Complex sentence: Once this had happened other manually controlled searchlights would also pick up the plane, and the night fighter would be directed to intercept the illuminated bomber but demands by "Bürgermeister" s in Germany led to the recall of the searchlights to the major cities.
Split into simpler sentences: Once this had happened other manually controlled searchlights would also pick up the plane, and the night fighter would be directed to intercept the now-lit bomber. However, demands by "Bürgermeister" s in Germany led to the recall of the searchlights to the major cities.