The Gotha G.V was a development of the Gotha G.IV. Combat experience showed that the close proximity of the fuel tanks to the engines could lead to disastrous results. As a result, the fuel tanks were moved to the fuselage. A shortage of quality materials led to an increased weight of the airframe. The lower part of the fuselage retained the gun tunnel for firing rearward and downward. All bombs were carried externally in this model. The G.V was used to bomb strategically important ground targets and cities such as London. By war's end, the plane was being employed as a night bomber.