Figure 1.--The Blitz on London is generally associated with World War II. The first aerial attacks on Britain acrually occurred during World War I. German Air raids during World War caused cinsiderable damage killed 1,413 people and injured 3,409 others. Air raids in theory provided a way of striking at the eneny's war industries. In practice the Germans did not have aarge enough air force to do real damage abd could not target valuable targets. They quickly evolved into terror campigns. After the failure of the Zeppelin campaigns, The Germans began attackung with their new Gotha bombers. Here we see the funeral of the 18 children killed at the Upper North Street School (June 20, 1917). The cortege is passing along East India Dock Road. The fighting on the Western froint resulted in millions of deaths. The kiiling of 5 and 6 year olds, however, shicked Britain to the core.
Fixed-wing bombers were not employed to any extent because they were still being developed. There were not even any bombers in service when the War began. There were some limited bombing operations in 1918. Both sides were, however, preparing bombing operations had the War lasted into 1919. The bombing that did take place did prove emensensly significant, ironically in World War II not World War I. When the War began neither the Allies or Germans had bombers. One country had worked on a bomber. Igor Skikorsky created the Ilya Muromets (Sikorsky S-22) at the Russo-Baltic Carriage Factory (RBVZ) in Riga (1913). Russia at the time did not have the industrial capacity to manufacture planes in the numbers needed to make them an important factor in the War. The plane impressed the Germans who created the Gotha bomber, influenced by Skikorsky's work. The German raided London with their Gotha bombers (June 13, 1917). There were 162 Londoners killed. The British were shocked. This and other raids succeeded in hitting cities, but not important targets. They were essentially nusince raids, forcing the British to divert resources and take counter measures. The Germans did not have the technology or the industrial capacity to launch an effective strategic bombing casmpaign. The Allies did and had the war continued into 1919, German cities would have been heavily bombed. The German Gotha bombers and Zeppelin attacks made a significant impression. And after the War the British took several important steps. One was to create the Royal Air Force (RAF), the world's first independent air force. As a result the British began to prepare for aerial war and trained professionals to assess stratehies and tactics. The most significant outcome of this was preparations to defend Britain from another aerial assault. The RAF was underfunded and unprepared for World War II, but they did create a defensive system including the Chain Home radar system which was just enough to defeat the vaunted Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain (1940).
Usage
Fixed-wing bombers were not employed to any extent because they were still being developed. There were not even any bombers in service when the War began. There were some limited bombing operations in 1918. Both sides were, however, preparing bombing operations had the War lasted into 1919. After the failure of the Zeppelin raids, heavy bombers were sent against London. Again there was only limited damage done. The principal impact was the reation of the Royal Air Force. The bombing that did take place did prove emensensly significant, ironically in World War II not World War I.
Outbreak of War
When the War began neither the Allies or Germans had bombers. Onc country had worked on a bomber. Igor Skikorsky created the Ilya Muromets (Sikorsky S-22) at the Russo-Baltic Carriage Factory (RBVZ) in Riga (1913). Russia at the time did not have the industrial capacity to manufacture planes in the numbers needed to make them an important factor in the War.
The Germans deployed their Zeppelin force on bombing raids. The Zeppelins had a greater range and higher ceiling than early fixed-wing airplanes. They proved to be terror weapons. And they had the rabnge to reach London and other Nritish cities. The Zeppelins did not, however, prove to be effective military weapons. They were difficult to steer and had to come down to low alditudes to bomb accurarely making themselves vulnerable. Improved airceaft types amd incendiary shells had defeated the Zeppelins (December 1916).
German Gotha Bomber (1916-17)
The Zeppelin threat to Britain was over by the end of 1916. The threat of air attack, however, was not. Germany military planners continued to believe that bombing was a potentially war-winning strategy. The Russian Sikorsky plane had impressed the Germans who created the Ghota bomber, influenced by Skikorsky's work. The Germans deployed the Gotha and Giant bombers. They proved more effective than the Zeppelins. They could navigate more effectively and were less affected by winds. And when employed during the day could more accurately hit targets. They German bomber raids proved much more deadly than the Zeppelin raids. The first German raid on London (November 28, 1916). The Germans after that periodically raided London abd other southeaster cities with their Gotha bombers. The worst raid on London (June 13, 1917). The German raiders killed 162 Londoners and injured 432, including 18 children killed and 45 injured in an East End school. The British were shocked. This and other raids succeeded in hitting cities, but not important targets. They were essentially nusince raids, forcing the British to divert resources and take counter measures. The Germans did not have the technology or the industrial capacity to launch an effective strategic bombing campaign. These air raids could and did hit cities, they had very little impact on important military targets. The Germans hoped that by attacking Lonson that the British would be forced to withdraw some of their fighter force from the Western Front. Some hoped that they might even be able to crack civilian morale, but this did not happen.
Allied Plans
The German Gotha bombers and Zeppelin attacks made a significant impression on the British. The Allies did have the industrial capacity to build a much larger fleet of long-range bombers. And the British were anxious to pay the Germans back in kund for raids on British cities. Had the war continued into 1919, German cities would have been heavily bombed.
Post-War Planning
Bombing in World War I had accomplished very little. It had made, however, a significant impression as a terrior weapon on the public. Military planners realized that progress in air design would mean that much larger and more powerful bombers would be built. Strategists debated as to if a country could be defeated entirely from the air. The British after the War took several important steps. One was to create the Royal Air Force (RAF), the world's first independent air force. As a result the British began to prepare for aerial war and trained professionals to assess stratehies and tactics. The most significant outcome of this was preparations to defend Britain from another aerial assault. The RAF was underfunded and unprepared for World War II, but they did create a defensive system including the Chain Home radar system which was just enough to defeat the vaunted Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain (1940).
