Zeppelin Blitz

by Neil Storey

  The Zeppelin then proceeded north-east to Seamer and went out to sea south of Scarborough, under fire from AA guns at 12.35 a.m.

  L-21, under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Kurt Frankenberg, made its first landfall at Atwick, East Riding of Yorkshire, at 9.20 p.m. and immediately came under fire from the Barmston guns. After steering north-east and out to sea she soon returned and evaded more anti-aircraft fire as she moved up to the Potteries. At 11.34 p.m. she approached the Leeds defences, and the Brierlands gun opened fire on her at that time. Her height was estimated at 12,000ft. Owing to a ground mist, the searchlight had difficulty picking her up but the target was easily visible over open sights and ten rounds were fired. The Zeppelin made no attempt to reply but went on in her south-west course, and was engaged a few minutes later by the gun at Rothwell Haigh, which fired four rounds at her under difficult circumstances, the target being only faintly visible for a few seconds.

  L-21 then turned away from the gun and Leeds, going south at great speed. At 11.48 p.m. she dropped her first bombs, one HE and two incendiaries at Sharlston, east of Wakefield, where an hour before L-16 had also dropped bombs. Lights of some kind were probably visible as a result of the previous attack. The HE bomb fell on a siding, doing no damage.

  At 11.53 p.m. the Zeppelin passed Royston going south-east, and was hovering over Barnsley at 12.10 a.m. At 12.15 a.m. she dropped one HE and two incendiary bombs at Dodworth, 2 miles to the south-west. She then went in the direction of Penistone, and was next reported at Derwent at 12.30 a.m., passing south-west over the peak.

  Around 12.50 a.m. she threw a single incendiary bomb at Pott Shrigley, 4 miles south of Disley, which fell near a brickworks, doing no damage. The Zeppelin was probably attracted by the brick kilns which may have shown some light. The Zeppelin continued to travel in a southerly direction and was heard passing over Bollington at 12.55 a.m. to Macclesfield, where she was seen at 1 a.m. She hovered over the town, which was in total darkness, for two minutes and then went on over Congleton at 1.05 a.m. to Birchenwood near Kidsgrove, where a single HE bomb was dropped at 1.10 a.m., which did no damage.

  Next she dropped three HE bombs at Goldenhill and three at Tunstall. These last wrecked two houses, demolished three outhouses and damaged three others. Glass was broken in sixty cottages and a man was injured.

  The Zeppelin, attracted by the glare of the slagheaps, then went off westward over Chatterley to Chesterton where, at 1.20 a.m., sixteen HE and seven incendiary bombs were dropped, doing no damage beyond the breakage of a little glass, and causing no casualties. Having passed by Newcastle-under-Lyme and Hanley, the raider dropped four incendiary bombs aimed at the collieries between Fenton and Trentham, three of which failed to ignite.

  Of the bombs dropped, one 50kg HE bomb at Goldenhill did not explode. The bombs at Chesterton were more than likely attracted by a number of ironstone-burning hearths which were showing a good deal of light.

  L-21 had, by this time, reached the limit of her westerly course and turned for home. Passing over Castle Donnington towards Nottingham, she shut off her engines and drifted in a south-easterly direction over Beeston at 2.11 a.m. and over Ruddington at 2.18 a.m., where a searchlight picked her up, with the result that she immediately started her engines again and went off to the east.

  At about 2.50 a.m. she approached the searchlights north of Peterborough, heading over Buckminster at 2.58 a.m., and was found and chased by two aeroplanes, which first drove her in the direction of Bottesford, then down towards Bytham, then north again, towards Grantham and south to Essendine where, at about 3.25 a.m., she finally escaped to the eastward. Both aeroplanes were very near the Zeppelin, but did not succeed in getting quite close enough to engage her with any likelihood of success, though one actually fired on her. The Zeppelin also used her machine guns.

  L-21 regained her direction after she had shaken off her assailants and made off eastwards, passing Spalding at 3.35 a.m., Wisbech at 3.45 a.m. and King’s Lynn at 3.50 a.m. Here, her commander slowed down and verified his position, probably recognising the proximity of the Wash, and intending to go out to sea by it. Proceeding slowly to Narborough at 4.14 a.m., he went north to Hillington at 4.20 a.m.

  Perhaps wondering if his petrol supply would carry him across the North Sea, Frankenberg changed direction and appeared to be making for Belgium. The north-west wind carried the airship along at a slow rate in an east-south-east direction, past Swaffham at 4.40 a.m. and East Dereham at 4.55 a.m.

  About this time, L-21 was almost caught by an aeroplane piloted by Lieutenant W.R. Gayner of RFC Marham, who had been attracted to the Zeppelin by a light which she was showing. She was at a height of 7,500ft but, when almost within striking distance of her, the aviator’s engine revolutions dropped and he was compelled to land at Tibenham. L-21 had had another lucky escape and made off north-eastward in the direction of Reepham, where she arrived at 5.05 a.m.

  The Zeppelin then drifted slowly over Taverham at 5.15 a.m., and was then spotted north of Norwich at 5.30 a.m., Wroxham at 5.40 a.m., and Acle at 5.50 a.m. She headed to the coast, where she appeared north of Great Yarmouth at 6 a.m., drifting at a great height over the post at 6.05 a.m., when she was fired upon by the anti-aircraft guns at Bradwell and by a monitor in the Roads.

  At 6.18 a.m. she passed east of Lowestoft, still under fire, and hovered near the coastline for some minutes. A certain amount of firing took place from a 6-pdr naval gun mounted at Lowestoft, and also from the 12-pdr naval field guns mounted for high-angle firing at the north end of the town. Fire ceased as soon as it was realised that the Zeppelin was not within effective range. Owing to the failure of the searchlight on land, the height of the Zeppelin could not be gauged properly. Twenty-three rounds were fired and a hit was claimed with the second, when the raider was over Lowestoft. The Zeppelin quickened her pace and went out to sea at 6.30 a.m. at a speed which had increased to 35mph.

  As day was breaking, the Zeppelin was visible by ordinary observation without the aid of the searchlights as she made out to sea at 6.30 a.m. Meanwhile, both military and naval aeroplanes were on her track. Owing to the approach of daylight they could clearly follow the Zeppelin, which was steering east-south-east from Lowestoft. At 6.35 a.m., two naval aeroplanes, a pair of BE-2cs – machine no 8625, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Egbert Cadbury, and machine no 8420, with Flight Sub Lieutenant G.W.R. Fane – had risen from RNAS Burgh Castle on the approach of the airship from the west, and overtook her a few miles east-south-east of Lowestoft.

  The destruction of L-21 made the cover of The Sphere on 9 December 1916.

  The following description of the ensuing combat is taken from the reports of the aviators: Lieutenant Cadbury got under her (L-21) at about 700ft distance and fired his Lewis gun into her after part, being at the same time under heavy machine gun fire from the airship. His first magazine not having the desired effect, he changed magazines and repeated his action, still without effect. He put four magazines through his Lewis until his ammunition was exhausted.

  The airship commander increased his speed to 55mph on being attacked. On perceiving that Cadbury had exhausted his ammunition, Flight Sub Lieutenant Fane then approached to within 100ft of the starboard side of the airship and tried to open fire, but his Lewis gun jammed owing to the cold and the oil having frozen.

  Flight Sub Lieutenant Pulling, who had been on patrol in BE-2c 8626 from RNAS Bacton, witnessed the two previous attacks and then approached to with 60ft of the airship. He opened fire under a continuous fusillade from those of the airship’s machine guns that could bear on him. After he had fired ten rounds the airship caught fire, and in a few seconds was ‘nothing but a fiery furnace.’ Pulling immediately dived to starboard to avoid falling debris and, even though they were ablaze, the crew of the airship continued to fire at him for some appreciable time.

  The Zeppelin then fell stern foremost into the sea, where she sank at once, shortly after 6.40 a.m., leaving no trace but a large area of oil-covered wa
ter about 8 miles east of Lowestoft. There were no survivors. L-21 had been attacked at 8,200ft and she took a little over a minute to fall from that height into the water.

  The Bradwell guns had begun firing at her again at 6.35 a.m. although she was nearly 16,000 yards away, and claimed to have hit her with their twentieth round which was fired at 6.40 a.m., just before she fell. However, if the position given by the pilots was correct, some 15 miles off, there is no doubt that this round did not hit her, and that these guns had no part in her destruction.

  With the crash of L-21 into the sea came the final conclusion to a dogfight that had been watched by thousands of spectators who gathered along the sea fronts of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The Eastern Daily Press captured the atmosphere on the ground:

  There were no signs of the invaders in this district until about six o’clock in the morning when the people were disturbed by the booming of guns. Shortly afterwards the Zeppelin, a huge monster, could be seen with the naked eye blotting out the dazzling stars as she was speeding her way seawards … The hundreds of people who were gazing, particularly those who had the use of glasses, got a fine view of the airship as the stars disappeared and dawn approached. Now and again the guns would cease and there were mingled feelings among the onlookers. Some tried to shout because they thought she was hit, others groaned, for they feared she would escape.

  Flight Lieutenant Cadbury (left) and Flight Sub Lieutenant Pulling.

  On land, the spectators were not sure if the gunners had scored a hit or the aircraft had achieved a similar effect, but there came a moment when it appeared that the Zeppelin had become disabled, nor was she at any great altitude or elevation; another correspondent who witnessed the scene noted:

  There she hung, going a little one way and then another but never making any headway. Suddenly a bright flash came from her and the assembled crowds shouted ‘She’s hit.’ They were right and in the second or so succeeding the flash flames burst all along the Zeppelin, which dropped into the sea in a cascade of red and gold, leaving a trail of smoke behind.

  A photographic artist recreated the destruction of L-21 for this postcard.

  There had been a spell of the gravest anxiety, and then the whole town rang out with one great spontaneous cheer and the ships sounded their sirens freely, for, as the Eastern Daily Press reporter concluded:

  The air monster, which had given the gunners the hardest twenty minutes of their lives, burst into flames and fell into the sea. How far she was away did not matter; our seaplanes had fixed her and all that could be seen a few minutes later was a large cloud of black smoke which gradually gave way to the grey dawn.

  28 November 1916

  The First Aeroplane Raid on London

  The first raid by an aeroplane on London was made in a LVG, with a 225hp Mercedes engine, piloted by Deck Offizier Paul Brandt and with Leutnant Walther Ilges as his observer.

  The aeroplane left Mariakerke on the morning of 28 November with the object of attacking the Admiralty offices in Whitehall. The weather was fine, but hazy and the enemy aeroplane, flying high, was reported by no more than two people and these did not identify it as German.

  The first that was known of its offensive nature was when bombs began to fall, just before midday. Six 10kg bombs exploded between Brompton Road and Victoria Station. They did little damage, but injured ten people.

  The observer took twenty photographs of aerodromes, military camps and ammunition works on his way to London. These photographs were destined not to be developed. On the homeward journey the engine gave trouble, the camera and plates were thrown overboard and the aeroplane was eventually landed near Boulogne, where it was captured.

  THREE

  14 February 1917

  Just after 8 a.m. on 14 February an LVG or Albatross-type aeroplane was observed from Deal AA gun station, who fired eighteen rounds of HE at the raider from their 12-pdr AA gun. The aircraft had been flying very high and came out from behind a cloud. Fire was opened at 8.08 a.m. and ceased at 8.12 a.m., the target was receding, at an estimated height of 10,000ft. No hit was observed, but the shooting was reported to be very good. Shipping in the Downs also opened fire. No naval or military aeroplane ascended in pursuit.

  16/17 February 1917

  LZ-107 was first located over France at 12.05 a.m., when her engines were heard at sea from Dunkirk. She dropped the majority of her bombs near the aviation ground of Les Baraques, to the south of the Calais–Sangatte road, and a second group in the sand dunes near the remount depot of the Belgian Army. A further eight incendiary bombs were also dropped on the shore just below high-water mark.

  She was last seen on the French side of the channel at 1.40 a.m. moving towards Dover, and was next sighted by a trawler off the Goodwins and reported to be 5 miles off Dover. She was seen over Deal and Kingsdown at about 2 a.m., and last heard from Ramsgate and Foreness a quarter of an hour later. No bombs were dropped on English soil and the Zeppelin was not fired upon.

  16/17 March 1917

  Five of the latest naval Zeppelins left to conduct the raid on 16 March 1917, namely L-35, L-39, L-40, L-41 and L-42.

  L-42, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Dietrich, did not attempt to raid but hugged the Dutch coast and then crossed Belgium, returning to base after cruising for nearly two hours in the vicinity of Zeebrugge.

  The four remaining Zeppelins attacked Kent and Sussex. The effect of high winds during the raid seems to have completely upset the German plan of attack; the raiding Zeppelins lost their true sense of direction and blundered badly in making their way home.

  L-39, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Robert Koch, was first to reach the coast, approaching from the direction of Kentish Knock and coming in over Margate at 10.20 p.m., going west. Her rate of progress was first slow. At about 10.30 p.m. she passed Birchington, going south-west and then, quickening her pace, passed over Upstreet to Bekesbourne where, at 10.50 p.m. she dropped a single HE bomb at Hode Farm, slightly damaging two cottages.

  Kapitänleutnant Robert Koch and the crew of L-39, who perished after their raid on England on 17 March 1917.

  Going on south-west she dropped five HE bombs and one incendiary at 11 p.m., between Waltham and Sole Street, doing no damage. The raider then gathered speed. She passed Ashford at 11.03 p.m. and was over St Leonards at 11.40 p.m. recorded as ‘making a terrible noise.’ At 11.52 p.m. she was over Bexhill and at midnight over Pevensey Bat where she went out to sea and is believed to have been heard ditching some of her bombs while out at sea, possibly aiming them at some vessel from Cuckmere Haven.

  Travelling over France, it was at 5.25 a.m. that L-39 was observed north of Estrées, where she dropped three HE bombs. Five minutes later she was stationary over Compiégne where she came to a standstill, either by a failure in her petrol supply or an engine breakdown. Here she was bombarded for fifteen minutes by three batteries of French AA guns which, owing to the difficulty of observing their fire in the half-light, fired as many as 106 rounds of incendiary shells at her.

  L-39 came down in flames from a height stated to be over 10,000ft at 5.55 a.m., when only 8 miles from the German lines. The entire crew perished. It was a serious blow to the German air fleet, Kapitänleutnant Koch and the crew of L-39 possessed over twenty months experience of Zeppelin work, having previously manned L-24 and SL-3.

  L-35, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Herbert Ehrlich, crossed the coast at Broadstairs at 10.40 p.m. and pursued much the same south-westerly course that L-39 had taken. At 10.55 p.m. she dropped her first bomb, an HE at Ickham, which did no damage. She followed it up at 11 p.m. with one HE and one incendiary at Nackington, also to no effect. L-35 passed Ashford at 11.15 p.m., but her commander then either lost his way or considered that a speedy return was advisable on account of the high winds.

  She circled north-west in the direction of Charing and then round to the east, passing over Wye Aerodrome and, at 11.35 p.m., dropped five HE bombs and one incendiary at Crundale. These brought down a ceil
ing in a cottage ¼ mile away.

  Some of the crew dropped facetious postcards near Elham, which eventually proved of interest in confirming the identification of the Zeppelin. L-35 then made off eastwards, and at midnight dropped five HE bombs, two of them 300kg in weight, in the parish of Swingfield. Slight damage was done to a few windows and ceilings in two farms.

  Going on in the same direction, four incendiary bombs were dropped at Houghton, one 300kg HE bomb at Whinless Down, ½ mile from Dover, and one incendiary, also near Dover, none doing any damage.

  The raider then went out to sea west of Dover at 12.15 a.m. She crossed the French coast between Calais and Gravelines at about 12.40 a.m. and went home over Belgium, passing Brussels at 3 a.m. and making for the neighbourhood of Koblenz. She finally reached Dresden in a crippled condition, one of her engines having met with a serious mishap.

  L-40, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Erich Sommerfeldt, seems to have followed in the wake of L-39, at a gradually increasing distance, as her speed was slower. At 12.50 a.m. she was reported off the coast at Herne Bay and at 1 a.m. she was distinctly seen there coming in over the coast. Shortly after 1.40 a.m. she dropped a single HE bomb at Nackholt, south-east of Rye. The concussion knocked a few tiles off the roof of a cottage.

  L-40 then went on southwards to Newchurch, in Romney Marsh, where at about 2 a.m. five HE (one of 300kg and four of 100kg) and three incendiary bombs fell, damaging one pane of glass in a farmhouse. The raider travelled directly south, dropped fourteen incendiary bombs near Little Appledore Farm, Newchurch, doing no damage, followed by one HE bomb (100kg) at Melton Farm, Ivychurch, which killed four sheep.