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Zeppelin LZ104 L 59 “Das Afrika-Schiff”

painting of Zeppelin LZ104 L59 flying over palm trees in Africa

First flight : 30 October 1917

Class : W

Commander : Ludwig Bockholt

Known as the  Afrika-Schiff , stationed in  Yambol  ( Bulgaria ); LZ 104 started out on a resupply mission to  German East Africa . The L 59 was ordered to prepare for the resupply of  Generalmajor   Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck ’s troops. However, British forces had advanced to the designated landing zone, forcing the German admiralty to abort the mission and recall the ship while west of  Khartoum . Nevertheless, LZ 104 set a long-distance flight record of (6,757 km (4,199 mi) in 95 hours and 5 minutes) or nearly 4 days in the air. The ship met its end on 7 April 1918 when it crashed into the waters of the  Strait of Otranto  with the loss of all 21 crew.

Over a century after its flight, 4,200 miles (6,800 km) in 95 hours is still the longest non-stop military airship flight in history.

Zeppelin LZ104 L59 with croud below

For further details on the flight to Afrika see : LZ 104 (L 59) - Wikipedia

Zeppelin LZ104 L59 in flight

post stamp depicting Zeppelin LZ104 L59 held by its groundcrew at Yambul, Bulgaria

aerial picture of the Zeppelin shed at Yambul, WWI

Yambol airship hangar in Bulgaria.

Zeppelin L 59 'Afrika-Schiff' (Africa-Zeppelin), 1917 & Beardmore R34, 1919  – Hugh Evelyn Prints

LZ 104 | Airship, Zeppelin, Adventure

Zeppelin L59 - the "Africa" 'Ship (5L2T63EN3) by Derek66 | LZ104

Literature :

LZ 104 (L 59) - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Zeppelins