Description

This book explores the aerial campaign against the British capital, and the birth of the Royal Air Force.

On a sunny May afternoon in 1917, the peace of an English seaside town was shattered when a flight of German Gotha bombers appeared without warning. Twenty-three Gothas had set out to attack London in this first bomber raid, but heavy cloud forced them to target Folkestone and the Shorncliffe army camp instead. It was the start of a new phase of the war aimed at destroying the morale of the British people. London's defences were quickly overhauled to face this new threat, providing the basis for Britain's defence during World War II.

German heavy bombers successfully raided London on 17 separate occasions during World War I. In total just over 200 aircraft reached the city between 13 June 1917 and 20 May 1918. This book tells the story of the Gotha and the massive Staaken 'Giant' bomber raids against London.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chronology
Opposing commanders
Opposing plans
The 1917 raids
The 1918 raids
The sites today

Order of battle for the London air raids
Further reading
Index

Product details

Published Jan 20 2013
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781849082990
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 65 b/w; 20 col
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 227
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Ian Castle

Ian Castle has lived in London all his life and ba…

Illustrator

Christa Hook

CHRISTA HOOK began her illustrating career in 1986…

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