Battle of Britain 1917; The First Heavy Bomber Raids on England.

Sutherland, Jonathan / Canwell, Diane.

ISBN 10: 1844153452 / ISBN 13: 9781844153459

Published by Pen and Sword Aviation, Barnsley, 2006

About this Item

First edition hardcover with dust jacket. The covers are clean, the jacket likewise. Clean internally, no inscriptions. The establishment of the first bombing raids on Britain in WW1 by the Gotha G.V bombers and then by the Zeppelin-Staaken four engine bombers. 168 pages.

Seller Inventory # 016832

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Battle of Britain 1917; The First Heavy Bomber Raids on England.
• Publisher: Pen and Sword Aviation, Barnsley
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1844153452
• ISBN 13: 9781844153459
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Aviation
  • Military

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Author

Diane Canwell has written widely on historical subjects, in particular on military and aviation history, and has long been fascinated by the history of Norfolk and its military heritage. Among her many books are 'The RAF Air Sea Rescue Service 1918-1986', 'The Battle of Jutland' and 'Air War Malta'.

Jonathan Sutherland has written widely on historical subjects, in particular on military and aviation history, and has long been fascinated by the history of Norfolk and its military heritage. Among his many books are The RAF Air Sea Rescue Service 1918-1986, The Battle of Jutland and Air War Malta.