The Flying Bombs
VI, the flying bomb with which " southern England," especially London, has been too well acquainted during the summer months, is now a thing of- the past, though V2 is quite another proposition, and the threat of it is by no means removed. Mr. Duncan Sandys, supported by some of the commanders specially concerned, had an exciting story to tell last week when he gave the whole history of the robot from the first vague reports of it in April, 5943, till the launching sites in France were captured. The preventive measures taken by the Government delayed the opening of the attack for five important months, and after that the defence got going with increasing effect. Fighters, A.A. guns, balloons, observe', and searchlight units all played their parts, with the result that is 8,000 bombs launched only 2,300 reached the London area, and towards the close of the attack the proportion that got through W2, far smaller. It is a story extraordinarily creditable to all concerned —the Government, the Intelligence Service, the scientists, the observers and the fighting men. That particular phase of the bom- bardment of London is now past. But it would be a grave mistake to make light of the dangers which are still threatened by V2, cr some kind, of rocket which may be discharged from territory still held by the enemy. Lord Dudley, Midland Regional Commissioner, said last Sunday that it was possible, even probable, that the enern will still be able to launch something else with a longer range than Vr. He was not referring to the pick-a-back bombs, but to more dangerous missiles. As long as this threat remains it is folly to be bringing evacuated children back to the London area.
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