London’s Poor Defences

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 14

London’s Poor Defences

Only 96 Guns for City

Owing to the fact that whereas the Air Ministry controls the airplane defences of London, the ground defences are in the hands of the War Office, an economy order issued in the Territorial Army threatens to place the protection of London in a still more unsatisfactory position. Although only 96 guns in Territorial brigades are available for the more than 200 during the war, and although the potentialities of air-raiding are now much grimmer, the number of men is to be reduced. What it amounts to is that London is defended by 96 guns with depleted crews, by a certain number of searchlights, and by 144 fighting airplanes. Only two new regular airplane squadrons are to be added during the course of the present year. By the Army Council decision the total number of other ranks in the Anti-Aircraft Brigades R.A. (T.A.) and of the 163rd Kent Anti-Aircraft Battery (T.A.) will be limited to the personnel required to man two guns in each of the two gun stations, instead of four guns. Under this limitation the maximum strength will be the existing peace establishment, less 44 gunners in each battery, and a few other details. A reduction also will take place in the Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Battalions, Royal Engineers, T.A. Men in excess of the limited strength may be permitted to take their discharge voluntarily, but no compulsory discharges will be carried out during the men’s current engagements.