Welcome to

Zeppelins, Gothas & 'Giants'


The Story of Britain's First Blitz

1914-1918


My fascination with the German air raids on Britain in the First World War led to countless weeks of research at the UK's National Archives in London exploring the Air Ministry: Air Historical Branch: Papers (Series 1) (AIR 1), and those of the War Office: Military Headquarters: Correspondence and Papers, First World War series (WO 158). These sources offer an extraordinary insight into the effect of these air raids on Britain in WW1 and I have used the raw information to create this website.

 

This website offers an account of all 103 German air raids on Britain in WW1. I have also used this information to create a Raid Index listing the names of all places bombed, alongside the date of the raid, to make it easier for visitors to track down the story of the raids in their own areas. This is the first time an Index of this type has been created and can be accessed from the 'Raid Index' tab. The Index clearly demonstrates the random nature of German bombing in WW1 at a time when aerial navigation was in its infancy.

 

Because of the huge amount of work I have undertaken to create this website I would appreciate it if you get in touch with me first via the 'Contact' tab if you wish to use any of my text for purposes other than private research as I retain the copyright.



Ian Castle FRHistS

                                                            Can You Help?

This website was four years in the making, as I ventured back and forth to the National Archives in Kew, London, collecting the information I needed to tell the story of the German air raids on Britain in the First World War - the First Blitz. The website has proved far more popular than I had imagined and has been recognised by the British Records Association. I hope it is providing answers to the questions many people have about the history of where they live and of their families who lived through this extraordinary time. 


To achieve this, inevitably I have had to invest a fair amount of money and continue to do so to keep the website available and online. 


If you have found the website useful, interesting or helpful, would you be happy to make a small donation towards the upkeep of the website? Even just a £1 (or a dollar) would help offset these running costs, although if you’d like to give more…. 


If you can help just click on the button below and make a donation through PayPal. 


Many thanks for considering this.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Books by Ian Castle


All can be ordered from your local bookshop or via online outlets

Zeppelin Onslaught - The Forgotten Blitz 1914-1915.

The first book in my 'Forgotten Blitz' trilogy, weaving together official reports from Britain and Germany with newspaper coverage and eye-witness accounts to tell the story of the first year of German air raids on Britain in unprecendented detail, considering both the experiences of those in the air as well as those on the ground. 


The second book, 'Zeppelin Inferno', telling the story of the 1916 raids is due for publication in April 2022. 

Zeppelin Inferno - 

The Forgotten Blitz 1916.

The latest book in my 'Forgotten Blitz' trilogy, continuing the story into 1916, or it can just as easily be read alone. While Germany hoped to continue to press its air attacks, Britain was gradually developing an effective system to oppose them, leading to spectacular results in the autumn months. Crammed with eye-witness accounts - this is the complete story                                                                              of the 1916 raids on Britain.

The First Blitz in 100 Objects.

Illustrated in colour thoughout this book looks at objects and places that can still be seen that form part of the story of Britain's first experience of aerial bombardment and explains their part in it. Zeppelin relics, bombs, souvenirs, postcards, damaged buildings, memorials, graves, aircraft, guns and much more reveal the history that is all around us. 

The First Blitz - Bombing London in the First World War 

A study of the German air raids on London during the First World War, from Zeppelins through to the the Gotha and 'Giant' bombers. The book includes numerous photos as well as colour artwork and maps individually plotting all the London bombs. 


The Zeppelin Base Raids - Germany 1914

Part of the Osprey Publishing 'Raid' series, this book looks at the Royal Naval Air Service's attempts in 1914 to bomb the Zeppelins in their sheds and factories in Germany before they could bomb Britain. Raids on Cologne, Dusseldorf, Friedrichshafen and Cuxhaven (Nordholz) are covered marking the beginning of strategic bombing. 

Media




Talks Booked for 2024


Mon. 8th April - 7.30pm - Dorking Local History Group, Crossways Community Baptist Church, Junction Road, RH4 3HB - 'The Sky Was Lurid With Flames' - Germany's First World War Bomber Campaign aginst London


Fri. 12th April - 7.30pm - Western Front Assoc. (Sussex  - Branch - Lewes) - 'A Fine Feat of Arms' (or Great Tales of Derring Do!) - The Zeppelin Base Raids - Autumn 1914


Thu. 15th August - 7.30pm - Herts at War - Welwyn Civic Centre, Welwyn, Herts. - 'The Sky Was Lurid With Flames' - Germany's First World War Bomber Campaign aginst London




Talks Given in  2023


Wed. 19th April - 7.45pm - Western Front Assoc. (Surrey Branch - Cobham) - ' Wild Hawk Hunting ' - The extraordinary story of Rex Warneford, RNAS, VC


Fri. 12th May - 7.30pm - Sheppey Little Theatre, Sheerness, Kent - 'It was something horrible' - The story of Germany's First World War air raids on Sheppey


Sun. 23rd July - 11.00am - 'Propwash', Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Essex - A Tale of Two Aircraft - Stow Maries Bombing Double-Act


Thu. 17th August - 7.30pm - Herts at War - Welwyn Civic Centre, Welwyn, Herts. - The Zeppelin Onslaught - Britain's Forgotten Blitz


Mon. 4th September 7.45pm - Croydon Natural History & Scientific Society - East Croydon Reformed Church - The Night the Zeppelin Came - Croydon and the Zeppelin War


Wed. 20th September - 8.00pm - Sussex Military History Society - Lewes, Sussex - The Forgotten Blitz and the Defeat of the Zeppelins


Fri. 13th October - 7.30pm - Western Front Assoc. (Sussex Branch - Lewes) - The Sky was Lurid with Flame - Germany's First World War Bomber Offensive against London


Wed. 18th October - 1.45pm - Oxted & District Probus - Target Croydon - The Zeppelin raid of 13 October 1915


Tue. 7th Nov. -  2.00pm - Crowborough u3a - Crowborough, E.Sussex - The Forgotten Blitz and the Defeat of the Zeppelins

Transmission card created by Windfall Films

TV

I have been involved in three television documentaries looking at different aspects of the First World War air raids. Attack of the Zeppelins, made by Windfall Films, was shown in the UK on Channel 4 and was also shown in Australia on SBS. In the US the film appeared on Nova as Zeppelin Terror Attack.


As part of the BBC's World War One at Home initiative I appeared in Zeppelin Terror and also featured in an episode of Defenders of the Sky shown on The History Channel.


More recently (May 2022) I featured in Jay Blades - No Place Like Home, a new documentary series made for Channel 5, during which I discussed a Zeppelin raid on Stoke Newington, in a street where Jay Blades once lived.


PODCAST

I have recorded an episode for popular historian Dan Snow's History Hit podcast series called The First Blitz.



TALKS

I am always interested in giving talks on various aspects connected to the German air raids on Britain during the First World War. Whether on the Zeppelin raids or the Gotha/'Giant' raids, I have talks to cover the subject. I am also able to tailor my talks so they reflect raids in local areas. If you'd like more information please get in touch via the 'Contact' button.




Talks Booked for 2025


Tue. 6th May - 2.00pm - Crowborough u3a - Crowborough, E.Sussex - 'The German's Are Here' - London's First Zeppelin Raid 1915 - 2025


Thu. 22nd May - 12.30pm - The London Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB - £5 in person or Free online -  'The German's Are Here' - London's First Zeppelin Raid 1915 - 2025


Tue. 3rd June - 7.30pm - Western Front Association (Chesterfield Branch), Labour Club, Unity House, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1NF  - The Forgotten Blitz and the Defeat of the Zeppelins (talk also looks at raids on Derby and Sheffield)


Thu. 19th June - 7.30pm - Herts at War - Welwyn Civic Centre, Welwyn, Herts. -  'A Fine Feat of Arms' (or Great Tales of Derring Do!) - The Zeppelin Base Raids - Autumn 1914


Mon. 28 July - 7.30pm - Western Front Assoc. (Hampshire & I.O.W. Branch), Royal Marine Association Club, Dunn Close, Eastney, PO4 9SB - The Forgotten Blitz and the Defeat of the Zeppelins (talk includes raid on Portsmouth) (CANCELLED)


Fri. 12 Sep. - 7.30pm - Western Front Assoc. (Sussex Branch), The Lecture Room, Lewes Town Hall, Fisher Street, BN7 2QS

'Wild Hawk Hunting ' - The remarkable story of Rex Warneford, RNAS, VC 


Thu. 9th Oct. - 12.30pm - The London Archives,

40 Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB - £5 in person or Free online - 'A beautiful but terrifying sight' - Zeppelins Over London – Autumn 1915


 



Talks Booked for 2026


Wed. 21st January - 7.45pm - Western Front Assoc. (Surrey Branch - Cobham) - 'The Sky Was Lurid With Flames' - Germany's First World War Bomber Campaign against London


Sun. 29th March - 2.00pm - Western Front Assoc. (South of Scotland Branch - Edinburgh) - Talk to mark the 110th anniversary of the Zeppelin raid on Edinburgh - title TBC.


Mon. 11th May - Lunchtime - Reigate Probus Club -  The Forgotten Blitz and the Defeat of the Zeppelins


Wed. 17th June - 7.30pm - Herts at War - Welwyn Civic Centre, Welwyn, Herts. - 'Wild Hawk Hunting ' - The remarkable story of Rex Warneford, RNAS, VC


Tue. 4th August - 7.30pm - Western Front Association (Chesterfield Branch), Labour Club, Unity House, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1NF - 'The Sky Was Lurid With Flames' - Germany's First World War Bomber Campaign aginst London

Sat. 19th September - 2.00pm - Western Front Association (Ox & Bucks Branch - Chalfont St Giles) -  'The Sky Was Lurid With Flames' - Germany's First World War Bomber Campaign aginst London




 In full flow during the Q & A session at the end of a talk

 PODCAST

Talk given at The National Archives in 2015


You can listen to my talk on London's first Zeppelin raid by clicking here

CONTACT

Contact Ian Castle