Tweeting about WW1 air raids on Britain. Latest book, "Gotha Terror - The Forgotten Blitz 1917/1918" out October 2024. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
Dorking, Surrey
Joined October 2014
- Tweets5.9K
- Following229
- Followers1K
- Likes6.8K
Ian Castle retweeted
Tom Scotland RCSEd delivering a brilliant presentation to Branch members in Edinburgh on Sunday 11th October 2026 about medical advances on the Western Front during the First World War ... wound excision, blood transfusion, the Thomas splint, earlier surgical intervention etc
Ian Castle retweeted
In 2021, workmen digging a rainwater cistern in Hazeweidestraat, St Juliaan, Belgium spotted human remains in their trench. A few days later an archaeological excavation was undertaken by the Flanders Heritage Agency. Artefacts recovered alongside the remains showed them to be those of a soldier who had served in the 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.
The Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), launched an investigation to name him. Research identified twenty men from the regiment missing in the area, all of whom died in the Spring of 1915.
Following genealogical investigation, living descendants of the missing men were traced one by one until eventually DNA testing proved that the remains were those of Lance Corporal Claude Stanley Dell. He was laid to rest last week at Poelcapelle British Cemetery in Belgium.
🔗Discover more on our website
📷Eric Compernolle
Ian Castle retweeted
So, apparently only four tickets left! Book now…or be bitterly disappointed! 😊😉 ticketsource.com/nfhwa/findi…
Ian Castle retweeted
This is going to be great!
What a story - and you will have the chance to buy the book about the rescue and restorations on the night too, written by Andy’s ‘Partner in DH Nine’, Guy Black!
Book yourselves in now:
shorturl.at/J0qKI
Our next #HuttedHistories talk, on 28th October, is ‘DH9 - Ruin to Restoration’ with Andy Saunders.
Andy tells how First World War bombers, found in an Indian elephant stable, were bought and returned to the UK for restoration.
For tickets and details:
shorturl.at/J0qKI
Ian Castle retweeted
Excited to be presenting my talk "Beyond The Grave - The War Widows of the First & Second World Wars" to the Herts at War group on Thursday 15 October 2026 at 7:30pm. The talk takes place at The Welwyn Civic Centre, Prospect Place, Old Welwyn, Hertfordshire. AL6 9ER. Doors open at 7:00pm. Why not pop along? For details of the Herts at War future events please follow the link below.
hertsatwar.co.uk/events/
Ian Castle retweeted
It can't be 1915, though.
Zeppelin L 31 didn't first fly until July 1916. She was shot down in flames near London on 1st October 1916.
I'm speculating the picture may have been taken in the Jade, off Wilhelmshaven - probably during August 1916.
interested in the German air raids on Britain in WW1? Like maps? Then this is the book for you. Read all about it here naval-military-press.com/pro…
Ian Castle retweeted
This is going to be good @StowAero Last chance to attend...go to the SMGWA website. Hope to see you there on the 9th.
Ian Castle retweeted
Hi Ian, According to National Portrait Gallery the postcard is 1917. It's the postcard which I downloaded from NPG to use.
However, the original image appears to be earlier. See extract from RAFM Collections inventory. Alan.
Ian Castle retweeted
Zeppelin L 31 of the German Naval Airship Division in happier times, flying past a flottila led by the battleship SMS Ostfriesland while on a scouting flight over the North Sea - probably during August 1916.
She was shot down by an RFC nightfighter on 1st October 1916.
(Q58459)
Ian Castle retweeted
Wreckage of Zeppelin L 31 - 2 October 1916.
35mm film footage showing the inspection of the Zeppelin which crashed in the Oakmere estate, near Potters Bar.
Watched by spectators, despite the drizzle, the authorities pull apart the debris. (4 mins). iwm.org.uk/collections/item/…
Ian Castle retweeted
Fiery death of Zeppelin L31 - Night of 1/2 October 1916.
Attacked by a BE2c nightfighter from No.39 (Home Defence) Sqdn (RFC) north of London, L31 fell in flames from 13, 000 feet. All her crew perished, including KptLt Heinrich Mathy - one of the outstanding airmen of the war.
Ian Castle retweeted
Wreckage of Zeppelin L 31 - 2 October 1916.
Brought down at Potters Bar, near London.
The forward half of the airship crashed onto a huge oak tree, leaving a tangle of girders. Nearby lay bodies of crew members who had jumped in desperation to escape the flames.
(IWM Q55554)
I agree with @GaryHennessey8 😀And The Eaglet still stands today.
Ian Castle retweeted
'The Wreck of the L33' - Sept 1916
Ten minutes of footage showing inspection of the impressive remains of the Zeppelin which crash-landed at Little Wigborough, Essex.
Visiting VIPs include Lloyd George, General Sir 'Wully' Robertson & Leefe Robinson VC.
iwm.org.uk/collections/item/…
Ian Castle retweeted
Snail's Hall Farm, Great Burstead, near Billericay.
As Zeppelin L 32, plunged burning during the early hours of 24 September 1916, crew members jumped to escape the flames. This is believed to be where Leutnant-zur-See Karl Brodrück, the executive officer of the airship, fell.
Ian Castle retweeted
Little Wigborough, Essex - The metal skeleton of Zeppelin L 33 of the Kaiserliche Marine.
The airship was downed on 24 September 1916 as a result of damage inflicted by a Royal Flying Corps aircraft & ground-based anti-aircraft fire. The crew of 21 survived.
Image: IWM (Q 70185)
