ABSTRACT
During the Zeppelin era, British aerial theory and doctrine slowly formed. The pressure for added defence did increase immediately after the 13 June raid. The Times editorialised this need on the following morning, although it also stressed the point that the Western front should not be weakened for home defence needs. The raids also brought forth increased popular pressure for more defence protection. Lord French, in charge of all home defences, had already asked for such help after the first appearance of the Gothas over Folkestone. Sir Douglas Haig immediately asked Hugh Trenchard to write down his suggestions for the best defence against the Gotha raids over England. The result was another version of the ‘forward defence’ policy that had already been employed early in the Zeppelin era. The use of more and better fighter planes was one of the major methods of defence that Britain used against the German bombers.
