Many drivers were caught unawares and unable to escape the hail. The police were caught unawares by the protests. The following day the Luftwaffe raided Hornchurch, which had been caught unawares. Pompey learnt of this and invaded his territory, catching him unawares. All of these shots might conform to Vertov's credo "caught unawares". Taken unawares, the court fled to Paris in disarray. The political classes were caught unawares by Pompidou's death. Weather on the mountain can change rapidly, which has caught inexperienced trampers and climbers unawares. The Greeks caught the Persians unawares, and were able to capture the lower city. Patrese was caught unawares, hit the back of Berger and had a massive crash. When it did start, the flag caught some of the field unawares. Between 1970 and 2010, several people drowned there after being caught unawares by the feature. Unawares or by surprise, usually in the phrase "caught off base"; "OED" dates to 1935. And the sudden shift to serious mode catches you unawares. The speed with which the water rises can catch visitors unawares, leaving them stranded.