Radar helped British ships fight at the Barents Sea, but equipment and operating experience were less developed than at North Cape a year later. HMS Manchester had received radar in 1939, and other ships were being fitted as quickly as possible during the war. Crews still had to learn how snow, rain and atmospheric conditions affected early sets and radar-directed gunnery. Early radar was more sensitive to such conditions than modern equipment, so installation alone did not confer the proficiency gained through continued use.
Notable Point · 3:01:36-3:02:53
Radar gunnery still had an Arctic learning curve
Radar aided the 1942 battle, but crews were still learning how weather, snow, and atmospheric conditions affected early sets and radar-directed fire.