PROGRAMME OF TESTS FOR LONG RANGE WEAPONS
RANGE IN AUSTRALIA

With reference to the letter of Lieutenant-General Evetts to you
dated 4th July, 1947 [1], which I return herewith, and copy of the
latest programme of tests to be carried out in Australia, I attach
a summary showing the comparison between the original programme
communicated to you by Lieut.-General Evetts on 21St March, 1947-
this programme dated January 1947 having been brought out from the
Ministry of Supply by Mr.Butement [2] and the programme forwarded
by Lieut.-General Evetts to you on 4th July-this programme
resulting from a Ministry of Supply Conference held on 29th May,
1947.

2. I have underlined in red the guided missile tests, and in blue
the tests for the bombing range. The Controlled Bombs come within
the category of guided weapons, but will be tested on the bombing
range. Although proposals were considered for a special bombing
range in the neighbourhood of Adelaide, the latest proposal is
that the bombing range should be in the vicinity of Woomera.

3. It will be noted that the proposals for guided missile trials
have been put back, the earliest now being in June 1949, instead
of late in 1947. I have included brief remarks in the summary
relating to certain of the tests.

4. The position in the United Kingdom, broadly speaking, is that
the stage of coordinated research and development has only
recently been reached. To a large degree, work has followed on the
results of German experience, learned after the end of the war,
progress has been affected by the loss of scientists, and only
recently has the work on the Air and Munitions (or Army) sides of
the Ministry of Supply been organised with the object of avoiding
duplication and uneconomic effort.

it will be necessary to plan the development of facilities in
accordance with the new programme. [The present construction
programme is unlikely to be completed for 12 months or more, and
it is desirable this should be completed in advance rather than so
late as to delay tests of equipment.] [3] It should be noted that
the Australian range may be used earlier than set out in the 29th
May Programme, if difficulties are experienced in undertaking the
proposed trials in the United Kingdom.

6. In a preliminary discussion with Mr. Gardner, Director of
Guided Weapons Research and Development, Ministry of Supply, on
9th July, he suggested that consideration might be given to a plan
for carrying out parallel work to some degree in Australia during
the next few years. The proposal is that we might manufacture
certain of the test vehicles or weapons, in order to increase our
manufacturing knowledge and capacity, to improve the overall rate
of supply, and also to carry out tests with the equipment in order
to develop a background of knowledge and experience to facilitate
the changeover of the activities from the United Kingdom to
Australia. if effect be given to this proposal, then the range may
be used for guided missiles earlier than set out in 29th May
Programme. Also, plans regarding equipment for observation of
supersonic missiles are far from complete, and it is possible that
useful work could be done in Australia in the field of development
of Right observation equipment and techniques, in parallel with
similar work in the United Kingdom.

7. General Evetts states-'whilst this new programme looks at first
sight very different from the original version, it is virtually
the same as regards the requirements; firstly, for a bomb
ballistics range as soon as possible, and secondly for a range of
300 miles in three years'. The programme is the same for the broad
requirements stated, but is very different in the phased programme
of tests for guided missiles.

8. It would appear that, until the Joint Body is set up in London
to consider and report on the programme of work and major
projects, the position regarding policy control will not be
entirely satisfactory. Commitments on construction and staff
depend on decisions regarding these. As you know, Brigadier Nurse
[4] has been pressing for action in London in accordance with
paragraph 3 of the Prime Minister's Cable No.78 of 28th March, and
I attach an extract from a letter from him indicating the progress
being made.

9. I propose to discuss matters relating to the position outlined
with Mr. Gardner when he returns to Melbourne. Probably you may
wish to discuss some of them with him.