Gotha Terror (Hardback)
The Forgotten Blitz, 1917-1918
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By the autumn of 1916, advances in Britain’s air defence capability had all but ended the Zeppelin menace, which had haunted the nation for almost two years. However, an emerging complacency regarding the aerial threat was immediately shattered by the introduction in 1917 of the Grosskampfflugzeug, better known as the Gotha bomber. Whereas Zeppelin airships had attacked individually and stealthily under the cover of darkness, the German Army now had a squadron of bomber aeroplanes capable of brazenly attacking London and south-east England in broad daylight, thereby unleashing a new wave of terror on the British population.
Britain, having downgraded its aerial defences after the apparent defeat of the Zeppelins, was forced to rethink. The improvements instigated compelled the German raiders to change their tactics too, as each side strived to gain the upper hand. And all the time the German Navy Zeppelins, whose campaign had not been abandoned entirely, continued to strike when opportunity allowed.
The story of these dramatic air raids is told by incorporating numerous, never-before published, eye-witness accounts, revealing a personal view of the experiences shared by those who lived through the conflict, both on the ground and in the air.
The German air campaign against the United Kingdom in the First World War was the first sustained, strategic aerial bombing campaign in history. Yet it has become dwarfed by the enormity of the Blitz of the Second World War, but for those caught up in the tragedy of these raids the impact was every bit as devastating. In Gotha Terror Ian Castle tells the full story of the 1917 - 1918 raids in unprecedented detail in what is the final book in a trilogy, completing the story of Britain’s Forgotten Blitz.
The victims of the air raids of the Great War have not been forgotten, but learning their stories in remembering them is not widely published. In his new book Ian Castle goes some way to rectify this.
Chris Sams, Salient Points
Throughout the book, stories of civilians caught up in the raids are included along with those of the British and German air crews. The appendix lists the names of 797 people killed between 23rd-24th May 1917 and 19th-20th May 1918 out of the 893 listed in official reports.
This was the first overseas bombing campaign, and no-one was prepared for it. There was little warning possible and no shelters to go to. The book also includes the politics explaining what was happening behind the scenes. For anyone interested in the later more famous blitz this provides an understanding as to where the regulations introduced in the late 1930s, originate.
Among the stories are those of an American Lena Guilbert who was killed in March 1918 aged 47. In 1914 she had worked with Ivor Novello, writing the words to his score for the song ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’. Also included is Alfred Buckle, a tram driver who, despite being fatally injured, managed to stop the tram safety next to Cleopatra’s Needle on the Embankment in London, which still shows the damage.
Stories also show the work that was going on during the raids. One of them is the story of the female Army Service Corp driver, unfortunately unnamed, who worked with a policeman in Regents Street to rescue what turned out to be a dummy from the Swan & Edgars department store.
From a personal level it was good to see Captain Arthur Dennis, from my hometown mentioned. Captain Dennis took on a Gotha bomber and he was sure he had hit it but unfortunately was not able to stop it from carrying on to London. When Captain Dennis landed, he discovered that the German plane had done some damage to his BE12b. It is not known what, if any damage was done to the Gotha.
This book is a good and interesting read, as well as an important memorial to those killed; those who worked through the raids, as well as those who flew in them.
Book review as featured in
The Western Front Association
“… highly recommended for anyone with an interest in World War I aviation or the history of strategic bombing.”
The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation - Spring 2025
"The author records each raid in meticulous details."
Guidebooks
"The book is well illustrated with maps showing the routes of the raiders and photographs of the various aircraft, personnel, bombs, and damage... For readers who are very familiar with the events of WWI and yet wish to discover little-known aspects of the conflict, this book is quite useful."
Roads to the Great War
Read the full review here
Blitzwalkers
About Ian Castle
IAN CASTLE began writing military history over thirty years ago, but for the last fifteen years has focused on Germany’s First World War air raids against Britain. Initially exploring the London raids, his later research extended to include attacks across the whole country. In addition to writing books, Ian regularly contributes articles to magazines and journals and has been involved in a number of television documentaries detailing this early air campaign. Besides giving regular talks on the subject, Ian has also built an extensive website highlighting these early air raids. He lived in London for over fifty years but has more recently relocated to the Surrey Hills, where he lives with his partner Nicola.
Zeppelin Onslaught The Forgotten Blitz 1914 - 1915 (Hardback)
At the outbreak of the First World War, the United Kingdom had no aerial defence capability worthy of the name. When the war began Britain had just thirty guns to defend the entire country, with all but five of these considered ‘of dubious value’. So when raiding German aircraft finally appeared over Britain the response was negligible and totally ineffective. Of Britain’s fledgling air forces, the Royal Flying Corps had accompanied the British Expeditionary Force into Europe leaving the Royal Naval Air Service to defend the country as best it could. That task was not an easy one. Airships…
By Ian CastleClick here to buy both titles for £47.49
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