Siemens Torpedo Glider – The Forgotten Flying Bomb of WWI

In the shadows of World War I, long before drones and cruise missiles became modern staples of warfare, Germany was already experimenting with remote-controlled aerial weapons. One such innovation was the Siemens Torpedo Glider — a device that could be considered a primitive flying bomb.

Originally proposed by Dr. Wilhelm von Siemens in 1914, the glider was a combination of a naval torpedo and a biplane airframe. It wasn’t designed to crash into targets like a kamikaze weapon; instead, it would be released from airships or bombers, guided via a thin copper wire, and at the right moment, the torpedo would detach mid-air and drop into the sea — continuing toward its target under its own propulsion.

Tests began in 1915, with the final and largest trial occurring in August 1918, where a 1,000 kg glider was launched from Zeppelin LZ 80 (L 35). Unfortunately, the control wire snapped mid-flight, ending the mission and, eventually, the project as the war neared its conclusion.

In the Trench Series

In Trench 1915: The Dawn of Modern Warfare, the Kaiserliche Waffenspezialisten (K.W.S.) deploy this very same device in a more tactical and experimental role. Though its design remains unchanged, its application evolves — not just against naval targets, but also hardened ground positions like fortresses, trench nests, and supply depots. Its presence in the story highlights the desperate push for technological superiority during the early stages of the Great War.

It’s not science fiction — just forgotten history, reintroduced.

Fun Fact: Siemens also experimented with remote-controlled motorboats (Fernlenkboote) during WWI, using similar guidance technology, proving that the groundwork for modern remote weaponry was already underway over a century ago.

Enjoying the blogs and the Trench series? March over and support with a brew! Link below 👇
https://coff.ee/jakebarrettbooks