PAIR DEFENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 160, 15 May 1940, Page 3

PAIR DEFENCE

LONDON READY FOR HUN BOMBERS German planes were over the Channel on Good Friday. How, then, is London defended against what may become mass attacks? Even with many important Government departments and big commercial houses evacua'ed, with schools shut and children sent to the country, greater London has a war-time population of more than 7,000,000. London remains Britain's most vital centre. The London air defence system, for this densely populated 400 square miles, operates in four phases under the unified control of the Air Office Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command. Firstly, the Observer Corps the eyes and ears of the defence* keeps a ceaseless watch on the skies for enemy raiders. As soon as they report the approach of German aircraft the defence enters its second stage. Fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force go up and engage the enemy. If the attack takes place at night the third j section of the defences comes into immediate operation, the searchlights in the deep searchlight zone ivhich surrounds London. It is in this zone that the Spitfires and Hurricanes seek to engage the enemy. If the raiders elude the fighter patrols—an exceedingly difficult operation in daylight—the defence enters into its fourth phase. The closc Jefences come into action —the heavy mti-aircraft guns, the light antilircraft artillery, and the menacing aalloon barrage. All these units of the London de'ence inter-connected through the ighter Command by an 'intricate n constant operation day and night 'or nearly eight months, manned 3y volunteer forces through the cold jst weather in 40 years. They have lot L-een fully tested in Avar. But the very preparedness has been a ieterrent —their efficiency will be proved if the raiders venture. / And, opinion to-day is that only as a last resort will bombers cross London. Only at night will they have much of a chance.