Product Description

This is the fascinating story of the Admiralty's Department of Miscellaneous Weapon Development, the so-called `Wheezers and Dodgers', and the many ingenious weapons and devices it invented, improved or perfected.

The author was one of a group of officers with engineering or scientific backgrounds who were charged with the task of winning the struggle for scientific mastery between the Allies and the Germans in what Churchill enthusiastically called `the wizard war'. Their work ranged from early stop-gap weapons like the steam-powered Holman projector, via great success stories like the Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar, to futuristic experiments with rockets, a minefield that could be sown in the sky, and the spectacularly dangerous Great Panjandrum, a giant explosive Catherine-wheel intended to storm enemy beaches.

The development of these and many other extraordinary inventions, their triumphs and disasters, is told with panache and humour, and a diverse group of highly imaginative and eccentric figures emerge from the pages.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #248033 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

A poor reprint of a very good book from 1956
About fifty years ago I read an excellent book on the Admiralty Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development and was delighted when Seaforth annnounced another book on the "Wheezers and Dodgers".
Unfortunately it turns out to be the same book, with merely a two and a half page introduction added. No new photos, indeed my copy of the new paperback has only four pages of photographs (eight sides) - I seem to recall that the 1956 edition had more. The papercover binding is overtight and the paper of poor quality.

Looking more positively, the book itself , unlike many publication of the era, has stood the test of time.
Written soon after the war by a member of the department who also was a professional journalist, it tells a great story well. Not only of the weapons and devices the department were responsible for, but of the personalities involved, and above all it gives a unique impression of that somewhat frantic period of English history.

Specific weapons etc given coverage include the Holman projector, plastic armour, Hedgehog, the P.A.C.anti-aircraft weapon ,the introduction of the Oerlikon 20mm gun and numerous successful (or not) elements of the Mulberry Harbours and D-Day landings. Much early rocket and guided missile development and mine clearance is also treated in some detail and depth. All in a wonderful but accurate style which brings insight to each project and its times. There is an index.

I am a great fan of the original and it seems a great pity that in merely reproducing it without adding more photos, the publishers missed making this a better book .

Those lucky people who own the original 1956 "The Secret War 1939 -1945" need not buy this reprint - they will be sorely disappointed.

Those who do not, should buy it despite the poor quality - its a good reference work and a wonderful read.

Recommended.