Ernst Otto Kirner was born on March 9, 1926 in Heidelberg, Germany. Ernst and his two sisters Lilo and Hildegard, along with their parents Alfred and Auguste Kirner, lived on Rottmanstrasse, in a working class neighborhood during the Depression. 

Here they endured the widespread privation and economic consequences following WW I. Like most young Germans, Ernst could not possibly anticipate the dangerous and tragic early life experiences that awaited him. 

DRAFTED AT 16: THE STEGSKÖPFER YEARS

At the age of 16 he was drafted into the German Luftwaffe during World War II. Towards the end of the war, Germany was running out of soldiers; as a result teenagers and older men were drafted vigorously. Ernst was one of the select group of teenage boys known as the Stegsköpfer. 

These talented high-school students — often with strong backgrounds in mathematics, physics, and radio — were hand-picked from German youth and sent to Reichsausbildungslager (Reich Training Camp) IV at Lager Stegskopf in the Westerwald region of Germany. 

There they received intensive specialized training in high-frequency technology (Hochfrequenztechnik) and radar (Funkmeß). 

After completing the program, the Stegsköpfer were assigned to elite Luftwaffe Funkmeß-Einheiten (radar units), notably the Prinz Eugen – Tegetthoff units, where they supported both anti-aircraft batteries and night-fighter operations. 

Ernst served as a radar officer candidate for an anti-aircraft unit in a German night fighter squadron near Mannheim. Ernst and other boys his age received specialized electronics and aviation training to prepare them for the war and the daily bombing raids expected by the Allied forces. He was part of a group of youngsters who manned the famous 88 anti-aircraft cannon, one of the most effective weapons of the war. 

The experience of Ernst and other young men like him was a common one, as the war took a toll on the adult population and necessitated the use of younger and younger soldiers to defend the "home front." 

RADAR AND NIGHT FIGHTING

Ernst's role as a radar officer candidate was vital. By the mid-war period, the German air defense system was highly reliant on technology to counter the Allied bombing campaigns, which were increasingly conducted at night to avoid the most dangerous daylight defenses. 

Freya and Würzburg Radar Systems: 

Germany developed a series of sophisticated ground-based radars. The Freya radar was used for early warning, detecting incoming bomber streams from a great distance. Once a target was located, the Würzburg radar would take over.

This radar was more precise and could track a single aircraft, providing accurate data on its altitude, range, and speed.

The Himmelbett System: This was a famous ground-controlled interception system developed by the Luftwaffe. It combined a series of radar stations, searchlights, and night fighter squadrons. Radar officers like Ernst would be in control of a specific sector, using their Würzburg radar to guide a German night fighter—often a twin-engine plane like a Messerschmitt Me 110 or Junkers Ju 88—to the bomber.

The officer would give the pilot vectors (directions and altitude) until the pilot could pick up the bomber on his own on-board radar. 

 THE 88MM FLAK CANNON

The 88mm anti-aircraft cannon, known as the Flak 36, was arguably the most feared German weapon of the war. Its reputation wasn't just for its role against Allied bombers but also for its deadly effectiveness as an anti-tank and ground support weapon. 

 An "Anti-everything" Weapon: The 88mm gun had an exceptionally high muzzle velocity, which made it ideal for both anti-aircraft and anti-tank roles. It could fire a shell at a very high speed, allowing it to reach the high altitudes where Allied bombers flew.

When aimed at a tank, the same high velocity meant its armor-piercing shells could penetrate the thickest armor of the time. This versatility made it a crucial part of the German defenses. 

The Reality of Flak: An 88mm shell exploding near a bomber would send out hundreds of jagged metal fragments, capable of tearing through the fuselage and knocking out engines. However, flak was more than just a direct killer. Its main effect was psychological and strategic. 

The sheer volume of bursting shells—creating black clouds in the sky, a sight familiar to Allied aircrews—forced bombers to fly at higher altitudes and to take evasive maneuvers, which in turn reduced the accuracy of their bombing runs.

The experience of these young men on the ground was one of constant tension and danger. They were a key part of Germany's defense, manning these cannons and radars under the constant threat of Allied bombers seeking to knock out their batteries. It's a testament to the comprehensive and desperate nature of the war effort that even young teenagers were thrust into these highly technical and perilous roles. 

 Ernst would later describe it as "the English Avro Lancasters carpet bombed our cities at night and the American B-17 and B-24 bombers bombed us by day." The English were the first to develop radar and were able to complete missions during the dark. 

WOUNDED BY WAR

Towards the end of the war, Ernst was wounded and hospitalized when a bomb exploded near his battle station. One of his commanding officers was later found with a giant piece of metal shrapnel that had pierced his head and had killed him immediately. 

The war and all its bloody, unimaginable horrors and tragedies were indelible memories that stayed with young Ernst for his entire life. 

Many years later, his son would ask him repeatedly for a bb gun on days leading up to his birthday. Ernst grew quiet and distant when asked this question; no bb gun was ever purchased. 

GROWING UP IN DEUTSCHLAND

As a youth, Ernst was an accomplished student and athlete who earned medals for snow skiing and swimming. In his spare time, he practised playing the violin and learned to appreciate music. 

His father, Alfred Kirner was a strict disciplinarian, and a cavalry dragoon and officer during WW I and also served as an officer in WWII. 

Alfred was taken prisoner by the Americans and was incarcerated as a POW in Arkansas during the final years of the war. According to Ernst, his father told him he was treated reasonably well by the American captives during his internment and later revealed his time in prison in the USA was less ardous than what German citizens and the general population endured following the end of the war. 

Throughout his life, Ernst was frequently melancholic about what had transpired in Germany so long ago when he was just a boy. Ernst revealed that the great majority of Germans were not aware of the horrific things going on in their own country and throughout Europe at the time. He was filled with guilt and remorse. 

 "There was no CNN or Anderson Cooper or 60 Minutes to report hourly on what was right or wrong," he said. What the public heard and read was strictly and constantly monitored and controlled by the fascist government. 

FROM DEVASTATION TO OPPORTUNITY

After the war, he earned a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Karlsruhe Technical University in Germany. He excelled at Mathematics, Science and Electronics. In 1951 he married dark haired beauty Gertrude Nagel of Epfenbach, Germany. 

Gertrude, a trained stenographer and administrative professional, was also the ideal homemaker and cared for the whole family and Ernest through all the adventurous early years, as well as the travails later in life. 

With $100 in their pocket they emigrated first to Montreal, Canada and then to the United States. Ironically, American tech companies were very interested in the specific aviation, avionics and high level engineering skill set that Ernst had acquired during the war and at his university. 

Many German engineers, tech workers and scientists, including NASA's Werner von Braun found a new life and meaningful careers in the United States.  

BENDIX AVIONICS & FAMILY LIFE

The Kirners lived for several years in Towson, Maryland and had three children: Karen, Mike and Susan. They lived in red brick row house and bought their first car, a 1954 Buick. Ernst spent most of his adult life working for the Bendix Corporation in the Avionics division. 

His career path included various senior engineering positions in Towson, Frankfurt am Main, Germany and later, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. INVENTIONS & PATENTS

As one of the co-inventors of the Doppler Navigation System in 1965, he also made numerous original contributions in the fields of Air Traffic Control Transponders, Distance Measuring Equipment, the Microwave Landing System and has several patents for Bendix. Among his inventions were the Radar Planning Position Indicator and the Digital Remote Control System. 

Representing Bendix, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, Scandinavia, North America and Asia and as an industry leading authority in avionics regularly attended international aviation expositions. 

During the 1960's, 70's and 80's most of the world's top passenger and private aircraft, including the Boeing 707, Boeing 747 and others featured avionics equipment and electronic components developed by Ernst and the team of engineers at Bendix Avionics Division. 

Below are more specifics about Ernie's Inventions: Digital Remote Control System (EP0023160B1)

Filed: 1979

Assignee: Bendix Corporation

Inventors: Ernest Otto Kirner, Walter Lewis Devensky

Description: This patent describes a system for formulating redundant command signals in a control unit, storing them in a shift register, and transmitting them to a remote unit in serial format. The system ensures the remote unit responds to the correct command by comparing the returned signal with a second redundant command signal. This was likely used in avionics for reliable control systems. Radar Plan Position Indicator (US3803597A)

Filed: April 10, 1972

Assignee: Bendix Corporation

Inventor: Ernest Otto Kirner

Description: This patent covers a radar plan position indicator with a mechanically scanned arm equipped with light sources (e.g., lamps or LEDs) synchronized with a scanning antenna. The system was designed to display radar data visually, a critical component in avionics navigation and surveillance systems. Doppler Navigation System (DE1257900B)

Filed: 1959 (U.S. priority date)

Assignee: Bendix Corporation

Inventors: Ernest O. Kirner, along with Burton L. Cordry, Charles L. Christiansen, William F. Gunkel, Carl C. Bath, Nicholas M. Papanicolaou, Wilbur A. Visher, James H. Jackson, Robert E. Willey

Description: This patent relates to a Doppler navigation system for aircraft, utilizing a stabilized waveguide slot antenna with a switched beam to enhance navigation accuracy while reducing weight. Kirner’s involvement in this patent aligns with his noted co-invention of the Doppler Navigation System in 1965, as mentioned in his obituaryinvestigative biography. Aircraft Landing Guidance System Monitor

Description: Kirner is credited with a patent for a system to monitor the operation of an aircraft landing guidance system independently. It involves a radio altimeter, a ground-based reflector, and means to compare actual and predetermined altitudes to ensure the aircraft is on the correct approach path. This was critical for safe landings. Integrity Monitor for Ground Station

Description: This patent involves a ground station system that periodically transmits an integrity test signal with a coded portion to verify system functionality, ensuring reliability in avionics systems like air traffic control transponders. Additional Context

Ernst Otto Kirner (1926–2022) was a senior engineer at Bendix Avionics, contributing to technologies used in major aircraft like the Boeing 707 and 747. His work focused on Doppler navigation, air traffic control transponders, distance measuring equipment, and microwave landing systems. His patents reflect innovations in avionics, particularly in navigation, radar, and control systems, which were integral to Bendix’s advancements in aircraft technology during the 1960s to 1980s. While the exact number of patents may extend beyond those listed, the above are explicitly tied to Kirner and Bendix Avionics in available records. Other contributions may exist under collaborative patents or unpublished works. 

EUROPA EUROPA 

Ernst's position as a senior engineer provided a very comfortable life for the family. During the time the Kirner family lived in Europe, they were able to travel every summer throughout the continent and North America and experienced numerous multi-cultural adventures including vacations to Switzerland, Austria, Italy, England, Canada and the USA. 

The entire family frequently spent winters skiing in Davos, Switzerland, St, Moritz, Axamer Lizum, Innsbruck Austria, Garmisch Parten Kirchen and summers in Paris, New York, Montreal or Florida. HIGHER EDUCATION At the time, the Kirner children never realized they were receiving a pre-planned, comprehensive, all expenses paid, international education for the better part of a decade. 

The lifestyle was upper middle class and compared to many, quite lavish. The children lacked nothing, attended private schools via a giant Mercedes Benz bus and lived in a large house surrounded by a serene and bucolic German landscape. The family also resided in Dortelweil, Epfenbach and Langen, Germany where the Kirner children first attended German public schools and subsequently, private Frankfurt International School in Oberursel. 

The Kirner kids were initially entrenched in the stoic regimen associated with German public schools and suddenly thrust into an internationally renowned, multi cultural private, English school in Oberursel, which was staffed by teachers from England, Scotland and Ireland. 

On weekends, Ernst and Gertrude would often play records featuring the music of Bach, Beethoven, Handel and Mozart to attempt to teach their children to appreciate the finer things in life. The parents would incorporate physical exercises with classical music soundtracks. While this all sounds romantic, it's actually entirely true. 

SOUTH FLORIDA

In addition to spending many years living in the center of Europe in Epfenbach, Langen and Dortelweil, Germany, the family spent nearly twenty years in the subtropical suburban city of Coral Springs, one kilometer from the 1 million square mile Florida Everglades. 

While still living near Frankfurt am Main, Ernst built an accurate and extremely detailed miniature replica of the new house he was building in Florida for his family. Each spoiled child was given their own room with an intercom, overlooking a large swimming pool. Although this was a common element of South Florida life, one has to remember it was 1969 in the middle of Germany, and for the Kirner children, knowing that a brand new home was being built next to a Florida canal, on a lush, two acre lot with a pool, next to the world famous Everglades was a wonderfully exciting new adventure. 

KEEL BOATS FOR THE KIDS

Ernst also helped design, engineer and build two fully functional sailboats from scratch, on which the neighborhood kids sailed the murky canals of Coral Springs, where the occasional ten foot alligator lurked. 

The boats were over eight feet in length and were loosely modeled after the Early American frontier keel boats. The keel boat design included a rudder, sails, turn buckles, riggings, an anchor a covered main cabin..... and of course the pirate flag atop the main mast. 

Similar to the boats that Lewis & Clark or Mike Fink used on their explorations, the vessels were typically propelled and steered with oars and long setting poles. For the youngsters and their friends, this daily exposure to boats, fires with marshmellows, sailing and outdoor activities was rather like a childhood Disney adventure. During the 1980's and 1990's the family also resided on the shore of a large lake in Mission Bay, located in Boca Raton, Florida, home of the Chris Evert training centers and countless golf courses. Here Ernst was active playing tennis on clay courts until his late seventies. 

 The Kirner children attended Coral Springs and Coconut Creek High Schools. All three subsequently graduated from Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, as well as the prestigious University of Florida in Gainesville. 

The kids were all respectable students and Ernest was proud when his middle child became both soccer and football captain at Coral Springs High and subsequently played soccer on the Pi Kappa Alpha and University of Florida Gators club team. 

PILOT | AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER | SCIENTIST

Ernst was an enthusiastic pilot and flew a Cessna 150 and Cessna 170 during the 1970's and 1980's. Throughout his long career he held prominent positions as an Aeronautical Engineer, Senior Engineering Scientist and retired as a Professor of Avionics from the renowned Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Embry - Riddle is still the top aviation school in the world. 

Directly outside of Ernst's office at the university was an actual, life - sized, metal and aluminum replica of the first jet propelled fighter plane in history, The Messerschmitt ME 262.  Rusted and riddled with bullet holes, it was literally one of the original aircraft captured after D-Day in 1945. This was another very strange and macabre irony for a former Luftwaffe private to see forty years after the war. GEORGIA ON MY MIND

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

Ernst and Gertrude moved to Georgia in 2008 to be near their grandchildren: Kristina, Stefanie and Laney Lou. 

They resided north of Atlanta, near Lake Lanier in Forsyth county and subsequently at Ashwood Meadows Senior Living in Duluth, GA. Like a movie star, Ernst passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 14, 2018 at the age of 92. Gertrude passed three years later, on February 7, 2021. 

The entire Kirner family are enthusiatic followers of the true religion of peace: Christianity. The senior Kirners attended Lanier United Methodist Church, where the funeral services for Ernst were held in mid March, 2018. 

 Read Gertrude's Obituary Here:

https://contentmachinemike.bl…

 Link to 1 of Ernest Kirner's Patents

https://patents.google.com/pa…

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