Bloody Paralyser: The Giant Handley Page Bombers of the First World War Hardcover – March 3, 2016 by Rob Langham (Fonthill Media)

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.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 alikeThis book isinformative 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.

Bloody Paralyser" is what the RAF called the huge (or the time) four-engine Handley Page bombers of 1918. Intended for the bombing of Berlin, several were on the runway for their initial mission when the cease fire was signed on November 11, 1918. Only in the next world war would RAF (and USAAF) bombers make the long bombing missions to the German capital city. The massive bi-plane bombers of 1918 were pushing the edge of what aircraft technology could do. But the British public wanted an allied response to German bombing of London and other English cities. Most previous publications on this path-breaking aircraft are devoted to illustrations, so this book helps to fill in what we know about the designers and pilots as well as those behind the scenes. It's quite a "might have been" story