As they were in WWII, the citizens of London were subjected to air raids for most of the First World War as well. However, this was not a mass of bombers, but raids by Germany's lighter than air Zeppelin airships. Able to carry a most useful war load for the distances required, the Zeppelins would seem to be terrifying, silent angels of death to the population below. At least, that is, in many ways, how the British propagandists and sensationalists of the time portrayed it.

The truth, however, was not quite the same. Zeppelins are not precision aircraft. They are slow, and though able to cruise at heights above what modern aircraft of the time were able to attain, were very much creatures of the wind. As often as not, the attacking airship was unable to reach the intended target due to winds and weather. Though initially immune to defense from the ground, later in the war the British were able to put up a rather effective defense against attack with ground based guns and with attacking fighter aircraft. The development of incendiary ammunition effectively made airship attack a rather hazardous way to do battle.

Nonetheless, the Germans continued to use airships as a means of warfare and did effectively require the British to keep resources at home to confront them.

 In this book, Ian Castle concentrates on those missions flown into the area of greater London. The research provided in the book is nothing short of incredible as these attacks are often mapped out to show exactly where each bomb was dropped. Most of the raids were in 1915 and 1916 so much of the book concentrates on these events. Though there were raids in 1917 and 1918, these had been scaled back considerably due to the increased effectiveness of British defenses.

As with all Osprey titles, this book is superbly illustrated with period photos and art work. It is further enhanced by the work of Christa Hook, what show some of the more dramatic events of the time. Even today, one can see some of the aftermath of these attacks in memorials and markers in and around London.

The book is a fascinating read into the initial hopes and expectations, the campaign itself and the results of that campaign. A book I am sure you will enjoy as much as did I and one that I can highly recommend to you.

August 2008

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