The Air Attack on London This week's air exercises over
London are too recent for any final conclusions to be reached as to the vulnerability of the capital. On a fine night, definitely favourable to the defence, 20 per cent. of the attacks are officially held to have been successful. Two features of the exercises stand out, one satisfactory, one disturbing. Searchlights seemed to have shown a very high percentage of efficiency, though there are not yet enough of them, and civilian observers did their work well. The disturbing fact is the slowness of the fighters compared with the latest type of bomber, which seems to indicate that, unless great changes take place, modern air war will be largely one of reprisals, thus justifying to the full the pessimistic prophecies of Lord Baldwin. The public showed small interest in what was happening over- head. The high altitudes enforced seemed to argue greater concern for the citizen's sleep than his future safety, and the postponement of Tuesday's exercises on account of poorish rather than bad weather suggests an admirable sense of caution rather than an acute consciousness of the urgent importance of an early solution of the defence of London under all conditions.
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