Zeppelin raids and radio interference

During World War I, Zeppelin airships targeted France and England, but both countries used radio direction finding to detect and disrupt the attacks. France had been using such systems since 1915, while England also developed similar technology.

French resistance to new technology

Before the war, French engineer Ferrié had opposed the purchase of Marconi equipment. The technical section of the Corps of Engineers tested two Bellini-Tosi radio direction finders in 1914 but stored them for a long time. This delay may have affected France’s early ability to counter the Zeppelin threat.

Radio monitoring and jamming

The monitoring systems allowed the detection of Zeppelin radio signals before their attacks. These signals warned of incoming raids, and the signals were also used for navigation. Both France and England successfully jammed these signals, making it difficult for the Zeppelins to return safely.

The Silent Raid of 1917

The raid of October 19, 1917, known as the "Silent Raid," was the last major Zeppelin attack on England. Eleven airships set out to attack northern industrial targets but were caught in a severe storm. They flew so high that their engines were inaudible on the ground, and the wind carried them off course.

Casualties and chaos in England

The raid caused significant damage in England. One bomb hit Piccadilly Circus, killing seven people, and another struck Camberwell, killing ten. The total death toll was 36 with 55 injured, though some sources vary slightly. The airships were also heavily affected by the storm on their return trip.

Disaster on the return trip

On the way back, the Zeppelins faced strong winds and fog, causing most to drift over France. Five were shot down or crashed, and several others had to land or were lost. The L-49 was lost over the Mediterranean, and the L-45 had to make an emergency landing in Germany.

Eiffel Tower and Lyon-La Doua stations

Ferrié’s decision to replace the Eiffel Tower station with Lyon-La Doua was possible because France had two major transmitters. The Eiffel Tower was the main station in 1914, but Lyon-La Doua was built to support communication with Russia. Ferrié had a deep understanding of these systems and played a key role in their development.