Ground-based searchlights were essential components in the UK's air defence system of the early war years since, it was hoped, they would illuminate night-flying aircraft and enable visually sighted guns to fire at the raiders. Moreover, during the 1914-18 war, searchlights had given great service in assisting fighters to destroy enemy planes. Many thousands of Blumlein's Visual Indicating Equipment (VIE) detectors were constructed . Until gun-laying radars able to give accurate range, bearing and elevation information, and AI radars having a minimum range of 400 feet became available in adequate numbers, the VIE played a significant role in the air defence of Great Britain.
The battle against the night raiders and AI Mark IV, Page 1 of 2
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