This is a well-written compendium of the scientists and the many weapons and other items developed by Britain's 'Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapon Development' during World War Two. The group, sometimes called the 'Wheezers and Dodgers,' were key players in inventing weapons such as the Hedgehog mortar for use against German submarines, the Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun, the bizarre Panjandrum intended to destroy beach defenses, various types of rockets, and the Holman Projector, a compressed-air grenade launcher.