Shropshire Routes to Roots

www.shropshireroots.org.uk

Zeppelin raids: Letters worksheet

Source one

Carissime,

Various things have prevented my writing to you lately. My eldest brother was killed in an attack on the Germans near Delville Wood two months ago. He was leading his platoon when a shell burst upon them and blow them to pieces. What is left is buried behind the Devil's Trench out there. I enclose a Death notice in the hopes that you and some other Catholics may pray for him. He was a dearly loved brother to me, so that I cannot help feeling rather sad at the though of not seeing him again in this life; but one could not wish for a finer death for a good Catholic.

I have been to my home for a month's holiday and only came back a week ago. We were zepped several times while I was there. Many unfortunates were murdered by the burns. I must say that it gave me the keenest satisfaction when those bruites who had been killing and maiming women and children with such diabolical callousness were roasted alive at Potter's Bar. Let me tell you - perhaps you know - that not one half of what is done by zeps is even allowed to be put in the papers and the figures are nearly always falsified.

How does the writer feel about the Zeppelins?
Why might his opinions be particularly strong?
Does the writer think the newspaper reports are accurate? From your knowledge of the newspapers, do you think the writer's opinion is fair? Give reasons for your answer.

Source two

Cuthbert says he as found out where you are and is jolly glad that you are not so far away. You will be sure to meet one of these Days. You will have heard about the air raids we had. We have all got to have dark blinds to all windows and the lights have got to put off out at once when we hear that Zepp are about. When they come near England again the hooters will go and out goes all lights. We start church now, at six o'clock, and finish at 7 o'clock and the churches are all being misused. We are living in funny times the street lamps are all out, and all shop lights.

How greatly were the people at home affected by the Zeppelin raids? Give reasons for your answer.
From what you know about the Home Front in World War Two, in which World War do you think people at home were affected most?

Source three

This letter is dated August 6th 1918.

This is another letter from Geoffrey - mainly of topical interest - he been had come for as when I asked an old woman this morning - I fear it must have been stolen on the way.

It has been raining a lot since yesterday evening - but look a little better now I hope it will take up and give us some fine weather in the holidays.

We were told of an air raid distant warning about 11pm last night but nothing matured I hear now then 5 Zeppelins came over East Anglia & that we have put two Down, two more crawling about in a badly Damaged state & the fifth sending wireless messages to say she can't get home. If so, it is a fine feat & ought to be the end of Zeppelin raids.

Using what you know about the history of Zeppelin raids, was the writer correct that this was the end of the Zeppelin bombings? Give a reason for your answer.

Conclusion

Looking at all the newspaper reports and letters, do you think that the Zeppelin raids had a major impact on the British people? Explain your answer.

Close this window
(Alternatively, use the close button on your browser)

If you came here from outside the Shropshire Routes to Roots website, and would like to open the page to which this 'popup' is related: Go