The First Blitz In 100 Objects

A visual history of this forgotten WWI bombing campaign: “A fantastic book. Remnants of stained glass windows, grocery shop scales . . . and so much more.” —War History Online The First World War ushered in many new and increasingly deadly weapons and strategies—none more so than Germany’s sustained aerial bombing campaign against Britain, which opened an entirely new theatre of war—the Home Front. It was a shocking awakening to twentieth-century warfare for the military and civilians alike. There are still fascinating glimpses of this first air campaign, long overshadowed by the Blitz of World War II—to be found in the streets of British towns and cities. Often unnoticed, each tells its own dramatic tale of death and destruction, or maybe of heroism and narrow escapes. Museums hold tantalizing reminders of the air raids, from complete aircraft that defended the country to relics of great Zeppelins that initially brought terror to the British population but ultimately were doomed to become nothing more than great heaps of burnt and twisted wreckage. This first-time assault from the air both terrified and fascinated citizens—and unexpectedly, a significant trade in air raid souvenirs developed, from postcards of wrecked houses and bomb craters to china models of Zeppelins and their bombs and pieces of Zeppelin wreckage. And among the 100 Objects brought together in this book, there can also be found tales of resilience, humor, and determination—which all have their place in the story of this First Blitz

The First World War was one of the seminal events in world history. This book traces its history through the examination of iconic items like the Zeppelin, the gas mask and Winston Churchill's cigar, to personal objects which tell the poignant stories of individuals and official documents, medals and badges.

At the beginning of 1916, as the world entered the second full year of global conflict, the cities, towns and villages of Britain continued to lay vulnerable to aerial bombardment. Throughout that period German Zeppelin airships and seaplanes had come and gone at will, their most testing opposition provided by the British weather as the country’s embryonic defences struggled to come to terms with this first ever assault from the air. Britain’s civilians were now standing on the frontline — the Home Front — like the soldiers who had marched off to war. But early in 1916 responsibility for Britain’s aerial defence passed from the Admiralty to the War Office and, as German air attacks intensified, new ideas and plans made dramatic improvements to Britain’s aerial defence capability. While this new system could give early warning of approaching raiders, there was a lack of effective weaponry with which to engage them when they arrived. Behind the scenes, however, three individuals, each working independently, were striving for a solution. The results of their work were spectacular; it lifted the mood of the nation and dramatically changed the way this campaign was fought over Britain. The German air campaign against Britain in the First World War was the first sustained strategic aerial bombing campaign in history. Despite this, it has become forgotten against the enormity of the Blitz of the Second World War, although for those caught up in the tragedy of these raids, the impact was every bit as devastating. In Zeppelin Inferno Ian Castle tells the full story of the 1916 raids in unprecedented detail in what is the second book in a trilogy that will reveal the complete story of Britain’s ‘Forgotten Blitz’.

Revealing the most critical moments and important facts about past and present players, coaches, and teams that are part of the storied history that is Bears football, this book has pep talks, records, and Bears lore scattered throughout the pages. The Bears' longtime rivalry with the Green Bay Packers, little-known facts about many of the Bears' record 27 Hall of Famers, and profiles of Bears personalities such as Ditka, Payton, Urlacher, Cutler, Trubisky, and Mack are all included. Die-hard fans who know all the words to the "Super Bowl Shuffle" and new supporters alike will find everything they should know, see, and do in their lifetime.

See the history of World War II in an entirely new light through 100 carefully chosen items, from the public to the deeply, poignantly personal. Selected by two specialists in military history, the objects in this book offer a unique perspective on the Second World War. Ranging from iconic items like the British Spitfire, the Purple Heart, and Hitler's mountain retreat, to personal treasures that tell the moving stories of individuals, to official documents, medals, and badges, they all help trace the history of the conflict. Organized chronologically, each one is accompanied by a brief description that highlights the article's significance. Reissue.

A colorful catalogue of objects that illustrate what everyday life was like in wartime Britain. A lifesaving gas mask. A ration book, essential for the supply of food. A shelter stove that kept a family warm while they huddled in their Anderson shelter. A leaflet dropped by the Luftwaffe that was designed to intimidate Britain’s populace during the threat of invasion. A civilian identity card over-stamped with the swastika eagle from the occupied Channel Islands. A rare, previously unpublished, snapshot of legendary bandleader Glenn Miller playing at a UK air base. A twisted remnant of German V2 rocket that went to space and back before exploding over London, the result of equally twisted military science. Colorful flag bunting that saw the VE celebrations in 1945. These disparate objects and many more together tell the moving and important story of Britain’s home front during the Second World War. The ordinary objects featured in this book, supplemented with facts, figures, dates, stories, and statistics, portray the highs and lows the British people experienced during six years of war—from the deprivations of rationing and the bombing of the Blitz, to the cheery songs, elegant fashions, and “Dig For Victory” spirit.

From their humble start in the NFL as an expansion team to their current journey toward becoming one of the hottest teams in the NFL, this handbook spotlights the most compelling and truly great moments in the 46 years of the Atlanta Falcons. Scattered throughout the pages are pep talks, records, and Falcons lore, including the origins of the famous Freddie Falcon mascot, the best place to grab a meal before or after a game, and which famous quarterback the Falcons drafted in 1991 and quietly traded a year later. Some the most critical moments and important facts about past and present players, coaches, and teams that are part of the storied history that is Falcons football are also shared. Fans who bleed red, black, and silver will particularly enjoy reading about some of the more colorful and unique personalities such as Deion Sanders, Jamal Anderson, Eric Dickerson, Dan Reeves, and Michael Vick. Whether a die-hard from the Norm Van Brocklin era or a new supporter of Mike Smith and Matt Ryan, any fan will value this collection of all of the things Atlanta fans should actually see and do in their lifetime.

A powerful narrative and visual treatment of the "war to end all wars."