Prepare for Learning

2 days before

2 hours before

2 hours after

2 days after

What do you think may have happened at the different stages before and after this photograph was taken? Write

down what you think in your book!

Before the 20th century, civilians (people who are not in the armed or police forces) in Britain had been largely unaffected by war. Previous overseas wars rarely touched British shores. World War One was to change all that.

Historians have described it as a "total war”, a global war which involved both civilians and the armed services on a massive scale.

We are going to look at how this new type of warfare affected the lives of everyday people.

Count von Zeppelin, a retired German army officer, flew his first airship in 1900. They were lighter than air, filled with hydrogen, with a steel framework. When the war started in 1914, the German armed forces had several Zeppelins, each capable of travelling at about 85 m.p.h. and carrying up to 2 tons of bombs. With military deadlock on the Western Front, they decided to use them against towns and cities in Britain.

Agree Learning Outcomes

Be able to understand what a ‘Zeppelin raid’ was (All)

Be able to explain the damage that Zeppelin raids could cause (Most)

Be able to use inference to form an impression about the impact of Zeppelin raids. (Some)

Construct New Meaning

These documents refer to a Zeppelin raid on Hull in June 1915.

This is a report of the raid by Major General Ferrier, Commander of the Humber

Defences.

As a table, you have five minutes to find the answers to a number of questions

about the Zeppelin raid. Every person in your group should have helped provided an

answer for at least one question.

The group who finishes first will be awarded vivos!

Construct New Meaning

a) The date, the times when the raid started and finished.

b) How many Zeppelins took part, what direction they were travelling.

c) What kind of bombs seem to have been used?

d) How did some people in Hull react to the raids?

e) How many people were injured/killed?

There were 51 Zeppelin raids between 1915 and 1916. Their main target

was London.

Key Question

What can we learn from each source about Zeppelin

attacks on Britain?

Apply to Demonstrate

This is the last practice at supported inference questions before your assessment. Using the source, you should write down your impression of the Zeppelin attacks, support it

with evidence from the source and then explain your answer.

If you can’t remember how to set out your work – look back at the last ones you did.

Level 3-4: Explain in your own words what the source tells you about the Zeppelin raids.

Review

Look at this image. It is a photograph of the raid on Hull in 1915. Write a headline for a German newspaper explaining whether the raid was or was not a success.

Now write a headline for a British newspaper – keeping in mind that the mood of the country is important!

Extension

Which of these sources do you find the most useful for finding out about the

raids?

Explain why you have made that decision.

Due to the height that the aircraft was

flying at [around 10,000 ft] our

machine guns had no effect on them. They couldn’t be

reached.

Major Robert Hall, Fire Commander London

Defences, 1916

A few small bi-planes of ours went up to attack it but the

Zeppelin had heavy machine-guns mounted in the cabin slung beneath it and, being

almost stationary, could take careful aim on a plane. So our brave airman stood no chance.

But one little plane went up, one of those double wing ones with all the struts holding the wings together. Well, this pilot flew

above the Zeppelin and dropped bombs onto it. One hit it square on - flames started to light up

the night sky. She was on fire all right. Everyone in the street

started to cheer.

While on leave from from France William Brooks and his girlfriend

witnessed a Zeppelin raid on London, 1915

‘It was like a big cigar I suppose and all of the bag part had

caught fire. And it seemed to come floating down slowly

instead of falling down with a bang. We knew there were

about 60 people in it and that they were being roasted to

death. Of course, you weren’t supposed to feel any pity for your enemies. Nevertheless, I was appalled to see the good,

kind-hearted British people dancing about in the streets at

the sight of 60 people being burnt alive – clapping and

cheering and singing.’

Sybil Morrison describes shooting down of a Zeppelin, in an article in a local newspaper, 3 September 1916

Suddenly a terrifying explosion occurred. Windows rattled, the

ground quivered, pictures swung. We all gasped. I ran to

the window and saw Vesuvius in eruption.

As I watched, I felt myself alone. Turning round, I found that my companions had run out of the house, even without putting on their boots. The door opened

and the old lady appeared in a dressing-gown. At that moment another terrific explosion shook

us. She said : " Oh, dear, I do hope the noise won't waken

Sonnie ! “

David Kirkwood, was in Edinburgh in 1916 during a

Zeppelin air raid.

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