For a short while during World War One a new weapon terrified the British public and posed a grave threat to Britain and her allies - German airships. Principally composed of Zeppelins, they proved to be very capable raiders indeed, inflicting considerable damage. The were also immune to both anti-aircraft fire, which could not reach them, and defending fighter aircraft, which did not have the operational ceiling required. Zeppelins could carry mighty bomb loads compared with conventional bombers; furthermore, their ability to hover over their target enabled far more precise strikes to take place. Fortunately the treat did not endure. -- From the book jacket.