WW1 RPPC Zeppelin raid damage at Bull & George Hotel Ramsgate Kent

This postcard shows the aftermath of a First World War Zeppelin air raid on The Bull & George Hotel in Ramsgate, Kent, England.

Context of the Incident

• The Date & Time: The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, 17th May 1915.
The building's large promotional clock on the left (an advertisement for Deveson's Coals) stopped at exactly 1:48 AM, freezing the precise moment of the explosion in time.
• The Raider: The raid was carried out by the German Zeppelin LZ 38, commanded by Erich Linnarz. It dropped roughly 20 bombs across Ramsgate that night.
• The Impact: A high-explosive bomb crashed directly through the hotel's roof, slicing through multiple upper floors before detonating on the lower levels.
The blast completely blew out the front facade, shattered the windows, and left the building in ruins.
• Casualties: Two hotel guests sadly lost their lives as a result of their injuries: John Herbert Smith and Florence Earle Lamont

Published by Romney Studios, Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Southend. Romney