HOW LONDON WILL BE WARNED.
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Sound Bombs By Sky Rockets.
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15-SECONDS INTERVAL.
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London is to be given warning of approaching air raids by means of three sound bombs bursting in the air at 15 seconds' intervals.
The following is the official announcement issued last night: -
The experiments made on Thursday with sky signals showed the value of sound bombs for the purpose of warning the population of London. The Home Office has therefore arranged that when an air raid is believed to be imminent in the day time these signals shall be sent up from all the fire brigade stations in the county of London, and this arrangement will be extended as speedily as possible to certain police stations in the populous area surrounding the metropolis.
The signal will consist of three sound bombs fired at intervals of a quarter of a minute. As each bomb leaves the small mortar from which it is fired there is a distinct report, and when it explodes in the air there is a loud report heard over a wide area.
It is believed that this arrangement of signals will be heard all over London. At the same time the "Take Cover" notices will be exhibited by police constables in the streets, and possibly after experience has been gained the signals may be supplemented in other ways.
The warning will not be given until from the informaiton received from the military authorities it appears that an attack on London is intended; and having regard to the speed at which aeroplanes now travel, the warning at the point first attacked can only be of a few minutes' duration. The public should therefore take cover immediately on hearing the signal.
There is, of course, a possibility that a small number of enemy aircraft may approach London without being observerd, in which case no warning could be given, but this risk is unavoidable.
When the message "All clear" is received, notice to that effect will be given by the police.
The Weekly Dispatch - Sunday, July 22, 1917
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