and the deception transmissions that hoodwinked the enemy
By Richard Shears
In amateur radio circles Rowley Shears, G8KW is well known for having developed and manufactured the KW range of radios. Rowley also had some extraordinary experiences in WWII that even included him posing as a German agent and being awarded an Iron Cross. This biography of Major Rowland 'Rowley' Shears, BEM, TD provides a first-hand account of the life of a fascinating character.
Rowley joined the army as a signalman is 1939 and was soon in Cairo where he started to work for the British Intelligence services. Rapidly entering the world of deception saw him in Operation Cheese posing as a German agent and being awarded the Iron Cross for his efforts. The British Army recognised his activities too as he was 'mentioned in despatches' and awarded the British Empire medal by 1943. Much of Rowley's other WWII activity is detailed here, from El Alamein to undercover missions to Crete.
At the close of the war Rowley had been promoted and found himself in post-war Germany in 1946. Rowley was pivotal at that time in re-establishing amateur radio in Germany issuing licences until 1950 and being in at the formation of the German amateur radio organisation DARC. This during a time in which he was responsible for communications during the 'Berlin Airlift'. By 1955 Rowley had left the army and was establishing KW Electronics. 20 years of producing RSGB award-winning radios followed before the company was taken over by Decca.
By most standards, Rowley's lifetime was remarkable and this book provides an unprecedented insight into it. This is thoroughly recommended reading for anyone interested in WWII secret intelligence and the world of radio communications after the war.
Size 128 x 198mm, 192 pages, ISBN 9781789635386
+44 (0) 1234 832700
