The First Blitz: Bombing London in the First World War, Ian Castle, Osprey Publishing, 2015, 208p, £14-99. ISBN 978-1-4728-1529-3

Whilst it is generally a matter of common understanding the ‘Blitz’ was a Second World War phenomenon, Ian Castle argues very strongly and cogently that London had experienced a sustained ‘blitz’ in the First World War.

In this very well illustrated volume, we are introduced to the sequence of attacks which developed from the early incursions by Zepellin airships to the much more dangerous attacks by squadrons of German ‘Gotha’ aircraft in the later phase.

The photographic evidence is extraordinarily helpful in showing exactly what damage was done and the maps provided are exceptionally useful in enabling the reader to appreciate exactly where the various bombing raids were undertaken.

It is not just an account of the persistent aerial raids experienced by Londoners, it also is very instructive in explaining how the authorities responded, both in terms of providing improved security and defence but also in terms of developing a defensive approach which, in fact, became the foundation of London’s broader aerial defence in 1939.