London and the South East endured attacks from the air from May 1915 onwards. The Germans hoped to divert British resources into defending the home front. For the first few years these attacks were mainly from Zeppelins (airships), later on planes like the Gotha were used. The Gotha was a twin-engined biplane. It comprised a steel skeleton, wood framing and a fabric skin.
During the morning of 20 May 1918 (Whit Monday) a German Gotha plane dropped a 50kg bomb on Sangley Road, Catford. A man was killed, a woman was injured and 44 houses were destroyed. Another bomb was dropped on the corner of Sydenham Road and Fairlawn Park. This one destroyed three shops and killed 18 people, including five soliders.
These are just two examples of the bombs dropped on that one day. Of course, other parts of the country also suffered and Britain was also bombing German cities. Many civilians were killed or injured on both sides. Maybe this was part of the reason there was support for 'appeasement' in the 1930's.
The World War 1 Bombing of Sydenham Road
Sydenham War Memorial
19/20 May 1918 Air Raid
Gotha G.V Heavy Bomber
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