Radar Saved Britain
Will Remodel Industry
Electronics Proves of Great Value to American
Air and Naval Forces During
Present War.
By BAUKHAGE
/Veto Analyst and Commentator.
WNU Service, Union Tnut Building,
Washington, D. C.
(This is the first ol aoo articles by Mr.
Basshhagt revealing some ol the remark
able achievements of rader end explain
ing hose it operates.)
Little by little the world is learn
ing more of the secrets hidden in
that magic, five-letter word which,
spelled backward or forward,
? means the same thing, but whose
real meaning is still a mystery. I
mean R-A-D-A-R.
I have written it down that way
because its derivation is one mys
tery that we can reveal. Before it
went into "classification," which is
what they say in the army when
they mean something can't be men
tioned in public, radar was an im
portant but little - known, copy
righted, commercial label. It is
really four words in one: Radio
Direction and Ranging.
Early in the war there were some
stories printed about a German air
plane which had a television camera
in it which could send back pictures
of the territory beneath it. Shortly
thereafter all mention of such an
apparatus stopped and the dark
and mysterious career of radar be
gan. Radar and television are not
the same thing, but there are simi
larities and if we can believe that
actors in a studio in the RCA build
ing in New York can be seen out
in Westchester county by people sit
ting around a television set, we can
believe that another little gadget
can register the presence and loca
tion of a distant object (like a plane
or a warship) and, if it Is moving,
tell which way it in going and how
fast.
Radar Will Soon Bo
Industries' Marvel
As I said, we knew the Germans
had been working on such a device
early in the war. This is how radar
was born in this country:
Back in 1632 two scientists ob
served that something happened
to a radio wave when it hit the wide
side of a building and also when a
ship went across its path. Research
continued, but the war sent radar
into hiding. On November 14,
1942, a Jap battleship slipping
through the sea near the Solomon
islands was suddenly struck by a
salvo of shots from an American
ship eight miles away. The Japs
went down to Davy Jones' locker
without knowing what hit them.
They never saw the American ship
which fired the shots. Nor did the
Americans ever see the Japanese
warship except as it appeared as a
Radar Find* Military Target*.
little "blip" o( light on a tiny
acreen.
Radar did It.
On a winter day, I *at In a room
at the WUlard hotel In Washington.
London was trembling under the
terror ot night bombing. Sitting at
a table before us was an officer of
the Royal air force. After a few gen
eral remarks, he mad* what was to
as an astounding statement; name
I' ' ly, that defense against daytime
bombing had been perfected and a
' method of ending the effectiveness
of night attack would soon be Ir
operation.
W. tu. We.. U tW.
battle of Britain and, though we
didn't know it then, radar had done
that, too.
Between these two events was an
other one we don't like to talk too
much about. Over in the Hawaiian
Islands on December 7, 1941. Pvt.
Joseph Locksrd, though not sup
posed to be on duty at the time,
was listening to a "detector," an
apparatus which strangers weren't
allowed to approach in those days.
Lockard "detected" an airplane
about 30 mllea away. He reported
it to hii superior, but that gentle
man, knowing American planes
were out at the time, took no action.
Lockard was eventually given the
Distinguished Service medal. The
rest we had better try to forget
while we still must "remember
Pearl Harbor." Human service
failed to carry the message that the
Jap air fleet was coming, but radar
had done its part of the iob.
Radar has grown to be a giant
since then. This is what "Impact,"
an official publication of the assist
ant chief of air stafl (intelligence)
says:
"The use of radar in military op
erations is in its infancy, but it has
permeated every phase of air war
fare. It is used in strategic bomb
ing by both British and American
heavies. It makes night fighting and
intruder operations possible. It liter
ally laved England In the battle
of Britain. And it provided for the
control and direction of virtually ev
ery day or night sortie flown by the
TACs (tactical air force planes)
during the winter (of 1944-45)."
The importance of the part which
the American tactical air forces
played from the battle of Normandy
right up to V-E Day is acknowl
edged by everyone, though there
may be differences of opinion as to
the relative achievements of the
various branches of the service.
(Tactical bombing and strafing is
that part of air force activity which
is an integral portion of the individ
ual land force operations, as much
a part of the battle plan and its
execution as the disposition of ar
tillery. Strategic bombing is the
"softening up," the long range air
attacks.)
And radar was a vital part of the
success of the tactical operations in
Europe from D-Day on because of
its help in getting a fighter-bomber
to its target and getting it home
again in weather which is too bad
for normal operations.
It controlled night fighters, photo
and mapping planes, picked out tar
gets and kept track of enemy planes
in the area.
To quote an official comment:
"On the western front, despite
constant overcast conditions dur
ing the last winter, the IX, XIX and
XXIX TACs were able to operate at
maximum strength continually. On
the other hand, the 1st Tactical air
force, which was without radar
equipment last November, flew
only two missions that month, one
of these abortive because of the
weather."
As to the long-range, strategic
bomber, which has to cross half a
continent to get where it is going,
if bad weather envelopes it, radar
is, of course, invaluable for keeping
its location. Radar is also an inte
gral part of the fire-control.
Commercial Aviation
Will Profit Greatly
Speculation as to radar's ultimate
possibilities are unlimited, both in
war and peace. Any ordnance ex
pert will tell you that a "controlled
missile" ? that is, a bomb such as
uie aeaaiy uerman v DomDs,
which flew from Holland to Eng
land ? can, with certain Improve
ments, be made much more deadly.
Not only can they be made to fly
much farther?across the Atlantic,
over the North Pols ? but they
can be accurately aimed and di
rected at an area such as a city
and ruthlessly destroy it. Radar can
do that and many other things it has
not yet attempted. There are, like
wise, an infinite number of ways in
which radar can and will serve a
peaceful world.
In commercial aviation, the mar
in the control tower, the traffic coj
i at the airport, will be able to lo
i cats all of the planes in the vicinitj
i by day or by night, in cloudy weath
i er and clear. And it must be re
membered that regulating the traf
important problems of tomorrow's
skyways, for there will be a tre
mendous increase in the number of
planes which will be in use and a
similar increase in their speed and
size.
Radar can warn the planes them
selves against collision and the pres
ence of land masses, high tension
wires, tall buildings or other ob
stacles to their flight. And, of
course, will permit safe landing
even in a dense fog.
I BARBS ... fry Baukhag*
LAd In personal cohimn?"Literate
less looks tor laughter hi letters."
Then don't open your mall, lassie,
on the flrat of the month.
* ? *
A French paper says that French
girls don't Ilka the GJ. brand of
love-making. However, there is a
front and the product still has a
geod potential domestic market.
Remember way back when aboi
the only thing a aoy bean wai goo
(or was to provide aauoa (or cbo
aueyT
? ? ?
The Metropolitan Life Insurant
company has discovered that d
vorced and widowed persona can g
a new mate mora easily than spL
iters and bachelors can get the
Brat mate.
Navy Floating Dock in Service
A completed floating dry dock show* eight sections which have been
welded together, after having been towed separately for thousands of
miles to an advance base. Complete with crane and other necessary
facilities, this dock will afford rapid repairs to battle-damaged ships now
in the Pacific waters. Hundreds of ships will be mended on the spot
by this dock.
Directed Attack Against Japan
More than 1,000 airplanes of Admiral Halsey's (center) 3rd Fleet car
rier force, which started sped np attacks against Tokyo and territory.
Carrier Commander Vice Adm. John 8. McCain (left) and Rear Adm.
Gerald Bogan (right) were responsible and ilgnre prominently in the
latest devastation of Japan. They are shown aboard ship somewhere in
the Pacific.
Isigny Cows Return to Fields
At if they knew thai the belli of peace have rung la Europe, and It
It "t they had their (raaiac fields to themselves again, these cows
waader MI7 into an aannanltion damp on the road near Isigny, France.
Thousands of bead el cattle, driven twsjr by Germans and battles, left
to shift tor themselves, are being divided among the farmers of France.
Champion Service Man's Family
Ml. WUhert L. F1eery of Port Huron, Mieh., father of IS children,
II of which are ahiea ia photograph with their Bother, tope record of
CpL Chester J. Barrett, formerly called the "Champtoe Dad af the Armed
Fereee." Two ef the ehfldrea were rtstttag reiatires when this photo
graph was made.
Real Short Timer
Forty-two-year-old Sgt. Joseph A.
Lowe of Atlanta, Ga., aircraft
froundcrewman with the 7th AAF
Fighters in the Okinawas, whose age
makes him eligible to retnrn home,
takes no chances with fate. Be is
protected against everything bnt di
rect hit.
One Legged Pitcher
Lt. Bert Shepard, shot down aft
er 34 missions over Germany, with
the loss of one ley, recently pitched
fonr innings against the famous
Brooklyn Dodgers in a Washington
charity game. He is shown warm
ing np before the game started.
Queen of Freckles
No one is going to dispute the de
cision of the New York lodges who
named 11-year-old Frances Scully of
Richmond Terrace, Staten Island,
"Qneen of Freckles" In the annoal
contest held at Children's Aid Soci
ety's playground. It really was no
contest.
Half Victory Ours
Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt and Gea.
Dwifht D. Eiseahower stead la rev
eraaes aver the grave of F.D.R. as
Osasral Wsirtmi itpsated to Us
"ehtof," "half the vtetory Is ears."
WASHINGTON QUIETEST
IN TEARS
The District of Columbia looks
more like a peacetime capital this
summer than in many years. . . ?
For the first time Since the war, the
house is now planning a long recess.
. . . This reflects increased congres
sional confidence in the new White
House set-up, also the fact that
many a legislator yearns for home.
. . . The dollar-a-year men and
brass hats who planned to check out
after Germany's defeat haven't
started their exodus. Instead they've
been joined by hundreds of business
men who've moved in to get their
reconversion headaches unsnarled.
. . . Thousands of returning officers
and enlisted men from Europe have
oslsla/4 Iho kniicino on/1 foorlin tt
UUUVU HW U1C liuu.1115 IU1W ?v?~?-o
problem. Parking spaces along the
Potomac are crowded on hot nights
with G.I. Joes and G.I. Janes and
government workers searching for a
cool breeze. Washington is more
peaceful, but still jammed.
Adding to the crush are the Tru
man boys who have descended on
Washington. . . . They fall into three
categories: (1) The Missouri boys,
friends of Truman and Bob Hanne
gan looking for jobs, patronage, and
juicy political plums. ... (2) The
Pauley boys from Southern Califor
nia?friends of former Democratic
Treasurer Ed Pauley who've rushed
into town to climb on the gravy
train. They're brash and crude for
the most part, have little respect for
the taxpayers' money, and already
have their eyes on the gilded dome
of the capitol. . . . Third group are
the "Battery K" men. These are the
World War I vets who saw service
with Harry Truman in 1917 and 1918.
Most are satisfied with a brief
"hello" and a handshake from their
hero. Others cling to the wrought
iron gates of the White House, think
that their comradeship with the new
chief executive is a guarantee of a
soft government job.
Truman Heyday
Tumifln't nam siHss in tli n
White House are still impressed
by their new surroundings. . . .
Some feel that Truman's rise
gives them a blank cheek to
use his power for their own
ends. . . . One youthful aid has
been bragging about having Tru
man's political enemies shad
owed, their wires tapped. . . .
Truman, a sworn enemy of
wire-tapping when In the senate,
will probably clip their wings
soon. , . . Most powerful man
in the Truman entourage is
chubby, cigar-smoking Brig.
Gen. Harry Vaughan, one of the
"Battery K" boys, who busies
considerable advice into bis
chief's ear, bnt now finds it
being accepted with less fre
quency. . . . The hangers-on
are still having a field day
around the White House.
Center of administration power
has partly shifted from the White
House to the second floor of the May
flower hotel, where Bob Hannegan
holds forth in Democratic headquar
ters. . . . Judge Welburn Mayock,
the committee's new general coun
sel, uses the office to lobby for Cali
fornia oil interests. . . . George Kil
liom, the new treasurer of the na
tional committee, who has been
using a meat-ax to collect money
for the committee from business
men may find himself chopped down
soon. . . . One ardent Democratic
supporter of many years' standing
hearing about Killiom's tactics,
said, "He'll collect so much money
we'll lose in '48. Everyone he taps
for $5,000 will feel like contribut
ing twice as much to the Republi
cans to boot the Pauley crowd out."
Meanwmie uttle is happening to set
the stage for Democratic victories
in the congressional elections next
year. . . . Hannegan is already in
hot water with labor, particularly
the CIO, which he has been studi
| ously ignoring. Labor leaders, who
poured out millions to help Roose
velt last year, claim they can't even
get a glass of water from the Demo
crats when it comes to bucking op
pressive legislation in congress, and
are now making threats to move
over to the GOP camp.
Republicans Harmonious.
Farther up Connecticut avenue at
Republican headquarters things are
harmonious. . . . The Republicans
are sitting back, are quietly laying
the groundwork for a high-powered
congressional race next November.
. . . What they need most of all
are some issues. . . . GOPsters, in
cluding Chairman Herbert Brown
ell, are confident they'll find plenty
in a few months, are hoping that
Truman stubs a few toes politically
soon. . . . Republican Chairman
Brownell has a million dollars to
spend oo the elections. . . .
Truman's cabinet changes thus
far have been extremely popular.
. . . Tall, scholarly new Labor Sec
retary Schwellenbach has made
scores of friends for his department,
has infused new life among its
weary employees, has made an A-l
impression on congress. . . .
Ex-Congressman (Hint Anderson
has the hottest Job in the new ad
ministration trying to straighten out
the tangled food mess as secretary
of agriculture. . . . Anderson is a
great red-tape shearer, has already
made big improvements, and is no
pushover for lobbyists.
ANOTHER I \
j A General Quiz B J
The Question*
1. Argument and proof by means
of questions and answers are often
called what?
2. What is the bulldog edition of
a newspaper?
3. If tete a tete means face to
face, what does dos a dos mean?
4. How old is written-hiatory?
8. How much larger is 'Brazil
than England?
6. When was the Vatican City
state created?
7. Which do laboratory tests
show to be most sensitive to touch,
men or women?
8. What state has more railroad
miles than any other?
9. What common vertebrate
breathes water at one stage of its
life and air later?
10. Here is the first line of a well
known poem, "There are hermit
souls that live withdrawn." Can
you give the second line?
The Answers
1. The Socratic method.
2. An edition printed early for
distribution to distant points.
3. Back to back.
4. At least 6,000 years old.
5. It's 65 times larger.
6. In 1929.
7. Women are nearly twice as
sensitive to touch as men.
8. Texas (over 18,000 miles).
9. Frogs and toads.
10. "In the space of their self
content."
CLASSIFIED
DEPARTMENT
BUSINESS & INVEST. OPPOR.
For Sale?Sandwich Shoo. At reasonable
price?selling price $1,000; only $800 cash
req. Versa'o Sandwich Sbsp, MM Rich
mond Terr., Mariner's Harbor, 8. I., N. T.
For 8a|e?Bar A Grill?Nice busi.?priced
for quick sale. Splendid oppor. right party.
Immed possess. Samyn'o Bar A Grill. Ml
Broad 8t., Stapleton, Staten Island, 19. I,
PERSONAL
EARN BIG MONET! Sell us your old
Mantel Clock: or act as our buying agent
for Old Mantel Clocks in your territory.
We pay cash promptly. Write us today giv
ing condition, age and size of your clock.
THE OLD CLOCK CO.
8190 W. Third 81.
Los Angeles 38 - Calif.
Emerson Found the Way
Of the Philosopher Hard
Lying awake at night, Ralph
Waldo Emerson sometimes had an
inspiration, and would light a
lamp and jot it down. The matches
he used were in book form, being
joined at the foot.
One night Mrs. Emerson was
awakened by his complaining
voice crying out: "What's the
matter with these matches. I'v&
struck seven, not one would
light!"
She reached out, found the
matches in their accustomed
place, lit one, and discovered her
best comb, seven teeth missing, in.
the hand of the philosopher.
M |"|Y Why lot sizzling days and
1 U L H I Jwghta torment you with
n J AS J sting and burn of heat
I L n I rash, prickly beat, -chafe?
"TUP Check misery with Mex
n ^ sana, soothing, medicated
I f AT powder. Family favorite
U L fl I for itch of minor skin trou
[ 111 Wee. Send some overseas.
11 Lfl I Costs little. Get Mexsana.
(wOMEN3St.wj
1 m*ym ?
[HOT FLASHES? I
4?2Wk you tatter tram hot flmfhMl
" teal weak, nervous, hlghetrung,
a bit blue at times?due to the func
tional "mlddle-sge" period peculiar to
women?try this great medicine?Lydla
B. Pinkham'a Vegetable Compound to
relieve such symptoms. Pinkham'a
Compound nra katttm. It'a one of
the beet known medicines for this
purpose Follow label direction.
WNU?4 29?45
And Your Strength and 4
Energy If Below Par i
It may be caused by disorder of kid
ney function that permits poisonous
waste to accumulate. For truly many I
people feel tired, weak and miserable
when the kidneye fail to remove excess ,
adds and other waste matter from tho
blood. I
You may euffor nagging baekaeba;
rheumatic pains, headaches, riinineae,
rettinr op nights, leg peine. swelling.
BomeUmae frequent and eeanty ariaa
tioa with smarting and homln* Is an
other sign that something le wrong with
tho kidneys or bladder.
There should he no doubt that prompt
treatment is wiser than neglect. Use
Doo?'? PiU*. It Is better to rely ea a
medicine that hae wea countrywide ap
proval than oa enmathing less favorably,
bows. Domta haws been triad and teet- ?
BmMaUCUiUSli