2.
33
Secret Defence Devices.
For a long time Britain was the world pioneer in the
practical application of scientific knowledge and technique in
industry, and British inventions helped to change the face of the
modern world. Then there was a tendency for the nation to rest on
its past achievements, and in certain countries it was gleefully
announced that Britain's day was done and the British people were
decadent.
Developments during the past year or two should help to
dispel this dangerous illusion. Since Britain entered the rearmament
field her advance has been phenomenal, not only quantitatively but
qualitatively as well. The inventive faculties of her scientists
and technicians are as keen and vigorous as ever, and the British
Navy and t...e Britiah Air Force testify to the superb qualities of
the men whose business it is to produce new devices to meet new dangers.
The Admiralty recently let it be known that they have a
secret apparatus for defeating the submarine peril.
Under ordinary
conditions, with this apparatus, British warships can hunt out and
make certain of finding enemy submarines. "The chance of the submar-
ine surviving has been reduced by thirty per cent during the last
six months."
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The British Air Ministry scientists produce one invention
after another withastonishing and indeed embarrassing rapidity,
for it is most impossible to standardise any system of defence in
detail. Production methods "must be kept fluid so as to be able
to incorporate into our system each new device as it materialises."
In the recent large-scale air exercises some marvellous machines
took part; but impressive as these machines were, there are still
better ones now ready for action should the need arise.