CHAPTER VI 



NDRC: THE DIVISIONS, PANELS AND 

 COMMITTEES 



X 



HE STORY of success of NDRC as an agency for the de- 

 velopment of instruments and weapons of warfare is primarily the story 

 of the divisions, which were the operating units through which partner- 

 ship of military and scientific men was consummated. The story has been 

 told with the broadest sweep in the outcome of the war. Releases by the 

 Services have recounted many specific aspects of it. In the case of most 

 divisions, it is being preserved in volumes written by persons attached to 

 the divisions. For a brief account of the major accomplishments of 

 NDRC, fortunately there already exists the well written and informative 

 volume prepared by President James Phinney Baxter, 3rd, of Williams 

 College, entitled Scientists Against Time. 



The story of the results obtained through the activities of the divisions, 

 panels and committees is well worth the reading. President Baxter's volume 

 contains a fascinating overview. While it would require a hardy soul (and 

 a considerable amount of time) to read all the divisional histories being 

 prepared for publication, specialists in the various fields covered who are 

 interested from the standpoint either of military research or of subject matter 

 broadly will find one or more of the volumes on the "must" list. 



The speed which was the keynote of NDRC operations was possible 

 only through decentralization of the scientific program. Having picked 

 capable men as Division Chiefs, NDRC gave them wide latitude in the 

 formulation and execution of their respective programs subject to general 

 supervision by the Committee. In the present volume, written from the 

 standpoint of administration rather than from that of accomplishment, 

 only a generalized account of the divisions can be given. There was con- 

 siderable variation in the methods of their operation, which will appear 

 from a perusal of the histories of divisional activities. Every activity of 

 the central office was predicated upon the existence of the divisions and 

 every procedure reported in the present volume tied into the divisions at 

 some place. No attempt will be made here to single out all the things 

 the divisions did; rather the present chapter will be confined to matters 

 concerning the divisions which are not included as a matter of course in 

 the operations reported elsewhere. 



