The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-04

Behind the scenes, the BrltlSh have known the exact makeup of the German mines for some time. So also have our own experts.
 The first German magnetic mine was found washed up on the coast of Norway, several weeks before the Germans began their campaign in the English Channel. Apparently, the Ger mans at that time were eXperi- menting with the mine in Nor- wegian waters.
 The British, however, didn't pay much attention to the new mine. So when the Nazis began their campaign in earnest, Allied ship ping was caught completely of base. Since then, more mines have been washed up off the English coast, and have been taken to pieces by the British.
 The principle on which the mine works is magnetic com- pass. The needle of the com- pass points normally north. But when a large body of steel passes nearby, the needle is deflected from the north, and this swerving of the needle ignites the high explosive inside the mine.
 The mine lies at the bottom of the sea and does not rise to the top. Therefore, 1t is effective only in shallow water. But even 30 or 40 feet from the hull of ship, its explosion can be just as deadly as if 1t actually struck the ship itself.
 SHALLOW WATER WEAPONS
 Because the mines are effective only in relatively shallow water, they have been concentrated in and around the English channel They would be valueless If strewn around the deep Atlantic.
 One important effect which they have had on German warfare Is to force all Nazi submarines out of control waters. Submarines. explode the mines just as easily as merchant vessels, in fact more easily. So the Germans have to keep their U-boats in the deep At- lantic or at home.
 Reports from the British navy received in official quarters are
 that the British now have the
 mine terror licked. The British
 solution Is to tow large piece
 of iron behind a wooden boat.
 The wooden boat does not set
 off the magnetic mine, but the
 iron which follows in It's wake,
 does.
 At present the British have abandoned the old fashioned mine sweeper, and are literally combing the seas around the English Channel. They may be too op- timistic, but they think that in another week, or even less, Ger many's magnetic mines will be all exploded.
 Meanwhile the British air corps is extra diligent to prevent Nazi planes from dropping more mines around the English Channel. They are not entirely sure, but they be- lieve most of the mines were dropped from the air, unless some were planted by disguised Nazi wooden vessels.
 MRS. R'S THANKSGIVING
 Scene in Mrs. Roosevelt's New York apartment about two weeks ago: Enter Miss Thompson, the First LadyS secretary.
 MISS THOMPSON: Well at last I've found out when
 Thanksgiving is."
 MRS. ROOSEVELT: "When is
 it"
 MISS THOMPSON: "Irs on
 the 23rd. At least that's the day your newspaper syndicate is
 celebrating it."
 NOTE-Mrs. Roosevelt had been anxious to find out which day her syndicate was celebrating, as it was necessary for her to write two columns on the day before Thanksgiving, so the syndicate could take a full holiday eff. CAPITAL CHAFF
 Keep an eye on Rear Admiral James Otto Richardson. He IS scheduled to command the United State fleet upon the retirement of Admiral Bloch next year. Washington circles find it hard to believe that Senator and Mrs. Gerald P. Nye have agreed to dis agree. The Senator has main- tained separate residence since last spring. and friends insist