What were zeppelins and air raids like in World War 1?

Edward watches the Zeppelins bomb South London from the attic window, and talks about how it felt to have the war so close to home.

Britain was attacked from the sky for the first time by German airships in 1915.

Until this time, no one had expected air raids, so the country was unprepared.  The bombs they dropped were not very accurate but still caused much injury and damage.

On 19th January 1915,  two German airships - Zeppelins - attacked the eastern coastal towns of Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn, killing four civilians but causing little significant damage.

On 31st May, London was attacked from the sky for the first time when the sinister airships dropped 89 bombs and 30 grenades in the East End, killing 7 people, including four children.

And on the nights of 13th and 14th October, five airships accounted for the lives of 71 Londoners across South London.

This video series is supported by The National Lottery's Heritage Lottery Fund.