WAR INVENTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21185, 7 August 1940, Page 7

WAR INVENTIONS

ALMOST INCREDIBLE IDEAS LETTERS TO HEADQUARTERS EXAMINED BY EXPERTS (United Press Assn.—Elec. T*l. Copyright) SYDNEY, Aug 6 The Minister for the Army, Mr Street, describes as “ almost incredible ” the range of human ingenuity and imagination disclosed in letters to Army Headquarters' containing suggestions for war inventions and devices. Mr Street said that suggestions for the defence of England formed a large and increasing percentage of the average of 500 letters a week that reached Army Headquarters for reference to the inventions board. Every letter was examined, and every one that contained even a germ of an idea was noted by highly-qualified specialists of the various branches of the Army. Every invention which survived critical examination by these specialists and the subsequent deliberations of the inventions board was referred to the War Office in London. Electrification of the waters of the English Channel and the burning of inflammable oils on the water to prevent an invading force from approaching British shores are among the most novel suggestions received at Army Headquarters. Electrocuting the crews of tanks is an idea that has captured the imagination of scores of people. Trailing overhead wires, hidden wires on the ground and streams of highly-electrified water sprayed from hoses are among the variations of plans. The basic weakness in all these anti-tank suggestions is that the current would instantly earth through the metal tracks of the tanks, without the crews suffering serious shock. Other suggestions are for Big Berthas to project large shells up to a thousand miles, aerial devices that will hunt enemy aeroplanes, perpe-tual-motion mechanisms and dual engines. Sums running into five, six and even seven figures are sometimes asked for such ideas.