#96 • Souvenirs of Zeppelin L15, First Zeppelin Brought Down Over England by AA Fire, March 31 - April 1, 1916
Part of TRENCH ART & WWI Memorabilia (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)
High bid $550.00
Status: Sold
Category: Britain
Souvenirs of Zeppelin L15, First Zeppelin Brought Down Over England by AA Fire, March 31 - April 1, 1916. Card measures 17.5cm x 8cm.. 'The first Zeppelin to be brought down by anti-aircraft fire from the Gunners is attributed to the Purfleet Detachment, 3rd Company Essex and Sussex RGA (TF). The guns at Purfleet consisted of a 3 inch 20 cwt and two 1 pounder Pom Pom ex naval guns. The 3 inch 20 cwt AA gun had an effective firing range of 16,000 feet (4,900 metres). The guns were in place to defend 5 magazines, with Purfleet Camp and a munitions factory in close proximity. On the evening of 31st March 1916, five Zeppelins crossed the North Sea to conduct a bombing raids, L22 would attack Humberside, L13 / L14 / L15 / L16 targets in the South East. The Zeppelins were sighted as they crossed the coast, the first bombs were dropped on a munitions factory at Stowmarket. This signalled the start of the raid resulting in air defenses coming to full alert. On hearing the approach of a Zeppelin, Anti-Aircraft guns at Purfleet / Abbey Wood / Erith Marsh / Southern Outfall Plumstead Common and Plumstead Marsh opened fire and Searchlights lit up the sky. As the L15 proceeded up the Thames, it was caught in the light beams. The Purfleet Gunners were credited with hitting L15. This caused damage to four of the sixteen hydrogen shells, mainly in the centre of the airship, critically damaging the airship which began to lose height. A contemporary report records; "We received the alarm about nine o'clock. In less than three minutes we were at our posts and ready to fire. We picked the 'Zepp' up about 9:45 p.m., flying at about 15,000 feet, and coming over from the North East. Naturally we started to fire right away before searchlights had even picked her up, but we didn't hit her, although we got perilously near. "Very soon after we started, the gun at………… got busy and the searchlight too. It was a grand sight. She was lit up like a silver cigar, and we could see the shells bursting around her. Presently a shot from the gun caught the Zeppelin in the stern and a little flame shot out from the envelope, whether from our bursting shell or the balloonette I couldn't tell from our position. Anyhow, the explosion seemed to throw it round, and at the same time it dropped by the stern with nose in the air, of course we were busy with our gun, but the boys couldn't help making a slight pause to shout 'She's hit" At 22:00 Zeppelin L15 signaled "Have been hit. Request Ostend keep watch on airship wave length L15" Heading for home, the L15 dropped jettison its bombs over Raynham and Averly and the crew began to throw non- essential equipment into the Thames. As it began to descend the stricken Zeppelin was attacked by a BE 2C aircraft from 19 squadron RFC piloted by 2Lt Alfred de Bathe Brandon. Brandon attempted to destroy L15 by dropping incendiary bombs, and Ranken explosive darts, however he was not successful. L15's final signal was at 23:15 " Require immediate assistance between Thames and Ostend L15", after which the radio and other secret material was dropped overboard. Just after midnight, L15 diched in the sea off Margate near the Kentish Knock lightship. One member of the crew drowned, the remaining 16 were rescued by HMT Olivine, transferring the prisoners to HMS Vulture. Attempts were made to tow L15 to Margate, but the airship sank, resulting in parts of it subsequently being washed ashore where many claimed parts as souvenirs.' (https://www.greatwarforum.org/blogs/entry/2594-gunners-shoot-down-zeppelin-l15-well-hit/) Estimate: $100 - $200
