by Sir Edward Appleton ,
G.B.E., K.C.B., F.R.S.
2-The Lessons of the War
In this lecture Sir Edward Appleton recalls some of the lessons that can usefully be drawn from the events of the last war, when we surprised both our enemies and ourselves by our successes in defence technology. The majority of our scientists were then faced with unfamiliar tasks; and many found as much satisfaction in applying scientific principles as they had previously found in discovering them. Science was also found to be successful in unexpected places.
As the war developed it became clear that the assistance the scientist could render to his operational colleagues was not limited to the design of new weapons and instruments. Invading the field of strategy and tactics he was often also able to suggest how both could be used in the most effective manner.