February 1942. RAF intelligence is baffled by a newly-identified radar network on the coast of Nazi-occupied Europe. Several radar installations are identified from aerial photographs but the purpose and the nature of the installations are not known. Some British scientists believe that these stations are connected with successful German downings of RAF bombers conducting raids in occupied Europe, resulting in severe losses of pilots and bombers. British scientists request that one of these installations be raided and the technology it possesses be studied and, if possible, extracted and brought back to Britain for further examination.

With the approval of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Chief of Operations Lord Mountbatten of Burma an extraordinary operation known as Operation Biting is launched with an ambitious goal: dismantle Hitler’s radar systems and help Britain win the war. 

On May 21 Max Hastings comes to the Intelligence Squared stage to recount the remarkable story of Operation Biting and what it tells us about the crucial role of intelligence and special forces in great power conflict. Drawing from his new book Operation Biting: The 1942 Assault to Capture Hitler’s Radar he will explore how this almost forgotten operation helped turn the tide on the war and how modern intelligence and special forces continue to shape the conflicts and wars we see in the world today.