Zeppelin LZ 48
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| LZ 48 (L 15) | |
|---|---|
 Zeppelin LZ 48 (L 15) in the water | |
| General information | |
| Type | P-class reconnaissance-bomber rigid airship |
| National origin | German Empire |
| Manufacturer | Luftschiffbau Zeppelin |
| Designer | |
| Status | Shot down by AA fire on 1 April 1916 |
| Primary user | Imperial German Navy |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 9 September 1915 |
The Imperial German Navy Zeppelin LZ 48 (L 15) was a P-class World War I zeppelin.
The Airship took part in eight reconnaissance missions with three attacks on England dropping 5,780 kg (12,740 lb) of bombs.
Destruction
The Zeppelin was damaged by ground fire from Dartford AA battery[1] during a raid on London on 1 April 1916. The airship came down at Kentish Knock Deep in the Thames estuary. One crew member was killed; the other 17 were taken prisoner of war after being picked up by ships.[2] The gunners at Purfleet attempted to claim a prize of £500 offered by the Mayor of London for shooting down the Zeppelin, but the War Office declared them ineligible.[3] Instead the gunners received a gold medal.
