HEAVY GUNS OF LONDON

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1940, Page 7

HEAVY GUNS OF LONDON

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

UNCANNY PREDICTORS

Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, bept. ls. LONDON anti-aircraft batteries are using guns of at least six different calibres up to 4.5 inch, which is the most deadly of all anti-aircraft guns, says the Daily Mail. Secret new types of shells were hurtled 22,000 feet, explosions rocking the ether over a wide area. The heavier guns put up a box type of barrage which was sent up in squares from many sections while light guns terrifically barrage the raiders attempting to dive-Somb their targets. Of these guns the Bofors are the deadliest. Uncanny electric predictors enable the gunners to harass raiders. Britain's anti-aircraft defences have not been ' weakened in any district to provide London's barrage which can be increased if necessary.

Enemy raiding to-day was the least effective since Saturday. The bombers started later than usual and were given another dose of the new anti-aircraft fire which proved so strong that the raiders seemed unable to reach the central areas of the City. There were long intervals between the raids. Sirens sounded at London for the first time to-day at 4.30 p.m. Planes were heard over the city but there was no gunfire and the all-clear sounded at 5.42. The sirens sounded for the second time at London at 9.17. To-day's enemy activities consisted of attacks by single aircraft on a number of places. A few bombs were dropped on several towns in southern England and one town in the north-east where a hotel and some houses were damaged and there were some casualties though very few are reported to be serious. Attacks in the South. Attacks in the south also caused damage to hous'es in several districts. The casualties have been few but a small number of fatalities occurred in south coast towns. One enemy bomber was shot down by fighters during these atLondoners heard the 6th consecutlve night of air raid warnings at 9.10 p.m. after having had one other warning in the afternoon. A heavy barrage immediately began from anti-aircraft guns while a few searchllghts could be seen. Although the warning was still in operation at 11.30 p.m. the barrage was not consistently heavy and obviously was being held ln reserve for a successive effort to pene.trate by enemy machines, It is authoritatively stated that lasl night's anti-aircraft fire in the form of a barrage was based on new methods oi prediction. The innovation was undoubtedly successful and the same kind oi defence is likely to continue. It is hoped to improve the methods with continued practice. * Reassuring Effect. The new anti-aircraft barrage used on Wednesday night in the defence of London, which is described by the press ni "the heaviest ever put up in the defence of any city," had a reassuring effect on Londoners, who, though standing the strain of the ferocious German air attack with admirable cairn, were delighted to realise from the new noises overhead that the German airmen were receivlng an unusually warm weicome. When it gathered what the new aerial inferno meant comment was heard everywhere to-day that no music was more pleasant to ears attuned to the "crump" of bombs and the drone oi enemy bombers, and though only fitful sleep was rendered possible this was regarded as a matter of rejoicing rather than complaint. The statement that this new barrage method is likely to be continued and even get better is greeted with great satisfaction.