The Zeppelin Base Raids Germany 1914

by Castle, Ian; Dennis, Peter

• ISBN13: 9781849082433
• ISBN10: 184908243X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-04-19
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

In the summer of 1914, as Europe teetered on the brink of war, the spectre of immediate Zeppelin raids on London and other major British towns and cities loomed large. When Winston Churchill accepted responsibility for the defence of London, he realised that Zeppelins were most vulnerable when on the ground. Despite limited resources, he believed that attack was the best form of defence. In the final four months of 1914, the RNAS launched four separate air attacks on Zeppelin bases in Germany: Düsseldorf/Cologne twice, Friedrichshafen and Cuxhaven. Author Ian Castle presents the full story of Britain's first strategic bombing campaign and the results it achieved.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 4
The aerial defence of Britain	p. 5
The adventure begins	p. 6
The Düsseldorf and Cologne Raids	p. 9
The plan is born	p. 9
A failed attempt	p. 10
The first Düsseldorf and Cologne raid	p. 11
The second Düsseldorf and Cologne raid	p. 19
The Friedrichshafen Raid	p. 30
Planning the raid: the right man for the job	p. 30
Behind enemy lines	p. 32
The team assembles	p. 33
Heading for France	p. 34
The waiting game	p. 36
Destination Friedrichshafen	p. 37
The attack on the Zeppelin works	p. 38
Sippe's attack	p. 41
Babington's attack	p. 44
Return and reward	p. 45
Homeward bound	p. 49
The Cuxhaven Raid	p. 50
Seaplanes to the fore	p. 50
Plan Y	p. 52
The men and their aircraft	p. 54
The force assembles	p. 56
Seaplanes away	p. 57
The Zeppelin attack	p. 60
The search for the Zeppelin shed	p. 63
Submarine rescue	p. 66
A mystery	p. 74
Results of the raid	p. 75
Conclusion	p. 76
Bibliography	p. 79
Unpublished documents	p. 79
Index	p. 80
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