The Manhattan Project we are familiar with.
The project to build the B-29 bomber aircraft we are familiar with.
The development of radar in all manifestations during the Second World War we are familiar with.
That project to build the proximity fuse and deploy into combat during World War Two we are less than familiar with.
THE PROXIMITY FUSE A WAR-WINNING TECHNOLOGY ON A PAR WITH THE ATOMIC BOMB, THE B-29 BOMBER, RADAR?
THE DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURE AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE PROXIMITY FUSE BY THE ALLIES DURING WW2 A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING!
"Over 2,000 American companies were mobilized to build some 20 million shell fuses."
"The proximity fuse was one of the most important technological innovations of the war. It was so important that it was a secret guarded to a similar level as the atom bomb project or D-Day invasion."
Some very important personalities of the period commenting on the value of the proximity fuse more or less says it all:
"The proximity fuse has helped blaze the trail to Japan" - - James V. Forrestal,
"These so-called proximity fuses, made in the United States... proved potent against the small unmanned aircraft (V-1)" - - Winston Churchill.
"The funny fuse won the Battle of the Bulge for us". - - George S. Patton.
"One of the most original and effective military developments in World War II was the proximity, or 'VT', fuse. It was of incalculable value to both the Army and Navy, and it helped save London from obliteration. While no one invention won the war, the proximity fuse must be listed among the very small group of developments, such as radar, upon which victory very largely depended." - - Adm. Lewis L. Strauss.
PROXIMITY FUSE AS USED DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE DONE IN DISOBEDIENCE TO DIRECTIVES. EFFECTIVE HOWEVER AND RECOGNIZED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AS SUCH!
coolbert.