AIR DEFENCES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1929, Page 6

AIR DEFENCES

A mechanical marvel. (United Press Association— By. Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) 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 the gjcpund, aid wlit be protected .by a bomb proof armour. This statement is made by the “ Daily Mail.” It says the room will also he gas proof and sound proof, and can he completely isolated from the world above merely by the movement of a switch.' 1 r,0.-o inside who will be grouped arc...no a great illuminated map. and will bp able to send comm mis to a ii Iwork of land stations, from .' iie ;ce they will be sent by wireless to pilots flying at great heights. This map wilt be the visible, overchanging centre of a vast spider’s web of aerial intelligence. .Every gun position and searchlight in a huge network of ground defences will be shown by tiny pin points of light: and also tidings will he flashed from a widespread system of listening posts, whose senisifive siound-loca f iu,( instruments will trace the movement of aerial raiders, whoso convergence on objectives will be indicated on the nip by gradually advaiieinig waves of light, upon whicili orders will he flashed to the defending squadrons, whoso movements the wonderi map ydi smria’ y reveal. Thus l a hidden headquarters’ staff will have a full knowledge of what is occurring at vast heights in the night sky. They will no no mcmunry men, hut veritable wizards of science, as from the subterranean cliamher they will control searchlights, guns, and aeroplanes, and will operate smoke .scroops and other obstructions. They will wield a'most . superhuman powers.