BRITAIN’S AIR DEFENCE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 March 1929, Page 5

BRITAIN’S AIR DEFENCE

INGENIOUS APPARATUS.

CONTROL OF PLANES.

USE OF MYSTERY ROOM

(United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph Copyright.) —United Service). LONDON, March 7. A secret mechanical “.brain” containing electrical and other apparatus of extraordinary ingenuity will act as the central controlling point of Britain's air defences. Only those intimately concerned will know where the mystery room is situated. It will be deep below ground and protected by bomb-proof armour, says the “Daily Mail.” It will also be gas-proof and sound-proof and can be completely isolated from the world above merely by a movement of a switch.

Those inside, who will be grouped around a great illuminated map, will be able to send commands to a network of land stations, when-the orders will be sent by wireless to pilots flying at great heights. The map will be the visible, everchangiu.n- centre of a vast spider’s web of aerial intelligence. Every gun position and searchlight in a huge network of ground defences Avill be shown by tiny pin-points of light. Tidings will be flashed from a widespread system of listening posts whose sensitive sound-locating instruments will trace the movements of aerial raiders whose convergence objectives will be indicated on the map by gradually advancing waves of light, upon which orders will be flashed to the defending squadrons, whose movements the wonder map will similarly reveal. Thus the hidden headquarters staff will have full knowledge of what is occurring at vast heights in the night sky. They will be no ordinary men, but veritable wizards of science, as from the subterranean chamber they will control searchlights, guns and aeroplanes, operate smoke-screens and other obstructions. They will wield almost superhuman powers.