Zeppelins

Graf Zeppacumber

L48 Zeppelins 1914 - 1918 L48

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ironcross.jpg (34545 bytes) L48

 L48 May 1917 over Friedrichshafen

                    L48 May 1917 over Friedrichshafen

In the background is my piece of Zeppelin girder, which is believed to be from L48 that crashed at Holly Tree Farm, Theberton, Leiston, Suffolk, on 17th June 1917. L48 was one of the early 'Height Climbers', made from thinner gauge material, the ships were stripped of armaments. and even one engine. They were built in response to mounting losses, and were somewhat risky to fly, as they were very much on the edge of structural rigidity.   The Americans copied a height climber almost exactly, 'The Shenandoah' (Daughter of the Stars) Not realising how close the Germans had pushed the boundaries of minimal structures, she broke up in bad weather. This piece survived because it was made into an umbrella stand!  Commander was George Eichler who died in the wreck, there were three survivors.

Crash site of L48.

Crash site of L48. Note the bodies of the crew laid out below the wreckage in the photo.

L48 working party

Crash site of L48. These men are probably the demolition/survey crew.

(My thanks go to Mark Stephenson for sending me this picture)

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