Operation Window: Churchill's Great Idea

In reading about Winston Churchill, I discovered a neat piece of trivia. I learned that in World War II, Winston Churchill came up with an idea to confuse German radars using tin foil.

In a BBC documentary called "Bomber" by Richard Holmes. He describes that in operation "window" strips of foil were dropped so that the radars would mistake the falling foil as allied planes. Veterans described that the german searchlights, instead of pointing upwards, were pointed level to the ground. The enemy was so utterly confused. A German veteran went on to say that he even thought that the allies had landed.

Churchill had invented what would become modern chaff.

Imagine that, kitchen tin foil saved the lives of RAF airmen. Something to think about next time you wrap up your leftovers :)