Gotha G

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The Gotha G series of bombers were the main German twin-engine bombers of World War I. Built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik, the first unsuccessful variant was the G.I. It had an unusual shape, with the fuselage upon the upper wing of the biplane, and only a small number were built. The next Gotha planes were completely different from G.I, and were similar to each other, the main difference being in the engines used. The most numerous types were the Gotha G.IV and G.V. Though its bomb load by modern standards is negligible, their effect on British morale and war effort was enormous. They replaced the vulnerable Zeppelins.

The cockpit of a Gotha G.IV

Gotha raids

Memorial to the children of Poplar killed in the Gotha raid of 13 June 1917. (February 2006)

The bombing of Upper North Street School in Poplar had a particularly powerful emotional and political impact. Eighteen children died and 30 were injured in that attack, the school being one of many death sites on a raid delivered by a fleet of 18 Gotha bombers on June 13, 1917. Aircraft in this group also bombed Margate, Foulness Island, Shoeburyness, Greenwich, East Ham, Southwark and Dalston. Seventy-two bombs fell within a mile of Liverpool Street station within 2 minutes. The death toll—including Poplar—reached 162 and another 432 people were injured, making the raid the most severe yet witnessed in Britain. The ineffectiveness of Britain's air defences were tragically exposed as all the German planes returned abroad to their bases. Some 92 British pilots had taken-off to seek the raiders but most never saw a Gotha; one was killed from enemy fire. The surprise and speed of the raid was such that the British War Cabinet convened the same afternoon to consider reports of the raid and met again on May 14 to discuss a response. As a result some RFC squadrons were recalled from France to improve the defence of Kent.

On July 7, 1917 a similar raid of some 20 Gothas approached London from the north and north west. Ninety-seven pilots ascended in Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS) aircraft to counter them. The City and east end of London suffered heavy bombing. Fifty-four deaths and 190 injuries resulted, of which 10 fatalities and 55 injured were blamed on ack-ack fire from English units. One Gotha was brought down but another Cabinet meeting was immediately convened, reflecting the further shock of this audacious raid. Prior to these raids, women, children and other non-combatants presumed themselves to be relatively immune from direct military attacks. The rules of war seemed to have changed for European civilians.

The high flying Gothas were initially able to bomb by daylight without much threat from fighters. The introduction of the Sopwith Camel for home defence changed that and the Gothas switched to night raids. With this, artillery defences and barrage ballons were introduced to protect London. The first Gotha to be shot down over England at night was brought down by Sopwith Camels in January 1918. Shortly after the Gothas were withdrawn from raids and reorganised for tactical bombing, leaving the raids to the Zeppelin-Staaken R "Giant"s. Gothas were again used in October in their last raid, 3 were lost to fighters and 3 to guns.

Specification

Gotha G.V.
Description
Role	Heavy Bomber
Crew	Three
Dimensions
Length	40 ft 9 in	12.42 m
Wingspan	77 ft 9 in	23.70 m
Height
Wing area
Weights
Empty	6,039 lb	2739 kg
Maximum take-off	8,745 lb	3,967 kg
Powerplant
Engines	2x 260 PS (191 kW) Mercedes D.IVa
Power	256 hp	191 kW
Performance
Maximum speed	87 mph	140 km/h
Combat range	520 mi	840 km
Ferry range
Service ceiling	21,300 ft	6500 m
Armament
Guns	1x 7.92 mm Spandau machine gun (nose)
	2x 7.92 mm Spandau machine guns (tail)
Bombs	1,100 lb	500 kg