The First Heavy Bomber Raids on England

Jonathan Sutherland & Diane Canwell

Book Description

In the autumn of 1916 the Germans began to equip with the Gotha twin-engine bomber. The Gothas were designed to carry out attacks across the channel against Britain. A group of four squadrons was established in Belgium, and they carried out their first bombing raid towards the end of May 1917. This 22 aircraft sortie, against the town of Folkestone, caused 95 deaths. In mid June a force of 18 Gothas attacked London in broad daylight. Over 90 British fighters met them, but not one Gotha was brought down. This bombing raid caused 162 deaths.From mid-September an even larger, more potent bomber joined the Gothas. The Zeppelin-Staaken Riesenflugzeug or "Giant" bomber. It had a range of about 800km (500 miles). The Gotha/Giant night raids continued throughout 1917, almost unscathed until December when the British began to have success in intercepting the Gothas at night. Anti-aircraft fire was also becoming more effective and the increased use of barrage balloons affected the bombers. By the end of the war a 50-mile long line of barrage balloons surrounded London.In the meantime the Giants continued a small but influential campaign against London. On 16 February, during a four aircraft raid, a Giant dropped a 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bomb - the largest used by anyone in the war - and blew up a wing of the Chelsea hospital.

Review

This book looks at the development of air bombardment from the early days of the WW1 with the Zeppelin and explains the effect of the development of the Gotha which came into general service with the German Air Force in 1916 and was capable of reaching 15,000 feet. The Gotha's, with a 500 mile range were ideally placed to reach a number of British towns with its 500kg (1,100lb) bombload. The coastal town of Folkestone was the first to feel the impact of this new style of bombing. The British fighters were left all but impotent to these high flying machines, lacking the ability to reach the operational height of their German counterparts.

The Gotha force however, was to take further advantage when in September 1917 it was joined by the Zeppelin-Staaken Reisenflugzeug otherwise known as the 'Giant'.

The Giant had a massive 168 feet wingspan, 4 engines and was capable of delivering a 2,000kg (4,400lb) payload.

The book contains a good number of photographs and apendix's on British Air Defences and Air Raid Casualties, Chronological breakdown of Gotha and Giant raids, Summary of Staaken aircraft that flew over Britain, RNAS & RFC Squadrons scrambled during Gotha & Giant Raids and RFC Squadrons and pilots deployed against Gotha and Giant Raids.

A very readable and well researched book which also gives a valuable insight into the problems met in overcoming aerial bombardment. Many of the lessons learned in this era were still valid 21 years later with the onset of WWII.

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