Committee for the Scientific Survey of Air Defence facts for kids

The Tizard Committee, officially known as the Committee for the Scientific Survey of Air Defence (CSSAD), was a special group of scientists and experts in the United Kingdom before World War II. Their main job was to study how Britain could best defend itself from enemy airplanes. This committee is most famous for helping to develop radar technology. Radar played a huge role in protecting Britain during the war.

What Was the Tizard Committee?

The Tizard Committee was formed in 1934. It was named after its leader, Henry Tizard, a very important scientist. At that time, countries were worried about air attacks. The committee's goal was to find new and better ways to protect Britain from planes flying over. They looked at different ideas and technologies that could help.

How Did They Help with Radar?

One of the biggest achievements of the Tizard Committee was helping to develop radar. Radar is a system that uses radio waves to find objects like airplanes. It can tell you how far away a plane is and where it's going, even in the dark or bad weather.

The committee strongly supported building a network of radar stations called Chain Home. These stations were placed along the coast of Britain. They acted like an "electronic fence" that could spot enemy planes coming. This early warning system was incredibly important.

Why Was Radar So Important?

Having radar meant that Britain's fighter planes knew exactly where and when to meet enemy aircraft. This saved a lot of time and fuel. It also meant fewer planes were needed to defend the country. Winston Churchill, who was Britain's Prime Minister during the war, said that the success of the Battle of Britain was thanks to this radar work. The Battle of Britain was a huge air battle where Britain defended itself against German attacks.

The Tizard Mission

Henry Tizard also led another important effort called the Tizard Mission. This happened in September 1940, during the height of the Battle of Britain. Tizard convinced Churchill to share Britain's top secret military technology with the United States.

Sharing Secrets with Allies

The Tizard Mission delivered these secrets to the Americans in a simple black metal box. This included vital information about radar, jet engines, and other advanced weapons. Sharing this technology helped the United States prepare for the war and strengthened the alliance between the two countries. It showed how important scientific cooperation was during wartime.

Committee Changes

In September 1939, the Tizard Committee (CSSAD) joined with another group called the Committee for the Scientific Survey of Air Offence. This new, bigger group was called the Committee for the Scientific Survey of Air Warfare (CSSAW). Henry Tizard also chaired this new committee. However, CSSAW was later stopped in June 1940.