London's Great Barrage Against Air-Raiders

Category

Library Item

Item no

32739

Title

London's Great Barrage Against Air-Raiders: Shrapnel Glinting Among the Stars Over Tower Bridge

Description

From the Illustrated London News published October 13th, 1917, page 434-435. Drawn by Charles Pears, R.O.I. Full title: Te most effectual defense against moonlight air-raids: A curtain-fire of many shrapnel shells, with searchlights in action, over the Thames.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1917

Size

39.6 x 53.4 cm

Type

Press cutting; Reproduction

Location

Reference Library

Newly armed with Zeppelins and other long range bombers, Germany began attacking civilian targets and major cities just weeks into the conflict. Prior to the First World War, attacks on civilians were not part of strategic warfare policy, however this changed beginning with the German bombing of Antwerp.

The direct attacks on civilian populations then moved to the British coast and London, the first attack on the capital hitting May 31st, 1915. The first barrage claimed the lives of seven Londoners, while subsequent attacks killed as many as 70. Despite the fact that the threat to civilians was nominal, there was immense public outcry against Germany's new policy of targeting individuals. Regardless of the actual threat these attacks posed, they mark a grim point in warfare history and set a precedent for the bombardment of cities and civilians in future military conflicts.

Read more from the National Archives and the Scotsman Digital Archive.

You can search the entire 1914-19 archives of the Illustrated London News online.

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Related subjects

Events > Wars > Air raids

Events > Wars > World wars

Military > Military vehicles > War ships

People > Adults > Men

People > Children > Boys

People > Military activities > Air forces

Places > United Kingdom > London

Transport > Water > Boats

Transport > Water > Ships