RE: [NJARC] re: WW II Proximity Fuzes

[fred-carl at infoage.org]

Hello Alex,

   Nice web find.   We have leads that Camp Evans was involved in proximity fuze development and potentilly the manufacturing coordination.  Any additional info you know of would be great.
  
1) A statement made by in a 1949 published article:

"But radar wasn’t the only concern of Evans employees. 

It can now be told that the famed proximity fuse was developed there. This recently was made public by the camp’s Chief Engineer George Eltz, jr. 

According to Mr. Eltz, a pioneer in radio work, the proximity fuse controls explosion timing. 

"It is to the advantage of an Army to be able to touch off shell explosions within 30 feet of the target," said the chief engineer. Theory is that the so-called pretarget explosion greatly enlarges the area in which damage is effective. And, in effect, destruction to personnel is made greater by the shrapnel pieces flying within feet of the target." 

2) The head of Project Diana, Col. John DeWitt, stated in an interview years after the war that he was most proud of his work in the development of the proximity fuze.  One would have expected him to say Project Diana.

3) Secret documents found by a researcher looking into the war time activity of a north Jersey manufacturer.  The documnents specify production changes based upon failures in the field.   I have them filed away.

4) The Camp Evans August 1943 Secret Monthy Progress report to the War Department lists the Photo electric type proximity fuze as an ongoing project.

Again any other leads or info you have would help show Camp Evans played a roll in this important innovation too.

Thank you,
Fred

>----- ------- Original Message ------- -----
>From: amagoun <amagoun at davidsarnoff.org>
>To: NJARC <njarc at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:33:10
>
>Visit our web site - See http://www.njarc.org
>_______________________________________________
>Googling the title and author of the book Ray
>reports on sale, They
>Never Knew What Hit Them (Reynier Press, 1999)
>brought up this neat
>condensation as a case study in wartime innovation:
>
>
>www.enginesofinnovation.com/html/proximity_fuse_cas
>e_study.HTM
>
>A used copy of this 47-page hardback is available
>for $190 plus S&H
>through Amazon's used book links.
>
>Alex
>
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