictures.

•     29_April_2022:        Again quite a long pause have been caused due to the many intriguing projects, which sparked my imaginations; such as on Karl Heinz Abshagen 1 and Karl-Heinz-Abshagen 2 which I dealt with comprehensively. Again the British Secret Services acted aggressively upon Karl Heinz Abshagen; based mainly on resentment by the various individual servants than upon actual facts. This is an endemic nuisance; sadly not being based on intellect!     On 3rd March 2022, we made a swap and obtained a most wonderful artefact, albeit a bit out of our general scope, but it is in mint condition and originating from about 1915: https://www.cdvandt.org/exh-details-41-kgw2c.htm In one word: beautiful!    On 14 March is started with my .mp4 series dedicated to Franz Mayr, the German Amt VI agent whom, on his own, initiated an extensive "5th Column" organisation, which was carried by the highest circles of the Iranian (Persian) society; including Generals and ministers!    Preparing a .mp4 presentation is a rather exhausting endeavour https://www.cdvandt.org/franz-mayr-mp4.htm . My wife Karin took a photograph yesterday in which I asked for an actual screen and myself such a way reflecting my actual accomplishing it; including the clip-microphone used during the .mp4 many recordings. Demonstration photo taken during a .mp4 recording. Nachtfee-air-display-reconstructions constitutes another intriguing endeavour: the Nachtfee air display reconstruction: https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-aircraft-display-recon.htm .  This is a challenge to reconstruct, in some respect, an equivalent display presentation as one had been used in some of the aircraft of the K.G. 66 group, fitted with Nachtfee equipment. Our objective is - to use genuine components such as valve types including the genuine magnetic yoke deflection of the circular LB2 crt, which (could) have been used during wartime days.     Time and again it is thrilling to rediscover the means once must have been realised during the design course of 1943.     One of my, still unanswered, question is - what next? I don't know yet. Whether an entire new file series, or starting up a new .mp4 issue?  It is clear, that my dealing, for seven years, with the British KV 2/xxxx series, that it is likely, that I might have gone through most of the sparkling file series; though, on the other hand - it is also not unlikely - that some treasures are still not being unearthed, yet.    All is, of course, to be considered; being: Deo volente.      Yesterday I received an unexpected telephone call, from a colleague with whom I stood, since 2007, on brink of the engendering of what four years later became the (Dutch) Foundation sTEN; which is dedicated to the history of telephony in the Netherlands. Of which I am the secretary, since 2011. The telephone message was rather dramatic, which is also making me once more aware of the relativity of our life. 2007 until now is, roughly, fifteen years have passed since; and some colleagues have already passed away, but still... .        In our horror days of war in some parts of Europe, and all the according danger looming,  forces me of being even more careful in my automatic thoughts; Deo volente - is what counts in our lives primarily; resting: what is allowed to happen.

•     18 January 2022:    Looking back at the past year, 2021; I have an ambivalent feeling.  On the one hand loosing my very best friend Rudolf Staritz (DL3CS) and on the other hand - being grateful that so much have been achieved. Not in the ego sense, but the many genuine historical subjects which have seen daylight since the conception of the many historical subjects.    Are my serious commitments making sense, concerns it a way of Science? I would like to explain why, and how, the many files dealt with being made public.    A scientific approach takes an enormous amount of commitment (time), before all the historical pros and cons being brought together being weighted and finally published.    My approach is - first, following the line of the British Secret Service KV 2/xxx file series directly, and selecting, what, in my perception, is making sense; almost all being integrally transcribed, making it herewith digitally searchable (OCR is, considering the often rather poor copy quality, unrealistic)    But, each bit or piece being extremely correctly quoted, so that everyone can instantly trace the according reference; adding also the file numbers when persons being noticed (of course, only when the according reference is available).    Now, an aspect which isn't directly science: - though most relevant, adding my comments widely. I possess now >> 135,000 KV 2/xxx file pages, and accordingly being engaged nearly at a base of, say, 7 x >8 hours - annually, for almost 7 years. The knowledge is culminating into extreme quantity; and my very comprehensive build-up reference dbase, makes my understanding of the according backgrounds rather comprehensive.  Sometimes adding also my personal (often moral) opinion - as to counter the, sometimes, rather annoying attitude of some of the British Secret Services personnel, or of their Sections. Some attitudes were really "scandalous" and constituting a real down-side of human behaviour. Some was also due to the downside in their education; or even caused by the lack of appropriate education.      What is adding, that is, Deo volente, my still vivid memory; which allows me to correlate cross-links that hardly one is able to accomplish; as each subject dealt with - becomes a part of my inner-self. This allows me to draw inter-links, which nowhere else can be found instantly.  Now being engaged with the intriguing story of Robey Leibrandt, the South African boxer, who joined the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936; where he also met with Hitler:   https://www.cdvandt.org/robey-leibrandt-(sa).htm. This time a story with some links to an quite unknown series of German sailing vessels conveying persons fro France to South Africa (Leibrandt) and the Passim (Santa Barbara) sailing twice to South America and which was never discovered: https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-2294-passim-guenther-stracke.htm.

•     11 December 2021:    Rudolf Staritz would have reached today his 100^th Birthday. Last Wednesday, I have contributed Chapter 1 of Erich von Salzmann's, quite sad, story; again a victim of British Secret Services, even before Hitler and the Nazis came to power. Over the many years I have come to the conclusion -, that their animosity against Germans did not originate from the First World War, but was apparent already long before this episode. When we consider what they considered of being of most interest, their knowledge enhanced only by the commercial organisation of the German Press. Among, expressing opinions - which weren't yet reflected within the many, intercepted, incoming letters. Erich von Salzmann.      We also have started a new Survey, on trying to imitate the drawn Nachtfee aircraft display (shown in this contribution). What is a bit hampering, is, that from Rudolf Staritz's collection I possess a likely (visually) similar circular deflection arrangement as is used inside our Nachtfee console. But our new device, originated from an early type of German airborne radar with a joke inductance of ca. 50 mH, whereas the Nachtfee Deflection Yoke is possessing ca. 1 H self-inductance.   Nachtfee Aircraft Display Reconstruction. 

•     1 December 2021:      Today I would like to attach the final recording series Rudi's Conversations integrally, onto our website; the latter registration lasted, altogether, 5 hours 53 minutes. Making it totalling ca. 33 hours 13 minutes.    It constitutes an impressive, historical, document series. Some of which also covers my own concerns, as is quite normal between two very good friends.          However, there still remains quite much concerning Rudolf Staritz's archive, for which I am responsible. Rudi's last sound-recording was accomplished on 29 June 2019. We maintained telephone conversations approx. 3 à 4 times a week which, on average, were lasting 45 minutes to an hour.     What should I take-up first now?  I have not decides yet, but it should be in the line of the British KV 2/xxxx series.

•     22 November 2021:   The ongoing endeavour concerning my audio recorded Conversations with Rudolf Staritz (Rudi) - has now, since today, reached number 9; this latter serial is lasting 3 hours and 23 minutes. The total time, published, is currently accumulating up to: ca. 21 hours 15 minutes.     However, today it is covering an exceptional broad range of private thoughts as well, in which we, both Rudi and I (AOB), are expressing among historical matters also - our inner thoughts; which were never spoken out with the intention - that it will be made public soon. Might it be for some boring, for others, of interest; as we are not expressing matters in the anonymous world of 'Social Media' - but between two very close, good, friends. Whereby, though, our inner way of thinking being freely (without hesitation) reflected. Maybe some will be shocked, but every human has, in some way or another, a picture in which he or she thinks that they are existing.  Among close friends this is, of course, also appearing, but not always mutually discussed in detail. One may consider - why I haven't skipped it? In my current perception, it is, this time, that we should making it public what our inner discussions / thoughts were. Human life is more than dealing with technical historical aspects only. At that moment Rudi was 95 - and I (AOB) reached just not yet my age of75. Though, it once had been recorded more than 5 years ago.    

•     29 October 2021:    Nearly continuously I am working on the expansion of Rudi's dedicated websites.    I have newly established Rudi's Conversations, which is dedicated to the many conversations I have had with Rudolf Staritz since 2015. Albeit, that I have started in April 2016 to record our mutual conversations. So far I haven't skipped a word! But, in affect it were gatherings lasting mostly 2:45 hours up to 3:20 minutes as far I have noticed. Our conversations, usually, didn't follow a particular line; and therefore the subjects dealt with being rather various, sometimes even unexpected subjects were popping up. Please bear in mind, that when our discussion took place, I never had in mind to publish its content on the web; although, Rudi often notice his restricted time on earth, I, looking back, didn't grasp then the consequences after his death. He pointed that he would pleased when I would create a "Ecke" (dedicated corner) in our Museum. After al, I created a range of websites (see forgoing agenda of 18 October 2021) and now also the above mentioned new contribution. Because there are so many subjects dealt with, that listening a single sound track will pass-on to you the very wide range of subjects mutually being discussed. Generally we spoke on the telephone, weekly, about 4 à 5 hours; and this for quite many years. Subjects varied between Abwehr related subject, but also politics, Music, general history - among it also personal concerns; though also about the topics where I was currently committed to. Rudi's wide range knowledge of German Intelligence matters, as a dedicated W/T operator and also being a dedicated radio HAM (Funkamatuer) whom were mainly employed in the Abwehr related W/T networks. German HAM and their related DE licensed amateurs, lived in their own world; maintaining their peace-time praxis, which really astonished British RSS related services. Once in the Chapman/Zig-Zag case, once an RSS operator, in pre-war days also a radio HAM: (S600)  (S600return). It is astonishing that in Nazi Germany, such expression of mutual friendship was, at least, tolerated, albeit that it was against the rules. Rudi once expressed it: I survived the war - due to the general friendship between his wireless amateur colleagues, be it real HAMs or his DE licensed colleagues.     

•     18 October 2021:    The Snow (Arthur Owens) file series have been terminated - as the entire subject have been dealt with extensively (Arthur Owens page 4).     I first wanted to start with the Putjol (Garbo) files, what I considered a most intriguing file series; though, in my perception, it, after all, is all is too much of the same, and therefore rather too boring. As it consists of a wide range of notional information, dictated by British Secret Services (M.I.5.). But, already for quite a while, I would again like to re-open the Kuehlenthal file KV 2/102.  Kuehlenthal's cover-name, in W/T messages, was mostly Felipe - later also Fundador. Fore it the latter maintained his own W/T station; independent.     I have to ask myself, does it make sense to add Kuehlenthal's file series onto the web; or better in a mp4 format?     Digesting all, I am not yet convinced it does.  This will not say, that I do not learn bits and pieces which are worth to be stored.      However, in Rudolf Staritz's case, I have copied two of his key books on Cryptographic matters. The most rare books by Figl and Tuerkel (Türkel) Rudi's rare books.     Nevertheless, the main page remaining is: Rudis Ecke (Rudi's Corner).     I also took the opportunity, to create a new webpage called: Rudi's Documents.  During the course of my recent engagements, I considered that one of my next commitments could be, considering the > 34 hours lasting interviews I have made over the years. Which is mainly based upon Rudi's talking - between two very good old friends.     I promised Rudi to establish - a corner dedicated to him and briefly to Hannes Bauer in our Klooster Museum, though, it is since becoming a world-wide accessible endeavour.     It isn't that all is spectacular, but a damm normal human life being painted, after all; though Rudi's wasn't a normal human.  Rudi's mind and his grey-cells allowed him to be exploited by many in Germany, engaged in wartime history; in particular Abwehr related subjects; but also, generally, in electronic engineering.      Let us consider: that the wartime years were different, compared with regular civil lives. But, more than 75 years have passed, which equals now about two generations, since. 

•     13 September 2021:    In the meantime my best my very best friend Rudolf Staritz passed away on 24th July; he was buried on 3 September 2021 at the place in Thüringen named Ziegenrück, also the place where he had been born, on 11 December 1921 (thus at an age of 99). I was free to select out of his all that I considered of relevance. Which I did between 21st and 24th of July; on that very day he he passed away. I would like to show you two photos: one inside the chapel and one of the place where his ash had been placed in his family grave.  It was Rudolf Staritz clear decision, that he "did not want an obituary" which will I will respect. What I will do, however, is in due course creating a so-called Rudis Ecke (Rudi's corner) on our webside. One of my aims are to duplicate some of his most rare books of: Figl and Türkel both on Cryptology once published in the 1920s, and most rare to obtain.  After having waited 3 years finally the Askania Kinotheodolit (Kino-Theodolit) has arrived. It wasn't easy to get it eventually in our museum Askania-Kinotheodolit-Kth-41. But most rare it is. We are desperately looking for any form of information and/or documentation. Still concerned heavily with Snow real name Arthur Owens; which is consisting of a series of 4 big web pages. But exiting it is, and unprecedented!  arthur-owens-snow.htm  

•     7 August 2021:    After a long delay I would like to share the matters with which I was confronted and occupied with: I have done considerable work on the: https://www.cdvandt.org/carre-victoire-survey.htm and the following up: https://www.cdvandt.org/carre-lucas-brutus.htm and consequently followed by https://www.cdvandt.org/carre-bleicher-walenty.htm.  Each one at the time attracting, in the beginning, > 10,000 visitors per month. It, after all, became a rather comprehensive Survey.     Initiated by a remark on Zigzag (A 150)   (A150return); which was distorting the course of history considerably! They might never have expected that their fake story which did not imply Zigazag - thus Chapman - was involved by a virtually not existing figure: https://www.cdvandt.org/carre-bleicher-walenty.htm  would once have been discovered.     Again - it focus our knowledge upon the fact - that not everything noticed in the British Secret Services files is always true!     However, after closing the Zigzag / Chapman file Survey, I was 'in dubio' what next.  After considering the pros and cons, I decided to dedicate my attention on someone who isn't well known in history: https://www.cdvandt.org/arthur-owens-snow.htm succeeded by: https://www.cdvandt.org/arthur-owens-page-2.htm and currently even reached:  https://www.cdvandt.org/arthur-owens-page-3.htm .  Owens was the M.I.5's first double-cross agent, albeit that in particular about the mid 1930s also S.I.S. (M.I.6) had been engaged. One should consider that Owens case as 'unprecedented'!   An easy endeavour? No! It demands a daily commitment, but, in my perception, it is worth it.     Another for myself quite sad matter is/was, that my best friend Rudolf Staritz (photographed on 16 November 2019; he was then aged 97) passed away on 24th August 2021.  A part of his archive should be integrated into our Archives; with the intention to keep - what once belonged to Rudolf - to be kept recognisable; for instance by an additional (serial number) suffix, like Stz; a prefix would hamper an index search. An option would be also to create as kind of "Staritz Ecke" (corner), because I came across quite some curiosities.     Today, my wife Karin also gave me her 'artistic' vision of the Patin KZ 14 gyro-system. 

•     4 Janaury 2021:    Quite some time has passed since my last Agenda-update in October.    The second SARS-Covid19 wave came a bit unexpectedly over most countries in Europe and beyond, elongating our world-wide suffering.    I was, nevertheless, able to contribute quite some new subjects onto our website, in the mean time:    (Dr.) von Hentig's trip around the world - being chased, quasi continuously, by British Secret Services, during Word War I.  In my perception: - When he would have been a British subject, I am certain: - that several films would have been dedicated to his most outstanding trip around the World!      He started a diplomatic mission  from Berlin, about 15 April 1915, and returned there again on 1st of June 1917; though he had travelled through: - Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire); Iran (occupied Persia), staying 9 months in Afghanistan (by the way, after all very successfully - having such an impact, that he even was proposed by the Afghan Government during WW II - as to become Germany's Ambassador; he even had been invited to be Afghanistan's guest during anniversaries in the 1950s!), against the will of the British Services, of course. Leaving there in 1916; as to prevent that his small, virtually unarmed, group being trapped (caught) by British and Russians occupying forces (of Iran (Persia)). He, therefore, decided for: -  heading for the long (exhausting) route: Hindu-Kush,  Pamir mountain-chain, Turkmenistan, Gobi-dessert, Hankau (Hankow) China (von Hentig spoke also Chinese language, as he had been once employed as an Attaché at the German Embassy in Peking (1911- early 1913), before WWI; von Hentig's most splendid period in his life, was; quote: "von mir so geliebten China"), Shanghai, Yokohama; Honolulu (after all, being caught there, as since 1st of April 1917 the USA and The German Empire were at war); Angel-Island (San Francisco), where someone of the Consulate found him and managed to arrange a free conduct for his passage to Germany (on board a Norwegian ship, crossing the Atlantic Ocean), as von Hentig was officially a diplomat; albeit it not accredited in the USA; but en route. One cannot imagine how much the British - and by them pushed - French - were embarrassed (frustrated), when they got notice of his free conduct! On 1st June 1917, von Hentig arrived in Berlin again. His trip lasted ca. 2 years and 6 weeks ; most - by feet, or on animal backs! Nix aircraft and cars and/or that like, with the exception - when he was transported - being a diplomatic prisoner - through the US towards New York)  https://www.cdvandt.org/von-hentig-versus-uk.htm . Apparently, most embarrassing for the British Secret Services was the fact of the publication of von Hentig's - Meine Diplomatenfahrt ins verschlossene Land, in 1918:  https://www.cdvandt.org/Mein-Diplomaten-Fahrt-Werner-Otto-von-Hentig.pdf !     https://www.cdvandt.org/Von-Hentig's-around-the-world-journey-versus-Britain.mp4   This latter mp4 contribution being based on a PowerPoint presentation supported aurally.     Zuehlsdorff's quite tragic story, has been also composed within a mp4 context, which is also based on my aural explanations: https://www.cdvandt.org/zuehlsdorf-mp4.htm .      My German language paper: 'Nachtfee, eine (meine) große Entdeckungsreise': https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-v5.htm  and as, becoming custom, also supported aurally:  https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-v6-mp4.htm .               Lt-General Albert Praun's https://www.cdvandt.org/TICOM-MS-P058-German-Radio-Intelligence-by-LtGeneral-Albert-Praun-Dotzler.pdf this contribution isn't mine, but being facilitated, on behalf of: Mr. Dotzler, from Germany.      I continued, adding peu à peu,  'Siemens Nachrichtentechnik' periodicals onto our Website. Which is quite a hell of a job, though, nevertheless, a necessary endeavour: https://www.cdvandt.org/siemens-nachrichtentechn.htm .      German Typex (The British top secret, Enigma like, coding machine ) message analysis accomplished at OKH/In 7/VI. And they came astonishingly near.   However, for whatever reason, they did not succeed working on it after late 1942; their analysis were done, favourably, by means of Hollerith punch-card systems:    https://www.cdvandt.org/typex-hollerith-analysis.htm.         What is increasingly astonishing me, is: "Artist-Johannes Jebsen a forensic Survey"; has been visited, in the month December 2020,  8538 times (totalling >> 45.000 times since 1st July 2020)!      https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-560-wrede-artist.htm .    Our plans for this year: considering: that before a serious degree of the population have been vaccinated - we must consider this process is lasting until the final months of this entire year 2021; at least.    Nevertheless, we are already considering of managing a new  "Secret Communications 4" exhibition,  likely at the end of this year, but lasting until early 2022.   We, Deo volente, will keep you informed, in due course.    Currently, Hans Goulooze is, albeit often interrupted, working on some aspects of Nachtfee; firstly we have 'revived' the Nachtfee system again.  Hans' first endeavour is working on reviving our spare FuG 25a aircraft transponder, which we would like to adapt  a bit differently, in contrast to our current FuG 25a aircraft transponder.  But, it might take some time before it is fit for sound operation.  Our main aim, straight from the beginning, is to inject the transmitting "time-base reference" signal at a different stage within the transmitter stage; so that we do not have to inject (sending) and receiving Nachtfee signals, through the common pin 9 of the test-connector. The latter objective is also in accordance too what is found in the quite dubious US report of 1945  https://www.cdvandt.org/nachtfee-confrontation.htm .  Very significant - is to re-lubricate primarily the FuG 25a rotary converter bearings; hampering, is, that one bearing is virtually 'kept inaccessible' (as to prevent damaging a tiny shaft). Hans had to "invent" new ways to overcome this constructional nuisance (during the war - no one had foreseen: - that 75 years later some 'nerds' would still like to re-lubricate this particular bearing!). 

•     Year 2020↓

•     5 October 2020:    It is, time and again, necessary to raze an honest question: is - what I am contributing - effectively, still making sense? Never mind- we have now accumulated >> 101,000 document file pages originating from the British National Archives; mainly within the KV/xxxx series.    Recollecting my most recent commitments, related to those (British subjects) involved sadly in German propaganda-broadcastings against the UK (Seehaus, Concordia, and / or Interradio or DES). Digesting a rather huge bulk of documents, which I decided not (always) to reproduce, due to their, historical, irrelevance.  Albeit, that those involved had been consequently (often) sentenced to death, as many were designated "Renegades".  On the other hand, encountering internal UK considerations of all sorts.  The most well-known was William Joyce better known as: "Lord Haw-Haw".  What is astonishing in particular, is, the frequent fact that denunciations were addressed towards the Secret Services.  I know from quite long-term experience, that apparently those servants involved did not really changed their opinion.  On the other hand, from an individual perspective, it is good to realise, in reality - that people opposing - be it driven by jealousy or for whatever reason - are spreading rumours against an individual person they do not like; maybe even never have encountered before; their ultimate intension was / is to harm someone!   It is really astonishing to notice - this human down-side, time and again.      Therefore, it is better for those concerned to reject getting access to their personal personal file(s), because it maybe, not unlikely, frustrating - to notice what people - you sometimes may even know - have put forward against someone!   What next?  I have dedicated attention to publications related to German Secret Service agents. Have we reached a closure?  I do not think so.   But, in my opinion, it is relevant to spread the types of subject; as to keep it, all together, sparkling; preventing annoyance.  Luckily, we have got, on loan, a crate containing historical Siemens & Halske technical periodicals.  dedicated onto communication and related techniques, be it on line- or wireless controlled:  https://www.cdvandt.org/siemens-nachrichtentechn.htm  which is in process adding onto our website.    I commence it in a kind of random succession, as to keep this contribution intriguing.      Another, in my perception, hot item, is a contribution of: Telefunken Mitteilungen of December 1941: https://www.cdvandt.org/telefunken-intercontinental-telephone.htm .      Albeit that its photo reproductions aren't of state of the art quality, though, the technologies described are most interesting!   Now we get an impression of the state of art on the German side, regarding their SSB intercontinental telephone-links with, for example: New York and Tokyo.  Also a sparkling subject once triggered by the interrogations of Dr. Thost (KV 2/954) is Forschungsstelle-Langeveld: https://www.cdvandt.org/langeveld-forschungsstelle.htm .  It concerned the more or less regular way a special RPF (Reichspostforschungsamt) team headed by Dipl.-ing. Vetterlein whom was capable of listen into the secret and strategic wireless telephone like between London and Washington (albeit, that the actual station was situated near to New York.  Recorded were telephone conversations between Churchill and Roosevelt and also other telephone conversations.    Another astonishing discovery, is related to the statistic-analysis-program facilitated by our "bhosted.nl" provider: luckily just in time, I realised and copied their daily statistic on 30 September; which covered the period of 1 October 2019 and 29 September 2020. It recoded an accumulation of 335,890 visitors!      At the end of August, I concluded my research on Zuehlsdorff:  https://www.cdvandt.org/zuehlsdorff.htm ; actually the consequence of the Gimpel/Colepaugh case: https://www.cdvandt.org/gimpel-colepaugh-v4-mp4.htm .  Rather a sad story, where Zuehlsdorff only appeared on the US wanted list, because he attended a training course at "Seehof" in The Hague (NL), in July 1944.    Zuehlsdorff never was an active agent on behalf of the German Secret Services.  Nevertheless, he was captured on board a Spanish ship sailing for Buenos Aires, which was searched at Trinidad, in August 1945!  Why was he caught? Only because Gimpel and Colepaugh both were arrested in New York in December 1944; and they mentioned Zuehlsdorff's name (during their interrigations by the F.B.I.) as they followed the same training school in The Hague (NL) in July 1944!  

•     8 June 2020:    Quite some some time have passed since my last update, it took me just not yet two months to complete our unique contribution - announced in the foregoing contribution.     Countering the great nonsense on Wikipedia, concerning Johann Jebsen, British Double-Cross designation Artist: https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-560-wrede-artist.htm .  My initiating aims still being:   to find as much as possible references originating from genuine British Secret Service files within the KV 2/ xxx series; of which I possess currently > 101,000 document pages.  Though, the ultimate results are surpassing all my foregoing expectations.   It is rather particular to be aware of the very fact:  that often significant file series have been destroyed; though, some essentials might still be encountered within other, not destroyed, file series; the problem generally, is: that no-one can predict in which file reference details will come to daylight.     Like: Jebsen's materials being encountered within the Popov file series; after all quite logical. The Popov files were not directly on my planning to download, as it consists of 22 file series.  However, owing to the Corona Pandemic, the British National Archives are actually closed. However, for registered visitors there exist the possibility to download 50 files per month, 10 at the time, all for free.    This pulled me over the edge - and I downloaded all; together ca 4900 pages.  But what a wonderful wealth of information!    Somewhere, a page noticed prominently, that Jebsen materials are included hereafter.     My current contribution totals 20 chapters (Parts).     My Reflections, as I would like to omit to use the word conclusion, are  directly based upon materials encountered in the wide series of M.I5. and M.I.6.  materials, once made public since late 1999 up to, say, 2012, maybe some even beyond.  Sometimes really shocking what we encounter! Maybe Part_XX , thus my Reflections, are really worth a considering.     It consists also of direct-links onto the various text passages concerned.   It took me just not yet two months of > 8 hours a day commitments.  What made life simple - was the Corona Pandemic, thus we were obliged to stay at home, hence, in our cocoon; anyway.    However, Hans Goulooze started with his restoration endeavour of the Radione transmitter type : RS 20M and I added what he was and is commencing since the 4th of June on the web;  on the 4th the first part of the Radione receiver R3.            Another nuisance recently happened: my since 2011 operated web-visitors counters stopped operation.  It was impossible to find a replacement which fitted to my imaginations.      In a quite desperate mood I contacted my "bhosted.nl  provider and they indeed provide an analytics program.    By the way: for living creatures - impossible to find on their website; but with their kind support it was managed in a way; a hyperlink was stored in my Firefox browser and can be called upon.   My breathing virtually stopped: whereas my One Stats program supplied averagely , say: 1600 to 1900 visitors per month (actually 1847 when I looked for it at the end of last May) (frankly, I have to add that these counters notice only what occurs on the index page), it shows for that very month May 2020 instead : 31692 visitors had been counted! (the status of the shown table was 2 June 2020; updates taking place just after mid-night) Stats table as an example.  Please notice the total number of visitors since the end of last September (2019) since I have changed-over to bhosted.nl : 227832 visitors; on 7 June it exceeded already more than 231,707 visitors (nearly a quarter million visitors - whereas with foregoing free web-counters I reached 250,000 since November 2004 (status: of end of 2018 or early 2019).      Another feature, for some pages is shown what the most favourite subjects had been looked at. On top (unexpected), my book: Deckname Würzburg (once published in 1992);  Wuerzburg radar generally is among listed of favourite subjects.   In the lower lines the favourites do fluctuate from day to day.  Quite logical - considering the interconnected ca. 1000 separate web-pages on our website.        (2)    However, quite bothering me, is: what will be the feeling (understanding) by those used to the splendid histories related to Johann (Johnny) Jebsen?  The facts found in the genuine documents aren't glorious, after all.   Like so often, glamorous thoughts might remain  - considering those neglecting the true facts unravelled on our   https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-560-wrede-artist.htm contribution.   I expect - that British people will not be too much pleased by what have been coming to light.   Was it really necessary?  Yes indeed - this endeavour was damm necessary; and - from an historical point of view - most exciting!        An essential aspect of many post war people, whom wanted to enhance their understanding of what their "idols" making heroes; is,  that they are rather often lacking a sound understanding of the real (true) circumstances.     Like for instance: noticing that the (damm) Germans couldn't break Jebsen's resistance; and concluding that he didn't gave away information on the Allied invasion plans quite imminent. And also: that he told the Germans nothing of relevance.            Please notice that - what really occurred, was kept in England - for a rather long-time -  from being made public (L).    This is showing - that those kind of people doesn't understand the way British Services actually covered their utmost secrets.      I cannot imagine an exception: none of the respected agents had ever been truly informed about the real eminence of due operations and circumstances.  And, also not in conjunction to the Jebsen's en Popov's cases. They actually weren't told anything, either!         In a well waged occasion, they noticed internally:  Quote: It is of course impossible to tell him that ...  (J)  They did, of course, not inform anyone about Britain's most secret information sources: which they internally designated: Most Secret Source (M.S.S. - MSS).    (AOB: the Germans could have asked themselves: how did they know this information?) It concerned:  their most valuable and essential war secrets - that they were, on a continual bases, decrypting German secret communications (think of Bletchley Park, for example)!   Why informing Jebsen, who was (by them knowingly) engaged in many rather dubious businesses, and Popov who  wasn't much favourable, either?   It would have been most stupid doing so!       Annoying, is, that the editor of the current Wikipedia contribution, isn't aware of all of these aspects!                 I constantly give it thoughts: - is my approach a correct- and efficient one?     My considerations are mainly meant for attracting attention onto particular subjects (topics).     My additional notations (always acknowledgeable by: AOB, ... and/or - the usage of colours) do have, in my perception, an essential function:  as it is adding to the circumstances - which most likely - the currently living generation - will not have the slightest ideas about.   This is truly essential, as to understand the various implications - in which matters once took place.    I read even within recent scientific publications, where I become really astonished about the apparent lack of actual knowledge of the factual circumstances, where they are dealing with.  Also, a downside nowadays: - many people in the world aren't capable of reading and understanding German language fluently, themselves.  Google Translate might help a bit, but essentials of a language are still (often) being lost.  Particularly - German written sources often contain information "between the lines"; a computer isn't capable of tracing these hidden matters!         It was, for me, truly essential - that in 2015 and 2016/2017 my best friend Rudolf Staritz , now 98 years old (photo taken in our museum on 16 November 2019) has taught me, how matters (circumstances) were to be dealt with - and how it has to be understood.  Luckily he is still among us today!   Abwehrfunk-Funkabwehr  is an enhanced recollection on behalf of Rudolf Staritz, about aspects of electronic warfare; he once was an Abwehr Ogfr. and a W/T operator (Funker).     Nowadays, another aspect of significance, is - that it might help researchers to find references, which aren't easily traceable otherwise.  Since April 2015, my live is mainly dedicated to these (German Abwehr related) subjects; based upon >> 8 hours a day and about 7 days a week.   Some can employ their students, but they are staying relatively for a limited period, whereas solid knowledge - and sound understanding - merrily is a life-long lasting endeavour.     Thus, recollecting:  one of my main commitments in respect to the "History of German Technology" is bridging, say, 1880 - 1945; and since 2015, my additional commitments on British Secret Services versus Germany; are the current drives of my life.      Considering British Secret Services: I don't think  war  always was involved; for example: they hunted (chased) Germans long before the First World War broke out.  One gets the strong impression: - that it was against everybody who might challenge Britain's hegemony!    Wonderful examples are found in both: KV 2/393 - KV 2/394  on von Hentig. In my perception, their (British Secret Services) frustrations were often striking! And believe me, they were frustrated for many decades!   It isn't always - glamorous  or glorious- what is encountered.    This just is as it should be.    The public opinion of countries are rather often coloured by what was told (reflected) after frustrating impacts and, often, dangerous episodes of life (such as times of war).   We have, nevertheless, the obligation to review matters (history) after one or two generations have been passed.    In this latter era we live now, and it should be exploited - as long as first- or second-source knowledge is still around.  Thereafter, another type of historical retrospectives will engender.   However, I consider myself being just at the edge of a generation, as I was born in 1942, and when I grew up - all what really counted - were human wartime recollections; and my father was, occasionally, really on the forefront, being a lawyer.  However, most people born in his very era - or thereafter - have no interest in the past, at all.        What is, however, in my perception, counting: are you bound or not? Yes, I am clearly bound - my entire life is dedicated to Germany related historical aspects; albeit, also beyond the Second World War (WW II), of course.   

•     7 April 2020:    About the end of March, I was searching on Google and found on my admired Wikipedia an English language contribution on: Johann Jebsen/Artist. I was really shocked by the many nonsense found there.  I considered it being a third class contribution, which necessitate correction.  Acting as a correcting editor? I consider myself being a specialist, not the right one for describing Jebsen's life soundly.  On the other hand,  I am since early 2015 concerned with studying the KV 2/xxx file series, and especially with 'Ostro cover-name of Paul Georg Fidrmuc. At the time both Jebsen and Ostro were living in Portugal, but they might hardly have met each other. As Ostro, particularly staid as much as possible outside German circles. 'Ostro' was, and would become an even stronger Menace of M.I.6 and M.I.5.  As to overcome this downside, it was decided at M.I.5 to approach Artist (Jebsen) with the query whether he was able to get to know more on Ostro's backgrounds.   Among the foreigners in and around Lisbon lived a German business man then carrying the cover-name of Ballhorn; his real name was Hans Brandes. Born from a German Jewish father and a Christian mother.   Albeit, that in his situation he was not liable to be called-up for military duties; his father or mother were the owner of a Machine-Tool factory in Germany. It was stated, that his father had been murdered by the Gestapo in France in 1939. In my perception, incorrect, as the Gestapo was bound to German territory and the German's on occupied French territories since 10th May 1944; however the S.D. operated everywhere. From his file it is understood that his mother possessed a factory, maybe the one once belonged to his father.  For what ever reason, Hans Brandes became engaged at the Abwehr in Portugal, but possessed the possibilities to travel at will around in Europe by means of airlines. The Germans kept a wide range of destinations accessible by means of regular airlines. As long as within the German sphere, these air-routes or lines were operated up to the final end.     However, historical distortion is always a danger, in cases where people try to make from humans a heroe.  This is also occurring in the case of Johannes Jebsen.  What might have helped, is, that M.I.5 where one of the causes of the fact that Jebsen's life had ended so sadly.  On the other hand, Jebsen was not able to grasp the hints passed onto him from London: that he should not trust Ballhorn (young Hans Brandes, born in 1921, in Berlin).   However, he proceeded still trusting Ballhorn/Brandes, albeit, that Brandes about February/early March told Kuebart (KV 2/410) in Berlin, that Jebsen has told him about a particular German who he was, or would like, to bribe.  In someway or another Brandes knew that it concerned Sdf. Dr. Joachim Wrede from a Sonderstab in Paris.  Another neglected fundamental fact, were Jebsen's frequent dubious tricky financial dealings.  To what is known, he did money deals, also with German S.D. personnel, which he did not keep as was promised.   Here lays certainly the nucleus of Jebsen's fatal end.   Not helping was - that Jebsen was a womaniser, and maintained a mistress who was a secretary at the KO. Portugal (Baroness Marie Louise von Gronau).   https://www.cdvandt.org/kv-2-560-wrede-artist.htm .   Sdf. Dr Joachim Wrede, and the associated RSS decrypted intercepts.      Kuebart's file selections and the particularly selections in regard to Jebsen.    The file selections on Dr. Aloys Schreiber, Leiter I H at KO Portugal (KOP);   The file selection on Hans Brandes and again a selection of the British RSS decrypted W/T intercepts.   There is a rather wide field of documents waiting. Such as on: Unversagt, in which I found the trigger for this current endeavour: being a Memorandum addressed onto Mr. Mastermann explaining the state of affairs and that Wrede/s death was to be linked directly with Jebsen's fate. On:   Fritz Cramer; Mejasson; Kratzer; Tocabens; Neukermans; Koepke; Nagel; Schuddenkopf; Ferdinand Schmitt; Dreadnought (Disko Popov's brother); Hagemann; Freak; De Corte; Grimm, Rullhausen; Bischof; Puppet/Hamlet; Speck;  van Hove; ... .

•     16 March 2020 / 17 March 2020:    AOB: Yesterday 16th - I apparently have made an omission, as I forget to notice matters which also had been accomplished during this episode.       Though, let us first digest what was started yesterday with and at the end marked by ***:  Quite a time has lapsed, before I did find myself able to add some that does make sense (I hope).     We have noticed the tragedy of the Drueke - Vera - Waelti cases, and I considered, after the termination of the these file series, that it might making sense to approach also Ritter's (alias Dr. Rantzau, Hansen, and whatever names he might have used as well). As Major Ritter played such a decisive role in their lives, that he might well be interrogated on these poor persons involved.    When I approached Ritter's file series in 2015, I had not the slightest ideas of the names dealt with. How could I? Astonishingly, not Druecke - Vera and Waelti was intensively dealt with, but Hilmar Dierks actually the predecessor of Ritter in Ast-X (I M) (Hbg).  In the Drueke - Vera - Waelti file series, Dierks allegedly was once married to Vera. Whatever true or not I cannot judge. Very astonishing, is, that albeit that Dierks did  pass away in the evening of 2nd September 1940 he was referred onto still frequently throughout the file series. Culminating in: Ritter Nikolaus Adolf Fritz KV 2/85 - KV 2/88.  Though, Ritter was a Referent Leiter of section I L; but the Leiter of Ast Hamburg (Ast-X) was Herbert Wichmann, throughout the war. Thus his file should be dealt with as well. Resulting in:  Herbert Christian Oskar Otto Wichmann. Within the interrogations Dierks was even referred onto far more frequently.  The British interrogators realised that Wichmann's memories proved to be very limited. Similarly we have encountered within the interrogations of Rudolph the Leiter of ALST in Paris Friedrich Rudolph case.   Wichmann drew an organisation schematic - where Dierks was still in charge of 1944; albeit that we know that he had passed away just at mid-night of 2nd September 1940.       Our concern is not only dedicated to Intelligence related matters, but I also would like to dedicate some time concerning technology. The current limitation is, that our technical artefact-displays is being kept in depot as to create space for my wife Karin to display Art in our technical context.       However, already kept in mind and I could make it work.  GK IIIb - Tfb2 - Tfb2 - GK IIIb.  We may safely consider - that nowhere currently in the world we will encounter a display demonstrating the German GK IIIb scrambler setup, consisting of two sets. But, the signal path is being guided through a Carrier Telephony system Tfb 2. Thus, the signal is converted at 11 kHz and transmitted fully in SSB mode. Where Tfb2 station A conveys transmitting signal in LSB towards Tfb 2 Station operating in mode B; whereas station B transmits towards A in upper sideband (USB), and receives, of course, in lower sideband.     *** During my many researches I quite luckily came across the file on Fuellop / Fullep, a mysterious Hungarian Secret Service case; where by means of diplomatic bags, intelligence had been passed onto: first Grundböck in Sweden, after the latter had passed away, in Spring 1944, Dr. K.H. Kraemer was able to continued delivery of these materials. Albeit, that the quality of information deteriorated progressively:     KV 2/242 Fuellop - Fullep.

•     23 January 2020:    Albeit not my regular piece of cake, but it is becomes increasingly annoying, that a kind of: academic circus is traveling around the world, speaking (lecturing) about the radar invention by Christian Hülsmeyer (1904) and the striking IEEE Millennium  Plague Award, just given to the Cologne Community, on 19th October 2019.    I was told recently, that during such an occasion, my decisive contributions have not been noticed at all; albeit, that I have made this ultimately possible.   This is what I consider annoying.   Credit should be passed under all circumstances.  I will not say, that it was me who handled this inside the IEEE Committees, but the evidence refernce was mine.   I know this happens all the time, but a minimum of courtesy (acknowledgement) should be maintained!       The Drueke - Vera - Waelti   files are are becoming increasingly more intriguing.   This endeavour consumes more than half my daytime (continuously); but so far it is worth it!     As to support my wife Karin's art club(s) contacts,  we have decided: that after all the special exhibition days are concluded, in early February, Paul and Marc have to remove all their artefacts.     Though, in contrast  - the empty space will be kept free for a limited period this way.    By this means, we would like to invite her art-club fellow members and facilitating a few art exhibitions. Albeit, that these have to fit into what we both physically can manage.  But it, at least, is a good opportunity for a gratis (free) facility to show their art works is provided.

•     2 January 2020:    We currently have reached a new decade.    I would like to express a longer lasting, personal, concern about the following query:  Who had once - in majority - influenced my life, in a way, that it still bears a tremendous impact, today even?   Doubtless, this person I remember vividly; he was, what I remember after, say, fifty years:  Willem (Willempje) Weyers or Wim Weiers maybe spelled Weier with or without an additional 's'; who knows?  All took place in Amsterdam, about, say, for 'fifty years' ago (1968-1970).  He had a tremendous influence on my appreciation of - historical (classical) - music recordings. I still agree fully: that the conductor can have a decisive influence on the outcome of a musical performance (even recorded).  Such as, for example, the unique recording of Parsifal - in 1951, at the opening of the first Bayreuth Festival after World War Two, conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch, and sung by Wolfgang Windgassen. Still today, also for my wife Karin, this is the utmost significant performance, ever.  Though, is, Willem, still alive? In, say, 1969 my age was 27, and I guess his age might have been, say, 10 à 20 years older.      I met him for the last time not too long after 1976.  Let us imagine: up to 2 years later.   Why do I know this so exactly?   Because I am still a Society member of Arti, in Amsterdam.  Wim/Willem tried to order something at the bar, and he was told that he was no longer a member of Arti.  My response was - that I invited him to be our guest.  He told me thereafter: that he lives in Germany, (maybe Austria), and that he wrote an introduction chapter to the Bayreuther Festspiele of 1976, in Commemorance of 100 Years of the Bayreuth Festivals. This is my only reference (or link) with him, since.    All searches ended up in a deadlock; and I consider this query as being my last chance, as to get some information on Willem or Wim Weyers / Weiers' whereabouts and/or remaining life, since.  Only once before, I did a similar (desperate) call; but this time in respect to an emergency call "Wanted"  in respect to what became later our unique gigantic endeavour on Nachtfee.      Another concern is my commitment in respect to Karl Theo(dor) Druecke- Vera- and Werner Heinrich Waelti (Wälti); it becomes a rather comprehensive endeavour, where only KV 2/1704-2 is creating Part III.    Where it might end, who knows? https://www.cdvandt.org/druecke-vera-waelti.htm  The entire subject is quite mystical, as Wälti is most likely an alias; thus a false identity.      In Part III both men had been "considered guilty and convicted to death by hanging until the death is following"; notice their verdict at Part III PDF page 44.   Interesting are the pictures of both Drücke (Druecke) and Wälti (Waelti); as well as some of their gear including one of their wireless (spy) sets.

•     Year 2019↓  

•     10 December 2019:    There are so many matters to deal with currently, that a moment of reflection does really make sense. Secret Communications 3: runs, Deo volente, quite smoothly; albeit that in some way it is quite a burden for my wife.    In a period of changing lifestyles - also the appreciation of historical matters are changing apparently. Often reflected by newspaper- or even broadcast features, where classical mistakes are encountered; which for, say, a decade ago, would not have happened.  Lost memories?  I cannot judge it yet fully, albeit that I tend to believe it might be the case.   Another consideration:   honestly considering:  does my commitment in regard to German Abwehr related espionage matters still bear ground?   I must admit - I don't know.  However, who else is commencing this challenging task?  Apparent, nevertheless, is, that related subjects can be found via Google; though, I quite often get the feeling that those reporting are browsing through documents with the aim gathering a 'quick vision' for a brief history. Often with the aim of finding a smoking gun;  resulting in a conclusion different from what others notice. Though, often the context of which is still not being fully understood.   It is evident, that also my commitments now and then imply errors.  However, my aims are: approaching files completely whatever time it takes.  An approaching journalist can often not afford spending too much time on a single subject; as 'they have to produce' for their living.   What also is (often) apparent: is, the lack of understanding in respect to the German organisational circumstances and competences.   Currently I took up the KV 2/1701 ... KV 2/1706 series, on Waelti and Druecke and Vera von Wedel;  the latter guiding towards an entirely new document series of KV 2/14 .. KV 2/16;  as Vera (alias) was born in Russia.  All these file series are extensive documents, and I cannot yet foresee what the outcome will engender.    What does my commitments benefit to mankind?  Is, in my perception, hardly to judge.   At least some hardly known historical details being unravelled.   The impetus which has to be put in it, is quite much - though - I consider it still is necessary that at least someone is taking it up.    In the next year 2020, new plans are mainly considering whether it does make sense to re-arrange matters in our exhibition displays: such as the GK IIIb system, when possible in conjunction with an operational TF-b carrier telephony system.  Also the FG 1250 infrared night-vision apparatus should be arranged on display.  The AN/APS 15A radar display unit will, Deo volente, remain in depot, though,  I have no idea yet what should be put on display instead.  Also the Radione RS 20M and R3 sets including their genuine suitcases might remain in depot as well.    During our Secret Comms 3 day held on 7 December 2019,  the German Abwehr receiver type R IV started operating in a manner as might have been expected from a brand new device (neglecting the failing tuneable quartz-filter, where the quartz inserted might not match onto the IF frequency and we measured a quite low series-resonance Q).     I really wondered,  that during a conversation with someone quite locally, that when I mentioned the name of "Wirsing" that someone asked me: "Giselher"?  Never could have imagined - that someone living quite nearby would ever have had any knowledge on the person of: Giselher-Wirsing!     Also the Secret Comms 3: of 7 December 2019 event went well.      I have discovered, by coincidence, that there apparently are pictures around with captions which are real lies, as, for instance, in case of: van den Kieboom a photo shows a "hair separation" for the viewer on the right-hand side, whereas his Passport photo shows a separation on the left-hand side. Also Meier's hair cut differs too much from that of his passport - as well as on Meier's photo together with his mother, also Sjoerd Pons' photo does not match too (please notice Seeloewe various parts).

•     19 November 2019:    Quite some time have passed since about mid September 2019.    Most of my time have been occupied with the Seeloewe (Seelöwe) complex, which seemingly was a never ending endeavour. It had been divided into two sections: Seeloewe 1 and Seeloewe 2  .  The intriguing aspect was, that, the last file sections dealt with the short-hand (stenographic recordings) integrally which have been implemented. I never before have seen such kind of material, in which we can can follow word-by-word all what was spoken - and by whom - during the Criminal Court Session held at the Old Bailey in London, 21 - 24 November 1940. But also the way particularly M.I.5.'s influence and poor feelings being recorded for future generations.  One of my desires was - to get an operational GK IIIb German wartime telephone scrambler system fully ready for demonstrations.  With great success after all. Maybe also enhanced due to my commitment and the additional tone generator, which clearly shows the consequences of band-reversion.     On 19 October the crown on my commitments in respect to the Hunderd Years of Radar event of 2004. In which also a group of Thales en the TU-Delft participated with us.  It wasn't an easy trajectory getting recognition for Christian Hülsmeyer's first radar like demonstrations. Understandable, mainly originating from the Anglo-Saxon corner. Though, Hugh Griffiths' persistency and a newspaper article date 17 May 1904, in which in an exceptional technical way was described what happened, kept in our "Hülsmeyer Archives Diemen" (HAD); however, it nevertheless culminated on 19 October in Cologne (Köln) with the Handing over by the Director of the IEEE of America of two bronze plaques near the Rhine spot where once Hülsmeyer gave his unique demonstrations.      Very recently I contributed a brief file which I particularly had prepared for my very good friend Rudolf Staritz, who, Deo volente, next month will reach the age of 98!  It is explaining what: Raupach; Gambke and Peters encountered during their military commitments in: Central and the Eastern front 1943-1945; which I gave the combined file designation KV 2/3015, as did it the British National Archives.  Albeit, that in the 1970s this file had been weeded and therefore shortened and made a single file, it still is a most intriguing document. In particularly for Rudolf Staritz, as he himself was once just on the spot when conferences were held; albeit in an adjacent room. Also his rank was Ogfr. a soldiers rank, but never the less the occasions were exceptional.      Secret Communications 3 first exhibition day was held last Saturday (16 November 2019).  We counted ca 60 visitors, among Rudolf Staritz for the first time joined and this likely also the last time considering his age of being now within 3 weeks time 98 years old; Deo volente, of course.    Preparing for such an endeavour as Secret communications 3, is, is demanding a huge commitment. We have moved more than 1000 kg of gear into our depot;  and also filling the cleared spaces with Cryptomuseum.com exhibits. German wartime gear is heavy, but the 1960-1980s gear is also comparable bulky.      My reflections are bothering my daily thoughts quite much.  For instance: does it make still sense to deal with the  KV 2/xx British National Archives file series?  We have stored now > 76,000 document pages, which aren't digest all yet, of course!  Then there are still intriguing subject among. Of course, the obvious "pearls" have been dealt with, and last Saturday when I was sitting next to Rudolf Staritz during the evening dinner: we bagged me, please send me only the "Exceptional" files!  Which desire I can understand, of course; but should this influence my current commitments?  However, for the time being I would like to explore what is at hand. As so often, each file on itself implies additional references, which often opens new intriguing and unexpected stories (windows).  

•     10 September 2019:    The main summer period has passed, and a moment of reflection is appropriate.  Quite some have been accomplished in the meantime.  One of my recent endeavours was the Kuebart file; unique: as we get a first hand inside vision of what mattered within Abwehr I.   Since, say, March 1943, Kuebart is considered being a first hand eyewitness, as he was in charge of I H and later (after March 1944) of the entire Ausland/Abwehr Section I.  For whatever reason, he was designated to move within Hansen's foot-steps. When, for example, Hansen proceeded later Admiral Canaris' position as head of the entire Ausland/Abwehr (March/April 1944), Kuebart replaced him as Leiter Abwehr I, in Berlin. He was engaged in quite many what happened within the first half of 1944. Among it - the 'Jebsen case', albeit, only from some distance, because the execution was handled by subordinate officers; on the location in Lisbon (Dr. Aloys Schreiber). Within KV 2/410 Kuebart's main file, we can also follow the course of the attempt on Hitler's life on 20 July 1944, from quite nearby. Not from 'a hear-say' perspective, but told by someone who encountered the Nazi jurisdiction  himself. Astonishing it all is.    Another matter, long overdue,  is the creation of an Intelligence-Combined webpage, this implies, of course, also Espionage and Counter-Espionage related to German concern; though, now creating an "all access from a single page" at choice (covering > 3 years of dedications).     What might be the course of our future aims?     First focussing onto our Secret Communications 3 endeavour in Autumn.  Adapting  the exhibition space, will cause, Deo volente, a comprehensive endeavour.  Another, quite striking occurrence, was the finding on the web, by my wife Karin, of the rather impressive speech recently held by the emotional Speaker of the House of Commons Mr. John Bercow, which I would like to show you:  https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-49021863/emotional-speaker-john-bercow-addresses-richard-ratcliffe    I must admit, that I myself have never seen (encountered) such a superb speech, expressing the beautifulness of the English language!    How astonishing!     I still believe: that our webpage should time-and-again "dedicate respect to all those who left their lives", on all sides - in the passed wars, since, say 1900; wherefore I have especially created our Commemorance page. Please, commemorate all those who have passed their lives - due to maniacal racial atrocities - political, - combatant (resistance), or for whatever other reason -  we cannot remember them enough; as the world today would not be like we are used to, currently.   The danger is around us, please notice it; at least for a brief moment. When it is too late, you will soon hardly remember in which splendid time we currently are living!   I just came unexpectedly across some particular files dedicated to Meier, van den Kieboom, Pons and Waldberg, which you might remember on the KV 2/1699 - KV 2/1700 case, which I called Seeloewe (Seelöwe). Consequently I have to consider also these new additional files too; regarding it a continuance of these most dramatic foregoing document series! I never expected, and for what ever reason, forgotten that I once had already downloaded some. Additionally I have downloaded today the rest of these series. Our gigantic folder: contains now > 74,500 pages (> 86 GB data)

•     5 August 2019:    Today I have implemented a new document series KV 2/1699, which should, Deo volente, in due course, by KV 2/1700.   Unexpectedly, a most dramatic story. Whereby three Dutch citizens, and a French or Belgian, are becoming engaged in a German espionage endeavour; which carried the code-name: Unternehmen Seeloewe (Seelöwe).  The drama was not only that foreigners had been offered a "job" but that they were sent on behalf German military reconnaissance, hardly trained, not possessing a military function and therefore lacking the protection of the Convention of Geneva concerning "Prisoners of War". Even more significant, "Operation Seeloewe" was the code-name the "Invasion of the British Isles"; where the Germans weren't ever prepared for. As Hitler never intended before to invade England. All what was considered for these poor men was that after the invasion of England they should (could) be liberated.  However, the first couple Kieboom and Pons were being caught within a few hours at least. The second couple Meier and Walberg (albeit this was a false name) took altogether about 24 hours. Caught early September 1940 sentenced to dead and executed before December of the very year.  What is especially impressive, are the letters send to their beloved ones a few hours before their executions; this Part II is not yet ready.      Bearing their fates in mind, and realising that my commitments, since a few years with espionage subjects, that time has come to keep a "halt" and we should remember the victims of WW II and WW I.   Whereby I first notice: civilians and then military. Civilians, in my perception, covering also Jews, Resistance (on every side), but also Armenians.   I gave this newly designed webpage the name: "Commemorance".  I hope - that viewing at it - will causing astonishment and/or a moment of reflection.    Thrilling moments so frequently encountered on the web, is making humans - blind - for tragedies happening in the prelude. Amen.

•     22 July 2019:    Finally I managed to find enough time to dedicate it to an important aspect of wartime history; known as the "Rote Drei" - a highly intriguing (communist orientated) espionage network originating from Switzerland; albeit, that most individuals involved were foreigners.  For it, we follow the lines set by M.I.5's   KV 2/1611 series. I have this time gone more into the many details in respect to Alexander Allan Foote's life; up to about mid 1947; when he voluntarily returned from Berlin to England, under M.I.6/M.I.5's protection. They were understandably very eager to know his aural story; his interrogator (we better should consider it were interviews, as he was not convicted of spying against Britain) was Mr. Serpell (M.I.5.).  I, nevertheless,  consider Hans von Pescatore's file as being more relevant than the one on behalf of Alexander Foote.    Hans von Pescatore entered service at the KO Switzerland on 1 January 1944. Tough, he was engaged in Abw. III matters (counter-intelligence) already from about l940.   It becomes clear during his interrogations, that he must have studied the relevant files quite extensively. He could not have explained backgrounds otherwise. When he arrived in Bern, the main "Rote Drei" players had already been knocked-out by the Swiss Police.  During the course of my many files reading, I encountered most intriguing file references, like the very extensive series on Juergen Kuczynski 10 (heavy) folders, of which one; apparently has not been digitalised. Juergen Kuczynski was the spying inter-mediator to the atom-spy Klaus Fuchs. But, Juergen's file is consisting of ca 1,800 pages. It is not clear to me, whether it will making sense to jump into such an extensive file or subject; which also concerns post-war espionage within an U.S. context; not neglecting its relevance, of course. Although, consequently leading to the Russian Atomic Bomb; late 1940s a quite shocking event. Also Juergen's sister Ursula @ Sonia is found in Foote's document. Also her sister Brigitte was "honoured" with a British KV 2/xxx file.    Bothering me still: - are my espionage-linked endeavours really making sense, as it is most time consuming? And, there is hardly a feedback encountered.     As most of you may remember, it all have started with going into Klatt's history (Max), in spring 2015; followed soon with Ostro and culminating in Dr. Karl-Heinz Kraemer's (Josephine) operations in Stockholm, since about November 1942.   In late December 2017, it all culminated in a very comprehensive lecture KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE.  I received sometimes complains: that it is being far too extensive, hardly bearable.   Maybe for some true; though, where in the world you can find such a comprehensive explanation, based on 'first hand' sources?  Not a brief story told; but a most comprehensively documented summary.  Explaining W/T intercepts, based upon genuine RSS intercepts; showing the damm normality of German wartime communications - as if there did not exist a war.  Also these aspects should be emphasised upon.   Bearing in mind all my foregoing considerations, I am, therefore, still convinced that what is engendered does make sense; whether - it is appreciated or not.   We are following the lines put down by British Secret Service personnel (Crown servants); during the war and the first few years after the end of it.      I consider these interrogations as being of historical relevance, as they took place a few weeks after the hostilities in Western Europe had ended. Cross-checking various files, there is found a considerable coherence!    Those interrogated weren't yet sure what "their future" will bringing them, and all should have been quite fresh in their memories.     As Ostro (Paul Georg Fidrmuc) once expressed it: Germany's devastation should at least taking 50 years to recover. (It took about, say, 15 à 20 years.   This was a quite common feeling, so shortly after the fighting had ceased.  This "atmosphere" was also being exploited as to get as much out of their prisoners, possible. Albeit that they made factually not much difference between PoWs or or non combatants. In those days: "They ruled" the western world.    Interrogations accomplished "shortly after events" are always more fruitful, then those taken after considerable time lapsing.     Plans: working currently on Roessler's quite brief file. Which in some respect goes back on Foote's, who I suppose in the late 1940s wrote his quite inspiring book: "Handbook for Spies". I discovered yesterday (19th June '19) that there might exist a second book issue, but this book version might be without the chapter on "message coding".    I would like to obtain a copy, but should carefully consider which version being on offer.    Among my dedication to the website, I also read, in spare-time, Schellenberg's "Aufzeichnungen".   A must for all those really dedicated to German wartime history. Walter Schellenberg's book, issued in German language in 1979 (whereas Schellenberg passed away in Italy in 1952), is a significant source of information. For instance, in respect to Himmler, but also on Admiral Canaris, where some unexpected anecdotes being reflected.  I consider Schellenberg as a "key" figure, in his 30s and reaching already so high up in the hierarchy, without becoming a war-criminal, is something exceptional. In particular what occurred in the final days of the war;  http://www.cdvandt.org/schellenberg-survey.htm .      I just have finished my work on Rudolf Roessler's file KV 2/1627.  Roessler's code-name was "Lucie"; his information was ultimately supplied onto Rado, whose communications with "Direktor" in Moscow, contained, to a great extend, most valuable information originating from the inner core of the German Military High Command OKW, in Berlin.   Whatever the Germans tried; nor managed British Intelligence, they could not unravel who the information-leaking person at the OKW end was.   Someone pointed at General Jodl, because the information flow continued,  even after the failed assassination attempt on Hitler of 20 July 1944.     Reflecting my personal perception: He (the mystical person) likely was someone out of an intellectual, well-educated, Rote Kapelle milieu, engaged at high-grade O.K.W.  level; could once have been the mystical source of Roessler/Rado's material; regularly conveyed by W/T to Moscow.    Maybe, a grip: he likely should have been engaged at his position (profession) for the time the information flew from OKW to Moscow (say 1941-1944). Therefore, was the suggestion of a member of the Swiss Secret Service: that General Jodl could have been in such a position, as his career was not inflicted by the events on 20 July 1944, is a quite logical one.     Jodl was hung in the course of the "Neurnberg Trials" in September 1946.    General Jodl, or someone else in his direct surrounding, might well/or not have been bound by Communist sympathies, but the one supplying these "Top Secret" informations over so many years, at least might have had a concept - that circumstances should chance something.     However, we have, until now, only considered leading personalities; but, what do we have to expect from someone's adjutant or even his-or-her secretary?    We may suppose, that, for instance, Hitler's secretary like "Fräulein Junge", knew merely as much as Hitler himself what actually happened at this level.    Leaving speculations beside:    unlike Roessler, there might even not have been "pecunia" involved.    Therefore, we should try to focus, Deo volente, first on relatives around the General Stab around Hitler's Commanding centre. A huge challenge, which only can, Deo volente, be lifted by means of relatives of those, once involved.   Therefore, we should prevent ourselves for Euphoric thoughts!     It is therefore doubtful, that these secrets might ever be lifted; don't forget - that > 75 years since have been lapsed.

•     17 June 2019:    We have been rather busy for some month.   After our return from the gathering in Gollhofen Germany (3rd May), my first aim was to investigate whether our secondly obtained GK IIIb voice scrambler (Invertier-Gerät) does function, which it apparently did not. A finally nearly desperate time immerged. Where I time-and-again thought that the failures had really been solved; which every time proved finally in vain; as the introduced solution (by-passing one point with another point) disrupted the proper functioning of the Fork or Gabel (hybrid) circuitry. Such circuit allows to transfer: dual line operation into four-wire operation in either direction. http://www.cdvandt.org/GK-III-Kl-14-3'19-17-5.jpg  (please notice the circuitry (modules) around the with a "G" marked modules. The main point is, that when an amplifier circuit operates on both ends of a Gabel, Fork or hybrid circuit, that the receiving and sending in- and outputs staying separated; so that a positive feed-back being prevented causing (loop) oscillation. Such circuit operates only sound, in the case that the electrical line-parameters being artificially virtualised as part of the Gabel, Fork or hybrid circuit (in the block circuit diagram this being marked: N (located, mirror like opposite the in/output terminals). Luckily, this is not a too much critical circuit parameter.      In the beginning of June I thought it will not commence after all, and I was at the point of giving it up; one new approach should at least showing that with the available documentation I could not solve the encountered problems.   On the 6th: however, Deo volente, like a: Deus ex Machina - I did find a wire which apparently did not make contact; albeit, that I must have pulled at it before as to check whether it really made sufficient contact (what it seemingly did). And ... it, "Thanks God" is solved our problems (a wire hung free):  http://www.cdvandt.org/gk_iiib-operating.htm .             Another desire for quite a long time is finding a way as to obtain a https: secured web URL . I discovered that Cryptomuseum.com possessed an URL:    https://www.cryptomuseum.com.  Wow, I have applied and discussed this some time ago with our current provider One.com. They were themselves not providing support and I therefore would like to move our two URLs also, to Paul's provider. However, I would like to start with it when the new exhibition season starts, thus in September. Paul told me, that this provider first provides a test URL, as to prove that all works correctly and all "settings" are "tuned"  correctly. For it, Paul Reuvers one of our Foundation board members, can support me with my first approaching of this new Dutch provider.      Together with Rudolf Staritz we were invited to join a family and relatives commemoration on late Admiral Canaris in Berlin; he was the former German Abwehr Chief, who was together with General-Major Oster and also Dietrich Bonhoeffer hung (murdered) by the Nazis on 9^th April 1945, in the KZ Flossenbürg.   For this occasion also some interviews had been recorded for a future TV documentary on Admiral Canaris' Abwehr.  For it both Rudolf Staritz and my person were also interviewed.   During the discussions it was pointed that, for instance, the KLATT-OSTO-JOSEPHINE lecture is lasting far too long, it should be done in a shorter means.     http://www.cdvandt.org/klatt-ostro-josephine.htm .     Maybe for some people this is true, but my aims aren't easy - I would like to confront people with background details that "nowhere else in the world" can be found nor explained.   Another point, when a subject would be condensed into a tabloid (newspaper) format, the readers will get the impression that they do not need more reading - because they now know all what is necessary.  Which definitely is not the case!     However,  I also approached the KV 2/94 - KV 2/99 files on Dr. Walter Schellenberg. http://www.cdvandt.org/schellenberg-survey.htm.  Again a huge file series, from which material I selected some of it, in, what has become my usual manner.   When you approach it - please read carefully my introduction lines first. Albeit that herewith we enter the R.S.H.A. environment, with all their (bleak) SS related downsides.  Why then still covering Schellenberg's interrogations commenced once at Camp 020 in London, a few months after the war ended, in May 1945?  Because, you will encounter a most strange and unexpected world. Simply: - it should be considered being an intellectual necessity.

•     6 May 2019:    Quite some time have passed since my last agenda (reflections) update in March.    In the meantime some intriguing themes have been dealt with. A quite extensive subject series on Germany related espionage in South America have been accomplished. General-Major Wolf, the Military Attaché in Buenos Aires, the latter was from his origin mainly guided by Amtsgruppe/Ausland which also was engaged within AO matters too (Auslandorganisation; and AG/Ausland) (W/T link Blau). A second service existed also, but this organisation was guided via the SS-SD controlled R.S.H.A. also known as Becker's channel (W/T link Rot) KV 2/1487 - KV 2/1490 and KV 2/89 on Friedrich Wolf - Johannes Siegfried Becker and Gustav Uzinger .  A third link existed, guided via Nest Köln (Cologne) (W/T link Grün). There even likely existed a Press W/T link, supposed  communicating via Beelitz, the W/T station of the A.A. (Auswärtigesamt; German Foreign Office).  These different lines are quite confusing, and often not well understood; apparently not even by M.I.6 and M.I.5.  I therefore have decided to approach first the huge file series on Walter Schellenberg (KV 2/94 .. KV 2/99), who became leader of (R.S.H.A.) Amt VI and later Mil Amt (Amt Mil).   I hesitate to deal with these kind of, "dark",  file series, but there, sadly, is no other way around it.     A spin-off of the South American Theatre became the Hellmuth case which provides an excellent inside vision on the dark-sides of the unbalanced operating practices of British Secret Services, breaching laws in an environment lacking "check-and-balance".  This time very well documented in a legal dispute between M.I.5/M.I.6 and the British Home Office. Equally sad examples being acknowledged within the Franz Mayr case, and the My Erikson case  (KV 2/535 .. KV 2/539) in many respects these are disgusting documents. Albeit, that in the Franz Mayr case - he proved ultimately to be smarter than post-war British Secret Services, who followed his whereabouts between early 1946 and 1951. To be fair - they acknowledged this aspect of him!  In the latter case, they fell into their own negligence! They ignored Swiss enquiries (via the British Foreign Office) on Mayr's whereabouts (early 1945); but not long thereafter the Swiss arrested Mayr in 1946; owing to his carrying a false passport. The British services were hoping that the Swiss Authorities will hand him over to at least the Americans (because UK occupied German territories did not board Swiss territories, but the Swiss, most likely, foresaw what they expected, and expelled him to the French Occupational Forces in Southern Germany. But they had no records on him, and have put him into a regular internees camp, from where he escaped two weeks later; and was never caught again. Also in Mayr's case they had set out his legal rights; reason: because they did not wanted (whatever) silly matters to happen (such as, for instance, writing a most friendly letter to his former interrogator - now engaged at Cambridge University!), the hostilities were over for almost a year!     Since last week we own a second GK IIIb apparatus. Our aim, is, to create a two-side scrambled telephone link; from one side of our premises to the other side. The ultimate aim would be to interlink it via our Tfb2 carrier telephony system;   but this latter aspect must wait for after our Secret Communications 3 event, thus during the reshuffling of our exhibition space again.  However, I never could have imagined that this would ever happen!     On the closure of my agenda I received an e-mail from Thomas Höppe, in which he contributed an information, once added by late DL8HF on the final whereabouts of Rolf Wiegand; which is really contributing: http://www.cdvandt.org/dasd-cq_1937.htm  Of course a tragic event, but this is how it mostly goes; Fatum!   

•     18 March 2019:    Since the start of this year, quite some have new matters been contributed onto our website.   In our case each time rather time consuming endeavours. Mainly in the fields of the German Abwehr (espionage), but also some technical topics have been dealt with.   Since just a week we have obtained, albeit in a swop, a device where I was looking for about four decades. Its type number GK IIIb, once a Siemens & Halske product. However, outside it is not looking too good, in contrast, to what is inside - it looks entirely untouched.   It once was ment for telephone-line scrambling (Sprachverschlüsselung). It is of the simple type, where the voice (speech) signals being converted into SSB signals; where, at choice, one party sends, say, in lower sideband and the counter party is sending in an upper-sideband mode. Security, of course, is not of an high order; but for field application considered just sufficiently. Hampering, is, that we possess only a block-diagram, kindly photographed by Dieter Beikirch.  Therefore, making this survey a real challenge. Complicating, is, that it is entirely built in typical Siemens telephone-technique style; where all is integrated within cans covered on top with a perforated "pertinax" top-plate holding the electric contacts.  And, it is unexpectedly heavy, I suppose due to the application of (the) many iron-cores filters  (no iron-dust-core application, as the (suppressed) frequency carrier is operating at 2 kHz and therefore limiting the application of dust-core filters and transformers. These being invisible (hidden) within (the many) closed cans.         Hans Goulooze, has finally managed to finish his paper on the principles and techniques of the FuBl blind-landing system.      In the fields of secret service histories, I have finished the Nordpol - Englandspiel project. Albeit, that just last week a new document turned up sent to me by a German Historian, in which we get information about Himmler's "Dienstkalender" (agenda).       However, what is striking, in my perception, is, that during Himmler's visit to The Hague (Holland) (Nordpol / Englandspiel) between 16 - 20 May 1942, Himmler did play "tennis" with Reichskommissar Seyß-Inquart, even two times. To my understanding: you play tennis with a particular dress-code including tennis-shoes; but when this is the case, he then must have had an outfit brought with him from Berlin or Munich (München).  This has to be dealt with after I have completed my current survey on "Salaam - Condor - Eppler and Sandstede" just only Part I is yet available, Part II  I am currently working on. Since last Wednesday we have put Brian Austin's paper on the "Felix's Transmitter" on our website. It is handling about Mr. Sittig's code-name Felix; he was living in South Afrika during the War; Sittig already lived in South Africa since the first part of of the 1920s.  What is, in my perception, living in The Netherlands, is, the fact that Brian Austin is using, quite often, the Afrikaner language; a fact that hardly is found in English language contributions elsewhere.       We also have continued the tests with our FG 1250 German wartime infrared night-vision apparatus. An endeavour still not yet closed, because we have got a Philips Usfa infrared spot-light; and we also should, in due course, adding information once given to us by late Fritz Trenkle.    Plans for the future? Deo volente, of course: Brian Austin's paper is like a "wake-up" call, for exploiting in some way what happened additionally in South-Africa. But, first I would like starting-up a survey on German espionage in South-America; with its nucleus in Argentine (Buenos Aires). There is really astonishing information at hand.    By the way, our downloaded pages are culminating now up to >> 58,000. I must admit, that not yet all has been read, though should be dealt with when particular subjects being handled.    The HW 34-2 file concerns the British R.S.S. final report, also an intriguing document, but meant more for those interested in organisational matters. Also KV 2/2074 on Trepper, the head of Rote Kapelle in France and Belgium. Also in the same field KV 2/2068 on Kent - Sokolov. Fritz Kent, one of his many cover-names, even Sokolov was not his real name. He also was part of the Communist Rote Kapelle circles. His story was strongly interconnected with the Sonderkommando Pannwitz case KV 2/1971.    Since a few days we have made our preliminary schedules for our Secret Communications 3 exhibition in autumn of this year. Not yet, guaranteed, but you can already, Deo volente, enter into your agenda (diary). Session:    1 on 16 November 2019;  2 on 23 November 2019;  3 on 7 December 2019;  4 on 21 December 2019 and finally 5 to be scheduled for 11 January 2020.      Before forgetting it: last week I received a message from Prof. Hugh Griffith (London University), that he ultimately has received the message, after stiff opposition, that Christian Hülsmeyer has been rewarded with: A Mile Stone reward for his inventions in the field of what now is known as radar; but his projects were taking place 1904.  We encountered quite some objections; though we are excited that Hülsmeyer ultimately has received where he, and his daughter Anneliese, were so desperately advocating for; which  during their lives all attempts were "in vain";  thought that ultimately in 2019 - it has been granted! What an achievement, were we are most grateful for.

•     1 January 2019:    The past year had been quite turbulent for me and my wife, because we both had to undergo quite serious medical surgeries. But, Deo volente, all went rather well. This is one of the reasons why we have not commenced our third Secret Communications event yet. Also the local council is planning a serious upgrade of the road which might cause us several months of disruption (difficult accessibility). However, it still was a rather successful year in respect to web productivity and we also acquired some most interesting artefacts, which devices were not expected to be ever obtainable, due to their exceptional rarities. First came a most beautiful Ju 88 mechanical analogue computer BZA 1 (Vorhalterechner). Thereafter obtaining a German Infra-Red night-vision apparatus type 1250, which was a real miracle. Albeit, that it does not yet possesses a so-called "rest light" capability - which techniques did not yet existed in the mid 1940s.  Of course, we would like to investigate whether it is still in a kind of working order? However, documentation is very rare, albeit, some drawings are available on the web.  Hans Goulooze raised the clever question: how is the image-converter-tube (Bildwandler) being fed? Thus image-cathode kept at ground level and the internal electrode kept at + 12 kV; or - the latter system is kept at ground (housing) level and the optical-cathode being supplied at - 12kV? Electrically, in both cases the the internal system having a +12 kV between optical cathode and electrode inside the image convertor. Remco Caspers provided, very kindly, a hyperlink from LA 6 NCA's website, where we find the manual to the Naval Seehund IR vision apparatus, both relying upon an AEG type image convertor. The Seehund supplies -12 kV onto the optical cathode in front of the image-convertor and the electrode being kept at the housing-metal level. What is visible from our drawing, the red pointer shows us clearly the - 12 kV connection is onto the image-convertor (please excuse us for its ugly quality); however, this page should be extended by documentations on IR in wartime Germany, in due course.    During our summer holydays I have had time to dedicate my attention fully onto a most intriguing subjects nowhere else available; such as on KV 3/3 about Canaris.  During my peu-à-peu adding sections onto our website, I encountered annoying German censorship, sometimes it took 40 hours before the webpage was fully made accessible again (they simply cut-off the webpage about half way, instantly), and this happened several times! What became evident, is, that albeit that the website is hosted in Denmark preliminary-censorship took place on German territory. The British National Archives files were derived from what the superb British RSS interception services once had stored on the occurrence of Admiral Canaris' name including cover-names (Tarnnamen) (They have had cardings  for nearly every name encountered, including all their aliases; by the way, not always correct, as, for example, they apparently had been confused by both brothers: Karl-Heinz Abshagen and his brother Wolfgang Abshagen. The latter was a member of Ausland/Abwehr II and Karl-Heinz was staying in China, as a German journalist). My Canaris contribution was that I took up its full transcript of every noticed message, implying 764 intercepts (no OCR possible). Albeit, adding  my knowledge on the used code-words, for persons but also on tactical cover-names and background circumstances. My now rather comprehensive knowledge being the spin-off of the huge KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE endeavour; which lasted several years; even still nearly on daily bases being expanded.   What were my most intriguing subjects, this time? On: Hentig KV 2/393-KV 2/394, which went back to the days of WW I, they apparently weren't amused.  Followed by: KV 2/757-KV-2/768 about the Trompke - Werz Case, but also combined with Kraizizek's file KV 2/2639, the latter is an essential substitute to one-another. Which latter subject is about the "Afrikaner of South Africa" opposing the British influence (Ossewa-Brandwag) in combination with diplomatic events in Portuguese East Africa, now known as Mozambique.   Maybe not directly accomplished during our summer holidays in South-Eastern Germany, but also a most curious and intriguing file proves to be the: Gimpel-Colepaugh file, they were dropped on the shore of Frenchman's Bay, in the US State Maine, on 29 November 1944, by the German submarine U 1230; and they reached successfully New York. Most being based upon FBI interrogation reports.   We have done more, but this time noticing my most favourite contributions, only.     Of a different category is my recent file on Wirsing Giselher based on KV 2/140. He was a Nazi, but might have changed during the events of the war his opinion a bit, but should still be kept responsible for what he has published, albeit not in the category of War Crimes. Though, from the historical point of views, he should be, in my perception, being regarded of most curiosity; therefore at least worth to be noticed.    Imagine: from profession he was a graduated journalist and publisher of a Munich periodical. He knew Walter Schellenberg, head of R.S.H.A. Amt VI; since July 1944 known as (Intelligence) Amt Mil (Mil Amt).  They came up secretly, with an endeavour: - addressing letters containing knowledge not available to anyone in Germany. For it, he published his so-called: "Egmont Briefe" (letters). Their contents relying also on materials provided by a "courier" who delivered envelopes at his private home-address, in Berlin. These envelopes contained most secret "Foreign Intelligence" materials gathered by Schellenberg's Mil Amt. These "Egmont Briefe" were written in a way, "not to be too much offensive, but on an intellectual manner underlining Germany's desperate position". But a world of difference to what the Germans had to digest from Goebbels' propaganda machine. They were addressed, of course, only to a selected group of leading (influential) people. Such as, for example, Keitel, who on occasion showed them to Hitler, but also Himmler and Kaltenbrunner (also to Seyß-Inquart, the Reichskommissar in the Netherlands), by the way: Kaltenbrunner was Schellenberg's Chief. Nevertheless, with some exceptions: Goering and von Ribbentrop; albeit not explicitly noticed, but likely also not onto Goebbels. These Egmont letters may be regarded to be lost, but some parts apparently survived the war. This episode is already strange, but it becomes "lunatic" on 29 April 1945.  Section-Leiter Sandberger ordered Dr. Giselher Wirsing to hand over a document to Schellenberg personally. Please bear in mind that the Americans and Russians shook hands at Torgau on the Elbe, already (actually this took place on 25 April 1945)! Albeit, a Junkers 88 night-fighter was made available and they took-off from Aibling (South Bavaria) and reached the vicinity of Lübeck. Schellenberg meeting up with Himmler at his field headquarters near to Lübeck. Later on they went to a meeting at Plön, where also Dönitz and eventually Jodl attended. In the meantime Hamburg was due to be captured by British Forces and the Ju 88 to Wirsig's disposal had changed over to a Flensburg site. Schellenberg afterwards, was on invitation of Count Bernadotte of Sweden invited to come to his country; for negotiations.  He drove towards Denmark anyway, and took Wirsing with him in his car and dropped him about Flensburg. The Ju 88 took off in darkness, but encountered dangerous moments due to Allied night-fighters hunting German air movements. After evasive actions, they discovered that Salzburg was endangered by US troops and the Ju 88 landed therefore at Prague. From there the next day he moved toward Southern Bavaria again. His destination Bad Tölz had been already occupied by US Forces; however, after a final 30 km walk he reached his destination. In June he was there finally arrested by US Services.  I suppose an exceptional story.       Our plans? At least, Deo volente, for 2019, arranging a Secret Communications 3 event, in Autumn 2019 maybe some days in early 2020. Of course, based on Paul and Marc's superb crypto collection. They obtained, in the meantime (since late 2016), most rare and unexpected devices, worth to be displayed at a new exhibition.    A few days ago I started up with a new endeavour, this time on Meisinger, who, to what I knew so far, was engaged as "Polizei Attaché" at the German Embassy in Tokyo (KV 2/404), and knew Dr. Sorge rather well. For it I consulted first what Wikipedia had to inform me.  What was encountered was to such a disgusting degree, that I refused to dedicate my attention onto such a criminal and beast any longer. Therefore, for me for the first time, I have deleted my already started endeavour. Reason, is, that he was such a bad guy that what should be trusted in respect to what is noticed on Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Meisinger at the same time; such as about:- what happened with the German community in China, during the wartime days versus to what is noticed within the KV 2/404 document.    

•     Year 2018 ↓

•    3 December 2018:   The quite many engagements in the meantime, have prevented me from explaining what my objectives were.   Pheiffer's KV 2/267 and Reith and Recke's KV 2/3573 and KV 2/2654 have been substituted with KV 2/283 on Dr. Herman Goeritz, also know as, for example: Dupont (in Tanger), Don III - Cavellero - Alice(Alize) III and Tercero.     What is the purpose of the latter subject, first it continues in passing on about diplomats incorporated in intelligence, but also getting an idea of what actual commitments had been dealt with. Of course, adding my explanation and/or comments. Without particular explanations understanding is hardly possible. At the very end in April 1945, we encounter the very fact that the Amt Mil of R.S.H.A. had abandoned their Berlin Offices and were moving southwards into the direction of the "Alpenfestung" which actually did not exist. I hardly doubt, that the notice of: "Wiese Babette Mate" would lead to this latter aspect.     We also obtained an "analogue" computer BZA 1 of a Junkers 88; once computing the bombing parameters (albeit, that I don't like weaponry, but technology). Attractive, is, its beautiful mechanical construction.    Deo volente, awaiting the swop of a FG 1250 German wartime IR-night-vision apparatus.   Both devices are perfectly in line with our objectives: History of German Technology.    However, my latest commitment creating the KV 2/283 including most of its transcript is consuming rather much time. As in particular, I encounter difficulties with re-finding sections of the genuine text reproductions. Simply, the combination (interactions) eye - brains is annoying; in particular when many typed-text-lines are involved and same words repeatedly used, but have to be accepted because it just is like this.    Still a bit disappointing, is, I hardly get a response on these German Intelligence related subjects. But in my perception, it is necessary to continue this endeavour. Where else can similar informations be found? Wikipedia, has another objective, and is not going into these very many background subjects.     

•     29 October 2018:  Since my last contribution, new matters have been accomplished. It were not only these contributions, but also related subjects that have caught my attention. Being heavily engaged with Abwehr related (historical) subjects and their interactions - is causing a new vision on these events; which often are hardly known, or even been totally forgotten.    The Graf Ledebur file is therefore intriguing. But, when one is studying this particular subject, it becomes like - engendering a new understanding of this very era. After a while, astonishingly, it is like being placed within these then rather bleak times.      Even, a more striking event was the completion of my, quite comprehensive, version of the related Pheiffer history. All being based, of course, on my selections (judgements) of sections of the interrogation report series, once accomplished on him. The culmination has become my KV 2/267 on Dr. Erich Pheiffer (covering 126 pages).    It is most astonishing, that a comprehensive interrogation report, is, to such a high degree correlating with the once selected British RSS W/T intercepts (intercepts collection, focussing particularly on the occasions where Pheiffer's name, or cover-names, did once appear) And not providing some brief examples, but 33 x A4 size pages, fully covering the intercept time-span between 17 May 1940 and 11 March 1945.  At the end of his career he became the last KONO (KO) leader in Turkey.      Currently, to change the subject, I have started with considering what happened on the South American continent.   Have you ever imagined that something like this ever existed? But it truly did!  My aim is not yet to focus on a future contribution, but it is more of a scientific nature; on a subject hardly known. Don't think that it was only a rudimentary theatre, it certainly was not! Argentina played a rather significant role in this part of the historical context.      The consequence of all my comprehensive engagements, since April 2015, is, that I have now collected (downloaded) >45,000 document pages; in the beginning some KV 2/... serial numbers were possessed, but now it has grown to an extent that some "serial succession numbers" are lacking.   Also the "Deutsche-Funklinien- map" had to be extended up to Argentina; unexpectedly, new facets coming to bear.      Since last Friday, the desperately awaited VR 1 (BZA1 Anlage) Vorhalterechner of the Ju 88 analogue computing apparatus has ultimately arrived; and have been photographed extensively (exh-details-30-BZA1).   We are preparing for a newly to be constructed display table, where our aim is to show as much as possible of its (inside) construction "beauty".   Striking - time and again, -  is the German penchant for complicated mechanical constructions; we would like to explain its principles. Deo volente, we will be in the position to get some of the according explanations on our website; so that people will get an idea about the mathematical calculations necessary for to get a bomb just hitting a target - whilst the 'platform' dives with a velocity of, say, 600 - 800 km/h towards a virtual point - that a lot of parameters have to be taken into account.     Please bear in mind: that one is aiming at a target, being yourself with high speed on the move as well. The ballistic properties should, under such condition,  be calculated in advance, what parameters should be taken into pre-considerations:-  optics provide data in a straight line, and the behaviour of the diving aircraft being victim to side winds and drag; and the dropped bomb is obeying according ballistic rules; accomplishing this in the 'analogue airborne era' of the 1940s, was rather challenging.   Nevertheless, my personal feeling is rejecting weaponry, but on the other hand being intrigued by the beautifulness of precision technology.  Therefore, this device has been, primarily, obtained from an aesthetic point of view;  Zeiss Jena once was one of the leading firms in the world - on extreme accurate precision mechanics and optics. However, the BZA auxiliaries have become, nowadays, unaffordable; therefore we do not intend to built up an installation display.    By the way, Hans Goulooze is preparing for a contribution on: as to how the EBl3 F receiver remote control actually is functioning;  this is far more complicated than was previously thought. What to think of skipping channel numbers "0" and "32"?  Hans raised the query: he would like to know from what foregoing system this remote-control once might have been derived (inspired)? We may, however, become disappointed, speaking from experience, as hardly one is sharing sufficient knowledge on foregoing techniques of, say, the 1930s?  However, we have made two intriguing video films, which should be uploaded, as usually, onto YouTube; though, Hans Goulooze first has to finish his planned contribution.              

•     17 September 2018:  Quite some new topics have been added onto our website recently. Operation Atlas and its spin-off the Gimpel - Colepaugh Case.  The first subject, where two Germans and one Arabic individual had been parachuted over Jericho in Palestine, on the night of 5/6 October 1944 (dropped by KG 200, operating an American built B 17 bomber aircraft!). This case causing quite a turmoil and the Gimpel Colepaugh Story has been born.   It concerned an endeavour where in the night of 29 November 1944, the German submarine U 1230 landed two agents Gimpel (German origin) and Colepaugh (actually an US citizen) on the beach of Frenchman's Bay, in the US State Maine. They reached New York, and since an incredible story engendered.    After some time, Gimpel had been caught as well. The reason is most curious: the latter apparently had the habit - to read regularly a "Peruvian Newspaper"; and there existed only 52 "Newspaper stands" within the New York area.   Colepaugh, not feeling well - consulted a friend, what he never should have done, and handed himself on to the FBI.   Gimpel had lived since 1935 in Peru and was expelled in 1942, with all other Germans; on strong pressure on behalf of the US Government. He, and many others (male and female, maybe infants too) landed in a Camp in Texas. But he was not a Prisoner of War, as he wasn't a soldier.   A Swedish ship (ss Drottingholm) brought them to Sweden and from there the group safely reached Germany (inexchange for US citizens). For males, however, this was under the explicit condition: that these men were not allowed (entitled) to become part of the German military services.  But he became in touch with an espionage operation, though quasi as a civilian.  The Colepaugh case differs: William Colepaugh had a German-born mother, and he considered himself German minded. In 1941, he visited the German Consulate in Boston. This, of course, was known to the FBI and he was considered not suitable for US Army Service. But he was forced to become a sailor. He served on several ships and also on a Swedish one.  This boat harboured, in early 1944, in Lisbon where he deserted. And went straight away to the German Embassy, offering himself for service in the German Army. This was refused, but he soon landed in Berlin, and was selected for special operations.    He received a training at a special school in The Hague (Netherlands) (actually just bordering Scheveningen); this quite extensive site housed all sorts of individuals (among it many foreigners); and was named: Seehof.   It was not an Army training school, but belonged to the SD (R.S.H.A.); shortly thereafter the SD (SS) took over the entire German Abwehr (with some minor exceptions).     Kurt Wieland, once born in Palestine, passed through the same channels.  All having roots with the Mil Amt Offices at Berkaerstrasse 32 - 37 in Berlin-Schmargendorf; albeit that Kurt Wieland, once was a regular Wehrmacht soldier (Brandenburg Division). His selection criteria was that he (once) was born in the Middle East, and in particular Palestine.   Within the Kurt Wieland case, they ultimately managed cleverly to be arrested in a cave, however, dressed in their military uniforms, implying that they were to be regarded PoW, and not to be handled as being a spy; ending up with a likely death sentence.     Like has become my recipe: copying genuine text passages added with comments and/or transcriptions.    I consider it an obligation to refer onto every source extensively. My comments being based upon my extensive notes made since the start of the KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE endeavour in April 2015.  This document is regularly kept open, so that it instantly can be substituted or being considered.    After quite a long interval, our Subject Reference dbase has been updated as well.    We still encounter problems with the fact that our long lasting dbase; once started in 1986 and about 2002-2004 converted into an Access document (albeit that in the background the genuine Borland file still is following (1 : 1) . It is having problems with its conversion into newer versions of Microsoft's Access format.   But, converting it eachtime into PDF, all features can still be enjoyed. I also took up the challenge to improve the extended version, for practical reasons have not been put on our website; as it contains only columns providing info where it actually being stored. Though, the concerned row numbers are exactly equal, so don't worry.     I also encounter in my favoured old Dell XP PC - that the temperatures of the two HDDs are after, say, just over an hour reaching more than >> 45°  C - > 60° C (still relying upon the old Harddisks).  HDD 2 (E-F-G) our data disk, is getting hotter than the HDD 1 (C-D). The reason might be, that HDD 1 is placed just adjacent onto an air-outlet, and HDD 2 is packed just adjacent, but consequently just a bit more inside.   After due reconsidering the problems, I have built-in an additional blower just experimentally blowing its airstream directly at HDD 2's mounting frame surface.  After say, three quarters of an hour temperatures dropped considerable to: HDD 1 = 37° C and HDD 2 to 34° C. It has, nevertheless, to be noticed that the side-cover-plate had to be removed; allowing open influx of fresh air.     What should be bore in mind: is, that we never before possessed information on the foregoing temperatures concerned.   A friend of mine pointed: it is like a time-freak possessing now two clocks - and since he never knows for sure which one really is to be trusted!  

•    27 August 2018:  Some time have been passed since my last agenda contribution (Reflections) has appeared on the web.  Towards the end of July, I came up with the idea: why not creating a new webpage - dedicated to the unique KV 3/3 file on Canaris? Very strange, in the KV 2/xxx series we can find files on third class personalities, but one on Admiral Canaris (murdered by the Nazis on 9 April 1945 at Flossenbürg Camp, he was not directly involved in the 20th July 1944 plot) and, for example, not one on Obst. i.G. Georg Alexander Hansen (Nazi murdered on 8. September 1944, at Plötzensee Prison).    Whereas one on Marogna Redwitz (Leiter Ast-XVII, Wien)  (also murdered in the course of events around the failed assassination attempt on Hitler of 20 July 1944), does exist; albeit, a brief one. Not saying that the latter was a third class personality!    The KV 3/3 file is not (yet) in the digital copied series available. However, a photographed copy exists. It concerns messages appearing in W/T communications - where once Canaris' name, or code-names, being used.      This endeavour did cost me more than a full month dedicated work.   Work means, say, in average 8 hours a day (7 days a week), concentrated engagement.  It concerned communications, luckily for us, just using mainly the same channels as had been handled within the     KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE     survey. Also this project absorbed more than two-and-a half year concentrated study.  Since last Saturday, the pile has passed >39,000 file pages culminating.  Keeping constantly a parallel document open, where I store directly all necessary bits and pieces with all accompanied details and references. This document has grown to > 255 pages containing > 88.800 words. Having this to my disposal, I am really in the position to add a lot onto the thousands of code-words and peculiarities of communication links to the various stations around Europe. All done like (AOB, my comment). I derived (copied) each message separately and paste them into the new document series. As to optimise this effort, each message being fully transcribed, albeit, that my comments being implemented (substituted).  The content of the file strips is good enough discernible, as  to allow its reading.   Now you get a full, searchable document, implemented with very detailed information, I am sure nowhere on earth you can find similar!   Canaris-KV-3-3-intercepts.     You may wonder about the introduction header. The reason: being that the Germans apparently practisesing Censorship! They will deny it (because its is against their Grundgesetz), but what to think of a delay of 40 hours before this page had been made fully accessible; time and again? In the meantime only half of the page being made visible (accessible). Also the ftp upload being hampered (blocked). For instance, in html it should have been 27 kB but only 20 kB arrived at the One.Come ftp server! Opening it directly from the ftp server, also the page up to 1940 being visible, the rest simply being kept blocked. And then after, say, 40 hours, suddenly, all is functioning properly.     However, the years 1940 - 1941 - 1942 - 1943 and 1944 are now fully accessible (but I dare to change something, as long as being within Germany!).  Maybe for the easy reader interested in small stories - a bit  too difficult story, but from the historical point of view a unique contribution.     For me personally a bit a deception, is, that you don't get any response!  Once a new year has been made available, for instance, someone at Cambridge University downloads a bunch, visible at my statistic program, but that's it.  However, I consider the work being so significant, that I would like, Deo volente, to continue.     I know, most being interested in "radio sets" and not in background stories (information) but in a web community of several billion users, statistically some must be just belonging to the group interested.  The easiness with which materials can be downloaded from the web -  favourably, gratis - they don't realise the great endeavour that has to be put in matters before they can download it.  Only when one would likes to get information, whatsoever, they start their e-mails with kind compliments.     That's life and isn't a problem, but putting enormous energy in to projects without a single response is still a strange experience.     Maybe it concerns the context, a website dedicated on to German Communications and related Technologies, but it is forgotten, that these historical files, being based upon intercepted wireless (W/T) communications!      An aspect being the application of the Enigma, the most valuable sources of Allied information; Britain's Most Secret Source (MSS) kept Top Secret up to F.W. Winterbottam's book of 1974.       What next? Honestly: I don't yet know it.           Do you like our new double-line spacing? I hope it increases your reading convenience!

•     23 July 2018:  Since early July, I have used  my time for preparing the KV 2/757 - KV 2/768 contribution; and in KV 2/2939 covering Walter Kraizizek's whereabouts between 1935, where he entered the Union of South Africa, being a professional lithograph at a News Paper, and his expel from Lourenco Marques, now called Lobito, in October 1944 (a group of 6 were expelled, among it also Vice-Consul Dr. Luitpold Werz), but in the possession on the condition of "Free Conduct").  As being an alien citizen, kept in an internment camp in South Africa, since September 1939. Like did most of his colleagues, he escaped several times. He ultimately got access to the Afrikaner community; the latter were opposing the South African Parliament and were apparently anti-British. They relied upon the organisation: Ossewa Brandwag. However, in some way or another, they maintained some kind of communication with Berlin, albeit transmitting blind, and receiving acknowledgement by means of transmissions from one of the Beelitz broadcast transmitters. The nucleus was the German General-Consulate in Lourenço Marques (Vize-Consul Dr. Luitpold Werz).  Very intriguing is the enormous effort put in by M.I.5. and M.I.6 as to HF/DF the illicit wireless station somewhere in the vast South African Union; however, time and again resulting in a negative outcome. The Germans say: ausser Spesen nichts gewesen. Just this what it was.  The information core is KV 2/757 - KV 2/768 on Trompke; albeit, Trompke himself wasn't much involved.  I would like to advice you: to start first with reading Kraizizek's file KV 2639, as it paints an interesting picture of the events.       I also dedicated time on studying Werner Otto von Hentig's autobiography:  Mein Leben eine Dienstreise, of 1962; a most advisable literature (previously I read an intriguing book on Waßmuß or Wasmuss; in some respect he acted successfully and may be compared with Lawrence of Arabia, both also could not keep all their promises; but he acted in Persia or Iran as this country is also known).   However, that von Hentig sadly skips the core of events of 1916-17 in China and his return via the US to Berlin in 1917. He points, however, that this has been well covered in his 1918 book, once published by Ullstein Verlag (at the end of KV 2/394 you find a translated abridged part of this book of 1918). It once got an enormous response in Germany as about 200,000 samples had been sold within a short time. Von Hentig also made British Secret Services mad (among it M.I.1)!   He left Berlin in 1915 - and first got on his way, through Turkey - Middle East - Persia (Iran), crossing the huge Salt-Sea, slipping through British and Russian corridors and entering Afghanistan. Upsetting Britain's, as they considered this area belonging to their influence territory (hemisphere). His political impacts may be regarded rather important, as he still was invited many times in the 1950s and 1961; being guest on behalf of the Afghanistan Government. Leaving that Country inexpediently (1916) via the Hindu Kush - Pamir mountain chain - entering China, crossing the Gobi dessert, via Nanking and Shanghai. He encountered tremendous problems. Again surprising British Services, leaving as a "blind passenger" onboard s.s. Ecuador for the US, via Yokohama.  Bear in mind - on foot and horses! NIX aircrafts!   He concluded his journey around the world onboard a Norwegian ship; and from Bergen returning to Berlin. As usually, I also have compiled, from noticeable sections, a file named: KV 2/393 + 394.         I would like today to stretch my great concern: putting in enormous efforts in studying and preparing these new file series, though, cannot trace any sign of an acceptance (appreciation). Asking myself: why are you doing all these tremendous endeavours for?  Some of you may consider that communications is the main objective (core) of our Foundation and dedicated website. Quite some files clearly dealing with communications of German origin. But these new considerations are just reflecting what is driving me - and being considered of relevance too.    I suppose, in my perception, that one should be confronted with unknown (hidden) aspects of history, at least sometimes.   The intriguing fact, is, that what you get to notice: have never been made public before! Albeit, that I have to make selections, but can herewith focus (emphasise) on, in my understanding, relevant aspects of history.     We must be truly grateful, that the British National Archives has digitally copied - and is providing the KV 2/xxx file series, implying about 4000 file numbers. I possess currently > 37,000 page copies; have you ever worked yourself through such pile of page numbers; and storing most of its content within your "grey cells"?    Partially even transcribing them, where necessary, of course. These files being copied in a photographic manner; however, OCR being generally impossible; due to the quality of the materials.

•     2 July 2018:    Since 18th April, some months have been passed; please don’t consider that nothing has been accomplished in the meantime.   Recuperation takes time, though after six weeks we were allowed to drive a car again, consequently my sphere was widening.   Quite significant is Norbert Dotzel’s re-issue of Rudolf Staritz’s http://www.cdvandt.org/staritz.htm .   But also times for my reflections were found.   However, time has been spent on my historical commitments mainly. A file on Kraizizek covered in KV 2/2639 (neglecting KV 2/2638) being created, a spin-off KV KV 2/757 ff.   Before the files on von Salzmann and Mueller (Müller) KV 2/910 ff, and a most interesting on von Hentig KV 2/393 + 394; now downloadable!    It paints a German diplomat travelling form Berlin in 1915 towards the Middle East - via Persia (Iran) arriving in Kabul. After about 6 month he leaves Kabul passes via the Hindu-Kush via Turkmenistan to China and ending up in Shanghai and beyond. One cannot imagine how upset M.I.1 and M.I.5 once had been. One cans easily getting the idea that von Hentig counted only. Against all British efforts put on preventing von Hentig escaping from China he let onboard the s.s. Ecuador for San Francisco. What British services couldn’t believe, that after arriving in the US, this Country just declared War on Germany, that German diplomats forced the British and French services to guarantee von Hentig’s safe passage to Europe; in casu, onboard a Norwegian ship; landing at Bergen (1917). Von Hentig’s being acted on British S.I.S. as red-colour on a bull. Even at the end of their files ending in 1947, they returned to the book von Hentig had published in 1918! Joan Chenhalls, not the most simpatic person within M.I.5. - considered that von Hentig should never gain an influential occupation again. In vain, as so often, he became West Germany’s Ambassador in Djakarta, after Indonesia had gained its independence from The Netherlands, in late 1949. Please take your time to read (digesting) this most intriguing  story.     Our KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE named archive, and additional data content of genuine British files, covers now > 37,000 pages!  Last week I visited Rudolf Staritz and continued recording his aural stories; accumulating > 30 hours. He gave me a bundle of historical books, among it one dedicated to a most intriguing person named Waßmuß (Wassmuss).  He was one of the most interesting diplomats during the First World War in Persia and Afghanistan.  References on this person can be found in British files, but hardly serious information on this man.   

•     18 April 2018:    I have luckily survived a complicated Thorax operation in the meantime. Seemingly enough time to think matters over-and-over again; albeit that practice proved to be more resistive than had been hoped for. Only the last weekend I could find peace to listen again into my favourite radio station: The Deutschlandfunk (DLF); which I join following for more than half a century! On their literature program, this time dedicated on to the four Germans once member of the Preussischer Staatsrat (15th April 2018, program start 16.00).  It became apparent to me what the downside of German historians, in general, is.  Simply: they have to be historically more than correct (cannot raze every query necessary). And: the younger historians are often lacking first class understanding (links) onto their main subjects (those actually dealt with). Their apparent downside: they do not possess sound knowledge of the intense internal discussions once commenced during the actual days of the war.  This statement will, however, not meaning that everyone have had a clean background.    Though, in practice - internally, be it in family - or good-friend-circles - intense discussions have been once commenced!  There hardly will exist exceptions; even among the so-called hardliners. Think, in the latter respect, on the "second agenda" which Himmler actually possessed.    Another downside, nowadays, is, that foreign scientist (like historians)  hardly are possessing adequate skills to read German texts fluently, without considering dictionaries (or translation support). Germans are, generally, most exact people - and translation or recovery via dictionaries never can provide what the hidden meaning between the lines are! And, most clues are to be found just there!      Nevertheless, looking forward: my first aim is to continue with the Franz Mayr Case. So far with file reference KV 2/1483. I do not yet possess information on to what the actual subject will be dealt with. Being still in a recovery mode, after being released recently from hospital on Monday morning 16th.        

•     15 March 2018:    The intriguing Franz Mayr files constitute a pile of pages and accompanied huge bulk of information.    It is astonishing how much had been derived through close interrogations. We should consider - that such approach was not solely a British endeavour, tough almost all  secret services - everywhere - were accessing captured suspects in a comparable way. Problems? No service worldwide can prove that "they never have caused it". But one nation should not be compared with another entity. However, people engaged in espionage operations abroad, being at least informed what to expect after they have been caught.      However, the under-laying mood expressed within the Franz Mayr related files, is expressing an quite open vision, maybe, sometimes, a bit frustrated.    Albeit it has to be noticed: that seemingly, sometimes, the awareness is lacking - of being in an occupied country which they themselves have conquered, like was Iraq and Persia (Iran), and that accordingly their subjects are opposing to it.   In my perception, this was due to an inherent colonial-attitude.     Never mind, Franz Mayr left Germany in October 1940 and travelled via Russia, with whom, since 25th August 1939 up to 22nd June 1941, existed a friendship relation.   However, Mayr might have entered Persia (Iran) legally, because there existed a (friendly) German Embassy in Teheran (up to the Allied occupation of Persia and Iraq in August 1941).   Somewhere in a file was noticed, that Mayr found a job at the German Schenker transport (shipping) company; nowadays part of the Deutsche Bahn.  There he met his later "mistress" Lili Sanjari; by the way, she was born in London.   At some moment, he applied in Berlin, at the RSHA, for permission to merry her, which had been rejected on several grounds.     An interesting aspect of these file series is, up until my current point, its outstanding commitment keeping names and circumstances as accurate as possible (some names consequently being spelled incorrectly), which is really remarkable; and in great contrast to the common English file practice.   It has to be noticed though, that Brittan fought a war (or just had done so), whereas in Persia (Iran) the circumstances were quite relaxed; it has to be noticed, that they went deep into it - but about mid 1946 they had still not yet concluded the Mayr case.    However, the to Mayr related circumstances created quite often pleasant reading, sometimes even tending to become an intriguing novel.   I would first like to finish studying all files related and then ultimately digesting  Adrian O'Sullivan's book: Nazi Secret Warfare in Occupied Persia (Iran).    Thereafter we should decide whether Phil and I will go for a mutual endeavour on this rather amazingly broad subject.     Hence, rather many thousand pages laying ahead still!    Otherwise, I tend to prepare a paper on this sparkling subject.     Just a few hours before this agenda page should be brought onto the web, I came across a crucial letter on behalf of the normally  not so polite Mss J. Chenhalls; suggesting to take notice of Mayr in respect to Wasmuss (MI5) (quoting from KV 2/1480-1, page 18)(AOB, spelling incorrect it should be Wilhelm Waßmuß).       Nevertheless, pending is still a successive contribution on Lenin's (by Germany sponsored) passage from his Swiss exile towards St. Petersburg; not yet named Petrograd as some incorrectly do.     Hans Goulooze has promised to contribute onto this intriguing aspect.  His considered trajectory through Sweden heading north following the train track up to the Swedish-Finnish border (train) station (along the Baltic Sea) . Entering, after meticulous visitation, Finnish territory, by then - what still  was partly - ruled by Russians.    By the way, the Entente Powers refused to provide facilities to "Lenin's party" journey.  This very fact might be one of the grounds while after Lenin had forced a Peace Settlement with Germany (Peace of Brest-Litowsk), in early 1918, followed, in 1922, by the Rapallo Pact. Providing secret facilities for German military forces, lasting up to Hitler's being in office (early 1933).  Maybe also constituting the nucleus of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 25th August 1939. Again providing facilities for the Germans, finally blown by Hitler's stupid Barbarossa operations against Russia, on 22 June 1941.   I possess clearly a penchant for history as well as technology. The subject history, in our concern, possesses often an aspect of communication, hence, confirming the objectives of our: Foundation: Centre for German Communication and related Technologies; vóilà..                

•     1 March 2018:    So often in life, the course of my engagements has widened coincidently; being engaged in Müller's "Mammut" project in Iraq (1943), a new subject crossed my path: "Mayr". Albeit, that on the - file jackets - was printed: Mayer Franz, apparently a reconsidered notice.  We have entered German intelligence life in Persia. All goes back to a chain of events: Rudolf Staritz phoned me - that I should "unbedingt" consider O'Sullivan's book: Nazi Secret Warfare in Occupied Persia (Iran). The occupants weren't Germans, though the Allied forces, whom entered Persian territory in August 1941. But, be aware - that most Persians didn't agree to it (a state of War - followed by occupation).  The Allies major concern, of course, were the Persian oil fields and also the railway route (communications) through Iran, supplying Russia with American weapon supplies. Though, let us not forget that these imperialistic powers, for a long time in history, did not dare about Iran's (Persian's) integrity (sovereignty).  The endeavour on the German side, just to counter- and interrupt these matters.     However, Persians are a different specimen than the rest of the population in the Middle East.  This is mainly the reason why the German spies and sabotage personalities could, for so long, be kept hidden within Persian society; but on the other hand acting in the meantime more or less politically (think of conspiracy). However, before this reached my knowledge - I had to order this book. Via my favoured book dealer www.abebooks.de I obtained two samples from a British book supplier. Posting by Anglo-Saxon book sellers is mostly done by the slowest means possible; often I suppose a horse might manage it quicker. However, it arrived ultimately, albeit, that I was becoming quite desperate in the meantime.  One of the reasons to buy this book was that it contains an intriguing picture of a captured German SD spy set. Indeed, no one known has every seen it before. The RSHA Section VI had been always a bit mystical, and in particular the so-called Havel Institut, near to the Wannsee; where for some period (Sturmbannführer) Siepen was in charge.      But most significant - this book is based on Sullivan's dissertation; containing a very comprehensive reference list. Particularly my interest was caught by a wide range of KV 2/.. serials. I checked these against our quite extensive reference list. It proved that 26 file series need to be download.   Generating an additional ca. 4000 file pages; culminating up to a pile of about 34,000 (pages) currently. It is like the Ocean is becoming deeper every day! The KV 2/1477 series contained more photos of the mysterious SD transmitter. I instantly created for it: A most rare SD Spy set transmitter    A dilemma arose, on the one hand complains on the quality of provided communication gear was noticed within the KV files, but on the other hand quite a range of communication intercepts between Berlin(Prague), Istanbul and Teheran had been reproduced (among other lines). By the way, most interesting readings. Such kinds of intercepts had been accomplished on account of RSS. The actual interception situation in the Middle East is, for me, still a bit fuzzy.  Also the ISOS or ISK serials are indeed running a bit strange. The latter might point onto the application of different kinds of codes; not unlikely* because the SD (SS) had their more secure cipher techniques; whether used in conjunction with spying networks stays open.  But again, we should be grateful, time and again, for the fact that GB-NA has provided down-loadable file KV 2/... series. What also becomes apparent, is, the fact that very many Middle East PF files have been destroyed; maybe for practical reasons. That these once existed becomes clear due to the frequently attached (hand-written)  PF numbers on the various file pages. But whom in Britain would be interested in the faith of Middle East personalities, on the British public record office side?       Meanwhile, technically we encountered serious problems with the 35.2MHz quartz oscillator of the PSU0-B test set. It all worked well on the MLK lab bench, and did so when it had been implemented inside the PSU0-B test set. But at a sudden moment it refused to generate any longer. Back to the MLK lab, and switched on the Saunders Quartz parameter test set, R₁ = 40,3 Ohms.  What to do next? Why not using a transistor instead, as to reduce mechanical quartz loading? On stock we have BF494 and 495s. Not the most up-to-date types, but according specs it should do. First copying the circuitry finally adopted within the ECC 81 circuitry; thus in a Pierce concept. This didn't work. Next wiring it differently. Placing it like in a Colpitt - oscillator (parallel resonance), the resonant element between base and collector (in valve terms between [first] grid and anode). It proved also necessary to implement a kind of symmetrical arrangement between base and collector. In the collector (anode) the tuned element. As like within the Pierce circuit, the collector (like the anode by valves) needs a kind of reactive component. Consequently: not acquiring maximum oscillator signal output (where the tuned circuit responds ohmic) but tuning it at the slope of the resonance curve; and finding the point (sector) where the circuit starts-up oscillating in a reliable way. The usual series capacitor to the quartz has been omitted (the reason demands a too technical explanation). All works fine at a supplying voltage of, say, 8V with an accompanied 17 mA circuit current; consuming 136 mW.  The adopted oscillator circuit is quite basic. We first considered using in-between a buffer amplifier valve between the transistor oscillator - and the - mixer stage, of the regular valve type REN 904F. On the MLK lab bench this didn't work. Therefore, my idea, is, to use the already existing ECC 81 valve; mounted on top of an old REN 904 like Bakelite valve base. First looking next whether a single ECC 81 section will do; otherwise the second section will be taken into account as well. Both working then as an so-called a-periodic amplifier; in other words as a simple R/C based circuit.     The ECC 81 filament being fed from 6.3 V. Why not using the optional 12.6V supply facility? In this case it becomes quite simple to use this supply also for feeding the BF494 transistor stage, by means of a simple 7808 regulator. A later concern, is, how do we get a 12.6 V supply source mounted inside the PSU0-B housing? But, our main concern is, to create a reliable working test set. This is the reason why we have put so much efforts into this project.      Our choices are: possessing a genuine, but none demonstrable, test set, or "modifying" it.     Hans Goulooze has also put quite some efforts into this FuBl2 and EBl3F blind landing system reconstruction.     Various rumours on the PSU0-B or A test-sets were pointing on encountered troubles in respect to the 35.2 MHz oscillator operation. Therefore we may consider that its concept did frequently causing nuisances.    * Later, I came across in a Persian correspondence (KV 2/1478-2) that they actually used "transposition" code techniques, which are not considered to be secure. Today, 1st March, we have continued the Blindlanding test set project. A detailed report will, Deo volente, be made soon.              

•     9 February 2018:    After having expressed myself - in the foregoing paragraph (30 January 2018) - concerning my deeply bothering responsibilities, dealing with the fact of relying upon delicate sources of information (personalities, eventually, engaged in war-crimes) -  I restarted approaching the British files again.     By the way, maybe not yet noticed,  I have today changed the text-line-spacing of this "Agenda" page. Checking myself on another PC, which is using a far higher screen resolution, I found it quite annoying reading the condensed text lines. Therefore, I have changed its setting such - that line-spacing has become 1.5 instead of previously 1.   I hope some users may appreciate this move; albeit, knowing that Anglo-Saxons do understand the word "appreciation" differently than Continental Europeans do.     However, what is becoming apparent in our current document files, originating from wartime British Secret Services, is - what time consuming it once must have been getting a nearly full-proof understanding on what is going on the their opponent fields of action. They must have possessed a huge - carding system - holding everyone's names and particularities.  Interesting to notice, is, that in the 1950s quite many persons have been stamped: decarded, including the date of action. Implying that nearly all files concerned had to be went though again; for some even complete files series have been destroyed. Certainly implying many ten-thousands of working hours. I suppose, that someone once had been "decarded" because he had become engaged in post war services on friendly side. I think of German Services, whether secret, or regular, stays open.     Lucky for us, is, also the fact that quite often, when dealt with someone, that his concerned PF serial number had been later, manually, added.   Sad, some fields (areas) being greatly neglected (destroyed) and can no longer be traced in the British National Archives  index (like on Madame  Lacerda of Portugal, in the OSTRO case; I would love to see it).    On the other hand, still piles of files being, mostly unexpectedly, encountered. The consequence is, that on this day, I possess >26,000 genuine file pages (> 40 GB data); some even released in the later years of the first decade of this century. I must, however, admit that only 80 to 85 % have yet been digested. Most of the KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE files have been studied  4 à 5 times or beyond.   Nevertheless, quite astonishing, are the efforts put, on the German Abwehr side, on operations in the Middle East; even up to October-November 1944 and elsewhere beyond!      Like in Operation Salaam -Kondor (May-July 1942), they relied upon agents whom knew the areas of operation quite soundly; for instance - have been born or living in an area for a considerable period of time. Some speaking a language like natives, like did Eppler (Gafaar); Sandstede had lived in Tanzania before the war.     Working myself currently through a huge file-complex on a group of men whom had been parachuted in the vicinity of Mosul in Iraq about June 1943, among them a native Iraqi student named Ramzi.  I was quite astonished noticing that their spy-rig had been fit with a TM5a (Tretmax) a paddle-power supply; for their two SE 85/14  Nos 424 - 425 W/T sets.  But I was quite surprised to read that they also were equipped with an NS4; a GAF personal air-crew emergency transmitter. This provision, most likely, being meant as to allow an approaching aircraft to locate the point of transmission.   Which apparatus type quite recently have been dealt with on our website.    Interesting, the S.I.M.E (Secret Intelligence Middle East) investigator considered the wireless rigs quite negatively.  This Operation was called: Unternehmung Mammut, their counter station of communication was situated in Simferopol (Seehund) on the Crimea.  During interrogation they spoke about: Mammut Seehund communications.           

•     30 January 2018:    Being engaged in German wartime history, I felt again it necessary to formulate what essentials should be considered: AOB:     It has to be noticed, that currently we have to deal with the conversion of the German military Abwehr into the S.S. controlled Amt VI Mil. Amt.   The triggering event was the defection of the couple Vermehren to the British in Istanbul, on 7-8 February 1944.  Hitler responded (on 12 February) furiously and ordered:- that from-now-on the Abwehr should become headed by the R.S.H.A.   Admiral Canaris was instantly dismissed, and a merging period being initiated.    The big blow was the failed assassination attempt on Hitler, on 20 July 1944.  Because the Abwehr was heavily involved in this plot against Hitler, its leadership was liquidated.        Now considering my current ethic dilemma:  We encounter quite trustworthy statements. Though, some men have been, in a period of their lives, more or less, engaged in atrocities; or at least being responsible for it.  For whatever reasons, they (often) have become involved in so-called “Einsatz-Gruppen” in Russia.   Their doings have been well documented.  Though, my problem:- they constitute, quite often, the only reliable source of eyewitnesses information; in the fields we are currently dealing with. Astonishing, quite many of these men were in the possession of an University Degree and often received a PhD as well;  we have to bear this always in mind.      Which, by the way, being much easier - than to step-down at crucial moments in life; of which’s implications they might not have been aware of, when it actually occurred. Albeit, that the sphere in which it all happened - should have triggered deep moral considerations.  Ignorance? Are they the only ones to be blamed?     On the other hand, there were also (some) personalities concerned in this bleak environment, whom, for what ever circumstance, weren’t directly involved in crimes against humanity; for instance, Schellenberg and Wirsing; but they bore, nevertheless, responsibility.      Therefore:   our engagement - in unrevealing dark aspects of history - does still make sense.     What the foregoing considerations have to do with the objectives of our Foundation?   The common link being - that in someway-or-another wireless communications had been involved; which rather well being documented in my KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE Survey lecture.     The sources dealing with, are all provided by the British National Archives (formerly known as PRO).  Most documents have been made public during the course of the first decade of our current century.  Easy reading? No! What to think of our current status of  >> 25,000 file pages (>37 GB data)? To become acquainted with a particular subject, one have to study files several times again!   My admiration of these British files:- they contain also the internal memos and correspondence.  Do we need also accessing the US Archives? We may consider - not necessarily.  Because the US G-2 final reports (FIR) are also implemented within the British files; due to a mutual agreement.  And wireless intercepts originated from British RSS services, of which the US got copies.

•     8 January 2018:    The new year has started, at least for us, peacefully. Hans Goulooze's project is progressing quite steady. A new project has been initiated: Schwabenland brief repair survey. We are used to unexpected difficulties, like we encounter within this Survey as well.    However, the bulk of commitments are absorbed by my more than two-and-a-half years lasting KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE Survey project. I gave several presentations, in Germany (April), England (October) and for the Dutch SRS in Kootwijkerbroek, on 11 November 2017.   I have put a lot of efforts in getting advice how we - economically - can create a video presentation including sound (my voice). Responses were over the years negative. But my wife Karin came in touch with someone engaged in the photographers world. And he gave the final push into the right direction.   We purchased a program and a new world engendered!   By means of this program, it becomes quite easy to convert your PowerPoint presentation into an mp4 format video film; including sound and many more additional features. On Peter Eijlander's advice, I obtained at Staples a clip microphone first; and the next day - Sunday 24 December 2017 - I went for a first experimental approach.  Talking a bit slowly, taking time for explaining as much as possible background information. When finished, I was rather astonished that the KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE recording did last: two hours forty-seven minutes! I must admit, that towards the end I felt a bit tired. Even more astonishing, its data content is only 326 MB. About equalling your data amount used for your regular monthly PC updates.    In my foregoing reflection (agenda), I expressed my interest in:- whom in WW I Germany had been responsible for managing Lenin - in Exile in Switzerland - to let him reach Russia. Seldom before has had, in human history, a political decision so far reaching impact!  Therefore, I have created an additional (brief) webpage designated: Lenin's journey in 1917. On the web one can find rather elaborated historical summaries, like on Wikipedia.  Recently in discussion with Hans Goulooze - he told me that he just is reading a new biography on Lenin. I suggested: does it cover these aspects - how and by what means - Lenin could travel through Germany with an official backing? He answered yes it does, but quite scattered. On my reply - would it be possible to select these text sections and covering it within a combined (Word) summary? He promised to look after it; which he truly did. Please notice, that it is only a brief approach, but looking at it a bit differently than can be found on the web, commonly. Again: this latter subject has only come into being due to the fact of my personal curiosity.    Just before uploading new updates today, Theo Faber did send me a YouTube hyperlink: Promo Film on aspects of our Foundation as well as our Klooster Museum exhibition and commitments. When he left after our Nachtfee Seminar on 25 November last year, he expressed being a bit disappointed. However, for us his Promo-Film compilation is a great contribution!

•     Year 2017 ↓

•     11 December 2017:    Back home from Berlin, where I attended a meeting, held on 5th December, in the "Deutsches Spionage Museum" a very well equipped venue; worthwhile to be visited.  Were I luckily could meet people for the first time.     In the meantime working through a bulk of documents, in particular the file on Kleyenstueber, mainly covering his KO Spain involvements between mid 1944 up to May 1945 and sometime beyond (KV 2/1494); in it I encountered a PF reference on Olt. Kurt Wieland. This entirely new spectrum is very intriguing; it dealt with three agents (Officers, some with Middle-East and 'Mufti' backgrounds) dropped over Palestine, in October 1944!  But these quite extensive files, covering several volumes (together 415 pages) goes, occasionally, back to what occurred in 1941 and beyond.    In this context we possess a personal letter copy once written by (then) Maj. or Obstlt. i.G. Hansen, who visited the Middle-East incognito during this quite early era. Although, having went through the first 26 pages yet, though it clearly concerns a most enervating file series. As always, understanding is only comprehensively possible, when a broader appreciation of this era is at hand.  During my train trip, lasting twice about 5 ½ hours, I started reading Prof. Reinhard Dorries's book on Germany's last "Ausland/Abwehr" Chief Walther Schellenberg (occasionally in W/T traffic communications designated "Senior"). A rather intriguing and interesting personality. In Nürnberg a witness, and only convicted on two minor points in the Wilhelm-Strasse trails. Since 1940, he was already suffering from serious health problems.   My foregoing confrontations on 10th thousands of document pages, is creating a wide spectrum of understanding. Sometimes even possessing more comprehensive vision than has had the author; albeit, occasionally.  What also becomes clear, is, that studying files, is broadening the understanding of the various contexts.    We all know 'the evilness of Heinrich Himmler', but he occasionally agreed upon circumstances, in correlation to certain personalities, that these men have had very unexpected influences on the course of history.  For it, we must have some understanding of their social lives and behaviour.  Quoting from Dorries's page 80: From Himmler he received an increasing measure of understanding and to a certain extent support for his projects ... . However, we should not over - nor under-estimate - these circumstances.   This is one of the quite many contradictions found in the  - Third Reich - era.   Contradictions aren't found solely in this context, but, for example, also in Lenin's biography, as he himself did not originate from a 'proletarian' background.  Some days ago I had an interesting discussion with Hans Goulooze, on the intriguing context - that within German WW I Government someone once must have decided to arrange - that Lenin could leave his Swiss exile and was facilitated, by the Germans, to travel in a blinded train coupé to a train-ferry bringing him to Sweden. From where he reached Russian soil again.   The consequences - we all know - world's history has changed completely since. But who in Germany allowed (sanctioned) this crucial event?   Too often neglected, resulting in peace settlements with Russia in early 1918 (Peace of Brest-Litovsk); before the conclusion of hostilities in the West on 11 November 1918 (Armistice); which engendered the nucleolus of the Second World War. The Western Allies could not do anything against this - for them -  an unfavourable prospect.  Nevertheless, easing the secret 'Rapallo Pact' of 1922,  between Russia and Germany; as a consequence the German Foreign Minister Walter Rathenau had been murdered, quite shortly thereafter.  This secret agreement lasted up to the days Hitler took over power (1933). Consequently, among many trade dealings, the '100,000 Mann Heer' was allowed to have their own training ground facilities in the vast areas of Russia. Quite many names, trained there (secretly), will be encountered in WW II wartime military operations.  My query still: who was in charge of the origin of this crucial development? In other words, who initially has facilitated and sanctioned it?     

•     30 November 2017:    This month had been rather busy. First, continuing my research on KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE and fine tuning a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation for the SRS in Kootwijkerbroek, given on 11 November (lasting 1 hour and fifty minutes); and then concentrating on the Nachtfee Seminar scheduled for 25 November 2017. Sometimes all even being a bit mixed up. I got recently a most intriguing bunch of  new GB-NA documents, most of which reflecting the final days of the war. Among it, for the first time, a series dealing with genuine German language telex messages; of course, with the great support of my friend Phil Judkins. Time and again I become fascinated by files where one becomes extremely close to the concerning environment, in particular regarding personalities. For example, a file on Adm. Canaris, once head of the German Abwehr until 12 February 1944; showing everything where his name, including cover-names, appeared in wireless intercepts (May 1940 up to late 1944). Its veracity against reliable references is extremely good; Rudolf Staritz was really excited. Among it a mixed file, where accidently a mixture of 1942 RSS related considerations was dealt with as well. Particularly on Operation Salaam (Salam) and WIDO, where a German spy together with his wireless operator (Eppler = Gafar and Sandstede) were successfully brought, via a long trip trough the Sahara, into Cairo, mainly guided by the famous Hungarian Sahara explorer Hptm. (Rittmeister) Lazlo Almasy. The British knew rather much, but just missed some essential clues. Although, at some point they were aware that the Germans used occasionally the novel Rebecca, issued in Britain and obtained in Portugal; as a 'one-time-path' codebook!    Among the materials was also an RSS file on the latest Abwehr W/T communication in the war, even some up to two weeks after the end of hostilities, on 8^th May 1945.     When I evaluate my presentation on KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE, the subject might not have been everybody's piece of cake.   In my perception, however - one should sometimes be confronted with unique realities.  Fiddling around with radio (wireless) sets and not noticing the implications of what communications once have had on the World's history - particularly in regard to the 'time-and-again' told stories on Bletchley Park - is a contradiction. Being aware of the consequences of the existence of Bletchley Park's great contribution on behalf of Allied warfare, confronting ourselves with its genuine decrypts is a MUST!     The impressions left after the Nachtfee Seminar were quite challenging. They came particularly for our Nachtfee Seminar and this just makes the difference.    Has the KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE Survey now been concluded? No! There still is so much to go for, and there are so many open queries left - that I would, Deo volente, like to continue. Albeit, that the challenge will increase, because the type of documents looking for will be of a quite different nature.   From the available NA documents I know, although the collecting servants during the late 1940s, themselves might then not have been fully aware of the fact that unexpected German communication lines and media had been incorporated.    Triggered by Rudolf Staritz, who found in one of the documents a map of Abwehr communications, concerning, say, the Balkan area; a fact which we did not instantly have been aware of. Therefore I took up the challenge to extend it towards Western Europe and a tiny bit more eastwards. But for it I had to go through all RSS intercepts in our possession again. It took me more than a week comprehensive reading, implementing the gathered data onto the newly drawn map; also writing down all Abwehr W/T lines found. Deo volente, in due course, this map will appear on our website.   On  Tuesday 21^st I was invited to visit the restoration site of the 'Delen' Group. They have done a very great job, in restoring a FuG 65 (Riese) mechanically; which they have got on a long-term loan basis. Sad, however, the current splendid restoration location has to be cleared soon, because the Dutch Government has sold-off this property. Nevertheless, they really have done a great job!     

•     18 October 2017:    One month has just passed, and quite some has been accomplished in the meantime. The KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE presentation in the UK went very smooth. My friend Phil Judkins and I have put an enormous amount of effort in to this endeavour which took two-and-a-half years. Our presentation lasted about 1 hour and 53 minutes (continuously).    Until present > 22,000 official document pages have been digested, not counting the regular pile of literature (references) involved;  it is astonishing to realise how much can be kept stored within a human brain, particularly when growing older. What might help me, is, that being retired, the daily stress put on me is far less than formerly, Deo volente; because since far more time can be dedicated onto comprehensive commitments (studies). Particularly in regular occupation - in cases where a dead-line is frustrating human life - and flexibility is hardly an option!    Never mind, the question arises - is this undertaken now completed?  No!  First, the subject is too much of interest and by no means all queries have been answered, yet; even new ones were engendered.    For example, in the British (post war) message summaries on OSTRO we encounter one for  30.4.1945 and one dated 3.5.45. But what communication channels were by then still open between abroad, before Germany's unconditional surrender? About this time the Russians had taken Berlin entirely - as well as British Forces had captured Hamburg. Might there still have existed communication channels in Flensburg and/or Stuttgart or elsewhere? From Rudolf Staritz I noticed that Wohldorf (Ast-X) worked in the chaotic final days on two or three mobile wireless stations (truck or busses); whether this matured, even for a limited period of time, I cannot answer.  Another targeted subject:- is tracing Ostro's ominous message which had caused the XX-Committee (15.2.45) to discuss Ostro's liquidation for the second time, albeit also this time in vain, as "C" had decided, for logical reasons, against it, as not to endanger their Most Secret Source.    It is astonishing to notice how frustrated MI5 personal had become. They discussed openly that the next time they should by-pass the XX-Committee; and directly approaching General Eisenhower. This aspect comes to bear in the final days of the war and for more than a decade beyond in rather many cases!    From Obst. Hansen's family I got, most kindly, a copy of a letter written once from the Middle East, in May 1941. Where Hansen travelled - incognito - to: Turkey - Syria - Beirut - Mossul and Kirkuk and other places. Very interesting reading! Dr. Hansen (One of Obst. Hansen's suns) has sent me about two weeks a go a family booklet, a most appriciated present!  It provides a particular vision on their family history; reading it carefully, one can learn rather much on backgrounds.       Hans Goulooze is making good progress with his FuBl 2 - Ebl 3F blind-landing system.     Phil Judkins had obtained, at an auction held in June, a Lo6K39 and a NA6 power supply (KWE-a and LWE-a). This Lo6K36 has been lifted up manually (65 kg) with support of a very kind next-door-neighbour and being placed on top of a turning disk - such that it can be looked at it from all sides; its 'case' has been removed first together with the cover plate to the (vertical) coil turret (Exhibits-details-25).  I hope it can be operated when it is opened and/or even being turned around. I only fear - that nowadays the local signal-to-noise level might be rather high, caused by the applications of poor quality (inferior) switched power-supplies.    The Field telephones have been modified in a way, that I have increased the microphone battery voltage from 1.5 to 3 V (increasing the carbon microphone current); improving herewith their overall speech performance (sensitivity). Quite convenient when operating it in conjunction with the Tfb2 carrier telephony link; particularly when disturbing public noise being encountered.    

•     18 September 2017:    Since returning from our holidays in south-eastern Germany just 40 km north of Passau, two weeks ago, I have continued working on our mutual project on: KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE; three German intelligence networks which never have been grasped fully by British and US intelligence services. The bulk of traced materials is piling up passing >>21,000 document pages. Albeit, that also subjects have come to bear which aren't directly in the main focus; but are, nevertheless, essential for a comprehensive understanding (in the broad sense). Previously the lines followed - ran from Berlin on to the various K.O.s abroad. Now focussing attention onto what (partially) took place in Paris and Madrid. The British NA has copied most relevant German personal  - Abwehr related - files (KV 2/ series), but sadly, not yet, when ever, the KV 3/series. Sometimes annoying - the British files provide intriguing PF serial numbers which cannot be found in the British NA nor on the internet.   The KV 3/ series are of more organisational nature, albeit, sometimes, still connected on to particular persons. What becomes apparent, is, that going rather deep into personal files, that the internet, in many cases, no longer provides significant information. And if so, particular information is often rather meagre and often Wikipedia is aware of that and applies (sometimes) for additional information.  But possessing broader, maybe comprehensive information (understanding) - is this entitling me to contribute? I consider Not. Because, in my perception, one have to be far 'above' a subject.  We might dig rather deep into documents, but still - is this sufficient for contributing onto Wikipedia?     Rudolf Staritz suggested some weeks ago - why don't you write a Survey on OSTRO? Digesting his suggestion, I finally found that essential information is lacking.    In case of Obst. Georg Hansen (Leiter I) - I came in touch with the content of his integral diaries of 1943. Just this fact engenders a mood with which I compiled a 'Brief Survey', but so personal that I will not making it public, than to just those really concerned.  Unlike I was able to accomplish successfully in respect to - Hülsmeyer and Klaas Dijstra (Radio Malabar) - in both cases I came in touch with their direct relatives whom, most fortunate, were possessing personal archives.    However, Paul Georg Fidrmuc  (OSTRO) and his wife they have had no children (neglecting Mme De LaCerda's adopted daughter who sadly has passed away in Barcelona, in late 1945). On the other hand, I went thoroughly, many times, through Fidrmuc's files, getting a feeling as if looking inside this person, but it still isn't enough for a comprehensive publication, but a PowerPoint.  Albeit, that I might later change my mind; but then focussing on particular aspects only.  

•     26 August 2017:    Having been committed to the History of German Technology and some aspects of its environment, inevitably arises moments of reflection. Why we are doing it have been dealt with quite often before; but there is more to consider than reflections only.   For example, it becomes apparent, that when digesting key references seriously (like within the KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE Survey project) you might encounter contradictions - where you yourself know (far) more than the (actual) author.  It then might appear that summaries aren't entirely correct or, worse, sometimes even constituting pure nonsense.   Consequently, when facts of which you possess more expertise upon than possessed once the writer (author), who himself might closely have been committed - what should we then expect from the contents where you are not (directly) acquainted to?        Google possesses a quite deep vision on what is available on our website, but it proves, sadly, that they hardly are following what is being accomplished (currently operating ≈ 750 under laying web-pages).  On the one hand understandable - considering the overwhelming numbers of existing websites and other means that have to be monitored. Luckily, most matters added have been once, in some form, dealt with; thus essential links do, more or less, exist.    Of great help is their, on our index-page integrated,  "search window" particularly dedicated on to what is available on our website. I have been told, that Google generally focuses on the top text (phrases) of web-pages. But, from experience, we tend, for some time, to create some rather deep reaching web-pages, as to cover everything at once; preventing (confusing) divisions. The Mammut-Wassermann web-page is a good example, another example has become Nachtfee; which's Survey had previously been divided over >32 separate web-pages.   After having recently got copies of an US Naval document on Nachtfee of 26 October 1945 (thank you very much Diane!), I have decided to put matters right and have created an entirely new, though, rather extensive (bulky) web-page (I have been told that printed it covers 71 pages), as to counter their many annoying failures; as well as, explaining the entire system 'once again but differently'; albeit, still hypothetical is my perception of what the airborne system might have (once) constituted technically.  On the other hand, the understanding upon which principles Nachtfee really relied - has condensed in recent period; partly initiated after having  red these fuzzy US papers.  Those engaged in 1945, might not have been acquainted to the real technologies on which Nachtfee was based upon. I suppose, therefore, that in US Naval vision (scope) - signal coherence wasn't yet dealt with;  as weren't the "domains of time" (phase domain). These three latter aspects constituted just the 'backbone' whereupon Nachtfee's technique was based.    Therefore, I gave this contribution a quite offensive title Nachtfee a Confrontation (Eine Auseinandersetzung).     In exchange for Diane's copies, I have copied our KTB Chef-TLR file entirely (175 pages, 47 MB); which I previously did omit.  Instead I once have transcribed most, including my additional comments; as to make it digitally searchable.   After allowing Diane to explore the content of this unique document first, she gave me, a few days ago, free hand to attach the genuine KTB Chef TLR version.     However, as to take some distance to modern wartime (1939-1945) related subjects - I have started rereading again: Europe's Tragedy, A history of the Thirty Years War, by Prof. Peter H. Wilson.  Most of you will not know that quite many problems confronted with in the 19th and 20th century found its origin in those days!  Considering it in percentage of the number of people living on earth (1618-1648) the human losses and the devastations caused were heavier (severer) than those encountered within the entire Second World War! Considering Europe: what do you think of:  30 million deaths?

•     4 August 2017:    Having laid a huge "egg" on Nachtfee recently, time has come to let you have a more comprehensive explanation (vision) on what drove me to this boost of energy.   Someone, most kindly, managed to provide some pages of a US 1945 report. This paper has made me rather angry about the way it once had been accomplished. More irritating, however, their apparent lack of understanding of what German technology is about. They used expressions and descriptions nearly entirely beside the true technical facts. Apparently, they haven't possessed the sound "knowledge or understanding" of, for example, coherent versus none-coherent signals; and mixing up, incorrectly, Freya with EGON; maybe more apparent: their lack of understanding of the implications of "domains of time" (phase domain). These annoying deficits forced me to explain Nachtfee again. But this time considered: Nachtfee a Confrontation (eine Auseinandersetzung); I was told, just recently, that it consists of about 71 printed pages. My main drive: to explain all comprehensive and didactically different - in a "once and forever" fashion.     I also dedicated time to prepare my PowerPoint presentation for our Nachtfee Seminar, scheduled for 25 November 2017.    Summertime is the only period in the year where comprehensive studies can be digested seriously.   On advice of my good friend Rudolf Staritz, I have digested Marx's Das Kapital, I could obtain it - in the second edition of 1872 issued in London, in old German language; but printed in roman. I must admit, it isn't easy reading, luckily the language isn't hampering at all. Did it make sense? Yes, it did indeed, maybe not in the perception of what bore Marx once in mind; but some still being rather opportune in our days.    Rudolf Staritz suggested next to read: "Untergang des Abendlandes", by Spengler.     My second comprehensive subject: Sukarno 1901 - 1950 (Giebels); the proceeding book 1950-1970 I have already read for, at least, four à five times. I have to admit: having also a penchant for Indonesian history; as we visited this country 15 times (staying there about two years all together).       Nevertheless, being committed to fields of historical technology, it is important to reflect why are you doing it, and what are the benefits to future generations?      My general approach is explaining the historical context of technology - as well as expressing as to how-and-why it does so.    But history, whether technical or not, necessitates a broader explanation of its actual context and beyond.   For example, without broader knowledge of the Indonesian independency struggle and the accompanied Dutch colonial past, you cannot understand the implications in which it once took place.    However, my personal impetus is also driving me in the directions described before.   I nevertheless, feel an inner stress, between my intellectual thoughts, but also explaining what I know about matters and passing-this-on to others who 'do not know'.    Another, in my perception, significant parameter, is the rapidity in which technology changes. Students, nowadays, hardly possess an idea of what analogue techniques once was about. We may presume, that within one or two decades, most of the (current) understanding has been lost; most likely - nearly entirely. Therefore, I exploit my Confrontation chapters - as to explain, most exhaustingly, what Nachtfee was about.    Deo volente, proceeded by a comprehensive contribution, in Swindon (UK) in October, on: KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE. Besides Nachtfee, one of the most intriguing subjects confronted with in my life.  

•     4 July 2017:   Some time has passed since my last reflection.    Quite some progress have been made in our Museum exhibition and related surveys: the Tfb2 carrier telephony system is operating finally as we have hoped for; and we are trying since to implement as much as telephone apparatus available into the system. However, I would like to implement in between the two Tfb2 stations a cable-simulation unit.  Such box allows, at will, the simulation of cable parameters; for instance, simulating a quite long cable link with according signal damping. Our handicap: we don't have such a device.     It proofed, however, that quite many wires between the field-telephone-unit and the hand-held-device are faulty and need therefore replacement. These kind of cables are using rather uncommon wire types (wire insulation might be cotton or pvc). The copper like conducting-wires cannot be soldered but have to be fit within clamping contacts.        Hans Goulooze has made great progress with his EBL 3F and FuBL2 project. The EBL 3F operates quite well in combination with its remote control FBG2. Also the EBL2 has been brought to operate again after a lull of some 75 years.      One aspect is bothering me, as well as my wife Karin, that is that Phil's wife Pam is suffering health problems. Consequently, Phil wasn't able therefore visiting us for working on our mutual presentation, Deo volente, to be held on 13 October 2017, in Swindon.    Nevertheless, I took the opportunity to work on a brief Survey on Obst. Hansen and some of his Abwehr activities, the latter was murdered by the Nazis after the assassination attempt on Hitler, on 20 July 1944.  Major/Oberstleutnant  Kuebart the person more relevant to our KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE project, but being, for most of the time, a subordinate to Obst. Hansen; the latter was "Leiter I". I therefore have typed-over all relevant text sections of KV 2/410; and combined it with some genuine significant text passages (selected screen dumps).  You may understand that such an endeavour is rather time consuming; because OCR is hardly possible due to the poor quality of the file copies. Nevertheless, such an approach has also a great advantage, as doing it this way, the incorporated facts being optimally stored within my grey cells.  But it has become intriguing, because we get inside views from two different sources of information (simultaneously).    Last week I visited my friend Rudolf Staritz in Bamberg again.  Some months ago Rudolf Staritz had sent me a postcard in which he told me that he isn't in, and will be so for the next week too. Then he expressed in a cryptic manner in which he noticed: ... Ast-X ... files; actually KV 3/204 is called KdM Hamburg. But what intrigues me is Ast-X - luckily I understood its meaning. Who nowadays knows where it once has stood for?    I realised that he discussed with me these kinds of historical details, but with whom can I share such lovely information after Rudolf Staritz has passed away? His age currently is 95!  For us he was then the last remaining Abwehr operator we know (non of his former colleagues are still alive).    Wim Witt (PA 0 WDW) has very kindly made an animation drawing of the Nachtfee operational area. The summer time might be a good opportunity for starting up preparations for our scheduled Nachtfee seminar on 25 November 2017 to be held in our Museum. I would like, Deo volente, to present two lectures, accompanied with demonstrations.    Nevertheless, most of my time I have dedicated onto our intriguing KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEPHINE Survey project, but would also like to add some new subjects onto our Website.      I have received recently (thank you Diane!),  hardly known document copies from a US Naval Research group for Europe on Nachtfee, issue date 26 October 1945. It has to be noticed though, that these naval guys weren't aquatinted with the implications of the "domains of time" whilst they spoke of frequency deviations. Nor they might have understood  the implications of signal coherence versus non-coherence (maybe they even haven't thought about these kind of implications). I my perception, they weren't interested at all!  What to think of: that they have got from Europe a schematic on blue-print, but this was no longer available? Please notice: Germany surrendered on 5 - 8 May 1945 and this report was issued on 26 October 1945!    

•     25 May 2017:    Quite some time time has passed since my previous contribution. Building up my PowerPoint presentation demanded nearly all of my time. What became apparent, is that although, being over loaded with information gathered from the >> 19,500 document pages, accumulated over the last two years, of which some have been re-considered four to five times, that still the flexibility of my memory allows me to reproduce most without delay; Deo volente, of course. After having created a kind of presentation frame the quite painful skipping-of-slides process started.     After a quite difficult file search via the GB-NA (KEW) website, I traced a file reference of which I expected that this might lead us to the origin of OSTRO's ominous telegram sent on 1st June 1944. It proved, however, that it apparently was second of June 1944. This series revealed the OSTRO file so desperately wanted. But, we were astonished to find at the entry of this file an attached white paper memo on behalf of PM Margret Thatcher's office, looking particularly just for this OSTRO intercept , but dating back to February 1986!     My first extensive presentation had been scheduled for 29 April in Trasserheide Germany. Although, all went rather smoothly no queries were raised. They might have been overwhelmed after the just over one-and-a-half hour lasting presentation. Maybe they aren't that much interested in historical aspects, how unique these may be. I suppose their main horizon lays in collecting radio related stuff. It nevertheless was a good experience, forcing me at least to reconsider my presentation. A few slides, beside the foregoing noticed three, drawing attention onto the field of interception of German communications generally should be added. Albeit, that 98% of the slide sequence will remain for future presentations; skipping or adding some depending upon the kind of expected audience.        

•     25 March 2017:    In the meantime since my foregoing reflections, quite some exciting moments have been experienced. Of course, the KLATT-OSTRO-JOSEOHINE project progressed better than one could ever imagine; we may consider that now about 19,000 pages copies have been digested! The point has reached where the entire project is actually full fit into my brains. A PowerPoint presentation has been prepared which consists currently of 119 slides. This may be acceptable for my 'Peenemünde' talk in late April, but exceeds what is allowed for my Reform Club contribution, on 12 May. For it, Phil will come over, so that a quite slim version can be composed. Among the new materials recently got from Phil, is a range of RSS (Radio Security Service) files in the HW series. Providing genuine (albeit translated) messages; reading these through, one comes so near to history as possible. Some messages have been showed to Rudolf Staritz (now enjoying an age of 95), once an Abwehr W/T operator  in the station Stansdorf and also in Hitler's HQ in the Ukraine ("Irene" in Schloss Worowoniza) in 1942. He still can vividly remember some of the call-signs once used, for example between Berlin and KLATT's W/T station in Sofia; but also between "Irene" - Sofia. Also totally unexpected harsh operational comments; of which Staritz told me, that such kind of message-exchange were strictly prohibited.     Hans Goulooze is successfully working on getting our FuBl 3F operational again. The device once bought in Germany proved to have been owned by a formerly French friend. It was, however, necessary to buy on EBay the motor-tuning section as well as the accompanied FBG2 again. These sections interact now accordingly. A web report will follow in due course.     The Tfb 2 project is progressing rather well, on Thursday the power supply has been measured and unexpected good parameters being encountered; incorporating three YouTube films.   

•     1 February 2017:    Quite some time has been passed since my last reflection. The extra Secret Communications 2 event was held on 14 January 2017, which was again a great success; we counted that very day 129 visitors; bear in mind, that a great deal arrive shortly after 10 'o clock and leaving when I closed the door about 6 PM. Adding the numbers of special guests who visited the exhibition outside the regular hours, we counted about 600 guests; for us an  unprecedented figure!     A wide range of photos series can be found on our website.     Since two weeks the Crypto exhibits have been moved to Eindhoven again; and we have started with re-arranging the exhibition; with the support of Wouter Elzinga and Hans Goulooze. Of course, most devices will return at their usual places, because these have proved to be optimal; but our aim is also putting some apparatus on display which haven't been showed for some time, though, also displaying items or systems which never before have been put on display.  As so often - when I cannot sleep - all went through my mind again and suddenly a new idea popped up: why not demonstrating an operational 'field carrier telephony' system? For it I would like to build up two Tfb 2 units constituting a 'carrier telephone link' system (station A and B). One channel being the regular DC (NF) link, the second channel being carrier controlled; hence a wire pair conveying two different, non interfering, voice channels. These (Siemens) systems are designed quite ingenious. Only for your understanding what it is about, imagine:- post A is transmitting USB towards post B; whilst post B sends in LSB towards post A. The carrier oscillators are also functioning as synchronous carriers for the according ring-modulators, where at the output a sound LF signal will result.  So far only the two cases have been placed on the table, quite next to one another; one regular in its case, the second one placed open on a rotatable disk.  My idea, is, we mount a FF 33 (field)telephone next to the Hütte Peiler set up. A cable connection should run towards the Tfb 2 unit (say, A). From the other unit (unit B) we would like to pick up the signal, including the 'bell signals'. These signals might be send towards a so-called 'Klappenschrank' (field exchange) and from there to other telephones at choice. Maybe even a regular outside telephone-dial-interconnection is possible. We are looking for someone who is willing to assist us in our new endeavour.   Also a new project is, Deo volente, due to come; namely implementing an EBL 2 and accompanied EBL 3F with its remote controlled channel-selector (FBG 2).  Maybe Hans Goulooze will assist us in this project. My aim is to control the "Funkblindlande-Anlage" (blind-landing gear) from the genuine Siebel 204 'Funktisch'. The various test signals being generated by means of the 'PSU-0 B' apparatus; constituting an artificial beacon source.         However, not everything is (personally) running great, as last Saturday 28 January (2017), was, in my perception, a quite bleak day; because at the SRS AGM a big row in the board of the 'Surplus Radio Society' causing a dead-lock (the chairman has, and likely others have- or will, in due course, step-down).  Sad, because I consider it worth of getting a new elected board, as soon as possible; though without a SRS Bulletin this hardly will work out accordingly.     Nevertheless, my KLATT - OSTRO project, by pure coincidence, got an enormous boost.  As so often in my life, owing to pure coincidence (is it really pure?), the already huge project is merely exploding.   The reason is curious: On Monday morning I join in the gym a group lesson (body shape); a new female teacher being introduced. I discovered that she originates from Portugal. You might remember, that OSTRO operated in Lisbon. Wouldn't it be a nice idea getting some photos of buildings and/or houses which once had been linked with OSTRO's history? But for such an endeavour you need exact address data. My dbase didn't provide it accurately, so a new document approach should be undertaken.   In KV 2/197 M.I.5 servants discussed the possibility "whether it would be possible to turn around (Doubled Cross) Josephine and Hektor?" We know now that this consideration was impossible, but M.I.5. wasn't aware of it!  One of the documents consisted of a small card-sheet containing various data; among it a 'PF' number which I didn't recognise. Having all the time the British National Archives website on one of my computer screens instantly accessible, I entered the PF reference and got 14 hits all with successive KV 2/ ... numbers and all carrying the same title; resulting in a bunch of 2548 document pages (1.26 GB PDF data)!  All being downloaded and printed.  Their implications are striking, as it deals with a German intelligence organisation in Stockholm, including contacts with the Japanese military attaché ONODERA, vice verse; but far more interactions existed too. Such as Hungarian Intelligence links within the Iberian Peninsula sending intelligence information, via-via, towards Sweden! The pile of the documents pages dealt with have passed since >> 15,000; not counting the accompanied literature.  Therefore Phil and I have decided to adapt our working title in: KLATT - OSTRO - JOSEPHINE.    Also a Seminar has been scheduled for 25^th November 2017 on Nachtfee; giving demonstrations and two lectures, Deo volente, of course. Wim Witt, PA 0 WDW, has been so kind to design a nice pencil-drawing, which allows me to create a kind of animation strip, where we can follow the many implications of signalling in the "domain of time" in conjunction to an moving (displacing) aircraft.           

•     Year 2016 ↓

•     12 December 2016:    Our first three Secret Communications 2 days have been successfully accomplished. It worked all out far better than one can dream of! On 12 November 2016 we counted 114 visitors. The second day held on 19 November, 100 guest were coming along. However, on 3rd December, we hosted 194 visitors! Both on 12 November and on 3 December Tatjana Joëlle van Vark gave her magnificent demonstrations. For it we decided, Deo volente, to implement an additional 'open day' to be held on 14 January 2017. It has to be noticed though, that Tatjana will not be present on the 14th; because this would be too much exhausting for her.    During the many discussions, I realised that there still exists great interest in Nachtfee.  I have, Deo volente, decided to focus on a special Nachtfee day with two lectures (one in the late morning, the second in the afternoon), somewhere in November 2017.    In a discussion with Peter van Kats, he suggested that I should contact Wim Witt (PA 0 WDW), because he is a gifted 'tekenaar' sadly in my dictionary they do not provide just the right word for it: designer, no!   However, within a few days he painted just the illustration I am so desperately looking for. This drawing will form the base of my new explanation approach.  The main difficulty with the Nachtfee concept, is, to explain to laymen, what happens within 'the domain of time' when the to be transmitted data concerns a 'single' signal phase-shift whilst the 'to be commanded' aircraft moves in space at the same time as well; constituting (causing) by itself already a continuously progressing phase-shift.     As already have been dealt with, is my KLATT/OSTRO survey. My first challenge, Deo volente, is in April next year (Germany); where I should give a full hour or more talk on my KLATT-OSTRO research. Followed secondly, on 12 May in London, where I should deal with the same subject; but have to alter my approach slightly because of the audience. Finally, a dual presentation in England with my good friend Phil Judkins. However, the number of document pages to cope with have reached far beyond 10,000! Please open this photo-link, as to see what currently is still to be done, please realise - that the main bulk have already been dealt with. It has to be stored in a dual way, first in our huge dbase (accessible on the web as well, albeit it with some delay), secondly in someway or another being 'converted' into my data-word-file, which is already 185 pages deep. For it I have often to transcribe text passages when these, in my perception, contain essential information. The future advantage, is, that since it is possible to simply select and paste it into another document; or tracing keywords by simply using the search option. However, all is most time consuming; though also utmost tantalising, indeed.     

•     4 October 2016:    Quite some time have passed since my last agenda/reflection considerations.    Work on the KLATT-Ostro proceeded successfully and an additional 6000 new pages have been downloaded (and printed) from The British National Archives.    Haven't we reached the end of the line? Apparently not yet. Most interesting sources have come to light.    I must admit, this only works effectively as long as one possesses a great deal of sound memory. Otherwise, names of Abwehr members will not let ringing bells. But also some amount of luck being engaged as well.     We found briefly original interrogation files on: Trautmann I i Hbg, Huntermann (England- Nordpolspiel), Lindemans (King-Kong), Kuebart once Leiter I H West succeeded by Mil. Amt B Leiter as well as being a key figure in the capture of Johann Jebsen (Jonny and Artist), Dr. Schreiber of KOP, Brandes's files, which were, in my perception, judged incorrectly by MI 5; failing was Jebsen himself, KLATT-Moritz complex, Turkul, Ritter (Dr. Rantzau) a bunch of files, and very many more documents. Quite some do change my understanding of these complex days. Various books being obtained as well.     I consider this has become a lifetime project. Very interesting it becomes - when one interrogation report confirms the content of another file; actually proving that both were telling the truth.

•     18 July 2016:    Rather busy times have been passed recently, actually it is still continuing.    Phil Judkins and I are both heavily engaged in a future project on very curious espionage matters (title not yet been settled), hardly known yet to the general public and even beyond. Why 'not yet'? Because these facts have never been fully unravelled by British I.S. Services (among it M.I.5 and M.I.6).  Although, British I.S. could read almost all German W/T messages from say late 1941 and early 1942 onwards. Bletchley Park did an enormous successful and most significant job! Rightly designated "Most Secret Source". And - most secret it indeed was! The downside, was, that it was very delicate with whom the knowledge could be shared.     However, they could read German W/T traffic on daily bases (but apparently it took some days before the translated decrypts reached the applicants), the German sources were not always clear to determine. Two persons were so much intriguing - that British I.S have been bothering with their many implications for decades after the war. I suppose - that mentioning their "nom-de-guerre" Klatt and Ostro will still even the dead wake-up in real panic; albeit, that, in post-war days, for their own sake they have 'constructed' some hypothetical solutions. Sadly, these being copied without critical notes and/or objections, since! But, saying it frankly - they never could bring the 100 % proof!     Very fortunate - the British National Archives provides now most of these genuine documents; many being kept in the HW .. and KV ... series. During wartime days these were classified "Top Secret" or "Tsec U" or that like!    Phil came over for a couple of days in last May discussing the route of our mutual endeavour. We are aiming for a very comprehensive presentation in Autumn 2017.     It all started with a few pages copied from a comparable file, this time about German wartime intelligence communications with outside Europe (eDEN April 2015.); I was instantly so tantalised that I copied the according pages and did send them to my old friend Rudolf Staritz (then 93 years old and luckily in the possession of a very smart brain still). A few weeks later I visited him in Bamberg and asked him whether he liked it (of course, he did). He asked me: do you know what MAX was? I had to admit that I had not the slightest idea. He then briefly explained that it concerned a German intelligence network, headed by a private person called KLATT*, an Austrian-Jew; his real name was Richard Kauder. His network dealt with both Russian strategic intelligence, known as "Max" and "Moritz" (neglecting some minor networks); the latter dealing with information around the eastern Mediterranean theatre, just the area controlled by British S.I.M.E.     The British R.S.S. services monitored German W/T communications extensively around the clock. We should consider, that not all could have been intercepted from Britain, but that for practical reasons they must at least have maintained intercept facilities in Egypt.     However, from late 1941 onwards, they could read KLATT's communications from the "I Luft Meldekopf KLATT" Sofia (Bulgaria), also known as: "Dienststelle Klatt". They recognised that information was being dealt with of a most high (delicate) value. Their first opinion was oh: this surely must concerns a Russian Double Cross game; but it continued to flow. In the course of 1942, some unrest was arising, because the messages flowed vividly further. Verifications with what was resulting of the forecasted German Max messages - its high degree of validity could be proved. A dilemma arose, how to inform the Russians, without exposing (revealing) Britain's utmost valuable "Most Secret Sources"? This dragged on for quite a while.    However, about autumn (2015) Phil provided some quite extensive files containing series of W/T messages concerning the KLATT network ending abruptly on 12 February 1945. One cannot imagine what happens with you jumping into a pool of say 4 years of lively communications, between KLATT and the daily concerns of the people (agents) engaged v.v. Among the materials were also interrogations of a Double Cross spy:  Andre Gross alias Gyorgy, the latter's name was used on the British S.I.M.E. side.     However, last May Phil approached the NA via the web from my study room. He entered the keyword: Abwehr - resulting in a series of just over 1,400 hits.         I must admit, that, because interested in these kind of subjects since 1963, roughly 10% was more or less familiar to me, not in great detail but the personalities and/or codenames involved! We downloaded a bunch of about 5300 pages! Some of which I am re-reading (currently) in great detail and making all sorts of notes and yellow markings; previously having stored some keywords in our huge dbase! Among it were also files concerning Paul Georg Fidrmuc alias Ostro. All my attention was raised by reading "Top Secret" considerations of the British "XX Committee"; dealing with plans to 'assassinate' Ostro in Portugal, because he rightly predicted a few days before the actual execution over 'Operation Overlord', the area and the about time schedule in late May 1944! In London all alarm bells rang, most understandingly! It will take me still several weeks before all the content of KV 2/196 up to KV 2/201 comprehensively can be re-digested (absorbed). For someone not being acquainted with German systems, the stuff can hardly be fruitful!     We should also remember:- that British I.S. wrongly believed that they had been unbeaten during WW II. But, we all know well now the embarrassing 'Cambridge five guys'. Consequently, among it Philby's and Blunt's names will be quite often encountered in the many files concerned. What M.I 5 and M.I. 6 found difficult to deal with was after all in vain, because Kim Philby and Blunt kept Russian Secret Services well informed on what was going on at the British S.I.S. side; a real disaster (blamage)!     What to think of KLATT's file, he sadly died in 1953 (after suffering several strokes, also being very poor indeed), but his file was being accessed still in 2003, after he was already 50 years dead! (he is no exception!) Do not wonder, that quite some pages still being kept blank with very briefly informing that all is according a Public law act of 1958 (dated 2004 or this like); not a few number of pages, but quite some will be encountered.     By the way, both Richard Kauder and Fidrmuc were private persons; albeit, that Klatt was running a real  (military) Abwehr branch.     What is our main aim? To deal this time with an entirely new environment, where there was no real glamour afterwards but severe struggle. We do not pretend to unravel the final truth, but revealing some unknown implications (aspects) only, always accompanying the context of history.     Bearing always in mind, that the wartime days were most bleak and full of sufferings.     We today are viewing the courses of history through peep-holes; the broad understanding about these bleak times, can therefore hardly be reproduced.     Maybe, some of you may raise the question: what has all this to do with:- German Communication and related Technology? Simply - the whole is about 'wireless communications'; without it - Bletchley Park would only constitute today a place on a map, nothing else!      However, quoting from a previous notation:    In many respect, we are coming so near to this intriguing subject - that we virtually have become part of it; albeit, far away from those gloomy bleak times, sitting on a comfortable couch or desk chair.    * Staritz told me, that just a few weeks ago a most comprehensive study has been published on KLATT (March 2015), by Dr Winfried Meyer (1225 text pages omitting the references; in German language) accompanied by countless scientific 'real' foot notes. Consequently, I instantly ordered two book copies, one for Phil and one for me. For historians and those interested in a very comprehensive survey, please start your approach with: ISBN:  978-3-86331-201-5

•     16 March 2016:    Quite exciting days have passed since my previous contribution to this webpage.    First, I received an e-mail from an American collector/HAM who did possess a unit belonging to the former Berlin FuG 224 radar system. I was immediately tantalized seeing this utmost rare device. Which I thought would never appear in my foreseeable life. But apparently I was wrong. After negotiations and a quite demanding packing and transportation all went well and about 23^rd February 2016, I could pick up the crate in Eindhoven. My excitement can only be felt by those in equal position. Holding in my hands matters which was thought being impossible to obtain; since the building up process and explaining the various aspects on the web.    Another rather shocking experience is encountered recently. I had a quite good friend, who passed away late last year sadly, I knew him since about 1971. Over, say, 45 years he was able to build-up a rather impressive collection of artefacts. Maybe not built-up around systems, though very good quality devices have been gathered within his collection. With a great sense for patience and vision he obtained nice - and often rare apparatus. So far so good. He passed away, but his deteriorating health and suffering life lasted still for quite many years.     However, I recently discovered, that his entire collection had been sold to an unknown entity. Two weeks ago I discussed with my friend Luca Fusari general matters, and he proudly mentioned that he recently obtained a Main or Wupper receiver from The Netherlands. Price quite reasonable; although, it had not yet arrived in Italy. Wow, buying a Main or Wupper from Holland? There aren't many samples around worldwide. For me the only plausible possibility was - it should once have belonged to Y. X's collection. He gave me a quite obscure URL, which I never heard of before. Then I spoke to some else, who also had discovered this obscure address when searching on the web for German communication apparatus.    What bothers me really most, is - that someone collects with great dedication for most of his life, with exceptional results; and that one passes away and his hole dedication being lost within a few month time.   He is to blame first, because when time still permitted - he apparently refused to decide upon what should be done with it.    In comparable cases, sometimes a matter of revenge being involved, because they never appreciated what the victim bore really in mind.  I will not say that this was the objective here, but the usefulness of collecting successfully with great strategy, vision and passion is being lost, for pecunia only.       That is why my wife and myself have established our Foundation in 1994.. We will and cannot foresee what the future might bring, but decisions should be careful taken; in other words - taking off short-term pressure. What the future might bring on the long run is another matter. This aspect bothers me every day, and I must admit - that I don't have found an answer, yet.   I do also realise, that this should be the concern of all serious collectors.      There are in fact two major kinds of collectors in the world. Those with an egoistic attitude, and on the other side of the spectrum, those open to the public or at least doing something with their collection. The latter group I can live with, the first group I cannot accept. My late friend was quite open to others and shared often his findings. Life experience taught me - that the non-egoistic humans will not be encountered too often.    Amen.            

•     3 January 2016:    The year 2015 was a rather successful year for us, albeit, that not every project progressed like was expected; in particular our Magnetophon project. May we bring this intriguing project finally to a good end, or, at least, progressing well.    Our Open Day event held on 21 November was very well attended and we counted 45 visitors. I was very pleased, that the chairman of the SRS did gave me a 'life long membership' with one obligation: I should continue the way we are doing. For me a most wonderful gift.    After some hesitation I could finally find the drive to start building our Rubidium frequency standard to a working system. Nachtfee is working again but now at will controlled by means of a Rb-frequency standard. When this is being used as signal source only minimal temperature drift within the delay-line goniometers (Selsyns or Drehfeldgeber). Never encountered before - an 'Order' or Command signal staying without drifting away!     Yesterday 2nd January 2016, I attended a funeral of Cas Caspers (PA 0 CSC), an old collectors friend since about 1971/72. Time passes too fast and we should always bear in mind that one should prevent for wasting or spoiling time. Tomorrow 4th January I would like to initiate a final test series in conjunction to Nachtfee. This time replacing temporarily our Rb-frequency standard against a PM 5193 synthesizer. In this case, we would have on both system-sides similar frequency sources (ground and simulated aircraft). I would like to investigate whether Nachtfee could have been successfully operated with stability factors of 10^-8 on either side (ground console versus aircraft system).    Quite disappointing, for me, is the fact that our Wassermann Survey has to be stopped due to lack of sufficient documentation on the interconnections between the P-Gerät and the rest of a Freya LZ apparatus. Schematics we possess, but these cover the electronics inside the P-Gerät, but to understand what circuitries are about, I have to understand where else it once have been interconnected with. The available cable-plan covers only wiring between two junction boxes, but there must have existed other cable plans as well.  

•     Year 2015 ↓          

•     10 November 2015:   Quite some time have been passed since - and I have been able to continue working on the Mammut, Wassermann and Seeburg Tisch. The Mammut Survey designated Compulsive Hoarding and - Eine Entdeckungsreise (Adventure) - might have reached a conclusion. What might be yet an option is getting done X-Rays of our Stichleitung device. This tuneable stub has been measured in Marc Simons' lab. on a HP Network analyser. The results being shown in a series of .png plots. This unique approach is making public what once had been achieved.    The Wassermann Survey, once started with the feeling that - as far as we came in our Mammut Survey - I would not be able to come. However, without laying every aspect on a 'gold balance' in depth - we have come rather far, nonetheless.    Seeburg table or Tisch is a far more limit endeavour. I have tried to combine side-knowledge with transcriptions - some in great detail.    On Saturday 21 November we are, Deo volente, having an 'Open museum day' for the public. A reason hesitating for an Open Day, was - that we should show really new items and/or apparatus. In the afternoon of the 21^st I, Deo volente, would like to give a PowerPoint presentation on both - my Mammut- and Wasserman Adventure.    It is now about two years since that we facilitated a broader open exhibition. Another reason for hesitation was that in 2013 we have provided quite many 'open days'. Of which 'Secret Communications' was a most successful project.    I would like, Deo volente, to schedule for a 'Secret Communication 2' somewhere in November / December 2016.    Paul and Marc have obtained quite some new - most rare - artefacts - which would allow for a nearly complete new exhibition; maybe the Enigmas should be repeated - constituting a real sexy - Dauerbrenner.       

•     8 September 2015:    Some time have been passed since my foregoing reflection. The summer holidays were used for new thoughts, as well as working on one of our main topics: The Mammut Wassermann project. Although, Wassermann has not yet been subject of a real investigation, be it - that materials have been successfully gathered. Time was also found for creating a simplified Mammut webpage, meant for laymen; a first step to a Dutch language leaflet (folder), meant for visitors to the Wijk aan Zee Mammut radar bunker.    We also obtained a quite rare Gema module known as: OB-Gerät which display unit was widely employed in almost every Gema related radar system (Freya - Seetakt - Mammut - Wassermann and Jagdschloss). This latter artefact does fit well into our current Jagdschloss set up.   Today, I realised myself - that in this particular field - we might have reached the limit of what realistically is possible. I cannot imagine where we could find additional Gema modules or other means. It looks like - as if all the rest have been vanished. Likely, because it are not very attractive devices; which cannot be used for another purpose. During my summer holidays, I could digest almost all of the study on Klatt, the cover name of Richard Kauder; the Jewish 'V-Mann' also known for his 'Max' and 'Moritz' Meldungen (WTmessages). All the glorious stories told - on how smart the Allied agents might have been, however - they were never capable finding out where these - most significant - massages really originated from. Meyer's study covered, neglecting references and sources, say, 1232 pages - of which I have digested until today 1185 pages. Mayer's study is most comprehensive, and Klatt's messages were mostly read by British intelligence. These - now accessible sources - prove what real impact the 'Max' messages must have had. Fremde Heere Ost (FHO)(Gehlen) relied quite heavily, for a rather long time, on this source of information; their nature was: strategic - not of a tactical nature. Very interesting, the many confusions on the British side. First: Don't worry - this apparently is a Russian 'double cross' game. Then, after checking the relevance of the Max messages over a quite long period of time, they came to the conclusion: that - who could be so stupid playing a double cross game with their enemy and giving - so long - so much - advanced information away to them? All those involved have passed away since for many decades, and one of the unresolved - pregnant queries - still stays open in the world. Nix glorious knowing everything and being smarter than all others in the world. Quite some effort was spend in post war days, with finally minimal results. Here we encounter an aspect that apparently escaped this 'idée fix'. Was this one the only exception?     [Winfried Meyer, Klatt - Hitlers jüdischer Meisteragent gegen Stalin: Überlebenskunst in Holocaust und Geheimdienstkrieg, Metropol Verlag 2015, ISBN 978-3-86331-201-5]. The scientific approach of this book has the consequence - that readers should only start reading (digesting) it when you can understand and read the German language comprehensively. For me very convenient, is - that all footnotes are to be find down each page; I hate having them at the far end of a publication!  Why making life so difficult all the time? One lesson to be learned - someone can be successful during the exceptional wartime days though, failing in peacetime. Another, most interesting, aspect - how was the German Abwehr acting during the war. Rudolf Staritz pointed some weeks ago during my visit in Bamberg: such way of organisation (tolerance and backing) was only possible in the (Austrian) Vienna surrounding (atmosphere). Both, Richard Kauder as well as his commanding officer Oberst (Colonel) Rudolf von Marogna-Redwitz have had Austrian backgrounds. Also very exceptional - nearly all persons dealt with in this publication do have a brief life description; believe me - there are many!    By the way, Rudolf Staritz gave us a quite rare valve type: TU50 (TU 50) . This valve was designed and produced by the Fernseh G.m.b.H. Its application was within the aircraft TV signal transmitter code-name Tonne.    My wife Karin has created some new, what we designate 'logos'. This time I did ask here whether it might be possible to create a compilation of artefact interiors where I have a penchant for? I must admit - she was, in the beginning, not responding very enthusiastically. Since some month she was adding poem text into here photo compositions, but these were in Italian language. On the German radio, like the Deutschlandfunk - the sentence: Denk ich an Deutschland ... often followed by someone's reflection on a Germany related subject (original text: Denk ich an Deutschland in der Nacht, dann bin ich um den Schlaf gebracht). After some considerations she converted the text in: Denk ich an deutsche Technik in der Nacht, dann bin ich um den Schlaf gebracht (frei nach Heinrich Heine). I would like to keep this logo for some time on the web, as it constitutes a binding symbol to our commitments, before selecting her second compilation.  

•     7 - 25 July 2015:    It is already quite a long time ago that I contributed onto this webpage. We have worked, joined by Jaap Keijzer, on the Magnetophon project, though, encountered quite some nuisance, because the capstan motor of the recorder type AW 1 is playing mad after a short while of running. Today, I tested another sample, though, this particular motor runs at a double speed, thus was meant for an operational speed of 76.2 cm/s instead of 38.1 cm/s. We have got another machine in a rather desolate state, but I would like to know first, whether it can be obtained or swopped.    I also worked on a rather interesting antenna tuning device called Abstimmeinsatz a. In the beginning I was quite interested in getting photos belonging to its mounting box FJD. Fortunately, Danny Zwart contacted me and was putting a query onto me; about a device he could buy in Belgium. This device was a huge slotted line (type ES 2 made by GEMA), which we finally have swopped. He also gave me a chance taking photos from his curious box.    In May we visited the 'Atlantikwall bunker group' in The Hague and did give them some gear on loan. The end of May we joined a bunker group in Wijk aan Zee. Particularly visiting the V 143 Mammut bunker (KM), which was once part of the 'Fortress (Festung) IJmuiden'. I promised them that I will write a popular paper on Mammut. Shortly thereafter I collected all the bits and piece we possess in our archives; and started with setting up a Wanted page first - on who can help us with documentation on Mammut and Wassermann. Then it became apparent, that we should start up with a new webpage called: Mammut-Wassermann dedicated purely on explaining its technology. It started with a coincidental book that was just brought out in France, by Alain Chazette and colleagues. In it I was tantalized noticing that interesting materials on Mammut was in their possession. I contacted Mr Chazette and asked him whether we may use some of his materials. This was allowed, of course, with proper acknowledgement. Then he asked me whether I could identify some German radar bits and pieces remaining after the German surrendered in France. Then he did sent me interesting materials, more than was used in his recent book. This material formed the nucleus of the new webpage. Thereafter, Phil Judkins supplied new materials found at NA (Kew). Wow, again a big boost. Nearly instantly followed up by Mike Dean, who did send me some most interesting technical photos which he copied in 1993. This combination of coincidental findings and unknown materials and being capable combing these all together is a real penchant of mine.    However, then I was confronted with a phenomenon that I knew already, though never have been aware of so profoundly. This latter project was called a Survey - and I did put an in German language spelled: Eine Entdeckungsreise at the introduction. The Mammut-Wassermann survey I felt it as being an explorer who don't know what the next day would bring him. It is just this way of thinking (attitude) that makes it difficult for quite some to appreciate what I am doing. In it I express and reflect my: inner thoughts - feelings - intensions - doubts and failures - always accompanying such kind of Survey; like was the Nachtfee Survey too. It is strange: some people tend to think rather structured, and can be dedicated for many years on a single tiny subject.  On the other hand some of those do not enfold an open mind in respect to other ways of thinking.    The Mammut survey is not yet concluded, as still some minor matters have to be dealt with. Next should be dealt with Wassermann radar; though we have quite less materials at hand. However, still some intriguing stuff to deal with.    I promised the bunker guys that I also will make a simplified version, more meant for laymen. Thus quite some work is laying ahead and is waiting for accomplishment.     An interlude was being caused by Prof. Hugh Griffiths - who suggested that I should give it the title: 'Compulsive Hoarding'e - after some reflections I wrote a comment that this does make sense.                 

•    30 March 2015:    Quite some time have past since our last agenda update. Sadly, a severe delay have been caused in the Magnetophon project, due to problems with the capstan motor (Tonmotor). Jaap Keijzer is supporting us and is undertaking action to solve the problems. Demanding patience, which is for someone who is rather active quite a burden.  However, we therefore are not able to continue the work on the Magnetophon's sound controlling system; because these controls will directly be interacting with the recording- and/or reproducing electronics.     A mixture of engagements were also commenced. One, adding the still missing FIAT records. As to prevent working on a single subject only, my aim always is to make a wide variety of topics accessible on our website. Our most recent contributions are dedicated to a Siemens & Halske product guide of 1943, followed by the R&S product price-list of 1941 and a brief selection of 1949 product sheets.  However, in the Siemens 1943 contribution, we encounter, among many other products topics, systems relying upon C3e valves. This mysterious valve type was once the subject of a story told in one of the Bell Labs Journals of March 1945 on a valve brought to New York in December 1944, for investigation. The Germans did remove, during their retreat from France and Belgium, all valves from particular crucial long distance telephone systems; but, not destroying the system itself. The concerned valve type C3e was an unique type in many respect. Its electrical specs differed but, importantly, its base was nowhere else used and its filament was 18 volt. As often, when personnel have to remove multi parts in great stress, something is being overlooked; also in this case. Three samples were found and conveyed in a great hurry to New York. Within three days they adopted (modified) an existing (US) valve base and changed mechanically a valve structure as to match to the specs of the genuine S&H valve type C3e. Three samples were flown back to Europe and proved to be a workable substitute. Within three weeks 1000 samples were produced (by WE) and conveyed to Europe.     Last year, I considered a 'sabbatical', and the uncertainty of my pending medical treatment about the beginning of this year. Time has, Deo volente, come to focus on 'an open day to the public' in the fall of this year. In accordance with Hans Muijser of the SRS, we have selected: Saturday 21st November 2015.    An additional reason for delaying access to the public was the fact - that visitors do expect generally something new on display. This truly is the case, as can be noticed on our introduction page; of which quite some have never been on display elsewhere before.                  

•     4 February 2015:    I just have finished an annoying job. I have removed all 471 analytic scripts from our website. The reason, I believed that it could tell us extensively what the daily accumulated affairs on our website is. This proved to be not the case. I discovered, that the statistics were recently counting in reverse, and in no way in accordance to other statistics. I therefore opted for re-establishing the former situation. Only three days of intensive work.        

•     Year 2014↓ 

•     9 January 2015:    We entered the year 2015. Our Foundation exists now for more than 20 years. My current occupation is mainly divided between the Magnetophon project and putting as much as possible BIOS and CIOS files on the web. The last two weeks I have been most engaged and a bulk of materials have been put on the website. The Google Analytics programme, which now linked onto our website since about 11 November 2014, links today 466 web pages. Viewed on 15.51 CET today, it shows that 21,768 pages have been viewed. An average of, say, 10,000 a month. Quite visitors staid even for 20 minutes and more.  The passed year 2014, have been kept without special exhibition events, as to prevent that people will becoming bored. In the meantime special attention was dedicated to bringing the Magnetophon now really in a working order. Which was commenced, although, new developments may commence soon. Also very significant - was that the Nachtfee principles have been formulated in a way that with some commitment it becomes understandable. On Sunday 21 December a group from Eindhoven gathered in our museum and after my PowerPoint presentation and technical demonstration at least those may have understood Nachtfee's basic theory. For this year we plan the ICUE 2015 Workshop, which should discuss the dilemma of possessing an unique artefact of which nowhere in the world is known its (fundamental) principle. What should be done? Putting it on a shelf for the next generation, or is active investigation the right way of approaching? Of course, always keeping up some museum standards. You know, we opted for the latter option. Though, it is worth discussing the aspects concerned.    

•     16 December 2014:    In the meantime quite some happened, the Brainstorming session might take place on Sunday 21 December 2014. I had the opportunity to join a marvellous event organised by Robert Langenhuysen on 13 December in Bosch en Duin. I was invited to give a talk on the Nachtfee brainstorming reflections. This was a good opportunity to exercise and also experiencing where to emphasise upon especially for the next week session. The next day an idea emerged why not replacing experimentally the Nachtfee time base signal by a Rb-controlled device? Robert is planning to obtain a second batch of Rb-standard modules. We opt for three. One in conjunction to the Nachtfee console - the second one replacing temporarily the PM 5193 synthesizer - number three for additional purpose. My idea is, dividing the 10 MHz signal down to 500 Hz and using this as to replace the Nachtfee internal time-reference. The always running EGON signal can then be interchanged and becoming 506 Hz. I guess that it even might be possible to inject a signal about the output line of the - quartz and 1/15 divider stage; thus where a signal stands of 1000 Hz. In this case we have to divide the 10,000 kHz sine-wave output of the Rb-controlled module till we get 1000 Hz (10,000 times). Or, dividing this value by an additional factor of 2. We might also distinguish what the behaviour of the 'regenerative divider stages' are. Similarly could be done with the simulated aircraft system. I understood, that dividing the Rb-signal improves the stability in the 'domain of time'. I presume, that we can run it for quite some time, before a spot-vector rotation (deviation) will become noticeable. The true-frequency of a Rb-reference is not really mattering, as long as the deviation is less than a single cycle. Alignment can then be managed by means of the Nachtfee controls; as these are in the signal chain anyway!       

•     26 November 2014:    Quite some work has been accomplished. The Telefunken Magnetophon T 8, has started to operate in full extension. Also the Neumann-Kondensator-Flaschen do operate again. Therefore, I adapted my old amplifier interfaces, previously used in conjunction to my HAM station. Cabling of the Magnetophon have been rearranged. We might obtain a quite rare apparatus, which isn't German gear, but it is an US radar apparatus of wartime days. The Germans removed it from a crashed US bomber aircraft, somewhere in 1943, near the small village of Meddo just near to the Dutch/German border (German Meddo-Bericht). German practice was to adapt code-names from places where a device was once captured for the first time. Such as: Rotterdam - Wiesbaden - Roosendal (Halbe) and Meddo. I therefore have decided to obtain this system. We can bring now both something of the Rotterdam (transmitter) apparatus as well as Meddo (PPI incorporating the RX and other means) apparatus on display. We also possess the Berlin SG 224 PPI unit, which technique principally was based upon the British Rotterdam apparatus; although, using German components and a different CRT technique. Contacts have also been laid between us and a Bunker party (Atlantic wall defence group). Likely some devices will be given on loan to them. However, were should we put it on display? I guess, that we have to move the not very much looked at shelf showing AS3-FuG16 EP (Y-Peiler receiver) and the Einflugzeichen TX. Putting them a the shelf were the were displayed before. We will move the Radio setup from it place towards the cleared shelf. The Meddo (AN/APS15a) apparatus shown where previously the Radio R3 and RS20M stood. The advantage is, that the Meddo antenna scanner can be put on top of the Rudolf DMG3a unit.      

•     14 October 2014:  The DEHS AS 14 meeting, held on 7 October this year, was a success. Phil Judkins and I gave our - two hours lasting - dual presentation on Fatal Communications during World War One. Digesting all the many efforts put into it, it was worth it, as it enriches our understanding of history and its multi implications.     I was secondly honoured with a Nachtfee restoration award. I am personally very pleased with this honour. However, it was appreciated in England, and not in Germany. Eventually, someone appreciated our intriguing survey efforts. I also have announced that we are planning for an 'Interpreting & Conserving Unique Electronics' ICUE Workshop. In our understanding, it is worth discussing the 'pro and cons' of approaching unique, but not (fully) understood, technical artefacts.

•     4 September 2014: Digesting the pro and cons of a successful 'Workshop' on Nachtfee, it, after all, appeared to me, that this hardly will gain (attract) enough interest for a two-day lasting meeting. I therefore would like to extend the Workshop objectives to: The implications of investigating entirely unknown historical apparatus and/or technology, from the conservation (preservations) and technical perspectives, in regard to the necessity of unravelling lost, or never have been available, technology secrets. In particular to the circumstance, that someone possesses the only known sample; or, unique artefact.     We have successfully deduced the entire technology on which Nachtfee is relying (≈ 95 per cent). Without bringing it to operate, its secrets would never have been enfolded (revealed); nowhere ever!  I personally believe, that most museums (musea) are lacking the technical expertise to investigate in depth comparable technical problems (incorporating multi-disciplines). Conservators (curators) may be well educated, but they very most likely lack the understanding of what specific technical merits is about. Even if they would possess the possibility (skill), from the financial point of view it would be out of the scope of an organisation dedicating unlimited time onto a single technical artefact. I admit, that this, likely, never have been the objective (scope) of their education.     However, following Nachtfee again, without operating it in a more or less genuine context, it would not have been possible to determine what its technical implications are about.     One may take the (valid) position, that unique artefacts should be left as it has been obtained and add (implemented) to a collection, unless deterioration is forcing action. Doubtless, this latter stand would never have brought to bear what we have discovered in the rather comprehensive and long course of investigations (> two years). It is evident, that the entire process should be well documented, and also care should be taken to prevent irreversible damage; in our case, this have been well documented with > 30 dedicated Nachtfee web-pages. What to do with, for example, defect transformers, or capacitors and that like?    Where possible, I have bridged defect or unreliable components, disconnecting them at a single side only (not valid for the defect transformers). By this means, it is possible to restore the genuine, but none functional, situation again.   Nachtfee, however, is only one of the many occasions in which technology should be investigated on its merits. It is therefore worth to discuss these problems in a broader context.     Where can this better be accomplished than in a technical museum environment? For this occasion, we can provide room for, say, 25 attendees. There are no charges, including lunches and refreshments.  The rear exhibition room can be easily converted into a lecture room, with all necessary facilities. A hotel is quite nearby at, say, 15 à 20 minutes easy walk. Dates are not yet decided upon, and will be announced in due course. We are focussing on spring 2015, but this may, after due consideration, change.

•     1_September 2014: The summer time is more or less over, and new endeavours are waiting. I spent two months with reading on World War One related references (5 à 6 hours a day). The more I engaged myself, the more intriguing it became. Our (Phil Judkins and myself) commitments are focussing on aspects of: Fatal Communications during World Ware One. The more you know about the key moments of those days, the more Fatal were Communications. Not always by means of we are used to today, but also concerning failing mutual understanding, which is also a form of communication, often with a fatal outcome. Within two months, I have read a pile of 70 cm! The quantity of knowledge is so dazzling, that digesting necessitate a quite long time. Not only the facts are important, but also the mutual implications need to be implied in the overall picture. You may ask me - is this necessary? YES indeed, it is! When someone is dealing with a, say, 20 year time-span, you need to have a broad understanding of the concerned period. Some aspects are even today existent. For example, the Peace Negotiations at Brest-Litovsk - where Russia, and some newly independent republics, were seeking for Peace with Germany. Take 10 February 1918: ... Trotsky is furiously opposing the Ukrainian delegation of the Rada of Kiev, their capital then and today again. Trotsky came up with two men, what he designated - of the real parliament of Ukrainian ... they came from Kharkov! This is today the same troublesome region; indeed, it is!   You can recognize, that history has an upper layer and a very long lasting under-layer; now ninety-six years have passed since and still comparable troubles are existent. Take another facet, the Battle of Jutland, or as the Germans called it Skagerrak. Not often mentioned, Admiral Scheer encountered the British Grand Fleet, a fact which he didn't knew then, was that he was to face the entire British Grand Fleet. However, quoting from Churchill's magnificent three volumes of: The Great War (1563 pages). From his first encounter with Admiral Beatty's Battle Fleet, Beatty lost within 38 minutes 3 of his best battleships! Lost meant exploded with instant loss, some sunk within minutes. On the other hand, the Russian-German encountering - in August 1914 (Tannenberg)  and 1915 and 1916. What I never have realised before, was that the, what we call Poland roughly today, then did not exist! The Vienna Congress of 1815, regulating the central European turmoil after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, decided that this territory should be ruled by Russia. This was the situation still when WW I started. The Russian border was thus not yet two hundred kilometres from Berlin. After the Russian defeat at Tannenberg and clearing off Rennenkampf's forces, Russians were defeated, but still stood at some places on German soil. Before the Russian front line could be pushed eastwards, the what now is Poland had to be gained first, which, by the way, wasn't an easy undertaken. However, this also was managed. It sounds all simple, but it was not, because the main German military engagements were committed in France (Western Front). The Eastern Front was stripped (for most of the time) from its artillery and reserve forces. In due course, Deo volente, you will find our monograph somewhere on this website. What was a special experience, was reading the wartime diaries of leading men. Like General Max Hoffmann's, or von Tirpitz's. It is very intriguing reading about someone's daily thoughts. Like the fact of Trotsky's appearance at Brest-Litovsk on 10 February 1918. You may still ask me, where is the link to communications? There hardly will be one without this aspect of being 'fatal and communications'.       One of our new endeavours is Nachtfee (again). We would like to initiate a workshop on Nachtfee, of say, lasting two days; the following (next) weekend we could be open to the public and giving a talk and demonstrations. The main newly arranged exhibition can be, of course, also visited. The workshop could be set for a combined Friday and Saturday, somewhere in March or April 2015. We would like to make a dynamic Marquette or an animation film, where the complicated aircraft movements versus the ground Freya-EGON-Nachtfee- and aircraft responding signals can be visualised in the domains of time. Every time one is trying to oversee all the various implications - new facets are, virtually, entering the arena. But, making a film strip where all these aspects become visible and understandable, also for layman, will constitute a good starting point.      In July I extended the Nachtfee webpage with a call for assistance. Our concern is: we have found some brief information on Nachtfee though, none of a real technical nature. We are offering to the one who 'comes forward' with the missing key information, that he shall be, of course, acknowledged extensively, and he shall also be invited to visit us on our expenses! About six weeks have been passed since, but no sign of engagement have been received yet. We strongly believe, that somewhere in the United States there must be some remains of a technical investigation report, or genuine papers, on the Nachtfee (FuG 136) apparatus or system. However, we have to accept that the current 'culture' differs from the past a bit, and that commitments, where an outcome is uncertain, might constitute a too big hurdle.                

•     12 July 2014:    Closing my reading of Dan van der Vat's, The Ship That Changed The World, The escape of the Goeben to the Dardanelles in 1914, published by Hodder and Stoughton, in 1985, I strongly believe that two really striking conclusions we should bear in mind: page 218 ... (meaning Churchill, AOB) But his mistake, shared with so many others, was not to appreciate the importance of Turkey (what it actually wasn't named yet, AOB) before the war (meant 1914, AOB) , an error the Germans avoided and turned to terrible account. The Ottoman Empire was worth more than two dreadnoughts after all, and redrawing of the political map in the Middle East after its postwar collapse had consequences which have still not by any means worked themselves out to this day.    Further quoting from page 239: ... Thus the advent of the Goeben eventually forced a cure upon the "sick man of Europe"; but the amputation which came with it and the continuing wrangles over this abandoned estate have already had consequences which we would have done better without. As we nervously follow events in the Middle East today , we cannot exclude the possibility that worse has yet to come.     Amen.     This text was written down before 1985. How true he is.  In my perception - Churchill doubtless a great and most important figure, but his unwise decision not handing over to the Ottoman Empire the two dreadnoughts already paid for, caused an impact where the world is even today suffering from. The Goeben and Breslau sailed in the Mediterranean waters from late 1913 onwards;  when they arrived in that theatre, from the German perspective, there was not yet a great danger of war. About 2^nd August 1914, Goeben received a wireless telegram that they have to head for what we call Turkey. There was agreed upon a 'secret treaty' between the German- and Ottoman Empire. But, nothing was settled yet politically. When both Goeben and Breslau entered the Ottoman Territorial waters (the Dardanelles) nothing was fully agreed upon. In my perception most likely, would have got the Ottoman Empire their paid for two dreadnoughts, the Goeben might have been hiding in Turkish waters, but the Ottoman Empire might have stayed neutral as it by then was.  On the other hand, history is always taking its course as it does, whether we like it or not. We might not live today in a peaceful Europe for such a long time; but on the other hand, we are being confronted with very dangerous spheres in the Middle East. Which appalling state of affairs can have highly dangerous implications to our future!    By the way, by digesting this book it becomes clear that the British naval response in 1914 and 1915 is a great example of 'Fatal Communication'. For understanding was it implies, I would like to advice you catch a copy, for example, via Abebooks; whether by www.Abebooks.de or www.Abebooks.com is up to your choice. Maybe some lines of my (modified) reflection of July 3rd is worth being noticed again.

•     3 July 2014:    It has been a rather busy time since my last update of engagements. Just before leaving for a trip to Germany we got a phone call from a sun of late Bob Grevenstuk; that he sadly has passed away. It culminated in a donation to our archive of 5 photo albums, which for some time has been with us already. Resulting in a copy of the Prize Winning album of early 1939 by Klaas Dijkstra. Between say late May and the end of June the four other albums have been digitalized and been put onto our website (Dutch Indies PTT and Bouw Radio Malabar).     Time has to be dedicated onto a mutual project together with Phil Judkins on 'Fatal Communications During World Ware One'. A huge task. However, the more one is digging himself into it, the more interesting it becomes. Since Christopher Clark's recent study, we know that the origin, or at least many aspects, of WW I is to find far in the past, in my perception even into the 17th century and beyond. Even the tremendous dangerous situation in the  current Middle East finding its origin in political faulty decisions taken during and shortly after WW I. The defeat of the Ottoman Empire, might have been successful for the victors of WW I; but the late consequences we are facing today still.     Communications is not limited to what we today understand being 'Communications' but what it originally means: connecting and information exchange (roads, canals and bridges are also means of communications). Another example: a conference is also relying on communications. However, such an endeavour is demanding many references. On my side, I have culminated 113 refs, of which some count > 1400 pages. Among it first hand diaries of those heavily engaged, like Tirpitz (1921), General Max Hoffmann (1928), Winston Churchill (late 1920s). Clear becomes a crucial aspect, and that is 'wartime propaganda', is still distorting the public knowledge and understanding of those days. Giving you a minor example, out of quite many: The Audacious, the most modern Royal Navy war ship did sink on 27 October 1914 just off the coast of Northern Ireland hit by a German mine. This event was kept secret until 28 November 1918, as Churchill described it: for obvious reason!    

•     10 Aril 2014:    Time these months is scare, as I am heavily engaged to a future project, together with Phil Judkins, concerning: Crusial Communications during World War One. Maybe Crusial should be converted into Fatal, which the various dramatic communications actually were. Please don't forget, that communications has a far wider implication than wireless information exchange.  Being in this era one quickly forget these implications. It took roughly a 50 years since 1918 - before the lessons learned were implemented in western European countries. Even the events in the Balkans of the 1990s can be traced back to the causes of WW1. For it one need references of all kinds and a pile of books and papers-copies has to be gathered first, and - digested.    In the meantime a rather time consuming project was undertaken, copying the rare but beautiful publication: 25 Jahre Telefunken. Commemorating that Telefunken existed 25 years in 1928. Viewing it can by no means reflecting the difficulties encountered. The striking nuisance - most book pages, like most books do have, pages are not bound properly and the text is not 'standing right up' entirely. Reading it you might not even notice it, but copying it is showing this phenomenon quasi more 'amplified'. Managing more than 50 pages a day was impossible! 25 Jahre Telefunken   Of course, preventing me from making too many mistakes, which sometimes necessitated complicated corrections! It finally commenced say 325 pages though, I copied easily more than 500 pages! 

•     22 February 2014:    Some time have passed since the last update in January. I have dedicated some time for counting first how many separated webpages do we actually operate? I counted 643 pages. During my counting I came across quite some adobe extensions (pdf) why not counting these too? I together counted 1505, using: 1.27816 GB. The numbers of files do not reflect the enormous effort put in to it. Some consisted of hundred of pages some of only a few. But, the counting tells us that the average content is: 84.927 kB. For your convenience we operate a total number of 15164 hyperlinks.    However, I also decided to stop temporarily with bringing the Siemens G-Schreiber T52d operationally again. I encountered too many problems. We possess a second machine which currently is still in the U.K. But this device should return to us in due course. My effort then is to starting up the experiments again with the second machine. Which operated fully before it was brought to England for a long term loan in 1994. I would also like to dedicate some time for investigating the problems encountered with the T43a polarity-relay.    In the meantime dedicating attention to arrange a sound G-Schreiber corner again. Also, gaining momentum in the Magnetophon project. 

•     19 January 2014:    On January 4th Paul and Marc carried most of their artefacts away and quite some empty space was left. Paul suggested that it makes sense changing the place of a higher display table. It bore in my mind that a change might change the entire vision when visitors entre the main exhibition hall. Instead of having a telephone corner in front, its display was moved to the right-hand side of the centre table. The new space is being filled up with a variety of small navy communication sets. Like Ha5K36, Ha15K42 and the Lo1UK35. The first and the latter being fed from original power supplies. A second new idea popped up in my mind, why not showing the Hütte II DF system (Peiler) with two of the original Adcock antenna masts. Of course, four have to be used, but I only obtained in the late 1970s two of them. A third thought came up, why not displaying the Lo40K39 station in their original transport suitcases? Also kept for decades in store and never been on display before. The two Adcock mast being fit onto the display tables in a way, that these can be removed without direct visible evidence. The left-hand long table  is reshuffled and the exhibits display newly. In the rear room, the two moveable tables being dedicated especially to Gyro related artefacts, like the V-1 steering and the Patin KZ 14. Though, also the K-12 which was an adapted version used for steering the Seehund miniature two men submarine (type 127). At the far end of the second table the Zeitdrucker 38  (ZD 38) being displayed. All allowing that the artefacts can be approached from three sides. In the same rear hall a corner is showing interesting artefacts like: AS 3 and EZS1 both 'Blind-landing' systems. Also, the receiver and power supply to the Peiler Heinrich (NAPH and E16EP) are put on display. In the main hall adjacent to the FuG10 corner some 'blind-landing' (FuBl 1) gear and test sets being shown.    On Saturday 18th our annual board meeting was held (Jaarvergadering), covering the year 2013. The extremely busy months October - November and December did not allow a annual board meeting. This had been the case some other years too. The board members Paul and Marc both were heavily engaged in those month as well; as they were the nucleus of the Exhibition on Secret Communications. In the rear exhibition hall the movable tables being ready for displays again. Especial care was taken to keep enough space around the tables so that visitors can walk around them viewing the exhibits from various perspectives conveniently.   

•     2 January 2014:    Considering the last year visitor numbers, we need to bear in mind that what was accomplished was only possible because - first, we did not have had open days in 2012, as we did in 2011. Secondly, maybe more important, the unique occasion hosting the Secret Communications event. We should therefore focus not on a new exhibition - but on fulfilling necessary work to be dedicated to cleaning the various spaces and also reshuffling the workshops. My last two weeks of 2013 have been dedicated mainly to clearing the huge backlog and entering the many files in our dBase system. This have been accomplished in the meantime. Maybe with the help of our new volunteer Wouter, we should start with finishing the work in the Klooster premises. Next, the MLK space should be cleaned and reshuffled a bit.  

•     2 January 2014:    Reflecting on the previous year 2013, we may consider it being the most successful year we ever encountered. In April we have had an open day to the public which was well attended (52 guests). However, the Secret Communications exhibition held on 16 - 23 - 30 November followed by an extra Sunday 15 December even we just welcomed 400 visitors. Adding to it the guests in April and the groups who visited us additionally we may looking back for roughly 500 visitors. Counting all visitors we have had 24067 website visitors. The final day to the public (15 December) we welcomed honourable Mr Schoemaker, who talked vividly about his Gladio career (1960-1992), being a trainer for wireless agents operators. Luckily, this is recorded on video and can be viewed on Youtube. During the event we also hosted members of the IEHG and DEHS from the UK. They arrived on the 21 November and we joined a closed meeting on Friday 22^nd, where we could dig deeper into Nachtfee. Starting with a PowerPoint presentation followed by demonstrations. Proceeded by the open event on Saturday 23^rd.       

•     Year 2013 ↓

•     9 November 2013:   The exhibition on Secret Communications was open for the first time, albeit, not yet to the general public. The occasion was the closed Hell Group meeting which takes place since 1978 annually. We have scheduled for the general public the data: 16 - 23 and 30 November 2013. When there is enough public interest we can be open on one or two Sundays in December 2013.

•     10 September:    We have started with implementing so called flags, which enables you to jump directly from our Type-number-Wizard index onto the particular artefact where one is looking for. It was already for some time found that searching for particular devices in a huge page is rather clumsy. I have therefore implemented direct links which are being added to a file like: xxxx.htm#26. Today I have started with our Exhibits-details-1 page;  which  contains 39 flags. Making errors is quite likely, I therefore decided to continue this endeavour in a couple of days, as accuracy is what counts.

•     3 September:    The summer break has ended and with new energy my summer new thoughts is demanding the conversion of ideas into a practical experiment; for it I have to build an experimental electronic circuit based on my holiday hypothetical concept. As for me usually, the circuit was built and the result was not very convincing in the beginning. I must have been tiered, because without changing anything the next morning after proper circuit alignment and some considerations during the night it worked instantly well. The next step is adapting similar BNC connectors so that we can easily interchange between both the transistorised- and the valve controlled interfaces. I was really delighted that my concept obeys like a logical circuit even in a dc manner.

•     14 July:    A current point of reflection: - what will happen when the ‘core’ of our Foundation is no longer capable of keeping up the momentum of our presence? In The Netherlands, therefore exists a ‘legal entity’ which is known as: ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling). It may be translated in: an entity being beneficial to the community (legally not necessarily focussing at The Netherlands, but, for example, taking care of social projects in the third world is also a valid occupation). In legal terms - donations (legaat = legacy) is then being freed of inheritance taxation. Of course, there exist some restrictions, one is: that the donation should be limited in respect to the expected annual expenses (The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has far less limitations, compared to a relatively small ANBI entity). À propos, all expenses should be spent for at least 90 percent onto the annual operations (core aims). On the other hand, it is still possible to donate a considerable endowment to an ANBI institution, but already before a donation becomes effective, there should be established (described testamentary) 'an entity in between', the granting (legaat) or donation and the beneficiary ANBI institution. One of the reasons is: to separate the running ANBI finances from the benefits of the donated capital (there should not exist a direct link between the ANBI organisation and the entity that takes care of the fruit-bringing assets). We have thus to think - that the fruit-bringing endowment is granting annually just enough to the ANBI entity that it can continue its annual operations in the long term. Here we envisage a bottleneck, at least someone - or a group, should taking care of our future (Foundation) operations. Even, being it occasionally, as long as the ANBI status still is obeying the law (being accepted legally). Bearing this in mind - is this truly makeable (realistic)? I have some concern about it. It is a matter of fact - that most collectors generally have one thing in common: egoism pur sang! It is hardly thinkable that with such attitude the continuity of our aims will sustain. On the other hand - I strongly believe in James Bond's statement: Never say Never again! Would amalgamating with another ANBI entity bringing the solution, or, eventually, merging before the ANBI status is being granted - and then applying for it afterwards? Currently, we have two quite young and very enthusiastic board members; hence, there still is hope!       What also will contribute - is the existence of our comprehensive website; which reflects what we are doing and what is in the possession of our Foundation. Considering, however, what is just being dealt with - our about nine years of web experience is telling us one matter very profoundly: - when a website becomes static - it looses its attraction. In other words – attraction might be a virtual expression, but when sparkling is fading the regular visitors will, logically, turn their attention away. Even when the webmaster is on vacation, the visiting numbers plunge sometimes deeply!         As to keep up momentum without following regular paths, we are planning for an exceptional - maybe unique Autumn project: Secret Communications. This time not relying on what we have 'in house' but an exhibition in cooperation with the Cryptomuseum.com in The Netherlands. For it, we will empty quite some regular exhibition space, making room for a unique event in November this year. We schedule three Saturdays: 16 - 23 and 30 November (when there is ample demand an additional Saturday will be devoted, for which date is not decided yet). Albeit, some of our artefacts will be brought on display as well in combination with two different Enigma configurations; also our Geheimschreiber T52d (SFM T52d) will be part of the exhibition. The time-span covered will be between 1921 up to the mysterious Gladio era ending in the 1990s (2000s?). Not widely known, this was a pan-European secret force - meant for the circumstance the Russians would have occupied Western-Europe. Even Switzerland joined this project! After the changes in Eastern-Europe (1989-1991) this organisation was eventually being made redundant. A teaser: KL-7! KL-51/RACE its successor; Hagelin TC-52, Gretag TC-53, RACAL PRM-4150 (not entirely complete, but 'unique' with its fixed-ground station). Two operational Russian Fialka machines will communicate against one another. The Swedish Hagelin type B-21 (1921), also a superb Hell H-54 machine - Hell's superior copy of the well known Hagelin cipher machine.   Viewing the WW II era - a B 2 and its successor A 3 will be, Deo volente, displayed too. We will keep you informed with the progress of this intriguing undertaken.  

•     4 June:    Since recently, we eventually obtained the gyro platform of a V 1. It is an intriguing device, which full principles are not yet entirely understood. Owing to its rarity, we have decided to start a new project survey on to it (V 1 gyro platform). Most photos have been taken and we are now waiting for documentation. A German friend promised to send us a copy of a post war dissertation on the gyro system of the V 1.     We also are considering initiating a new short lasting exhibition on: Secret Communications. The bulk of artefacts is not ours but is being provided on loan. We are, temporarily, focussing on two or three Saturdays in November this year. The first one might be restricted for special guest only, namely: The Annual Hellmeeting; which is most likely scheduled for 9 November 2013. The first day open for visitors will be then on 16 and 23, maybe 30 November 2013 as well. What is shown is hardly displayed elsewhere! For it, special space will be provided. Consequently, quite some artefacts will be put on store for the time being. Afterwards, this is giving us the opportunity to change the way some artefacts being displayed. It is always necessary to keep a museum display lively, and one should always get the impression that things are new. A good opportunity would be to change the way the Geheimschreiber corner is being set up.    Maybe also the low power Navy wireless sets can be displayed more attractively.  It is also hoped for, that the Magnetophon project can make progress.    It is also discovered, that special attention should be dedicated as to restore the interactions between the Würzburg power meter (dummy load) and the Rehbock artificial target generator. What goes actually wrong is not yet understood. My presumption is that a new approach should be commenced in autumn time, as a summer holiday recovery is boosting my drive to go for it again.    Heinz Blumberg promised to send us an electronic test set which is providing test text. Our Geheimschreiber project is being hampered by the fact that we can send a message from the Geheimschreiber towards the counter telex T68. Messages sent from the T68 towards the Geheimschreiber (dealing with clear text) is being received as complete nonsense. This failure introduced itself within a few hours, since we have no idea what, where and why it goes wrong! A problem is, that the G-Schreiber operates with dual-current, whereas the T68 uses single current. The so-called Fernschreibanschlußgerät (FAG) is the interface between both system modes.      More success is encountered in conjunction with Naxos. We experimentally made from available scrap metal a kind of replica of a Puck test transmitter. The first device was fully made from recollection; I had seen it maybe for 30 years for the last time. A second sample is to be made, which is more in line with the genuine design. It nevertheless, works. Whether as good as a genuine set cannot be judged yet.        

•     21 April:    Yesterday our 'open day to the public' was quite a success. Likely helped the pre-notations in both the NVHR and SRS quarterly magazines. I saw people who I haven't seen for more than thirty years. Counting the signatures, we encountered 52 attendees. This might sound not too much, though, more might have caused congestions. I demonstrated the Nachtfee twice and fear that some have not seen what actually was visible on the various display screens. Naxos was being operated and demonstrated only once. It proved, however, that the new detector, which we very kindly got from Henk Peek, was now too sensitive. Consequently, the GR generator was mounted too near to the Naxos dielectric (polyrod) antenna. This should be improved in due course. The Würzburg was also demonstrated, as was explained Liechtenstein SN2 (FuG 220) radar. Some attendees arrived just after 10 o'clock in the morning and left not before we went after 6 o'clock homewards. My presentation was about Communications during The Desert War 1941-1943. I was luckily this time not bounded by a particular time slot and took all the time necessary (1½ hours). No one of the audience (say 30 men) left before my presentation was concluded. I also have to thank my wife Karin as well Dick Zijlmans and Esther for their great dedication making this 'a happy day' to all of us!

•     1 April:    We have scheduled an open day for 20 April 2013. In the meantime we have worked on bringing the Siemens Geheimschreiber to operate again. Which proved to be a rather complicated task; as the receiving chain is causing problems. As to trace the course of it I have decided to go for it in very details. Consequently, I have to measure all wire connections, as far these might inflict proper operation. The SFM T52d is a very complicated machine, cabling having only single colour wires. These trunk-wires cannot be followed thus the schematic is the only means to rely upon! Since a few days I discovered that the Manual M. Dv. Nr. 35 does not cover all details. Heinz Blumberg very kindly supplied to me a schematic of a completely different nature, showing filters of which existence I never was aware of. However, its actual size is too big for its handling on the web. Also some work was accomplished on the Nachtfee project and PM5193V .

•     12 March:    On 6 March together with Dick Zijlmans we left for Belgium, where a Studio System was to be obtained. A Belgium HAM donated most generously to us his historical Sound equipment. Consisting of a rare AEG K8 Studio Sound Recorder (1947). Including many interesting devices, like microphones as well as incorporating the originally used amplifier modules (V47/2 and V41). Viewing Dick's reactions I think this will become his project, as he has a penchant for 'Sound Recording and its Reproduction'. A new webpage called Magnetophon Project has been initiated. It is evident that such a quite bulky system needs an appropriate moveable table, which can facilitate the electronic modules and related devices. My guess, it might take long before this project ultimately comes to a conclusion.  

•     25 February:    In the meantime it was possible getting the G-Schreiber working again in the way as it did in the early 1990s reporting on the progress made by making our Geheimschreiber working again. This project will be an uphill struggle, as many parameters giving troubles. After many experiments it is found that at least four relay (Flachanker-Relais) of the original Fernschreibanschlußgerät G are defect; their bobbins (coils) are all in some respect interrupted. I never could have imagined that so complicated relay devises existed! Also YouTube films being part of this report. A special page dedicated to the manual of the G-Schreiber interface being setup as well.     Dick Zijlmans being heavily involved. He is currently having contact to someone who is willing to support us with the rewinding of the defect relay bobbins (coils). This special interface was swopped about a decade ago, and is especially belonging to the Siemens Geheimschreiber types; it was therefore never tested.

•     15 February:    Yesterday (14th), the VERON section Amsterdam visited our museum in the evening though, the weather played mad with black ice on the roads. It was all together a very lively and pleasant evening for me. We have had plenty of time dealing with the many implications of Nachtfee. A very difficult to explain system, where 'orders' should have been sent towards 'Pathfinder' aircrafts during wartime days; on the other hand a system that was relying on the 'domains of time'. For most people a very difficult to understand technique; as loop symmetry plays such an essential role.     Since yesterday, a new series of Youtube films have been added onto the new G-Schreiber Rep. webpage.  Exciting for me is viewing that the G-Schreiber, for the first time since about 1990, starts up running again. Dick Zijlmans is vividly playing its keyboard. However, still many problems have to be solved yet. Like: getting the G-Schreiber interface running again in all modes (4 wire to 2 wire v.v. etc.)

•    6 January:    In the meantime we have started up a new survey namely G-Schreiber Rep. The aim is bringing our Geheimschreiber T52d into full function again. The first approach is getting the genuine G-Schreiber interface/power supply to operate again. The current problem is eliminating the deliberate act of sabotage; where a unit was pulled out the chassis resulting in a complete cutting-off its wiring. So far this do not look like as if this is a great deal. Next we plan to 'overhaul' the G-Schreiber mechanics, particularly in respect to its lubrication. Please notice, that this machine ran about 22 years ago for the last time.     Nachtfee is slowly reaching its conclusion, as we sadly still lack genuine wartime technical documents (1943/44/45). Maybe a brainwave may bring us a step forwards, but at present I let it run and experiment a bit around with it.  

•    On 21 January:   13 January a Hell QSO between PA 0 AOB and PA 3 FFZ is being photographed as well as video filmed on YouTube (PA 0 AOB on Hell mode) . The QSO took place on 80 metres. Also the background how it once all started in 1976. Also some photos of the Hell-group meeting of 1980 and the one of 2012 is shown. The entire HAM station operated is having an age of 70 years or more!    On the other hand, a series of experiments on Nachtfee were commenced. This time investigating whether it is possible to 'gate' the TB pulses before these are being fed onto the common signal point of pin 9 (test connector). This work well. Integrated in the circuitry, is the provision to blank or kill the TB signal, so that it is not visible on the simulated aircraft display. For it the entire video-signal fed onto the Z-modulation channel of our oscilloscope is being blocked. However, enough pulses remaining as to allow measurements on both the simulated aircraft display as well as on the LB2 control-screen in the Nachtfee console. Things-done-2       With our current state of knowledge fast Nachtfee progress is not very much likely, as what we desperately need for is genuine technical papers of 1944/45. Of course not those of Felkin, which latter are of non technical nature and often being apparently incorrect. The only progress possible is to add some 'bits and pieces'.    However, the next project may be restoring, better call it: bringing the Siemens T52d G-Schreiber to function again. The mechanic of the apparatus needed in their days of service (overhaul) every three months, whereas ours has not been operated for more than 21/22 years. Some years ago I got from Günter Hütter a special G-Schreib-Anschlussgerät, similar to the regular Springschreibanschlussgerät. Be it, that the connecting plug is especially fit for the Siemens systems. I was told, that the internal wiring is missing or what ever, and we must find a way bringing it to function again. Those familiar with the complexity of Siemens Telex interfaces (4-wire-systems) may understand the problems we likely will encounter.     Telling all this, Nachtfee might slowly still making some further progress, but not with the speed as it previously did.  

•     Year 2013 ↑

•     Year 2012 ↓

•     On 25/26 December a new approach on Nachtfee is accomplished, in which I investigated whether it is possible to reduce the number of TB pulses conveyed towards the Nachtfee console. This works fine, as was expected. One of the aims, is to eliminate the existing TB-spot at the simulated aircraft display. Please remember the Nachtfee data is derived from test connector pin 9, but the same pin is also used for injecting the TB reference signal onto the transponder signal. It is thus understandable that the TB pulse is appearing at the CRT screen. It is successfully blanked (killed) for the sequence when it is being transmitted.     I also upgraded the data about our website, like its total content (Bladwijzer201). It is also decided to introduce a new webpage, which actually is a division of the existing Nachtfee things to be done 1. Its content is so heavily loading the downloading of web-transfer that from 22  (Bladwijzer202) onwards the webpage Nachtfee things done 2 is coming in force.

•     On 11 December we contributed a new webpage dedicated to SIGESO files. British reports on Scientific work done in Germany. Aspect is being dealt with hardly reflected in post war literature of the Anglo-Saxon world. The recent past few days also reflected the new contact we have with Marcel van Heijkop. Who is planning for a book on KG.66 more than a decade. Marcel desperately would like to publish is collected materials but his job is in Amsterdam whereas he every working day has to travel about 4 ½ hours. Leaving him virtually no time for finishing the work. He started more than a decade ago and has had contact to several KG.66 crew members. All have been passed away in the meantime. He told me per e-mail, that when he looks into his already gather materials he time and again is astonished over the quantity and its variety of what is gathered!     The Nachtfee projects, however, has reached its quasi zenith; although, my 'Credo' is: Never say never again, quoting James Bond! Progress most likely is only makeable when new information can be found.   

•     On 1 December and following, we have set the date for a public event on 20 April 2013.    More significant to me, is the finding on Wilipedia about Operation Steinbock which just is event for which Nachtfee particularly was designed for. The German version http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unternehmen_Steinbock states that: dass die Luftwaffe aufgrund eines nicht fehlerfreien Funknavigationsverfahrens die Angriffsziele nicht sicher fand. This statement just points into the direction that Nachtfee operationally failed to accomplish where it was meant for. Whether the main reason was that both time-base-references failed to be stable enough I have not yet found. Maybe a combination of time-base stability and radio interference is also possible. Albeit, training may also have been a hampering aspect. The English text version does not mention this aspect clearly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Steinbockteinbock     Due to this new discovery I have created a new webpage dedicated to the query: Was Nachtfee a failing system?

•     In the last week of November 2012 I was able for the first time to describe how Nachtfee really works. Especially in respect as to how the signals on the LB2 control CRT screen should be interpreted. It is astonishing how aspects of the domain of time can be controlled from what is shown on it. Like the correct adjustment of 'Range' off-set, as well as the system off-set of the aircraft TB phase reference. As to explain it to a broader public, I also made a PowerPoint version, which for simplicity is converted into PDF (Explaining its principle a bit differently).  Also a webpage especially dedicated to Nachtfee in the domain of time. However, also the main page things done is extended with section 20. Time and again I wonder that still new discoveries can be made. It is nevertheless foreseeable that the Nachtfee survey project will slow down a bit. Looking back what have been achieved over just a single year, this may be regarded unbelieveable! My experience is, that time is sometimes necessary to digest a problem or query and that when time is right (Deo volente) that after a brainwave is understood how things actually work.  

•     In October/November 2012    I have worked through a range of Nachtfee queries and accompanied experiments. However, on 13/15/16 November a real beak-through occurred. Like in a brainwave, I understood how the existing Nachtfee controls should interact with what is displayed on the LB2 'Control Tube' as well as on the 'Range Adjustment Tube'. It is by simply considering that Nachtfee is having a (kind of) symmetry between both the upward and downward range (distance), and that electrical delays can be considered being virtually 'Range off-set'. Taking also into account the illustration originating from Radar News 19, my assumptions in 18 - 18a/b (Bladwijzer187) are fully in accordance with this post war publication (1945). Albeit, that still the matter as to how the 'airborne time-base-reference' signal was being handled remains open. There hardly can be a doubt that in some way or another this most important system parameter had to be controlled (manipulated) from the Nachtfee (LB2) 'control tube' screen, by means of the 'Phase control' on the Nachtfee front panel.     

•     In September 2012    I have started with accomplishing matters discussed in my webpage: Things to be done which culminated in a new webpage Things done My first and major concern so far is displaying the simulated Nachtfee system in a logical order, however, operational; this culminated in a split set-up. Since 26 September I have started creating a series of (so far 15) YuoTube video films of what is shown on the various Nachtfee CRT screens under various conditions (parameters). We plan to commence Nachtfee quartz measurements, as to determine their R1 and the Q-factor parameters of the ten Nachtfee quartz (about 15,000 Hz) (Bladwijzer170). We have, before this can be started up, first to make an adapter which fit into the slots of the quartz modules. Owing to other engagements, I have to delay this undertaken and would like to begin with it after, say, mid of October. Most measurements, as a consequence of the considerations discussed in 'things to be done', have been realised as well, and its outcome was, that it is not favourable to inject the simulated aircraft time-base-pulses before the recognition switch (BG25a) (Bladwijzer181). The following circuit (Rö5) is sharpening the pulses too much for our purpose. I consequently returned back to injecting the simulated aircraft time-base-pulse reference at grid of Rö8 again. Due to the lack of genuine wartime technical documentation all we actually do is highly hypothetical though, it is the only means possible trying out, time and again, all imaginable configurations.    Keeping control of synchronism between both the Nachtfee as well as the simulated aircraft time base reference proved being most cumbersome. It takes about two hours before, still for a relatively short while, quasi synchronism occurs. Noticing the 1944 wartime operational conditions - where power lines easily were interrupted and shortages of fuel; it is likely that the power supply of Freya-EGON combined with Nachtfee suffered also from power failures. This would destroy quasi synchronism between Freya-EGON/Nachtfee and an aircraft system totally. Whether this was one of the reasons why the Nachtfee principle wasn't picked up by the Russians in post war days I can not say, though not unlikely. I have shown some of the drawbacks in the series of YouTube films.  

•     In July 2012 several projects were undertaken. First I initiated a Nachtfee Chronology, staring from 1943 up to recent days. 99 % of what we know, be it from gathering bits and pieces together, or reflecting all the steps which have be done since we got the Nachtfee on 12 November 2011. It has become a rather large page, which is using flags (Bladwijzer) as to jump to an according passage of a webpage. Thus you jump instantly to the correct lines dealt with. I also setup an additional webpage dedicated to nearby future measurements and that like. My first aim, Deo volente, in September is, measuring the quartz parameter R1; being it loss resistance. Here fore measuring the series resonance of a quartz device exactly (within 0.001 Hz).  

•     I have started on 9 June 2012 a new page contribution called: Hypothetical thoughts. It started as an additional page, giving improved technical information on the principles of Nachtfee. It grew, however, into a different kind of summary. Maybe also as the result of irritation or frustration; that some are opposing strongly my views. Which is, by the way, their democratic right. But when you still present a lecture including a paper on Nachtfee (using materials from my website), and refusing to take notice of progress in this project, is rather annoying. As a result of these irritations, my explications went deeper than was intended when I started with this page. It though, gives me also a welcome opportunity to explain in very detail how the system and their interactions  work. Every time when I upgrade this page, I trust that its ultimate completeness is reached. The next morning, however, new thoughts come up maturing in adding new considerations again. This page is truly becoming the page to explain the Nachtfee system, as well as our hypothetical reconstruction. This experimental concept is only created as to get an idea how the various system parameters interact. Some may not agree with my perceptions, but refuse taking actually part in the running experiments. Frustrating is, that there exists a so-called 'Phase' control on the Nachtfee front panel, having no scale whatsoever. It is influencing, nevertheless, the time domain of the Nachtfee signal against a second free running clock, like in the aircraft display. They persistently reject to take this existing fact in their system understanding. But the entire Nachtfee concept has to rely on this system parameter! Is this problem a matter of age?     My advice, come over and join the experiments, I can assure you, it is truly thrilling. Not good? Money back! I would say. 

•     On 30 May we returned from the trip to Douvres in the Normandy, whereto we have transported our Liechtenstein SN2. It will be, Deo volente, on display in the Douvres Radar Museum. A historical site, which was quite important before and during the early days of the Allied invasion after 6 June 1944. It was resisted fiercely by the Germans. The site housed a Wassermann, two Freya and a Giant Würzburg (FuSE 65). They have a Giant Würzburg on display, which is visible from quite a distance. The Normandy area is very impressing, especially when we are aware of the enormous sufferings during these days. The German resistance was rather effective and it took the Allies > 75 days before they good break through there lines. Paris was liberated on 25 August, an astonishing long time after the Allied Invasion on 6 June 1945. This struggle may have had a very long term impact and that is that we can live now in a peaceful Europe; where a war between western nations is unthinkable!  

•     We spend about two weeks in Germany, starting with a meeting in Dresden, where I could show the audience what Nachtfee is about. A bit disappointing was, that Hans Jucker opposed my perception strongly. And for this I confronted myself with the implications of Hans Jucker's points of view. (Nachtfee versus Hans Jucker). Before arriving in Dresden I visited Rudolf Startiz in Bamberg, the Old Man is 90 years and is still extremely keen and alert. It was a great pleasure having our very vivid conversations, as we know each other for about 35 years. In the meantime, Nachtfee is progressing well and the rewound filament transformer has been remounted successfully (Thanks to Dick Zijlmans). The Nachtfee project is slowly reaching a point where we can thinking of how we can optimally put the entire system on display. Letting it functioning in combination with FuG25a and the Gemse receiver surrounding the Nachtfee set-up. I also continued with putting parts of the Werkstattbuch on the web. I guess, that 3/4 have been commenced and, Deo volente, the rest will follow soon. Next Tuesday (15th) Phil Judkins is arriving again for the mutual preparations of our Autumn DEHS project for a three days stay.   

•     In the beginning of April 2012, we obtained a bunch of documents from England. Among it was a collection of most rare files, namely the so-called Werkstattbuch for the various Würzburg systems. This collection is highly technical and were meant for technical staff concerned with Würzburg repair but also for the many system upgrades. It both explains briefly and some going into details of Würzburg derivates. As it contains a wide series of documents  I have decided to add the sheets peu à peu. Some have to wait for special care, as these are sized A3 some even A1. These have to be brought to a special shop which can convert its content directly into pdf format, rather than reducing its content to an A4 document.    Also our Nachtfee Survey has reached a new state, where it have been possible to simulated (hypothetically) the entire Nachtfee system loop (Bladwijzer21). Transmitting Nachtfee data by means of very short HF pulses towards the FuG25a aircraft transponder displaying the Nachtfee 'order' at the circular time base line of the simulated aircraft display. Returning the display time-base-phase-pulses by HF means and sending them via the FuG25a IFF transmitter towards the Gemse receiver. Bridging distances of 1 - 2 m. The Gemse receiver output (video) is then fed onto the Nachtfee feedback input and is displayed on both the LB2 control screen, as well as being made visible on the dual CRT type HRP2/100/1,5A. The latter scope is a very accurate means of aligning the actual time base phase inside Nachtfee as well as the actual (instant) time base phase of the simulated aircraft display.    This works only when the mutual distance or range off-set is known. This data had to be provided by means of the Freya-EGON system, of which the Nachtfee consol was most likely an integral part of.    Still sadly - some are refusing to take notice of our findings and are nonetheless believing that they inhibit the only truth possible, without themselves proving the contrary.     

•     On 8 March we have started with reconstructing the FuG25a and Gemse signal exchange. It was decided to construct a testing table (Prüftafel). Which finally materialised in a concept using the parts we have. On 16 March 2012 it even started responding onto pulses signals provided and sending its reply. The next move is watching whether the Gemse receiver is able to receive the FuG25a signal.

•     On 22 February 2012, I shouted Eureka, as I have discovered the most likely way Nachtfee had been operated and controlled (Bladwijzer3). It is always thrilling reaching the state where one is feeling that a discovery is about to happen. Coming step by step, after logical consideration, nearer solving open queries, is exciting!

•     On 16 February 2012, a group from France visited our collection. Their major aim was to discuss what kind of exhibition could be made in the former radar bunker at Douvres. After a quite lively discussion, it was agreed upon that they should borrow our Liechtenstein SN2 apparatus. It was considered, that the display should be attractive, maybe a bit magic. The Douvres exhibition will be open to the public before the 6th of June and until about half of September of this year. Our motivation is, that it is in line to our Foundation objectives.     Also, the Nachtfee projects is reaching a stage of conclusion. However, as the Nachtfee 'order' or command console is only a part of the chain of information transfer, it is worth it to investigate how the Nachtfee data interacts to the original IFF transponder FuG25a system. It is already been discovered, that keeping synchronism between the Nachtfee data and the CRT projection inside the aircraft is extremely delicate. This is in my perception, with the state of technique of 1944, most likely impossible to maintain.     We have not yet found a conclusive document on it, thus all my estimations are simply guesses not more nor less.    Therefore, I would like to introduce an additional webpage especially dedicated to the following up of the Nachtfee Survey.    The recently traced so-called Nachtfee reports are covering a wide field of German wartime technology, but hardly may be called of technical nature. As these were mainly relying on P/W (PoW) interrogations, with all their inaccuracies.      

•     Our Nachtfee Survey (project) is nearing its conclusion. Although, it may take some time before everything is finished.     The actual bottleneck is that for continuation this survey we need more information; such as how the aircraft display system  (FuG136?) worked. Though, also how the Nachtfee information was transmitted by the Freya-EGON station (EGON-B) towards the aircraft.     Generally speaking, reports exist, but these are most rarely of a technical nature, even when these are designated being Technical.     It is in some respect sad that some who were very much dedicated to the Nachtfee Survey have quit. That their vision differs from mine is part of the information exchange - but should always being based on realistic estimations; and not on what the Germans call: Wunschdenken (beyond reality).     This may be the way human contacts often go, but still it is a counter productive process.           

•     January 2012 has now nearly passed. Nachtfee, the survey which occupied most of my time, has now reached a state where it works. Although, the project is not yet brought to a conclusion. However, the 'order' or command is causing a phase shift of the Nachtfee signal. The internal HT power supply is brought to live again. The Thermostat is also operational. The selectable quartz channels are working again (only Q7- Q9 and Q10 are striking, and may likely never come operational); they are synchronising the signal output. Whereby each successive quartz channel is causing 2 Hz frequency deviation of the Nachtfee signal output.    We would like to simulate an aircraft display and watching what the various interactions are.        

•     Year 2012 ↑

•     Year 2011 ↓

•     On 25 December 2011, we have configured a new, page 3 superseding webpage, known as page 3a. This jump is made as we are entering a new phase in our Nachtfee Survey; being the moment where we are switching on the Nachtfee apparatus. After having bridged all faulty capacitors (99% of all were), of course, bearing in mind that all should be converted in its original condition. Also HT is not derived from its internal power system, but originating from an external controllable one. Measurements have not yet done in a systematic manner, but my first objective is, looking how things respond. The Nachtfee technology is not yet understood fully, even the purpose of the various valves is unknown. It proved, however, that my deduction that the empty valve base most likely is meant for an EL11, is correct. At its anode a nice saw-tooth pulse is existing. I also found at a certain valve anode that there exists an interaction between a signal and the vector setting of the "order compass". This screen shot clearly shows two signal components: the main pulse which repeats itself every 20 ms and a higher frequency component, of which origin I have no idea. It might even originate from the about 974 Hz signal, which apparently is locked upon the 1 out of 10 (selectable) quartz-channels.

•     We have become now heavily engaged in the Nachtfee Survey     (Page 2; Page 3; MLK page 4) survey. It is enfolding itself as being a very complex system. In the early begin of our survey everything seems to be different than is thought. Really everything! Step by step we are now working in the direction of bringing the system to life again, and beginning to understand some aspects of it. I also started with a brief progress report, in which all the steps are being followed; which might also constitute a kind of documentation. Schematics are drawn, however, still sketch wise. Nevertheless, quite some information is by this means on paper recorded.     However, keeping a unique historical artefact in a good condition (preserving it as well) is having our primary thoughts. Though, as no one is possessing details on it, at least we could nowhere trace any sign of it, we have, nevertheless, decided to make it working again. A very comprehensive task, where one have to consider during every step whether things are reversible? It have been found that 99% of the tar-roll-capacitors are failing; we have to unsolder them at a single side and then bridging them by a modern type. Stressing our component stocks considerably! We also have demounted the "Order compass" as its screen is suffering from a combination of fungus and rust (metal oxidation). Paper hygroscopic phenomenon is doing the rest. As to prevent the semi-transparent scale to be damaged and lost forever, we have to dismantle it. A rather delicate task, which should be carefully approached. In the meantime we have had, for the first time, connected 220 V ac on to the Nachtfee main chassis. As all rectifier valves are not being installed (where simply missing when we got it from the US), we only had to monitor whether we got 12.6 volt at the RV12P2000 valves (and being alert for any sign of smoke!). At 220 V we measured 12,65 volt, which is according the specs. One valve is not yet determined though, we have deduced that an open valve socket is likely meant for an EL11. As the general filament voltage is 12.6 V and an EL11 is having 6.3 V we must look whether this indeed is the case. I cannot remember having seen a German 12.6 V equivalent.  I also got a very interesting British wartime copy A.D.I. Report 101 of 16 March 1944 (see more down the page). A.D.I. was actually R.V. Jones's office.  It shows us, that what so often is told in the many years since the conclusion of fighting on the European continent in May 1945, some aspects differ, however, from what is told time and again.

•     Our annual Foundation Board meeting was held on 26 November 2011. Amongst the usual matters I got permission to participate on behalf of our Foundation (C.D.V. & T.) in the shortly to establish "Foundation Telecommmunicatieerfgoed Nederland" (sTEN). This particular permission is a premise for being constituted for a governing function in sTEN. My first function is being its secretary, whereas Rob Timmermans is the Chairman and Frans Driessen is becoming responsible for the finances. Fellow board members are (mainly) on behalf of two former KPN (formerly PTT) groups of retired employees; both groups running a Museum Collection. The Teles group is taking care of the remaining Bell Telephone Collection. The former Belgium Bell Telephone Company had disdainfully wasted their collection, of which some parts went back to the late 1800s. However, only by coincident and persistence of some private persons, some has luckily been salvaged. Another sTEN member will be on behalf of the Omroepzender Museum. A sTEN member can only become representative on behalf of a legal entity; like organisations, foundations, museums etc.  

•     Our annual 'Foundation C.D.V.&T. Board Meeting' is scheduled in Diemen for 26 November 2011. 

•     On 19 November we have had an open day for NVHR members although, everybody was welcome (having a different batch). Not too many turned up. Nevertheless,  some totally new faces were among them. I guess, that the number of visitors was limited due to the lack of adequate publicity on behalf of the NVHR. Those attending got our full attention. We also have switched-on our Würzburg radar apparatus, which is every time a thrilling experience. We opened before 10 'o clock in the morning and I closed the door just before seven 'o clock in the evening; this may be an indication that visitors turned up spread over the day though, also that we had time going more into details than usually. Also well known 'Bernhard Terlingen' (the brother of the famous late Dutch radio reporter Theo Terlingen) attended, which guaranteed some lively  discussions. As he is often responding most enthusiastically.

•     On 12 November 2011 we have held our first Reparatiedag (Repair-day) for German apparatus over the time span of say 1920 - 1945. Please read our special Reparatiedag report. Not too many visitors by the way, but a very interesting task bringing a Torn Fu b1 module, lacking its housing, in to a kind of working order.

•     On the same day 12 November 2011, we got, after two years of desperately waiting, the long awaited Nachtfee (FuG 136) apparatus from the US. Please view the FuG 136 - Nachtfee page. The set proved to be far more complicated than expected and it will be a real challenge finding out how it actually worked. As Nachtfee was in a kind of premature state of development, this system might have been tested somewhere in late weeks of 1944. It was shipped to the US (1945) as being a trophy of war (CEE or CT) and further information on EGON-B (eventually EGON-A) haven't been found yet. Even Fritz Trenkle dedicated some lines on to Nachtfee, but comparing his text and seeing the apparatus we possess, he might never have seen a real Nachtfee apparatus himself nor have he had access to further sources of information. This makes our task even more thrilling. Complicating is, that this Nachtfee order and controlling set must have been only one-out-of several units (modules). Nachtfee and EGON-B were both part of a Freya like secondary radar system with incorporated 'data orders' towards the night fighter crew. Whatever we will find out, getting a sound understanding of what the real circuit is about - we always will have to make guesses, as all our effort is the consequence of reversed engineering (backwards engineering).

•     On 6 November 2011 time has come to create an additional Exhibits-details page 4, as to prevent for overloading of Exhibits-details 3 webpage. Some of the page 3 content is copied and being transferred to the new page 4 (deleting what from the previous page what has been moved to the next one).     This move is given by the understanding that quite some have to access internet by means of slow wireless access. I encountered in Italy myself, that downloading the heavy loaded pages of my website is sometimes cumbersome, especially when general public is on holidays and during some hours in the weekend. Those having adsl and other fast means does not suffer from this internet downside (phenomenon).

•     The annual Hellmeeting held on 29 October 2011 was a success and altogether we counted 15 attendees. Group photo was taken by Frank Dörenberg.

•     Although, a decision is not yet taken, I am dubbing whether it does make sense to increase the screen resolution with which our website is created. We still use 800 x 600. One may ask why are you doing this still? The answer is quite simple, by doing so nearly every one in the world is always having the entire content of our website fitted to their screen. How annoying is it looking at a webpage where you can only see some part of its content (only those having the same or higher resolution doesn't face it). It is sometimes making it impossible to print its content soundly. Most web designers seem to lack totally the understanding of the need by other equipped web users. They are mainly focussed on what they are using themselves. Other people is not important, seemingly! I believe, however, that this is a very unfriendly stand against the millions of web-searchers. The first step to approach might be changing from 800 x 600 towards 1024 x 768. Not a big step yet. But when doing so it will be firstly noticed on this webpage in advance. 

•     Maybe due to the autumn period and the sometimes depressing weather, thoughts are coming up why are we doing all this? Are we undertaking the right things? Our website is being created with the idea of making public what we have in our archives. Though, by no means neglecting the fact that Germany caused the second world war with all its negative implications of crimes against humanity.    However, the younger generation is having nowadays a totally different scope (horizon) and is lacking understanding of what the real context of these bleak years were. Our technical time-span covered is about a galaxy away from our (current) today's techniques. Using WIKIPEDIA it is not easy to reproduce the understanding of what normal life had been between 1933 and 1945. The many glorious stories told are by far not explaining what the actual context was. We do not pretend that we are providing a complete picture, but we are offering a quite wide spread impression; sometimes going more in to details and sometimes giving an overview only. Whatever profession, or being even a student, the newspapers or most university lectures are passing on a rather fragmented and quite often a distorted picture.    As so often, life is, and certainly was, different from what it looks like today.    Having said all this, it is now time looking forward again. The following gatherings are being scheduled:

•     29 October 2011. The annual Hellmeeting (users of Hellschreiber apparatus)

•     12  November 2011. For the first time: German wartime electronics repair day. Where we would like to take care of technical problems. Like the NVHR Radio Reparatiedag, one can bring in a set and we will try to detect a fault, maybe finding out what component is failing. It is then to the owner himself to repair his set at his own place finally.

•     19 November 2011. An open day for NVHR members, but everybody interested is welcome as well. But, please inform us that you would like to join.   

•     We have decided - that it might make sense to implement on our website some of the new logos my wife Karin has created recently. She has made some artistic compilation which I would like to put on a new webpage; as to give the visitors a choice which one they enjoy most. It is, nevertheless clear that the current is too limited, and should be extended in due course.

•     On 22 June I received the message that my friend Jan Broodbakker sadly has passed away a week ago. I could not attend the funeral as the family couldn't find my address. Again, go to your GP as early as possible for a psa test! Whatever opinion some doctors may have against this approach. It is within a month time my second friend who has died from prostate cancer!! Both brave men suffering a tremendous lot of pains and desperate waiting, without any hope!     He had been of a great help during our move towards the Klooster place in 2008. Without his support this would have been a hardly manageable undertaken. He showed in most occasions inventiveness. What to think of moving the 1.5 kW transmitter weighting about 1100 kg. He also welded the exhibits frames!

•     We have recently dedicated a lot of time on putting component photos on our website. I do not know whether our regular website visitors can always appreciate them. Our aim is, however, to reflect aspects of what we posses, not in a structural order but in the way it comes to my attention (like what is inside a particular cupboard or drawer). Viewing components is like visiting a flee market, where you see devices which you often do not understand where these were meant for; some of the items are displayed on our 'rariteitencabinet' as well. Displaying these artefacts make only sense as long as one gets some background information. My objective is to stimulate interest on small devices as well, which coming into being often is the result of profound ingenuity! Systems couldn't run without these items. Why not noticing what it is about? Nevertheless, some of you still may find these items boring, but I strongly believe it is an aspect of our museum (Studiensammlung) and should be dealt with. We are, nevertheless, always open for suggestions. Please do not hesitate to discuss this with us! Without feedback we cannot anticipate on to what you would like to see otherwise. Like everything is floating, also showing small devices will eventually come to a conclusion. Thereafter a new topic is to be emphasised upon. Maybe we should for a while consider what we have on historical electrical instrumentation in our MLK archives/store. A different matter, maybe some of you will like it. But it is a different line (objective) and not so many is having an appeal for electrical measurements. Please do not yet be upset, this will not be taken up before autumn time. Maybe it should be a mixed approach, continuing what we have done for years on the web, and step by step introducing some aspects of other technologies. Some of which, from the engineering point of view, being very intriguing. Science in the past often relied heavily upon it. It is nowadays no great deal to achieve accuracies of, say, 0.5 % - 0.1 %; but it was a real challenge up to the digital age. Which only gained maturity not so long ago!        

•     Since about a week (since 14 June) we have introduced a new webpage called 'Components display', as the original webpage Exhibits details 2 was becoming too much over loaded; therefore the various small components items have been transferred from it towards the new 'components display' webpage. Although, this 'details 2' page was only started with mid March 2011. Thus just about three month ago and is already becoming heavily loaded!

•     After all background materials had been brought together I have started on 3 June 2011 with a new paper contribution on : Aspects of German Radar Calibrations.    Please notice: my handed in Synopsis

•     On 31 May about 8 o' clock in the morning, the entire process of uploading about 1000 MB was completed (took about six hours). We guess that we might have been out of the 'air of the air' for about 12 hours. Although, within half an hour the index page was already accessible, containing the message that our image web server www.cdvandt.org was fully available. The image website may sooner or later be used for doing experiments, like with video or similar downloadable subjects.

•     On 19 may 2011, we have initiated the final process of moving our (validation, etc) www.cdvandt.org  domain to a new server, rented from www.one.com.  Our current server (provider) is far too expensive especially in respect to 'cost versus server space'. The ratio is 29.50 per month for 1 GB versus 2.60 per month for 10GB server space! (prices all excl. VTA) When we, with great difficulty would have extended our current server up to 2 GB only - they would have charged us with: 29.50 + 12 x 9.50 = 143.50 Euros per month, excl. VTA! (neglecting the difference with and without annual domain charging) Comparing 143.50 versus 2.60 per month for even 5 times the data storage is a ridiculous ratio!!!  To keep our regular visitors informed we have created an image domain www.cdvandext2.org as to minimise the time span of inaccessibility. It might nevertheless take > five days before everything runs as usually again. Taking into account that the upload speed provided by my provider (being my e-mail account) is often ridiculous low! And, uploading 1000 MB might take, when we have luck, about at least seven hours. You can imagine the pressure we are then being concerned with! On Saturday 21st of May a Veron group (afdeling Woerden) visited us. Although, all together a good day, it is also a sad day for me, as I received the message that my good old friend "Maatje" Ab (Appie) Blommers (June 1943) has passed away. I knew that he was seriously ill, but when we had telephone contact about last Christmas, he told me that he was feeling rather well, only encountering a bit quicker fatigue. I didn't expect that things would go wrong so quickly.    I have a serious advice: whatever your GP is telling you otherwise, persist in a regular 'psa' level check! Too many friends are currently in serious troubles, some even younger than I am!    We were friends since 1972, where he worked for AG Electronics (Alex Gal) in Amsterdam. It was, for instance, Ab Blommers who arranged for me (about 1993) that I could let X-ray the Lichtenstein SN2 antenna rig, which I had on loan from Günter Hütter. But didn't knew how to dismantle it, without damaging a thing. His next door neighbour is the nuclear test site in Holland, where a special X-ray group is established to 'investigate (viewing) inside nuclear gear' like valve and tube constructions (Euratom and others). They made for me beautiful X-rays of which we still possess the huge negatives. It otherwise wouldn't have been possible to know what is inside the 'boom' - the coaxial-line with balun and related techniques. Lichtenstein SN2 Some times one need a friend as to solve mission impossible! There are not so many around by the way, especially not when you need them desperately. I believe that nowadays the situation is becoming worth, everything is so much over regulated that this kind of friendly support is becoming impossible.    

•    Since Friday 8 April 2011, we have established an integral image website of our main website. The reason is: that our current provider is extremely discouraging the extension of our present data limit of 1000 MB. After intensive considerations, we have decided to move our current domain, which is like a shell around the real URL, towards www.one.com.  They offer conditions that are far more reasonable. My first concern was, to test the way in which our website is running on their new server. It proves to perform soundly. To get an idea how much work is involved in transferring the website data by means of an 'ftp' program onto the free space of the new server - it took me about 7 hours! Uploading is a rather slow process, as providers are often squeezing this kind of data transfer. Normally this does not bother much, as we convey only limited amounts of data. Though, 920 MB divided in several thousand separate files is demanding time. However, our next step is to move our domain to a new server of: www.one.com . Delicate is filling in the necessary application form, as to prevent the loss of our domain and to keep the "domain black out" as short as possible. According one.com this might take about five days. This is the reason why our image website, which is entirely equal to the one you usually use, is being introduced; www.cdvandtext2.org . Please store the cdvandtext2 URL in your bookmarks as well. Somewhere in May 2011, there will be a period of time that our current domain is not accessible, during the domain transfer. However, the spare or test site will be kept in operation in some respect. On the long run perhaps with a different kind of data.    

•     We have attached on 6 April 2011; CIOS File No. XXXI-2 which subject is:    RESEARCH WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE GERMAN UNIVERSITIES AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOLS FOR THE BEVOLLMAECHTIGTER FUER HOCHFREQUENZTECHNIK ; INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ON ASSOCIATED SUBJECTS. The aim of this report was - to investigate what was commenced on behalf of B.H.F. (BHF). My personal opinion is, that the report is only very partly about BHF work, as most is of a complete different nature. Namely quite normal university work. However, when the war progressed the nature of their work moved towards to some more applied physics. What the real value of this new contribution is, is to be judged by each individual. I believe though, that it gives a brief vision in what was in the mind of the Allied interrogators and, maybe, what the just being liberated individuals felt that they had to answer. My perception is not that they were hiding their recent past. It is also difficult to feel what the tension between the interrogators or interviewers was versus the just "liberated" scientists.

•     During the weekend of 2 / 3 April 2011 it has been settled that "German equipment repair day" is to be held on 12 November 2011 in our Klooster premises. This is the first time we are organising this, which might cause some confusion, but only by jumping into it we have to learn how this has to be actually managed. To understand how such an event has to be organised, I have joined the NVHR "Radio repair day" held earlier this year. Dick Zijlmans will support us as is Hans Muijser of the SRS group and others are, Deo volente, doing as well.

•    Yesterday 19 March we experienced our first 'open day' of the year 2011. The day was this time mainly stressing onto aspects of German radar. Just over 42 visitors turned up and joined the sometimes lively discussions and demonstrations. We showed, among other artefacts, an operational Schreibmax as well as an operating Naxos and Würzburg FuSE62D radar system. The latter, of course, with its power absorbing 'Leistungsmesser' (dummy-load)(Ln 20978). We also demonstrated the artificial target 'Rehbock' in working order in conjunction with the operating Würzburg system. The Rehbock apparatus is being interconnected by means of an especially constructed bi-directional coupler.     I also gave a talk on aspects of German 'airborne radar' and some of its implications. Among the subjects was Lichtenstein b/c and the 'secrets' of the Lichtenstein SN2 antenna design and Berlin radar. It was, however, also a good opportunity to focus again onto the establishment of the AGR Commission very shortly (two and a half weeks later) after the Germans had captured on 3 February 1943 the remains of a H2S radar apparatus in a crashed British Sterling bomber aircraft south-east of Rotterdam; that is why they called it: Rotterdam-Gerät (Rotterdam apparatus). The talk, though, had to be given in an unusual manner, so that also the not technical educated visitors could grasp the techno-historical implications.     That this day turned out being a sound success was also due to the support of volunteers such as: Dick Zijlmans - Saskia Zwart and my wife Karin! Some visitors spend almost 7 hours!

•     We also intend to hold a so called 'German Repair Day', during which I shall try to trace faults and giving repair advice to brought-in radio sets. The exact date is not yet pointed, but should be held in October or November 2011. Please keep an eye onto our agenda, for the actual date!    When you regard yourself being capable to assist us, do not hesitate and please contact us! (see the actual address at about us)

•     We have settle the date for an open day on 19 March 2011, during which we would like to focus on Radar. We would like to show our Würzburg (Wurzburg) electrically. It is my intention to focus also on Lichtenstein SN2 night fighter radar, which we have mechanically complete. Third, we would like to discuss about the Berlin radar, which was derived from the knowledge the Germans gained after the discovered the British H2S set. This latter set was found in a crashed British Sterling bomber aircraft on 3 February 1943 (five days after Bomber Command was allowed to operate it above German held territories).  My lecture will be on "Aspects of German Airborne Radar Techniques".

•     In the course of February several new documents have been added. This time we considered that a change of topics is justified and we have started again with attaching CIOS files. These are about 1945/46 investigation reports on German industry and science. In contrast to the BIOS reports, which are mainly handled by British investigators, are the CIOS reports often based on American input. In many respect these are more interesting reports. The Americans took far more advantage of German intellectual gains than did Great Britain. The most advanced ones are generally the FIAT reports which are also more an American than a British undertaken.

•     On 30 January I have created a new webpage on High Frequency as a weapon, which is linking you via weblinks strongly recommended, onto a webpage called HF-War. In this latter page I explain why we provide this hyperlink. I also make it clear that our aim is 'History of Technology’, and that we do not want to promote Nazi like ideologies; and that one has to agree upon this statement to access finally the actual web-link. Maybe I am a bit too cautious, but one should always bear in mind the implications of this miserable period. One may on the other hand say, why having a concern as the target of the link is pointing at a document accessible from the US Nation Archives.   However, it was send to me because a Siemens Secret telex was shown. But what the sender most likely didn't consider was the fact that the aim of this film was showing aspects of electronic warfare (EW), and this aspect is dealt with to a great extent. I was very astonished that the Germans showed amongst German, partly secret items, that they also showed some genuine British items and techniques. The purpose of this GAF instruction film was to inform aircraft personnel in that kind EW field.

•     On 28 January I received an e-mail from Eddy Boeve who I recently have met again  in an Amsterdam Pub. He is an ICT expert and I had already discussed my concern last year whether it is possible to implement a search engine into our website? He was so kind to open a Google account on behalf of our website and he has prepared the source text which since today (29 January 2011) is implemented into our introduction page. I strongly believe - that this facility can be of great help to the many daily visitors. Entering a keyword will provide directly all that is accessible via our 'introduction page'. An advantage is that all concerned page titles is being showed instantly, without the nuisance of non relevant links; of which some are misleading you. Such as for example, when you enter a word that clearly is connected to a technical/historical topic and that you are drawn into the website of a 'travel agent' or that like!

•     On 25 January we have again attached a bunch of documents. This time on Lo70KL40 - the radar altitude meter type FuG103-103A and a manual on wave propagation (Wellenberatung). All is to be found in the manuals page.

•     On 23 January 2011 we have attached a new document onto our 'manual' page concerning the single sideband adapter (interface) EB1/3a to the famous Köln E52 xx type receivers. This unit is handling the IF signal as it really should be done. It is mixing the 1 MHz IF of the Köln receiver down to 15 kHz; here the entire processing takes place. The sideband filter is having 20 poles and at its output the 15 kHz signal is being mixed again in a ring-modulator as to make it an synchronous audible signal. From the front where the IF enters the module a signal is being picked up which is synchronizing the ring-modulator oscillator signal. This works well as long as there exists a ground level of suppressed carrier signal, which was quite common practice for commercial signals. AM signals can wonderfully be listened at as its signal quality is optimal. Although, the reproduced bandwidth is limited by the bandwidth of the 15 kHz 20 pole filter section. This module also possessed a provision for F1 mode.

•     On 17 January we received a letter from Ingo Pötschke in which he had kindly send us a CD-Rom containing the 27 pages of a 1946 report on Wullenwever, the outstanding German long range HF/DF system. This report was actually made on behalf of the Russian ruled OSW institution (entity) in Berlin. An organisation that engaged many famous names which formerly were heading or had been leading in the German wartime electronics industry and science. With the exception of a few (being not at home when the Russians turned up at their living places to catch them), all had been deported to Russia (more or less forced labour). These men were released about the mid 1950s. Some returned to eastern Germany then known as DDR since 1949, and others went to the west.  To accomplish it for the web was a rather exhausting job, as Ingo Pötschke had prepared it in quite high resolution 'jpg format' (one should make (preparing) it in ‘bmp’ format instead. This 'bit mapped format' doesn’t cause data reduction as is jpg having! JPG is very poor in handling line structures as text actually represents, especially in respect to the file size!). My first attempt to convert it into pdf gave a file size of 60MB! I then had to reduce the resolution of each photo separately. This time it takes only 10 MB. Still a bit high, but the compromise is a good average between data content and reproduction quality. The text might seemingly being a bit weak, but this is not caused by our manipulation though, is originating from the original file quality. The OSW paper quality and type writer ink might still have been from the wartime.

•     On 15/16 January we have attached a bunch of new documents onto this website (Manuals). These documents were kindly provided by Mr. Ernst S. Wagner from Greding Germany.    We have modified a tiny bit the alphabetic list at our introduction page; as it is since possible to watch more adequately when new documents has been attached.     In some respect is the building up of this website victim of the erratic circumstances, as it is often not known in advance what kind of new findings is coming across.     It might sometimes not directly making sense to all of you, as you sometimes would like to see special documents to be made public first. Over the long-run it, nevertheless, is broadening the scope of this website.     I am playing in my mind with the intension to concentrate now more on the group of: FIAT-CIOS-BIOS files again, which we possess in our archives. 

•     On the Wurzburg-Repair project: Finishing the work on the inter-wiring between the power supplies NA I - NA II _ NA III and the so-called Pintsch-Regler (the carbon-pile-regulator which controls the 180 V a.c. of the Würzburg system. Most Würzburg modules are running at 180 V a.c., which is derived from 220 V mains voltage (actually separated from the power line by means of the controlling NT62 transformer). In principle the carbon-pile is wired in series with the system 'L' line (modern symbol). The system current is regulated such, that in most circumstances 180 V a.c. is being kept within a few volts. Only when the first automatic fuse 'S 1' is being switched on the voltage-drop might be too low, due to inadequate current consumption. As soon as the next two fuses S2 and S 3 are being activated, the Pintsch-Regler is keeping the controlled 180 V a.c. within its limits. Dick Zijlmans is planning to upgrade the inter-connection by means of state of the art techniques.

•     We have currently upgraded our website with a bunch of sometimes unique documents on 6 and 11 January 2011. We occupy now a web server space of: 784.725 MB all bound together by means of 8600 hyperlinks; which are accessible from our introduction page.    Keeping our website up-to-date and locating materials - preparing it for the web and designing a new page, and also issuing the text, has become now nearly a fulltime job. It is clear though, that this work has to be interrupted owing to other, also essential, commitments. Among these many materials is to be named: the so-called Meddo report - The railway version of Giant Wurzburg (FuSE65E) 

Year 2010

•     On 17 December a new page on the first "Elefant" radar transmitter have been added. A rare occasion, where we can see how this module was constructed. The document originated from a wartime AEG file, it, nevertheless, was a Telefunken project. I cannot prove it, regarding the purpose of this document, we may assume that it was a prototype. It was constructed and finally tested on 21 December 1943.

•     The Dutch Surplus Radio Society (SRS) visited us on 11 December 2010, it turned out to be a very vivid day. Totally 30 attendees have joined this meeting. The talk held that afternoon dealt with aspects of German communications during WW II. It was based on my paper given for the DEHS at Shrivenham, October 2008. The first visitors arrived already before we should be open and the last one left about a quarter to six, spanning 6 hours It was a pleasure to have a group around of very motivated people.

•     On 19 November 2010 we have started with investigating the technique of the power supply (MZSS) to the Schreibmax apparatus. It seemingly is a quite time consuming project. On 23rd the Schreibmax started running and was more or less responding on text signals. Its mechanical and electrical principles are already available on our website at - MZSS - MZSE Schreibmax. We would like to make a short video and sound recording which might be put on YouTube (not yet accomplished).

•     We are also intending to modify the interconnections  between the Wurzburg apparatus and the power supplies. Dick Zijlmans has decided, that he would like to build a state of the art interconnecting rail-mounting-system (produced by Wieland).

•     After Dick has completed the modification of the Wurzburg interconnections, we would like to start up a new project. Our thoughts are going into the direction of bringing our Siemens G-Schreiber type T52d to life again. It will first be necessary to lubricate its entire motor mechanism again. This had regularly to be done every three months. Considering that it was done about twenty years ago for the last time, it is wise to start firstly with its lubrication. The second step is to restore the original G-Schreiber line interface. Then linking the interfaces together so that eventually the Siemens telex type T68 is able to communicate with type T52d. When all goes according expectation, the coded T52d message can be received by the punch-tape-receiver of the Siemens type T68 telex machine. The next step is to put the received punch-tape in the T68 punch-transmitter so that the T52d machine is receiving the formerly coded message again and should now be printed in a clear text message (the same text that originally had been typed onto the T52d keyboard.

•     13 November: Annual Board meeting of our Foundation (19de  Jaarvergadering). Two members have stepped down (Adri de Keijzer who joined the board from January 2001 and Dick Rollema for health reasons, he joined us from the very beginning on 7 December 1994) and two new members have been welcomed - Paul Reuvers and Marc Simons, both very well known in the - crypto-history communities - world wide (http://www.cryptomuseum.com).

•     Deo volente, in October 2011, I would like starting up a new search project in the British National Archives (NA) which was formerly known as PRO (Kew Gardens)

•     We are currently also rearranging our moveable archive shelves. Among it, Andries van Bronckhorst is helping us with reshuffling the archive library, so that we can maintain a logical library order for the foreseeable future.

•     In September 2010, we have started upgrading our 'Radio Mentor' webpage (Mentor various) again. During reshuffling our archives, I came across some wartime volumes and decided that it does make sense to copy some issues integrally. Reading its content, one is coming into a most curious (strange) world. Whereas the war was taking its tremendous blood toll in Europe, the very most Radio-Mentor articles are almost dealing with peace time topics. In 1942 even articles on calculating the design of transmitters is being discussed. Not well known, even in today's Germany, is that some Radio Hams existed until their unconditional surrender in May 1945 (please consider also: DASD 1939-1944). Every issue had an article on aspects of 'Communication' receivers. The word 'Communication' is then being spelled in the Anglo-Saxon way! It is, however, known that Radio-Mentor was also read in countries abroad. Whereas in, for instance, Holland the possession of broadcast receivers was from, say, mid 1943 onwards for most of their citizens prohibited matters (most broadcast receivers had been collected (confiscated) by the occupying German authorities; of course, some did not hand in their valuable radio apparatus, but this was then being regarded a criminal offence!). Radio-Mentor which was also distributed in The Netherlands - still published radio related schematics. Even dealing with schematics of quite simply to be build shortwave receivers or convertors. By the way, astonishing is, that in nearly every issue an article is dedicated to aspects of FM broadcast techniques! It is clear, that FM technique was very well appreciated in Germany and the US, this in contrast to Britain where even in the early 1950s still fears discussions on the pros and cons of FM broadcasting were ongoing.

•     About June, I discovered that what we are doing is also being noticed at a TU-Delft website of PARSAX:

               An Informal Look at Radar Technology and Applications within TU Delft

        

Brief summary of what has been undertaken in the past year 2010:

•     On 9 November 2010 the volunteers of the TNO-FEL Museum (Waalsdorpervlakte) of The Hague have visited us.

•     During the year 2010 it was possible to bring our Wurzburg radar system to life again (please notice our Wurzburg-Rep! survey). Deo volente, being accomplished in the course of next year.

•     We have been committed to the CAVMAG 2010 Conference on the 70 years anniversary of the invention of the 'cavity magnetron'. It had been proved however, that this claim was not entirely correct. What is true is - that the British produced world's first high power magnetron, suitable for cm radar applications. As so often in history, inventions are hardly a single man's project. The Russians built the first cavity magnetron already about 1938. Although, their estimated HF power was only a few hundred watts (CW). (Please also consider on this subject our CAVMAG 2010 page, as well as my reflection on the implication of Randall and Boot's invention).

•     On 26 September 2010 both Phil Judkins and AOB had been invited to repeat their lecture "CHESS" for the IET (Doncaster section). Subject on EW between the Allies and Germany.

•     January 2010, Luca Fusari visited us for a few days.

Brief summary of what we have done in the year 2009

•     March 2009, we gave an open day for invited guests.

•     March 2009, Dick Zijlmans's Radio Café group was visiting us.

•     End of March - first days of April, we hosted a group of IEHG members.

•     In July my very good friend Helmut Liebich (DL1OY) has sadly passed away. He had been very ill for a while and was suffering from heart and kidney insufficiency. When one is being asked, who do you like most in the world (neglecting your nearest relatives, of course)? - I must say - it was Helmut! He was upmost kind and had a sharp mind and a broad knowledge as well as understanding of historical context. He grew up in Breslau, the same town where my Grandfather came from. One of his sons took over his father's amateur call sign, so that DL1OY is still on the air.

•     August/September 2009, an extensive discussion was ongoing between Hugh Griffiths, Phil Judkins and myself. The subject was on Klein-Heidelberg, which was world's first bi-static radar system. Phil's contribution was to bring in files he recently had traced in the NA (formerly PRO). Due to this and my understanding of Würzburg technology I was able to re-design most of its principles, even the schematics could be reconstructed. The task was now to clean up the drawings and correcting the very many apparently made circuit faults! Some schematics called for at least 10,000 mouse clicks!

•     September 2009, Radio Café group was visiting us again.

•     15 October 2009, Phil Judkins and AOB presented their CHESS lecture for the DEHS at Shrivenham (UK).

•     Mid November 2009, we hosted the annual Hell-Group.

•     21 November, we hosted the BETEG (Behoud Technisch Erfgoed) group. The aim was bringing together all those interested in the conservation of technical collections.

•     28 November 2009, we hosted the Mengelberg society. Newly discovered gramophone recordings of 1944 (Radio Paris live recordings of January 1944) were played and a retired Concertgebouw musician played on here own instrument and explained the musical difficulties encountered.

Year 2008

•     On 28 March we became the legal owner of the 'Klooster' premises. At that time we had an agreement with the previous owner, that he could have an additional half a year to clear the space (actually it took some time longer) . Though, we were free to clear the depot and some of the still occupied spaces (moving his belongings into corners). In the meantime we had to move from the PP place artefacts into the new space. Refurbishing the 'Klooster' place and setting up our new exhibition (Exhibits New) took say the rest of the exhausting year 2008.

•     In the meantime, I prepared a paper for the DEHS (Defence Electronics History Society) given at Shrivenham UK, on aspects of German wartime Communications, in October.

Year 2007

•     That year was dedicated mainly to sorting out our archives and doing some long over due work on our dBase.

•    In September the SRS was visiting us for the first time.

•     Visited in February London for archives search at the Patent Office and Science Museum Library for the BIOS-CIOS and FIAT reports.

•     I worked on a very difficult and demanding job which was to prepare a catalogue of all artefacts available. This took me several month tough work. Our existing old card index was kindly digitalised by Adri de Keijzer at that time still a Foundation Board Member (stepped back on 13 November 2010).

Year 2006

•     In October I gave a paper for the DEHS at Shrivenham UK on aspects of German wartime Airborne radar.

•     In January I did together with Reinhold Liebich a search in the Municipal Archives of Cologne (Stadtarchiv, the one that collapsed into the ground in 2007). We traced there two key mini-advertisements to the Hülsmeyer Story on 100 Years of Radar. Namely the advertisements where Heinrich Mannheim is offering himself as a financier and the next day of November 1903 Hülsmeyer's call for a financial associate. (Radar I & Radar II). I also gave a talk on Hülsmeyer and 100 Years of Radar for the Historical Society of Düsseldorf. Hülsmeyer's family had arranged a gathering with family members and Hülsmeyer's only still living son Edgar. Interesting is, that he told me that his father bothered his whole life with "layers", as long as he could remember. I believe a burden of nearly every professional "Inventor".

•     In October 2006, I gave a talk for the VDE historical section in Aachen. This culminated in my contribution to a VDE book.

•     In November 2006, I visited the Cologne Archives again, and found the often referred to - but never reproduced advertisements of 1902, as well as Heinrich Mannheim's death announcement (he died 15 January 1923). In contrast to what the German archive in Beul had told Hülsmeyer's grand son, Mannheim died in Cologne, whereas the authorities stated that they did not have information on him; thus he has not died in Cologne, so simple is that!

•     I also visited in November - DEGON (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ortung und Navigation) in Bonn and got their kind permission to scan their entire AGR Protocols on the Rotterdam Apparatus (H2S) (521 pages) and bringing it at our website. AGR means Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rotterdam.

•     I approached London twice (February and November), for Patent as well as BIOS-CIOS and FIAT document search (British Library where the Patent Office is and SML Science Museum Library at Imperial College, London).

•     November 2006, the book titled 'Radio Malabar' was issued. It was based on Klaas Dijkstra's manuscript that I have rediscovered when I was involved with clearing the Radio Kootwijk (Gebouw A) site. Please consider for details the agenda (diary) of the year 2000. This book was a great success, as on the first day, during the "Dag van de Radioamateur" in Apeldoorn 110 books were already being sold by Benny Emaus, the publisher. That I was able to make it public, might be called a miracle!     It all started when I found the manuscript, it might even have been a preliminary version, in the Kootwijk archive, by which I was heavily involved.     The bunch of papers were actually poor quality Xerox copies, which sometimes where double copied for a single page as to get the top and one as to see the bottom section of the text. I regarded its content being most interesting.     However, in April 2003 I visited with the IEHG the stores of the "Museum voor Communicatie" in the Hague (formerly PTT Museum). I knew the curator Jacques Caspers already for years and discussed with him whether it would be possible to get Klaas Dijkstra's manuscript published. Oh he said - "no problems the copyrights is owned by the museum" (this would have been the case when Klaas Dijkstra had been an employee of the Dutch PTT organisation, which he apparently wasn't. He was an employee of the PTT organisation in Dutch East-Indies. This body was in contrast directed by the ministry of colonial affairs though, technically they had close mutual links).     He then arranged a meeting with Saskia Spiekman, who is the museum librarian. Three weeks later I returned to the Museum again; and found on a table several boxes with all sort of materials. After a few minutes, during she was looking in here dbase, she said: oh hold on, we might not hold the copyright! We found out that Klaas Dijkstra had passed away in 1976 and we traced his last address. My first approach was a failure, and I decided to contact the Municipal Archives of Zeist. Luckily the archivist was very kind and cooperative and he sent me what he knew about Klaas Dijkstra (they are not obliged to help you, especially not in respect to the 'privacy legislations'). From there I had to contact the Municipal Archives of Nijmegen.     My first approach was a failure, as a chap on the phone, maybe a temporal worker, told me that they didn't have materials on Klaas Dijkstra's daughter. I didn't trust the man and I decided to give it a second trial. This was a hit, as I was informed that indeed Dijkstra's daughter Fockeltje-Aaltje had moved in October 1946 to ... "Den Passar" Bali, Dutch East-Indies, now Indonesia. This was for me a blow! As she was no longer a Dutch citizen. What to do?    June 2004 I had to visit a section of the Dutch National Archives in the Hague and doubted whether I should give it a try tracing on Fockeltje-Aaltje again.     I did, and entered the hall and went for my query on to the information desk. The lady asked me whether I had a particular information, which I had to deny, as when I would have known it I wouldn't be standing here! She took the telephone and tried to reach someone. No answer, a second approach at a second number equal result. A staff member passed by and said: oh they might be smoking a cigarette outside.    She replied, I cannot help you further sir, please go up the stairs and ask the staff member behind the table in the reading room. I again repeated my concern and luckily said: I would please like to know about the whereabouts of 'Fockeltje-Aaltje van Vooren-Dijkstra'? He replied Dijkstra hmmm, asked me about the year when he died and typed in something in his computer. After a few seconds he said: I have traced about 1400 death announcements on this name, I have no time to look at them all. Don't you have more details? I replied, that when I would have known the details he would like to have, that I would certainly have brought these along.    Then he asked me, can't you get from somewhere additional information? I considered oh, I will phone my wife by means of my mobile phone. I went into the hall and phoned here. Say, within seven minutes I returned into the reading room again and got his instant answer: oh, she got two children in Palembang! (on Sumatra)  I replied - I back your pardon?     The then told me that about half a year ago he had done some investigation on the family-name 'van Vooren' in Dutch East-Indies. Then he typed in his PC the name 'van Vooren' and told me that luckily there are not so many around. He scrolled a bit down and pointed at two names, he then said: you have 90 % chance that these are the two sons born in Palembang.    It was not 90 % but it was the Jackpot. The oldest grandson of Klaas Dijkstra had helped his grandpa about 1972/74 with preparing the photos and the drawings. His then just married wife had typed in the manuscript! And, they possess grandfather's archives!     Now things started to get momentum. His wife was so kind to type in the text of the second section again, as OCR would have made things more difficult, due to the very poor copy quality. (in the days of the early 1970s only electrical type writers were around, not yet having data storage) Andries van Bronckhorst had been so kind in the meantime to offer his assistance in typing over part one (both had to handle about 250 pages each). I had to scan all photos from Dijkstra's private archive (about 200-250).  Dijkstra's manuscript was about 1974 published in 8 samples in a kind of 'blue printed duplication technique', for internal PTT use only (Bidoc). In Holland this way of copying is known as: 'Stencil' kopie. The issue which we ultimately published was actually containing more information than the 1974 edition, as we could dig from Klaas Dijkstra's personal more extensive version. Where he used only abbreviations (like Mr S. or town H. and so forth), we could now mention what actually was being meant in full extent. Which I regard being quite relevant for a 'time document'.

•     A spin-off of my commitment to publish Klaas Dijkstra's book Radio Malabar  was that I was honoured with a so-called "Veder Belonging". Which I received on 19 April 2007. All my commitments had been entirely "pro Deo".     In my opinion curious is, that some who I did send a copy commented that it was a very bad written book! Nevertheless, all those really interested in the history of technology where most enthusiastic about the publication, as nothing that like had been issued before! My conclusion is, based however on long term experiences - that the Dutch public is generally not interested in the history of technology at all.     Klaas Dijkstra was an eye-witness (1921-1945 in Dutch East-Indies), who had worked on his manuscript for 25 years and whose account is unique!    My commitment with Klaas Dijkstra's book is also having a curious implication. Anton Veder was a 'bank director' living in Rotterdam, who was very much dedicated to radio techniques. Klaas was during World War I on military duty and met Veder during military 'direction finder' trials (maybe Anton Veder was on military duty as well). He also visited Veder in his private home, where they both worked in Veder's workshop.    In 1933/34 a team of the Radio Laboratorium in Bandung (Dutch East-Indies, now Indonesia) got a Veder Prize for their engagement in creating radio communications between Holland and Dutch East-Indies (NOI). In 1934 also Klaas Dijkstra got a prize as well (one year delayed though, joined the Bandung-group prize), as he was the designer of a 80 kW shortwave transmitter. Klaas Dijkstra was thus linked twice with 'Veder'. That I got a Veder beloning for my commitment in getting Dijkstra's book published is the third link (connection) to Dijkstra/Veder/AOB.    Veder by the way, set up this prize, but he passed away (1927) before it was to be given for the first time.

•     17 November 2006, the book was officially introduced. Relatives of Klaas Dijkstra and most who had been engaged were attending this event. Which was held in the left entrance building to Gebouw A.      Radio Malabar and Radio Kootwijk were both counter station. Messages sent from Radio Malabar were replied by Radio Kootwijk and vice verse. This latter station was especially built for this purpose!

•     There was another implication, and that was that shortly after the book was issued, family members of Klaas Dijkstra's chief 'Willem Einthoven' were taken contact with me. Not long thereafter others related to the Bandung Radio Lab crew were in touch with me as well. Of course, I mean children of Dijkstra's colleagues. Nevertheless, they were old enough to remember the affairs of the 1930s and 1940s in Bandung. These children were being put on transport with their parents to Tokyo Japan in January 1944. I even got the diary of a mother that she has kept beginning with their leaving from Java up to their liberation by the US troops and arrival in Australia afterwards. Five members of the Radio Lab of Bandung were, including their relatives and their private baggage shipped to Japan. Most of their baggage was lost, however, due to the US troops after a storm in Manila 1945!

•     I would like to contribute an additional chapter on the Japanese period, which is astonishingly well documented!     Due to all my engagements, I couldn't find yet time to start with concentrating on this intriguing story.             

Year 2005

•     DEGON published a booklet on the history of radar, in which among others both Yves Blanchard and I have contributed our research results of 2004.

Year 2004

•     This year was mainly dedicated to 100 Years of Radar (Radar I & Radar II). We came further than anyone else before! I must confess that we have had great luck there is no doubt about it, but also because previous searchers did not always have done an appropriate job. It must be said, however, that some was also owing to Christian Hülsmeyer's, maybe suppressed traumatic, memories. Some facts were flowed and some were mixed up with fading recollections. Viewing the fact that the interest in Hülsmeyer early radar inventions was mainly initiated after a German newspaper article of 1948, thus > 40 years had been passed since; no wonder that given the circumstances confusion was taking place. No one in Hülsmeyer's family might have bothered much before this episode of 1948, the days before he even was married. After I guess 1948 - Hülsmeyer's daughter Annelise stood firm to get the honour for what she thought - here father deserved (she was also the mother of the grand daughter who still lives in Hülsmeyer's villa) (see Radar I, further down the webpage). Most of here life since 1948 should be regarded in this context. That at all documents remained and even unexpected ones were found - was mainly due to Annelise's persisting commitments. 

•     My first step was set by calling my late friend Helmut Liebich (DL1OY) about October 2003, and asking him whether he knew someone who could assist us with  searching Cologne (Köln) and Düsseldorf archives? Just the two cities that played such an important role in our survey, but also places being too far away from Amsterdam as to be visited regularly. Helmut answered instantly, call my brother Reinhold, he lives in Düsseldorf and is used to search in archives. Within ten days Reinhold Liebich was in touch with Hülsmeyer's grand daughter still living in Hülsmeyer's villa. And, most significantly, she possessed here mother's magic suitcase with a lot of original document copies. Mid November 2003, Adri de Keijzer and I went on a visit there. It was a very fruitful one, as we were able to reproduce documents even some in full colour. The photographic reproductions and Photoshopping was successfully commenced by Adri, as always!

•     Dick Rollema phoned me about Christmas 2003, whether I would like to meet up with a group of Dutch searchers under Piet van Genderen (TU-Delft/Thales) who was also planning a 100 Years of Radar publication. About mid January a delegation visited me in Diemen and we exchanged our thoughts and knowledge. It was agreed upon that I would also be engaged in their project.

•     Not long there after Piet van Genderen phoned me with a query, whether I would mind to contact his former colleague of Thales France Yves Blanchard. We sent him an e-mail and we got a reply that he was at present in Chile and would respond when being back home. Say about six weeks later I got Yves on the phone and I stressed that I would also like to contribute to the Radar Conference to be held in Toulouse, October 2004. He asked me if I am an historian, which I had to deny. To break the deadlock I proposed that I will send him my manuscript and he promised me to read it carefully. Resulting finally in an acceptance of my contribution.

•     In the meantime Adri de Keizer was trying to set up an exhibition somewhere in Rotterdam. As Rotterdam had been the place where Hülsmeyer had given a successful demonstration for a group of Shipping Representatives (9 June 1904, harbour of Rotterdam). Everybody trying to motivate 'museum people' know -  that the lower echelons are sometimes enthusiastic, but their managers are normally not. However, Adri finally managed to get an one month exhibition in the Rotterdam Central Library. Adri's work was a great success. We managed to invite Hülsmeyer's grand daughter and Yves Blanchard attended a few days thereafter.

•     Derk Rouwhorst, also a member of our Foundation Board, had sent me a crucial small piece of a newspaper, showing an interview of Hülsmeyer (I still don't know the name of the newspaper). We may regard being his last interview, as he died about one month thereafter. This newspaper article was crucial for our research! I didn't grasp in the beginning the mistake Hülsmeyer then made. He spoke about "I still remember vividly the day in the autumn of that year"! Then I realised - autumn? The Rotterdam demonstration was held on 9 June 1904; had the weather been that day so poor, that it looked like an autumn day? Thanks to the the Rotterdam Municipal Archives, we know that the weather was relatively good. Wouldn't it be possible that there had been an unknown demonstration or experiment in autumn? We both (Adri and I) approached the HAL archives again and - YES - we traced two letters, one of Heinrich Mannheim on behalf of the Teleboliskop Gesellschaft and a very kind reply on behalf of the HAL ceo Mr. Wierdsma. Even more significant was our finding of the minutes of meeting of the shipping conference held in London in 1905. As so often, what is relevant is not in the folder where you are looking for, but in the next one. As our folder was containing two series but being kept in a single folder. However, in the 1905 minutes they came back on Hülsmeyer's Telemobiloskop apparatus and it was told that an experiment near Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland) had been a failure. Some of the British audience publicly said - that its technique was nonsense and that no one will ever hear again of it. Most of Britons of those days were very much influenced by Marconi, maybe also a bit indoctrinated (maybe also feeling that "It was not invented here"). This statement was truly ridiculous, as we know now.

•     Reinhold Liebich in the meantime was approaching the Municipal Archives of Cologne (Köln). He traced several pictures. I think it was in September 2004, when I got a message from him in which he explained - that the always referred to "Hohenzollernbrücke" did not exist in the days when Hülsmeyer commenced his first trials under the bridge in Cologne. It was an older bridge called by locals "Die Mausefalle" (the mouse trap). This latter bridge was too old and restricted train and public traffic too much (please notice my paper). It was, however, replaced since 1911 by what is now known the Hohenzollern Bridge. I instantly phoned Yves and warned him first to sit down carefully and being sure that he couldn't fall off his chair! He was like me also very much surprised! I believe, that these kinds of facts should have been discovered by previous researchers. We must, however, notice - that grand old Hülsmeyer didn't make this mistake during a radio interview of April 1954 (original sound recording in MP 3). Here he mentioned: "Unter der Rhein-Brücke", what is entirely correct; as he didn't mention the name of the bridge.

•     Another matter of luck was the meeting up with Hülsmeyer relatives at the Toulouse Radar Conference. Yves had done a great job in tracing individuals and visiting places which had a link to Hülsmeyer (some relatives were not on speaking terms to one another). I regard that Yves took photos of all places "where Hülsmeyer once had went to the loo". During a social talk with a cousin, he told me that his father had sadly died a few weeks ago, and that they have found among the family papers, a copy of a hand-written notary document of 1904. This document is turning the Hülsmeyer Saga partly upside-down! Please read about it in my paper: Christian Hülsmeyer and about the early days of radar inventions, a survey  (pdf page 37+) as well as Part II.

•     One may ask, why foreigners have had to organise a 100 Years of Radar Centenary and not German institutions? I called first Mr. Petzold of the Deutsches Museum in Munich, their response was negative - they had already recently dedicated to an international Radar Workshop in autumn 1992. I knew that because I joined that remarkable event. Then I contacted the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin, they also rejected to join an event. I guess, in this respect museums word wide are having similar attitudes. Maybe caused by the fact that they themselves were not the initiators. They could have joined when they would have started early enough. I guess also, they had either no interest or lost the sense for these kinds of key events. Nevertheless, it were both French and Dutch enthusiasts who successfully realised these projects!

•     In June 2004, the IEEE commemorated 100 Years of Electronics, held in Bletchley Park UK. I also gave a paper on aspects of German Electronic Engineering. This paper is not entirely identical to the one I contributed, as it is IEEE practice to claim copyrights fully. Nevertheless, it is even more extensive than the one of June 2004. A funny story: when the chairman arrived at London Heathrow, he asked his taxi driver to bring him to Bletchley Park, the man didn't knew what it was. As second story, one of the attendees asked in Milton Kean the place where Bletchley Park belongs to, a taxi driver to bring him from the train station to Bletchley Park (only a few minutes away, he even could have walked it); I guess you understand the confusion! Even there Bletchley Park is locally hardly known. Whereas in the rest of the world most intellectuals can tell much about BP.

•     In October 2004, just before we were about to leave for Toulouse, Piet van Genderen managed a 100 Years of Radar Exhibition during the Micro Wave Conference held in Amsterdam RAI Conference Centre.                   

Year 2003

•     I contributed to the CHiDE Symposium held at Bournemouth University in September 2003 with a contribution called: Some aspects of the German military “Abwehr” wireless service, during the course of World War Two. Although, this subject is not directly my cup of tea, I have nevertheless, decided to contribute a paper. Which still is regularly being visited on our website.

•     Until about late spring of 2003, I was still supporting voluntarily the registration of the artefacts  belonging to the TU-Delft - Techniek Museum. For some time it concerned the artefacts from 'OCP' and/or "Industrieel Ontwerpen". I took care for a while of the separation of the former "Post Collection". Mr Post who had passed away about 1980, when I remember well. His collection of valves and magnetrons had been donated by his 'will' to the Studieverzameling Electrotechniek. As so often, a new person is coming in charge, new strategy is emerging and the "Post" collection was considered being of no interest and should be either returned to the Post family or should be sold at an auction. It proved, by the way, to be quite difficult to trace the legal relatives. My task was, to find out what originated from the Studieverzameling and what was part of the former Post collection. There existed an old dBase, so that I could deduce how things originally had been organized. I also considered that some of the valves were 'rubbish' and I had to separate these from the more valuable ones as well. 

Year 2002

•     Although, still being engaged in re-organizing our collection, I was able to prepare a paper for the CHiDE September Symposium held at the Bournemouth University. Title: Aspects of the German Naval Communications Research Establishment

•     In January 2002, I also became engaged with the registration of the artefacts of the former: "Studieverzameling Electrotechniek", which was now under jurisdiction of the Techniek Museum TU-Delft. This entity was liquidated late 2008, as nobody in Delft showed any interest in the history of science and technology.

Year 2001

•     This year was mainly dedicated to clean up what could not have been done because of the many various occupations in the previous year.

•     From the beginning of January 2001 up to 31 May 2001 I was engaged several days a week in clearing the Radio Kootwijk building (Gebouw A).

Year 2000

•     This year was for us a most stressful, as it was mainly dedicated to the organisation of the exhibition on: Aspects of precision measurements (Aspecten van precisie meetingen)

•    I first investigated what we possess in our own collection. And, I soon recognised that this was inadequate, as its base was far too small. I then tried to get other entities involved. Marten Dijkstra from Belgium, who was in those days a member of our Foundation Board, brought me in touch with Adri de Keijzer again. The latter laid then contact with Theo Ensing (about April), who was at that time the curator of the so-called: Studieverzameling Electrotechniek at the Mekelweg (ITS) in Delft (TU-Delft). Their collection (and exhibits) was being stored in the basement of that university building. They possessed a rather nice, in some respect unique, collection, which was kept after (supported) by a group of volunteers. By the way, like most volunteers seem to do, they were more drinking tea or coffee than really working on conservations.     Nevertheless, I remember particularly Hugo Dorenbos, who took care of the documentation and remaining library, he had done a great job! Also late Walther Spong, who mainly was dedicated to obituaries of Delft University Scholars (the latter had a so-called "0-Aanstelling").     However, Theo Ensing responded most enthusiastic. It was due to him that we finally were able to hold our great exhibition in the huge transmitter hall of Radio Kootwijk Gebouw A (Since about 1980 a Dutch national heritage site).

•     At that time Theo Ensing encountered a lot of resistance from the academic community of the section ITS, particularly the Dean was against him. I will not trying to judge their mutual conflicts. However, Theo managed first that he could go on with preparing a mutual exhibition. In Dutch language we would say: hij stak zijn nek uit! Where it could take place was not yet decided. It has to be said though, we also got support from other collectors from Holland and Belgium.

•     Adri de Keijzer became involved as he is a talented photographer and he started with making meticulous nice pictures of the selected artefacts. He commenced it with his digital Nikon camera having for that time a quite high resolution of 1.5 megapixel! However, I am still convinced that even with modern equipment one hardly can beat his results!

•     During our vacation in Italy that year, I considered that this event was a good opportunity to thoroughly investigate the implications and theories on which these artefacts were based. I also decided, that the posters should be at least in A3 size and that all should be mounted at eye-level, so that there is a direct link between the text content and the artefacts on display. I chose 24 dot characters, so that even from some distance the text was for everyone readable. I was also able to prepare a catalogue which covered all the posters. Even state of the art basic principles, like: Quantum-Hall and Josephson effect (physics) among many other technologies were being dealt with. Our aim was, to show the route from basic values towards fundamental standards bridging say two centuries. (ending up with the SI system)

•     We are now about the beginning of September 2000. Theo Ensing in the meantime showed my work on to various university people and there was no serious objection.

•     In the meantime, we got an offer from Martin Nieuwenhuizen, the former Station Chief of Radio Kootwijk, who was still acting as Radio Kootwijk manager (also being a board member of our Foundation). Although, he was then on the payroll of 'Station 12', a satellite communication branch owned by Dutch KPN; he regarded this exhibition as being his "closing down Radio Kootwijk party". It was, by the way, the last opportunity to see the transmitters of Radio Kootwijk.

•     25 November 2010 was finally set as the main date. Everybody custom with organizing big events and bringing volunteers and many others together, may understand that it is extremely difficult to get everyone’s nose into the same direction. Nevertheless, the 25th proved to be a good day.

•     A result of Theo Ensing's struggle was, that he encountered all sorts of reluctance and even strong resistance. During the final preparations, I was forced to guarantee payments for the use of poster stands, artefacts and their transport. I had to stand for say, ƒ 2500,-- in those days quite an amount of money for a private person.

•     However, we managed finally to get things done. Transport was accomplished and the huge station hall was converted into a very nice exhibition venue.

•     Roughly estimated, we hosted more than 1500 visitors! Some came in the first place to see for the last time the remaining transmitters. But most guest came to see the wide range of historical even unique artefacts as well as the many demonstrations. Quite a lot stayed the entire day!    

•     Shown was, among many more things:- luminous quartz phenomena – most rare ‘Wolff Kompensators’ (in English known as Potentiometers) in many variations - slotted line demonstrations –Time-domain-reflector measurements, by which means one can even watching inside a coaxial connector what its impedance behaviour is - Einthoven cardiograph - various British Cambridge instruments - some of which very unique measurement apparatus - Keith Thrower from England came over to assist us with demonstrating that: piezo-electric phenomenon is really causing mechanical movements (it was demonstrated by means of a stroboscope that a 'ring-quartz' was actually contracting substantially for a few mm at 375 Hz!) - Clark cells and Weston-Standard-Cell, the latter which was for about 50 years was the d.c. voltage standard, world wide, which value was divined up to 10^-5 V ....

•     The next week we hosted a class of a Polytechnic from the Hague.

•     After the students left, we started with repacking the artefacts for transport back where they came from. This took a few days.

•     Theo Ensing was luckily able to manage that I did not have to pay for transport and the other expenses.

•     Maybe as a result of his engagement in facilitating our mutual exhibition, he was 'quit' from his function about May/June 2001. We may presume, however, that our engagement was not the main reason for this blow (conflict).

•     About late 2008, collected poems by late Walter Spong were presented in the former museum space in the basement of the ITS building at the Mekelweg in Delft. Adri de Keijzer met there again with a university staff member and he was told that our presentation on "strain gauzes" is still being part of their university course.

•     After the exhibition had been cleared, I felt that I had to support Martin Nieuwenhuizen with clearing the Radio Kootwijk building. Which had to be commenced ultimately on 31 May 2001!

•    During this process, I had to make a selection of the remaining Kootwijk archive papers. Imagine, sitting with my back towards a double broad cupboard with a pile (belt) of about 1 m high of papers of all sorts. I was sitting on a chair with in front of me a range of boxes and on my knees a bunch of papers and throwing the bits and pieces into the boxes of which I regarded that it should belong to. A process that took me more than two weeks.

•     At that time it was not yet clear who would accept the responsibility for the remaining Kootwijk archives. This clearly is a general downside of "Privatising" where a former state owned entity is only focussing now on their very short term core business. In the year 2000 most telecom companies in their 'immeasurable wisdom' invested (lost) billions in UMTS licenses.    Not very clever people, by the way! 

•     However, it proved that no one was accepting these papers, and I offered that our Foundation should take further responsibility. That is why the Kootwijk papers are part of our archives since. It is in fact a pity that Dutch institutions lack the responsibility of taking care of some aspects of their national heritage (this may be now a world wide nuisance).     To give you an example: On display in the building was a 'Marquette' which showed the antenna system of Radio Kootwijk in its environment. A quite expensive, but very nice, display. It was finally accepted by the Municipal Historical Museum of Apeldoorn, of which latter city Radio Kootwijk buildings and terrain is a part of. Some years later Martin Nieuwenhuizen asked them about the whereabouts of this unique exhibit. They didn't know where he was talking about. It turned out, that they had destructed it as to clear some storage space.

•    It had been Martin's plan for many years to establish a kind of 'national transmitter or communication museum' in the Radio Kootwijk main building (Gebouw A). It turned out, however, that no one was willing to step in and Martin finally had to liquidate all the remaining artefacts. Some were handed over to those willing to take care of it, some had to be simply scrapped. Luckily, since a year (December 2009) the 'Radio Kootwijk terrain and the many buildings' has become part of the Dutch institution (entity): Staatsbosbeheer. Thus, since a ministry is ultimately responsible, and there is some funding that can take care of the premises. Although, maintenance is already decades 'over due'! 

•     My, maybe a bit harsh, though, realistic thesis: Never trust an institution which is reluctantly accepting a gift!     Most likely, that they will as soon as possible trying to get rid of it.     Even when such institutions is presently very pleased with a gift, sometimes even seeking for it, they, nevertheless, might after a personnel change occurs - their new policy is then often prompting a major change; and that they will soon, good or bad, getting rid of some of their heritages! Sometimes this even will happen in respect to their 'core artefacts'. This might later be causing great regrets, maybe in the next generation. Please bear in mind - most museum staff is seating only rather temporally on 'a chair', they are often moved around in an organisation before they are finally made redundant. Like the artefacts they should have been responsible for.

•     In February 2000 I also gave a paper for Michael Duffy's Symposium held at Imperial College, on: Some aspects of precision time measurements, controlled by means of piezo-electric-vibrators, as deployed in Germany, prior to 1950

Year 1999

•     I gave two papers, one to Michael Duffy's Symposium held at Imperial College London, February 1999, on aspects of German electronic Engineering

•     And a paper to the CHiDE Symposium held at Bournemouth University in September 1999, on: aspects of military communications

Year 1998

•     I gave a paper for the CHiDE Symposium held in September 1998, on HF/DF (Huff-Duff).

Year 1997

•    My book: Funkpeilung als allieerte Waffe gegen deutsche U-Boote 1939-1945 was issued late that year. Took me 5 years of work, it was translated by late Heinz Lissok.

•     In September 1997, I gave a paper for the CHiDE Symposium held at Bournemouth University on: Navigational aids

•     In July 1997, my friend Hans Bechthold passed away. He possessed a huge collection, particularly on Allied wartime, but also, 1950 and 1960 commercial, technology.

Year 1996

•     I gave a paper on: Some hardly known aspects of the GHG, the U-boat’s group listening apparatus at the annual CHiDE Symposium at Bournemouth University in September.

Year 1995

•     I presented two papers. First in September 1995 for the occasion: 100 Years of Radio held at Savoy Place (IEE) in London, this paper was about German Electronics Engineering (about in line with my a second paper, of 2004 at Bletchley Park).

•     Second was my contribution to the first CHiDE international conference at Bournemouth University in December, on: Naxos, the history of a German mobile radar direction finder.

Year 1994

•     On 7 December 1994 our Foundation C.D.V. & T. was established.

Year 1992

•     My first book: Deckname Würzburg was being issued (translation by late Heinz Lissok).

Chairman, Arthur O. Bauer

Please go back to, or proceed with: Radar I

Please return to: About us