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Zeppelin LZ89 L50
Zeppelin LZ89 taking off from Ahlhorn
First flight : 9 June 1917
Homebase : Ahlhorn ( 52°53’06”N 08°13’57”E )
5 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea; two attacks on England dropping 4,135 kg (9,116 lb) of bombs. Ran out of fuel on 20 October 1917 while taking part in the “silent raid”on England. She was blown over France by the wind and the crew under command of Roderich Schwonder attempted to make a controlled crash landing to prevent the Zeppelin falling into enemy hands near Danmartin ( 47°58’41”N 5°34’37”E ). However the control car was torn off and the Zeppelin climbed uncontrolled to 7010m unreachable for France fighter planes and was blown over the Mediterranean (crossing the coast near St.Raphael 43°25’29”N 6°45’34”E ) with five crew members still on board to be never seen again.
Two officers and 14 crewmen of Zeppelin LZ 89 (L 50) were captured and taken prisoners-of-war to Bourbonne-les-Bains ( 47°57’13”N 5°44’56”E ).
For dims, weight, performance and calculations see Zeppelin LZ80
Crew of Zeppelin L50
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