The proximity fuze was just starting to get used. First for v-1s and v-2s in England and Antwerp. First used in 1943 in the Pacific. Note the following:
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1993-01-11/news/1993011049_1_fuse-proximity-smart-weapons
“In my opinion this is the real secret weapon of World War II,” said Ralph B. Baldwin of Naples, Fla., a scientist who worked on the fuse project and later wrote a book about it. “It shortened the war drastically. And at the end of the war the general staffs of Japan and Germany didn’t know what had hit them.”
It helped gun crews destroy hundreds of dive bombers, torpedo planes and kamikazes in the Pacific. It blasted hundreds of German V-1 rockets in mid-flight over the English Channel and the newer V-2s over Allied-occupied Antwerp, Belgium.
On a foggy night during the Battle of the Bulge, Gen. George S. Patton’s troops lined up and began shelling German tank crews. Most shells with impact fuses would have detonated on the ground. But Patton’s men fired shells with proximity fuses designed to detonate about 10 feet above the ground, creating lethal storms of shrapnel.
“The new shell with the funny fuse is devastating,” General Patton wrote to the war department. “I’m glad you all thought of it first.”
Also info here:
http://crosleyautoclub.com/Proximity_Fuze.html
http://www.desertwar.net/proximity-fuze.html
“Do not forget your dogs of war, your big guns, which are the most-to-be respected arguments of the rights of kings.” – Frederick II of Prussia
“The artillery lends honor to that which would otherwise be a vulgar brawl.” – Frederick II of Prussia “God is on the side with the best artillery.” – Napoléon Bonaparte
“The first shot is for the Devil, the second for God, and only the third for the King.” – Napoléon Bonaparte
“The best generals are those who have served in the artillery.” – Napoléon Bonaparte
“I do not have to tell you who won the war. You know, the artillery did.” – General George S. Patton, Jr.
“Brother, your best friend ain’t your Momma, it’s the Field Artillery.” – A sign at Fort Benning, US Infantry School
“The Guns, thank God, the Guns.” – Rudyard Kipling
“Renown awaits the commander who first restores artillery to its prime importance on the battlefield.” – Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill
“Artillery is the god of war.” Joseph Stalin