The "Death Ray" Again

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 201, 26 August 1939, Page 16 (Supplement)

The "Death Ray" Again

According to reports from Rome, the latest German Heinkel H. 60 bombers, which are driven by heavy-oil engines, are being fitted with ultra shortwave transmitters that can emit 'death-rays" capable of putting enemy machines out of action.

German radio scientists are also credited with the invention of a rnv that, penetrating four miles vertically, project* an invisible wall, solid as a rampart of steel, between earth and skv. No bomber could avoid it, and immediately an aeroplane came within its influence it would l>e brought down with its ignition destroyed.

'•erniany may or may not possess such a ray. lmt that she anticipates a device of that nature ultimately becoming a defensive weapon is indicated by her efforts to perfect and develop the Diesel engine for use in aircraft. Diesel motors run on heavy oil. and, dispensing with the usual electrical ignition, would be unaffected by any electrical interference. The onlv ray that could stop a Diesel engine would be one generating intense heat. National defence departments throughout the world are tantalised bv the possibilities of discovering a ray <apablo of immobilising invading aircraft. Broadcasting Death It is known that static electricity, a natural phenomena of the ether, can completely destroy an aeroplane's ijpiition system, and several unsolved air crashes have been attributed to that cause. In certain parts of the world, such as Waynesboro, Virginia, there are areas of radio activity which, welling up from the earth, are capable of stopping cars by interfering with their ignition.

By--David Le Roi

Not a few scientists argue, therefore, that if natural radiation can put the internal combustion engipe out of commission, man-made rays should be able to do the same.

Many fteople scoff at the idea of eo intangible a thing as wireless waves affecting solid bodies; but if the waves emitted from a broadcasting station can bend the iron diaphragm of an earphone 500 times a second, the possibilities of a death ray deserve a certain measure of respect.

Indeed, rumour asserts that not only Germany, but several of the Powers already possess apparatus whereby the

closing of a switch would be sufficient to broadcast death like a radio programme and send an invading air fleet hurtling to the ground.

It is claimed that shortly before his death Marconi demonstrated to Signor Mussolini an invisible ray that stops aeroplanes in ini<l-air bv crippling their ignition.

there are also persistent rumours that Russian radiologists have melted metals from a distance by means of ultra-short waves. The distance is admitted to be as yet only a few feet, but not eo very long ago the range of- wireless was no more; and to-day broadcasting circles the globe. Paralysing Beam Apparently Britain is 110 whit behind other countries in seeking a ray to combat mass attack from the air, for the Air Ministry is reported to have attended recently a secret demonstration of a radio device that is claimed by its inventor to paralyse petrol engines for a period of several hours. Kcsembling a searchlight on a swivel tripod, the apparatus is said to work on the principle of infra-red rays and to project a beam capable of penetrating any screening device that might be placed over an aeroplane's ignition system. Naturally, no country is disposed to advertise whether or not it possesses a ray capable of destroying raiding aircraft, consequently the whole subject is extremely vague. Occasionally, however, the official veil of secrecy is momentarily lifted from such matters. Last year, for example, it was revealed in the House of Commons that for some time ships of the Royal Navy have been equipped with an anti-submarine ray. Similar to a reflector ray, the device is used to detect the presence of submarines, and is claimed to be a vast improvement upon the hydrophone; no underwater craft could come within range of it without risking certain destruction. Wireless waves are sent out by the apparatus, and whenever they come into contact with the metal hull of a submarine are reflected back to the transmitting vessel. By calculating the time taken by the ray to return to the ship, the distance of the submarine is deter-

Every country is busy with secret rays intended to bring down aircraft by destroying their ignition systems—and some would appear to have succeeded! But war cannot claim all credit for development of the Death Ray"; its peacetime usefulness is already an established fact.

mined and its position estimated to within a few yards. -Aeroplanes or surface craft then race to the submarine's position and dispose of the enemy by dropping bombs or depth-charges. The ray has a range of several miles and is effective even if the submarine happens to be resting on the sea bed. ~ It is equally valuable in detecting aircraft, and is asserted to be* so accurate that it can be used to direct gunfire. " Radio Eye " Then there is a ray device that may eventually endow man with a second sight. permitting him to see through fog and darkness. Invented by a British engineer, the apparatus utilises wavelengths of Jifilit, which are longer'than those of infra-red rays, but shorter than radio waves. By means of special valves, details of which are the closely guarded secret of their designer, the receiver indicates the position and direction of any stationary or moving object within a radius of several miles. Indication is given by a pointer moving across a dial, but it is hoped that eventually objects will be re\ealed pictorially, as on a television screen. During one recent test, the detector was taken up in an aeroplane and at a height of several thousand feet clearlv revealed the presence of hills live mile's away, though mist rendered the hills invisible to the naked eye. On account of its ability to indicate the exact position and distance of a mo\ing object hidden by darkness or clouds, the detector may revolutionise ground defence against aircraft. At present, anti-aircraft observation posts employ sound detectors and can give only the approximate position of invisible aircraft; but with some such device as this "radio eye," anti-aircraft artillery would have direct sight of their target irrespective of visibility. I bus, if the apparatus were synchronised with the anti-aircraft gun, shells would inevitably get near enough to the raiders either to bring them down or drive them off. In this way, "cloud cover,"' which now provides the raiding warplane's chief protection, would soon lose much of its value. Further development will be necessary, however, before the "radio eye*' l>ecomes part of the equipment of anti-aircraft units, and in its present stage the invention promises a more immediate utility at sea. One shipping company has already decided to equip several of its vessels with the detector as an anti-fog measure. Destruction Of Pests Destruction of insect pests in stored wheat and other cereals is one of the nrast serious problems of national defence. Thus, in 1916 the British Government purchased from Australia 3,500,000 tons of wheat, part of which had to be stored for two years; and the expenditure to prevent the ravages of weavils amounted to nearly £1,000,000. Now, however, the Bacteriological Section of the Radio Society of Great Britain has evolved a ray apparatus .that exterminates insect pests in grain. The grain passes over a metal plate beneath which is a series of gas-filled tubes. The tubes are electrically energised and emit waves which literally bombard to death any insects or their larvae and eggs lurking in the grain. Consuming only one and a quarter units of current an hour, one machine is able to treat 300 tons of grain a day.

Finally, although inventors may not vet have caujrht that will-o'-the-wisp of the detective thriller, the death ray, recent electrical research has revealed that the radiation of certain types of ehort wireless waves will have startling effects upon the future of humanity. Doctors have already devised rays to cure disease, and many biologists anticipate that the secret of life's origin will be found in the ether.