AIR ATTACK The scale on which any attack from the air can take place depends upon whether it can start from a land base within reach or whether it can be launched only by sea-borne aircraft. It is more likely that air attack would be directed on the object of de fence than on the coast defences themselves, but both are possible. Every use will naturally be made of any defending aircraft, but anti-aircraft guns and searchlights must be provided on the ground to guard both the object of defence and the defence works. The efficiency of these ground defences has greatly improved since the World War.
The chances of a bomb actually hitting such a small target as a coast gun are very slight, but it may be thought advisable in heavy batteries to erect thin splinter-proof walls round the gun emplacements to guard against the effects of bombs burst in the close vicinity. Also, sometimes a shell-proof, bomb-proof and gas-proof shelter would be provided, with sitting accommodation, for the battery garrison.