14. The Cuxhaven Raid
The Royal Flying Corps had raided Zeppelin sheds in Cologne, Friedrichshafen, and Dusseldorf. However, the RFC’s airplanes lacked the range to reach Cuxhaven. So a plan was devised for ferries converted into seaplane tenders, escorted by Royal Navy cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, to carry nine seaplanes to the vicinity of Cuxhaven.
The seaplanes were then lowered and launched to reconnoiter the area, and if they spotted Zeppelin sheds, to bomb them. Only seven planes managed to take off and head inland, each armed with three 20-pound bombs. The results were negligible because of antiaircraft fire, low clouds and fog, and the raiders’ minuscule bombload. However, the raid revolutionized warfare by proving the feasibility of attacking land targets with seaborne airplanes.
Related: Golden Age of Zeppelin Flight.