Science And War

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21993, 19 June 1941, Page 4

Science And War

ANE of the reasons for the success of the Royal ” Air Force in the Battle of Britain last year has now been revealed in the announcement which discloses that a British scientist had performed a remarkable service for his country by discovering a method of detecting the approach of raiders. The story of this romantic and incalculably valuable aid to defence has been told by Air Marshal Joubert who has said that it is “virtually impossible for a raider to approach Britain without our knowledge.” Last autumn, when more than 2,300 German raiders were shot down over Britain, there was naturally speculation as to how the numerically inferior Royal Air Force had been able to win this astonishing victory. Courageous personnel and fine machines achieved this satisfactory result, but the defenders were helped immeasurably by Radio Location, as this defensive device is called. Through it there was no wasted effort. The Royal Air Force knew when and from what direction the raiders were coming. This meant that investigatory patrolling was unnecessary, and that the Royal Air Force went into action only to join battle with the enejny. One of the few compensations for the wastage and tragedy of war is that war conditions are excellent for rapidly accelerated scientific development The struggle of 1914-1918 intensified the growth of aviation and prepared the way for the almost miraculous post-war developments which made air travel over all the land and water of the world commonplace within a relatively short time. Radio Location, it is expected, will have extraordinary value in times of peace. It is anticipated that it will ultimately eliminate the possibility of shipwreck and that it will make air travel completely safe. This is a single compensation for the .war, but it will be a useful one.