Review: First Blitz
Published Date:
06 June 2008
By Lucy Christie
The Luftwaffe's bombing raids on London during the Second World War are part of British folk memory.
What is not so widely known is the extent to which, in a primitive and much more limited way, the Germans applied the same tactics in the First World War.
This fascinating book tells the story of the raids, first by Zeppelins and then huge aircraft. There was also a
plan in 1918 – called off at
the last minute – to destroy London and Paris with incendiary bombs.
In terms of lives lost and damage caused, the First World War raids were negligible compared to 1940-45, but the negative effect on civilian morale was great.
Hanson's view is far-fetched however, that if the German "Fire Plan" of 1918 had been carried out, it could have destroyed most of London and possibly altered the course of the war.
Neil Hanson (Doubleday £17.99)
The full article contains 153 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
06 June 2008 11:39 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Yorkshire
