ZEPPELIN INFERNO The Forgotten Blitz 1916

Publisher: Frontline Books Web: www.frontline-books.com ISBN: 978-1-13990-939-24 Hardback: 382 pages

RRP: £25.00

For many, the Blitz on Britain means one thing: the Luftwaffe air attacks against the country between September 1940 and May 1941. However, there was another and much earlier ‘Blitz’ – the attacks by Zeppelin and aircraft during the First World War.

Author Ian Castle is regarded as one of the greatest experts on WW1 German air attacks against Great Britain and has written extensively on the subject across three decades. (See also pages 20 – 27 of this issue. Editor) It would be true to say that this new volume of Ian’s work represents the pinnacle of achievement in his writing and research on this topic, and it will likely come to be regarded as the definitive work on the subject.

Ian Castle’s diligence in his research into the German air campaign of 1916 has

produced not only a stunningly useful reference work but also an extremely readable volume. A fascinating part of that diligence is surely the tracking of individual bombs which fell on farms and streets that no longer exist and plotting where these locations are today through the use of historical Ordnance Survey maps held by the National Library of Scotland. Indeed, the author’s work provides a blow-by-blow account of each sortie and raid, where the bombs fell and even details of the civilian casualties sustained.

Particularly fascinating to the reviewer were the accounts from those on board the Zeppelins during some of the attacks which are detailed in the book. Matching these details with what was actually happening on the ground makes for a compelling and absorbing read. And it is especially interesting given that these events were now so long ago and outside of living memory. When reading, one is put in mind of the late Alfred Price’s works on specific days during the Battle of Britain, but Alfred Price had the luxury of living witnesses.not so for Ian Castle who has, instead, ‘harvested’ historic accounts and archives and woven them skilfully together to present the most comprehensive record yet published on the German air attacks of 1916 against the British Isles.

A truly wonderful book and very highly recommended. A must for those interested in the air war of 1914 – 18.

Reviewed by Andy Saunders

Illustrations ✔. References/notes ✔. Appendices ✔.

Index ✔.