LZ 72

LZ 72
L 31 (LZ 72) in flight
Type Zeppelin R Class
Construction number LZ 72
Serial L31
First flight 12 July 1916
Owners and operators Imperial German Navy
Last flight 2 October 1916
Fate Destroyed

LZ 72 (L 31) was an R Class super-zeppelin belonging to the Imperial German Navy. It was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Mathy, an experienced commander, and took part in several raids over London during World War I.[1] Its last flight was launched late at night on 1 October 1916. Several miles north of London, it was caught in searchlights and anti-aircraft fire. During this engagement, 2nd Lt. Wulfstan J. Tempest was on patrol and spotted the zeppelin. He proceeded to engage the airship with incendiary rounds, causing the ship to burst into flames and crash over Potter's Bar, in a farm field.[2][3] After this disastrous crash, the Imperial German Navy began decreasing its amount of zeppelin raids. The entire crew died, and were originally buried there but were transported to Cannock Chase in the 1960s.[1]

Operators

 German Empire
L31 (LZ 72) being manoeuvred on the ground with Peter Strasser pacing in the foreground

References

  1. 1 2 "Mathy, Kapitanleutnant Heinrich (1883-1916". www.gwpda.org. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "HELLFIRE CORNER - Heinrich Mathy and Zeppelin L31 at Potters Bar". www.hellfirecorner.co.uk. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "Death of A Zeppelin – The L-31 is shot down - History Channel on Foxtel". historychannel.com.au. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
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