CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939 — Page 33

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."

-

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.