A BBC documentary, which airs next week, will reveal how the Zeppelins had civilians from the East of England as their target during Britain’s first air attacks.

Cambs Times: An archive picture showing the damage caused by a Zeppelin during an air attack.An archive picture showing the damage caused by a Zeppelin during an air attack. (Image: Archant)

As part of the BBC’s World War One At Home project, in partnership with Imperial War Museums, Terror from the Skies traces the first air attacks on Britain, as Historian and Aerial Archaeologist, Ben Robinson takes to the skies over the East of England.

Cambs Times: Presenter Ben Robinson with 102-year-old Doris Cobban, who remembers the Zeppelin attacks.Presenter Ben Robinson with 102-year-old Doris Cobban, who remembers the Zeppelin attacks. (Image: Archant)

Ben investigates how the Germans’ aim, to intimidate the population from Norfolk to London and bring swift victory, failed.

Cambs Times: Computer graphics will be used to demonstrate the size of the Zeppelin.Computer graphics will be used to demonstrate the size of the Zeppelin. (Image: Archant)

Archive film, expert analysis, 3D graphics and first person accounts – including that of 102-year-old Doris Cobban, who still remembers the attacks - help bring the documentary to life.

The documentary airs on BBC One (East) on Monday at 7.30pm and will be available on the BBC iPlayer for seven days after transmission.

Mick Rawsthorne, head of regional and local programmes for BBC East, said: “We are excited to bring our audience a detailed look at the impact of the Zeppelin attacks on the Home Front.

“The documentary will take us from Norfolk to London, from Hertfordshire to Essex – shedding light on familiar places, places right on our doorsteps that changed forever due to the Zeppelin attacks.”

Ben said: “One hundred years ago an attack on a Norfolk coastal town changed everything.

“A Zeppelin, an airship the size of an ocean liner, slipped in undetected and unleashed carnage on the people living below. It was the start of a terrifying new campaign aimed at killing innocent men, women and children.”

More World War One At Home stories will be broadcast across the East’s BBC Local Radio stations – including BBC Radio Cambridgeshire – throughout the week.