The Zeppelin Threat
The British fear of Zeppelins was not an unfounded one. Aircraft at that time were unable to reach the altitudes airships could fly at so they were defenceless against an enemy that could in theory roam anywhere.
The government feared that Great Britain was vulnerable to attack by Zeppelins and planned 12 Air Stations. The first of these Air Stations was Montrose which could cover the Naval Bases at Rosyth, Cromarty and Scapa Flow.