Anti-aircraft battery in Southwark Park.

Repro ID: H3221

Description: At the start of the Blitz there was little the British could do to oppose the German bombers at night. At that time few of the defending anti-aircraft batteries were equipped with fire-control radar and the searchlights used were rarely effective at altitudes greater than 3,600 m (12,000 ft). Only a few night-fighters were fitted with AI (airborne interception) radar; and ground controlled interception radar (GCI), which tracked incoming aircraft overland, was still being developed. It was, therefore, unusual for a raider to be seen by the defenders and rare for one to be shot down. On 7 September 1940, only 92 guns were available to defend London. The fire control system for these failed miserably (as did the night-fighter squadrons) and for three nights the city was pounded with hardly a gun being fired in retaliation.

Creator: Mrs Fox

Date: c.1940

Credit line: Southwark Library collection.