Britain experienced its first casualties from an aerial assault during World War I when two German Zeppelins released bombs over the eastern coastline of England.
The zeppelin, which is a rigid airship powered by an engine, was created by the German inventor Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin back in 1900.
While a power-driven airship had been constructed by a French inventor many years earlier, the Zeppelin’s rigid design, featuring its steel framework, made it the largest airship ever manufactured. Nevertheless, the zeppelin prioritized size over safety, as these heavy-steel-framed airships were susceptible to explosions due to their reliance on highly flammable hydrogen gas for lift, instead of the safer helium gas.
In January 1915, Germany launched a two-day bombing operation against Britain utilizing three zeppelins: the L.3, the L.4, and the L.6. While the L.6 had to turn back due to mechanical difficulties, the other two successfully delivered their bombs onto English coastal communities.
