Osprey's Campaign title for the Gotha and the massive Staaken 'Giant' bomber raids against London during World War I (1914-1918). On a sunny May afternoon in 1917, the peace of an English seaside town was shattered when a flight of German Gotha bombers appeared without warning. Twenty-three Gothas had set out to attack London in this first bomber raid, but heavy cloud forced them to target Folkestone and the Shorncliffe army camp instead. It was the start of a new phase of the war aimed at destroying the morale of the British people. London's defences were quickly overhauled to face this new threat, providing the basis for Britain's defence during World War II. “This book is the companion to the 2008 Campaign title London 1914–17 ... [it] tells the story of the Gotha and the massive Staaken 'Giant' bomber raids against London, the first bomber blitz. These raids were attempts at destroying British morale, especially for those living in the capital. As a result, London quickly overhauled its defenses providing the basis for Britons' defense during World War II.” ― www.mataka.org (October 2010) “Ian Castle takes us through these raids with precise information on not only the aircraft involved, but also the flight path of each one and where each bomb was dropped. It is this level of detail that ... makes this book such a superb read.” ― Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness (November 2010) “...provides a fine, in-depth survey of the strategies and results of the bomber blitz in London during World War I. Military and British history are illustrated with color battle scenes, maps, and modern photos to enhance a collection perfect for any military collection.” ― The Midwest Book Review Ian Castle has lived in London all his life and balances writing with work in the advertising industry. He has been writing for Osprey for over 15 years. Ian regularly lectures at the National Army Museum in London and is a member of the Airship Heritage Trust. CHRISTA HOOK began her illustrating career in 1986, after studying under her father Richard Hook. Her work has featured extensively in the worlds of publishing and television. She has established herself as one of Osprey's most popular artists, having illustrated multiple series titles. Her illustrations combine the historian's attention to detail with the artist's sense of drama and atmosphere, and they are sought after by collectors worldwide. Christa lives and works in East Sussex, England.