Wilfred James Cunningham

Cunnignham was killed aboard Fortress III KJ 112, one of 4 from 214 Sqdn carrying out a Special Duty Jostle patrol to Hamburg. 3 carried out the operation safely but Cunningham's 'failed to return.' (214 Sqdn ORB March 1945 Record of Events TNA Air27/1324.) There were no survivors. Fatalities: Cunningham + WD Allies, CRW Braithwaite, N Cooper, RAD Jones, BF Kerr, J McFarlane, P Newman, EL Punnett & SHC Sinclair.

A Jostle patrol refers to a highly specialized World War Two Royal Air Force (RAF) electronic warfare mission designed to jam German radio and ground-to-air communications. The patrols were vital in blinding the Luftwaffe's night-fighter networks by transmitting powerful radio interference over enemy territory

214 Squadron

At a time when Stirling losses led to the aircraft being withdrawn from bombing Germany the squadron transferred to RAF Downham Market in December 1943. In January 1944, the squadron was converted to special operations, joining No. 100 Group RAF for electronic countermeasures in support of the main bombing operations.

The squadron used the Boeing Fortress Mk II and Mk III and Stirlings. They used the jamming system codenamed "Airborne Cigar" (ABC) to block German night fighter communications. German speaking radio operators would identify and jam the ground controllers broadcasts.

They would also also pose as ground controllers themselves with the intention of steering the night fighters away from the bomber streams. At least some of 214 Squadron's B-17s were equipped with 'Piperack' which countered the Germans' Lichtenstein SN-2 aerial intercept radar. (Wikipedia)