Gotha Bomber Losses

[alan peacock]

I am looking for further info. on Gotha Bombers lost during WW1.
Has any member a list of Gotha losses or suggest any possible
reading material that may help.

Cheers,

Alan.

[Pips]

A book well worth reading is "First Blitz" by Neil Hanson. Very comprehensive coverage of all raids over England, an in-depth look at the Gotha of the Englandgeschwader, it's performance (and leadership), the numbers of aircraft involved, the results and material affects of the raids and the reaction of the British to the threat.

There are many varied figures around on Gotha losses, making it hard to determine actual direct combat losses as compared to operational losses (the Gotha was notoriously difficult to fly). For what it's worth Hanson states in his book that 24 Gotha's shot down over England in the period from the first daylight raid on 25 May 1917, until the last night raid on 19 May 1918. In that same period a further 37 were lost to landing accidents. All in 450 sorties and (I think) 22 raids. No Giants (of Rfa 501) were lost over England.

If you want something more immediate on the Gotha's before you get the chance to go out and buy the book, have a look at this:
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/ot...iii-story.html

It's a fantastic summary on Kagohl/Bogohl III by Regulus. Simply brilliant in detail.

[alan peacock]

Pips,
Many thanks for your reply and the info. you have given.
I have noted the book title you mentioned and will add it
to my list of required reading.

Thanks again,

Cheers,
Alan.

[jsontag]

Alan, try this link of First Blitz reference books I made...

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/bo...-material.html

Hope this helps, and I highly recommend The Gotha Summer by C.M. White.

James

[alan peacock]

James,
Many thanks for the list of books you suggest for further reading.
Some of the books I have, however I have noted the books I do not
have and added them to my list of required reading.
Thanks for your time and effort.

Cheers,
Alan.

[jsontag]

You're very welcome, Alan. I'm very interested in strategic bombing in the First World War and in particular the Gotha Raids on Britain. Still trying and having a hard time, I might add, trying to find out which Gotha's by serial number took part on the first Gotha Raid on Britain.

James S.

[alan peacock]

James,
Sorry for late reply, I too have an interest in the bomber raids on
the UK. in WW1. I am also trying to compile a list of Gotha's lost
during raids on Britain and in raids on the Western Front.
At the moment I do not have the serial numbers of Gotha bombers
used on the 25th of May raid. However if I am able to find further
info. I will pass it on to you.

Cheers,

Alan.

[jsontag]

Alan, here is what I have so far.

The first Gotha raid on England, May 25, 1917, would any of you happen to know what Gotha's flew on that raid? This is all I've been able to come up with so far:

G.IV 401/16
G.IV 402/16
G.IV 403/16
G.IV 404/16
G.IV 405/16
G.IV 406/16
G.IV 407/16
G.IV 408/16
G.IV 411/16
G.IV 412/16
G.IV 600/16
G.IV 601/16
G.IV 602/16
G.IV 603/15
G.IV 604/16
G.IV 605/16
G.IV 606/16
G.IV 607/16
G.IV 608/16
G.IV 609/16
G.IV 610/16
G.IV 611/16
G.IV 612/16
G.IV 613/16
G.IV 614/16
G.IV 615/16
G.IV 616/16
G.IV 618/16
G.IV 619/16
G.IV 620/16
G.IV 621/16
G.IV 622/16
G.IV 623/16
G.IV 624/16

409/16 - Crashed May 10, 1917
410/16 - Crashed April 23, 1917
617/16 - Crashed April 24, 1917

Thanks to Franz for a huge chunk of information here.

[alan peacock]

James,
Many thanks for posting this info. on Gotha Serial Nos.
I will add this to my files.
Once again, many thanks.

Cheers,
Alan.

[jsontag]

You are very welocme, Alan. Franz was a huge help in this info. His grandfather, Adolph Genth was a Gotha pilot and took part in the first Gotha Raid on Britain.

James S.