The First Blitz: Bombing London in the First World War

by Ian Castle

This book 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'.

204 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2015

About the author

Ian Castle began writing military history some thirty years ago but for the last ten 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 is also building an extensive website highlighting these early air raids.

Reviews

[Glenn Hammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, and li liked it but a little dry in the writing.

[Logan Fort · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 1915 and a war has been raging on between Germany and Great Britain and other nations. The war has come to a stand still and neither side can break the other’s lines. This war will not be won by territory, but the will of the people to stay in the fight. The German navy and military are buying into new war machines: Zeppelins. These behemoths had already taken flight for civilian use, but Germany has other purposes for them and hopes to put them into action soon. Not long after the Kaiser’s approval, German airships began to bomb towns and ports of Britain. The British had a defence plan in place, but it was hardly effective. Then the airships began to bomb London itself.
This was the first blitz, shown in the book The First Blitz Bombing London in the First World War Written by Ian Castle. Ian Castle does not have any information about himself i the book. The book is all about the fist blitz of london and how Britain slowly grew it’s defence to repel these attacks. In the latter half of the book, Ian Castle describes how Germany abandoned airships and used bombers. This book is rich with detail about every raid from who was flying and reports from the ground. The book does become repetitive and dull after some time, but it is very informative. Ian Castle has Written other books about the first world war, but this book bear any sequels or prequels. I personally enjoyed this book and often found myself returning to this book again and again. I read this book in short bursts as I did get bored after an extended amount of time. This Book would be good for anyone 13 and up. The author consistently uses a third person voice in his writing. This Book a decent piece of informative writing that would suite anyone who would to know more about the first world war or the origins of the blitz in the second world war.
Title: The First Blitz Bombing London in the First World War
Autor: Ian Castle
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Copyright date: 2015
Pg #: 208
Price: $19.95
ISBN #: 978-1-4728-1529-3
Reviewer: Logan Fort
Grade: 8
School: Pennridge South Middle School
Town: Perkasie, PA

[Stephen Lockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ian Castle when he availed himself of services my business offers, I learned first hand of the colossal amount of painstaking research that goes into a book like this, and Ian admitted he was a perfectionist and had entered the career of author in an attempt to improve the quality of the available books in the sphere he wrote in. In my view he certainly achieved his objective, I had been totally ignorant of this WWI aerial blitz of London and the South East and Ian’s book brings it to life, with contemporary images on most pages as well as countless anecdotal descriptions of the carnage. I have lived in an around London since 1980 so it was particular poignant to me to hear of many districts and even streets I am familiar with which suffered devastation and casualties. I was reading this book during the final transition of Brexit and although there is no reason to suppose that the UK leaving the EU should lead to another blitz over London it makes you want to count your blessings that we have lived through a peaceful era and whatever we may think of post war politics at least we have not descended once again in Western Europe to all out war.

[Robert Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First Blitz is a good book about a seldom covered topic. Even when people think about the bombing of England during World War I, it seems that the zeppelin is what catches their attention. The German heavy bombers were far more effective and inflicted more damage, but somehow they seem to be overlooked. Ian Castle's book covers both the zeppelin and heavy bomber raids in detail, even to giving the exact numbers of deaths and injuries, and the direct economic damage, for each raid. If anything he is a bit too detailed in this area, at times making The First Blitz a bit pedantic and repetitive. A little less information here, and a little more about the aircraft involved, at least in my mind, would have improved the book. The criticism is a minor one, however, and I can easily recommend The First Blitz to anyone interested in World War I or air war in general.