Bloody Paralyser

The Giant Handley Page Bombers of the First World War

by Rob Langham

Imprint: Fonthill Media

192 Pages, 6 x 9 in, black and white photos

Hardcover
9781781550809
February 2016
In Stock

$34.95

Buy

Description
Authors
Praise

The First World War saw tremendous technological advancements, especially in the world of aviation. Many amazing sights were to be seen in the air during the war, and one of the largest and most impressive was that of the Handley Page bombers. The first two-engine Handley Page bomber flew in 1915, and the Handley Page O/100 and O/400 bombers flew operational missions over Germany and German-occupied Europe as well as further afield for almost two years of the war. The even larger four engine Handley Page V/1500 was all set to conduct an audacious mission to bomb Berlin, cancelled just on the eve on the Armistice. The contribution of these machines and the men that flew and operated them is largely forgotten today, with a lot of focus being given to the seemingly more glamorous single-seat scout pilots. This book aims to try and redress the balance and tell the story of the ‘Bloody Paralyser’ aeroplanes and their crews.

Rob Langham is a Great War Historian with strong interests in the home front and the Gallipoli Campaign. He is a graduate in Aviation Management BSc and has since worked in the aviation and logistics industries. Rob currently resides in Hampshire

"The long shadow of strategic bombing began in World War I; Handley Page's O series would be the progenitor of British and American long range aircraft. That alone makes the details and reference material found in the book valuable assets for the aviation enthusiast and historian alike." ~Air Power History, Summer 2016

"informative and comprehensive...In addition to technical details, Langham covers the men who flew these ships into combat, along with those who kept them maintained. Operationally, the HPs were used in the European theatre of war and, unexpectedly, a few found their way to the Middle East and even one with T.E. Lawrence as a passenger...Details and references in this book make it a valuable asset for aviation enthusiasts and historians alike." ~Over the Front

“Bloody Paralyser recounts the nearly forgotten story of how H.P. bombers were developed and used, including many quotes from firsthand accounts of those who flew them. Meticulously researched and well written, it is a must for anyone interested in comprehending the nature of the WW1 air war.” ~Aviation History

“…readers who are interested in WWI aviation or the development of strategic bombing in the early years of manned flight will find a lot of intriguing material in this book.” ~Naval Aviation News, Fall 2017