Laurel outlook., 1946-03-06
Proximity Fuse
In War Is Barred
Played an Important Part in
Shortening Conflict
With Japan.

CHICAGO. - The lethal Xxx the
double = cross" radio proximity
fuse-which helped shorten the wal
against Japan, also played a vita.
part in turning the tide against the
Germans in the Battle of the Bulge.
Eugene F. Mcdonald Jr., presi'
dent of the Zenith Radio corpora
ton, dubbed the secret fuse Xxx be-
aus he anticipated its potency in
double crossing the Japanese. A
Tokyo physicist a decade ago devel-
oped an alloy, %alnico, used in "trig-
gering" the fuse, which causes
bombs, rockets and shells to ex-
plode from 10 to 300 feet from their
targets with devastating effect. The
fuse is a .high-frequency radio set
emitting waves that are reflected
from the target, like radar.
While the double-cross appellation
bore only on Japan, the fuse gave
American artillery a Sunday punch
in the Ardennes, official reports
have disclosed.
Reports Perfect Timing.
1.-THE VT variable time) artillery
fuses, which the chief of ground
forces characterized as the most
important innovation in artillery
ammunition since the introduction
of high explosive shells, were COM
mitted to action against the enemy
with absolutely perfect timing"
the Chicago Tribune quotes from
the report of the chief of ordnance
regarding its role in this battle.
''In both the AA (anti-aircraft)
and ground role VT fuses consti-
tuted a factor not foreseen in Won
Rundstedt's calculations. 1t is not
doubted by observers close to the
scene of action that the terrific ex-
ecution inflicted, and the consterna-
ton resulting from night and day
bombardment, contributed mate
to hating the advance and
Fastening the reduction of the sal
lent. Prisoner of war reports are
unanimous in characterizing our ar
fire as the most demoraliz-
ing and destructive ever encoun-
tered. The strategic value of the VT
fuses to the Allied cause has been
greatly multiplied by the serious
ness of the threat which they helped
to avert"
Weapon Boosts Morale.
An official report from the re-
search organization which devel-
oped the fuse program stated that
the advent of the fuse in the Ar
dennes gave our troops a highly
effective secret weapon greatly boil
stering their morale at a time when
they had been taking it on the chin
many a brain child of the
German scientists"
From mid-December, 1914, up to
he Rhine crossing, radio fused am
nunition, according to this report,
accounted for more than 1000 Ger
man planes. The fuses were cred
ted with playing an important part
n the defense of Antwerp and keep
ng the port open despite the rain
If vi buzz bombs.
The VT fuses first were en-
in Europe on June IL, 1914,
~ anti-aircraft defending London
the Wis.
"The result of the advent of VT
was truly sensational in
,reases in kills." says an official
army report. In the first week "a
Der cent of targets engaged were
destroyed. This rose to 70 per cent
n the fourth week. On the last day
IN which Wis were launched in
quantity against England, 104 we're
detected by early warning radar,
'ut only four reached London. Anti
.lircraft, using the fuses, accounted
or 68.
Not all of the fuses used the Xxx
llnico. Some types were battery
lowered and did not require a gen.