The First Blitz

The First Blitz tells the story of Germany's strategic air offensive against Britain, and how it came to be neutralized.
The first Zeppelin attack on London came in May 1915 - and with it came the birth of a new arena of warfare, the 'home front'. German airships attempted to raid London on 26 separate occasions between May 1915 and October 1917, but only reached the capital and bombed successfully on nine occasions.
From May 1917 onwards, this theatre of war entered a new phase as German Gotha bombers set out to attack London in the first bomber raid. London's defences were again overhauled to face this new threat, providing the basis for Britain's defence during World War II.
This comprehensive volume tells the story of the first aerial campaign in history, as the famed Zeppelins, and then the Gotha and the massive Staaken 'Giant' bombers waged war against the civilian population of London in the first ever 'Blitz'.

Ian Castle has lived in London all his life and balances writing with work in the advertising industry. He has been writing for Osprey for over 15 years. Ian regularly lectures at the National Army Museum in London and is a member of the Airship Heritage Trust.

Introduction
The Growing Aerial Threat to London
The Zeppelin Raids - The Men That Mattered
Preparing for the Zeppelin War
The 1915 Zeppelin Raids
The 1916 Zeppelin Raids
The 1917 Zeppelin Raids
The End of the Zeppelin War
The Coming of the Bombers
The Bomber Raids - The Men That Mattered
Preparing for the Bomber Blitz
The 1917 Bomber Raids
The 1918 Bomber Raids
The Aftermath of the First Blitz
Select Bibliography
Appendix 1: In Touch With London's First Blitz
Appendix 2: Chronology
Appendix 3: The Forces Engaged in London's First Blitz
Index