Description
Object description
Austrian civilian scientist emigrated to GB, 1936; interned on Isle of Man and in Canada, 1940-1941; worked on radar research in GB, 1942-1945; post-war career with Ministry of Defence, including Chief Scientific Adviser, 1971-1977.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in Vienna, Austria, 1919-1936: family background, childhood and education; political situation in Austria during 1930s; description of visits to Switzerland and meeting with British people; story of gaining place at Cambridge University, 1936. Aspects of period in Cambridge, GB, 1936-1940: ability to speak English; attitude to lifestyle and cultural environment; opinion of academic system; story of advising parents to leave Austria before plebiscite, 3/1938.
REEL 2 Continues: attitude to Hitler; story of family leaving Austria and emigrating to US; political beliefs; attitude to Soviet Union; influx of German Jews to Cambridge during 1930s; reaction to Munich Agreement, 1938; attitude to possible outbreak of war; question of support in Austria for Hitler and union with Germany; nature of anti-Semitism in Austria; reaction to Nazi-Soviet Pact, 1939; attitude to being interned as enemy alien; opinion of tribunal system and categorisation of refugees; daily life during the Phoney War period; early interest in radar; opinion of Churchill.
REEL 3 Continues: story of arrest as enemy alien, 12/May/1940; opinion of guards; description of internment in Liverpool and on Isle of Man; morale among internees; description of voyage to Canada, 7/1940. Aspects of period in Canada, 7/1940-1941: description of journey to internment camp at Abraham Plains, Montreal; description of camp and regime; story of teaching maths in camp; attitude to being interned; question of obtaining release and role of Sir Alexander Paterson; attitude to joining parents in US; story of returning to GB, summer 1941. Aspects of period in GB, 1942-1945: story of joining Naval Radar Research Establishment at Southsea, Portsmouth; description of work and other members of team.
REEL 4 Continues: further description of work at Southsea; opinion of importance of radar; attitude to Battle of the Atlantic; value of short-range radar; reason for unit being moved to Witley, Surrey; story about formation of Theory Division and role as deputy to head Fred Hoyle; description of work with Theory Division, including noise limitation and experiments on water vapour and 'sea clutter' on top of Mount Snowdon, Wales; story about losing case of documents during evacuation from Mount Snowdon; effect of war on scientific career; reaction to internment; attitude to policy of unconditional surrender.
REEL 5 Continues: reaction to success of North African campaign. Aspects of period in GB, 1945-1990: story of being made Master of Churchill College Cambridge; reflections on war and defence in post-war period; description of work with Ministry of Defence and on space programme, 1950s-1960s; attitude to space research and exploration; role as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence, 1971-1977; relations with Labour and Conservative governments; ethical issues facing scientists; attitude to policy of nuclear deterrence and use of chemical warfare; reflections on nature of war; attitude to current situation in Eastern Europe (1990).
REEL6 Continues: further comments on defence issues and nuclear war during 1960s; reaction to crisis in the Gulf, 8/1990; role of scientists in decision making; reason for interest in energy and environmental issues; attitude to life in GB; opinion of contribution made by refugees to British society.