BRITAIN’S AIR DEFENCES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 139, 8 March 1929, Page 11

BRITAIN’S AIR DEFENCES

CONTROLLED BY MECHANICAL 1 “BRAIN” ’ WONDERFUL MYSTERY ROOM INHABITED BY WIZARDS OF SCIENCE ” ■ 1 ■. " .. (United Preus Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ” (United Service.) •; (Rec. March 7, 11.15 p.m.) London, March 7. A secret mechanical “brain,” containing electrical and other apparatus of extraordinary ingenuity, will act as the 5 central controlling point of Britain’s air defences. Only those intimately concerned will ,knowwhere the mystery room is situated. It will, be deep below the ground, and protected by - bomb-proof, armour, says the “Dally Mail.” It will also be gasproof and soundproof, and can be completely isolated from the world above merely by' the movement of a switch. . Those, inside, who will be grouped around a great illuminated fthap will be able-to send to a network- of land stations, from whence they will be sent wireless to pilots Hying at great heights. The map will be the visible ever-changing centre of a vast spider’s web of aerial intelligence. Every gun position and searchlight in the huge network of ground defences will be" shown by tiny pin-points of light. Also, tidings will be flashed from a widespread systeiii of listening-posts, -whose sensitive sound locating instruments will trace the movement of aerial' raiders whose convergence on objectives will be indicated on the- map by gradually advancing waves of light,' upon Which orders will be flashed "to defendingsquadrons, whose movements the wonder map will similarly repeal, ' > t Thus the hidden headquarters staff will have a fullknowledge-.of- what is occurring at vast; heights in the -night sky. They will be no, ordinary men, but veritable wizards of-: science, <as f?Om the subterranean chamber they will control the searchlights,-guns, and aeroplanes, and operate smoke-screens and other* obstructions. They will wield almost superhuman powers.