Bomber raid on London 29 Jan 1918.

I am researching the raid on Brentford, London of 29 January 1918. The following is an extract from a book by Joseph Morris with refers to “Giant” aircraft (attributed to the Gotha Works). What exactly were these planes? In the following weeks there were heavy raids by Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI bombers.

I would appreciate any information on the type of plane and the raid.

From The German Air Raids on Great Britain 1914-18, by Captain Joseph Morris, Sampson Low, undated but probably c1920 (Science Museum). P.253: “Giant” aircraft (attributed to the Gotha Works). Campaign began in earnest on 25 Jan 1918, aircraft setting out from Ghent. Another raid three nights later; Odhams Print Works in London was hit, killing 37 people. On the following night (29 January) two Giants reached London. One was attacked by fighters and turned back near Tottenham. The other was attacked from 12,000 ft by Capt A Denis of 37 Squadron who had gone up from Goldhanger in a BE12. The Giant returned fire, riddling the BE12 with bullets. The bomber turned at Hertford, and made for Brentford. It’s load of bombs was dropped at Richmond Deer Park, Brentford, Kew Bridge Rd, and in the Chiswick district. The Giant went home through Kent, leaving the country at Hythe. A third Giant was defeated by guns at Billericay, and made off to drop it’s bombs elsewhere. The raid was “a poor effort, 10 were killed and as many injured. The damage was hardly noticeable”.

[MikeW]

Boulton,


I recommend you get hold of a copy of "The Air Defence Of Britain 1914 to 1918" by Cole & Cheesman, published by Putnams - out of print but cheap enough second hand. You will not find a better account of the raiders and defences.

"The German Giants" will tell you all you want to know about the Staaken bombers.


Mike

[Graeme]

Boulton

The notes I have, based upon "Air Defence of Great Britain", "The First Battle of Britain" and other sources, suggest that the 28 January 1918 bombing force comprised 13 Gothas and a single Giant, the latter flown by the commanding officer of Reisenflugzeugabteilung 501, Hauptmann R Von Bentivegni.

The Giant, numbered R39, flew across Essex and was attacked by Lieutenant John G Goodyear and Air Mechanic W T Merchant in Bristol Fighter C4368; the Bristol was forced to retire with a bullet in its engine and its fuel tanks riddled. R39 then hit part of the balloon apron, carrying away two steel streamers each the thickness of a man's finger, but was itself unscathed. A 660-lb bombs fell through a pavement grating and exploded in a cellar being used as an air raid shelter, killing 38 people and inflicting injuries, mostly burns, to another 67.

The remainder of the force struck at coastal towns in Kent and Essex killing a further 29 people and injuring 99 more.

Captain George H Hackwill (in Camel B2402) and Second Lieutenant Charles C Banks (in Camel B3827), both of No 44 Squadron, cornered a bomber between then and shot it down in flames near Wickford (Gotha GIV 938/16).

Both pilots received the Military Cross for this victory and Banks later served in No 43 Squadron in France and scored another nine victories, ending the war as a flight commander. Hackwill went on to serve in No 54 Squadron and ran his total number of victories to four.

Four Gothas crashed upon landing.

Three Giants carried out the attack on 29 January 1918. Although two of the Giants were intercepted and engaged (most pilots opening fire while still out of range) all three machines returned safely leaving behind ten dead and a similar number injured.

One of the defending pilots was Captain Arthur Dennis of No 37 Squadron who had attacked in BE2e C3091 but had his machine so severely damaged by return fire that he had been forced to break off the engagement.

As Mike W has said, your best option is to get a copy of Frank Cheesman's book.

Graeme

[Vigilant]

I've often read of Gothas and other German bombers crashing on touch down. Has anyone come up with an explanation of why this was so common? (Did the same hapen to HP 0/400s?)

Vig.