DEFENCE AGAINST ATOM BOMBS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 145, 1 April 1948, Page 5

DEFENCE AGAINST ATOM BOMBS

PROFESSOR OLIPHANT’S VIEW CONTESTED t (Special Correspondent—-N Z.P.A.). LONDON, March 30. The science edtor of the “Daily Express,” Chapman Pincher, commenting on Professor M. L. Oliphant’s state ment that it was suicidal to send bombers to Russia because of recent developments in anti-aircraft defence, saye that top-ranking scientists and military experts do not agree with Professor Oliphant’s view. Since the Avar anti-aircraft defence has improved in theory only, says Pincher. There is no possibility of developing a ray which Avill explode atom bombs prematurely in mid-air. The air defence weapon on which all nations are at present concentrating is a 2000-mile an hour rocket, which would be guided by radio to within 50ft of any aircraft and automatically exploded. . The production of such a weapon, even by America, which is years ahead of Russia or Britain in tins field, ie at least five years away. Experts consider that if another war comes 80 per cent of the highaltitude bombers will still be able to get through any knoAvn anti-air-craft defences.

Pincher adds that by the time antiaircraft rockets are perfected super V2’s carrying atom bombs may be available. There will be no possible defence against these.