Wreckage Piece from the WWI German Zeppelin L-31
Item #: WR1339
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This is a piece of aluminum framework from the WWI German Zeppelin L-31 that crashed in Potters Bar, England in 1916. This piece of framework measures 5 3/4" at the longest point and 2 5/8" at the widest point. The L-31, a "Super Zeppelin", was commanded by 32 year Captainleutnent Heinrich Mathy. Mathy was considered Germany's most experienced and daring zeppelin commander, and by October of 1916 had been on more raids and dropped more tons of bombs than any other air ship commander. The London raid of 1 October, 1916, would be the last raid for the L-31 and her crew. A pilot of the Home Defense Squadron No. 39, Lieutenant Wulstan Joseph Tempest, knew the 11 ship Zeppelin formation was headed for London. Ignoring orders to patrol the Thames River, Tempest climbed to an altitude of 14,000 to search for the zeppelins. The L-31 was captured by British spotlights, allowing the Royal Flying Corps officer to spot and intercept it. Lieutenant Tempest attacked the L-31 head on, firing a burst of incendiary, trace and ball ammunition into the bow of the air ship, then dove and fired another burst from underneath. As he turned to make another pass from the tail end of the zeppelin, Lieutenant Tempest could see a red glow erupt from within the zeppelin just before the L-31 burst into flames. The zeppelin managed to make it to Potters Bar in North England before it crashed. Germany's top airship commander, Heinrich Mathey, jumped from an unknown altitude rather than burn with his ship. He died at the crash site. Lieutenant Wulstan Joseph Tempest was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions that night. This is a very rare piece of WWI aviation history with a very documented story. The aluminum frame work comes with a hand written note stating "A piece of Zeppellin brought down at Potters Bar, North London, England about 11 o'clock on Sunday Oct 1 1916. This will make a great addition to any WWI aviation collection, no matter which side you collect!
Your Price $75.00 USD
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