310 headlam: developments in artillery 



There will always be prematures, and loss of life from them, 

 while high explosive shells are used, but we look to science to 

 apply its methods to the investigation of every cdse, and to 

 guard us, as far as human ingenuity can, against them. 



But what did we gain by accepting these risks? The average 

 number of tons of ammunition fired away per week in France will 

 probably be the simplest way of putting it. [The figures, in tons 

 per week, showed the immense increase in output attained since 

 the war began.] 



Economy of materials. It was not until our production was 

 assured that we were able to set ourselves to improving our de- 

 signs, and then came the necessity of economizing materials, to 

 dampen the enthusiasm of our designers again. We have had 

 to reduce the capacity of our favorite 18-pounder shrapnel to al- 

 low of the use of lower grade steel. We have had to replace our 

 well tried propellant, cordite, by nitro-cellulose; to reduce the 

 percentage of T.N.T. in our explosives; to let brass displace 

 aluminum, and cast iron displace brass, in our fuses; and to 

 change the form of our driving bands to economize copper. But 

 everywhere again science has come to our aid once the need has 

 been fairly put. 



Production. Judging from our experience, the guiding rules in 

 order to insure projiuction would appear to be to develop to the 

 utmost the production of what can be got easiest — remembering 

 always that there will certainly be a demand for changes, and to 

 press on research in the meantime so as to be ready to change 

 to more efficient patterns as soon as the position allows of it, 

 watching always the tactical changes so as to be able to antici- 

 pate demands. Thus the business man and the scientist have 

 full fields for their activity, but both will have many discour- 

 agements to face, for in war they must be controlled by the 

 needs of the soldier. 



When the scientist after weeks of intense study has solved the 

 secret of some wonderful idea for improvement in design, he will 

 be told that it is not worth the loss of output it w^ll entail; for 

 to every change — however fascinating or desirable in itself — 

 must be applied the touchstone "How much will it retard out- 



