THIS IS A RADIO WAR

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 6

THIS IS A RADIO WAR

Tanks, guns, planes, submarines, mines, and secret weapons, these have all had their share of publicity as the outstanding feature of the war. But, when you think of it, what is the most important weapon of them all? You have guessed it. It is radio! That is not pride-of-job speaking. It is logically and conclusively a fact. Radio is the background of all other weapons. It is the news-bringer, the medium of inspiration, the unseen dispatch rider, the eyes and ears of the fighting services and the civilian. It is the educator, the propagandist, the firer of guns, the director of bombing raids, the connecting and co-ordinating link between units of the forces—land, sea and air —and the intermediary cf nations. The first news that we were at war came over the radio; the first news of peace will be per medium cf radio. Without radio, war, in the modern tempo could not be waged. In this war, then, the radio engineer, research worker and serviceman has a vital job to perform. Forget for a moment the commonplace, but miraculous use of radio as a means of informing and entertaining the general public. Think of it only as a weapon of war. Its most spectacular use is that to which it was put by the Germans in the invasion of France—a method also exploited by the Japanese in Malaya. In broadcasts directed against defending troops and menaced civilians, rumours were spread, confusing orders given, all having a disturbing effect on morale. Minor items of information, gathered by spies, were broadcast and emphasised, until it seemed to ill-informed people that the enemy knew everything. You have all heard the story of the important and secret meeting of the Allied leaders in the early days of the war. The Germans broadcast the menu—so it was alleged the meal the leaders ate. It did not mean anything in terms of vita’ information, but it did say demoralisingly, "We have our spies verywhere." It was a radio bogey-man—a sound and terrifying psychological weapon of war. On our side, radio has had its most spectcular use in the form of radio detection—a secret weapon which played so important a part in the Battle of Britain. Yet the detector was only in its infancy. Delicate instruments "picked up" approaching enemy raiders, and allowed their course to be charted. It can also be used to detect the approach of submarines, moving vehicles, or even advancing troops. It is in the field of communications that radio has been of the greatest importance to the Services. It can be said that they are dependent upon it. Older methods of communication are too slow and uncertain in this war which is one of speed and constant change. Radio transmitters and receivers are carried by all units of the Army. To jump from the general to the particular, tank warfare has gained its highest efficiency from the use of radio. Units can range far and wide, yet remain always in touch with their headquarters. They can carry out their operations in accordance with changing strategic demands. As radio has been extended in scope so has its equipment become more efficient and compact. The cumbersome and intricate older sets could find no place in the fast, streamlined tanks of today. To maintain this radio equipment at the high level of efficiency demanded by its importance, the Signals Section maintains a competent staff of servicemen. Most of these were servicemen in civil life and know their job thoroughly. To make doubly sure of their competence, and to accustom them to their new charges, these tank-radio-technicians are all given an intensive and interesting ' course when they enter the Army. Mistakes of carelessness in workmanship could have serious results, for radio communication in tho tanks, as in other military spheres, is no longer a mere accessory. It is a vital component of mechanised warfare, —P.R.C,