Zeppelin LZ 78
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| LZ 78 (L 34) | |
|---|---|
 Imperial German Army Zeppelin LZ 78 (L 34) over Hartlepool | |
| General information | |
| Type | R-class reconnaissance-bomber rigid airship |
| National origin | German Empire |
| Manufacturer | Luftschiffbau Zeppelin |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | Imperial German Army |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 22 September 1916 |
| Retired | Shot down on 27 November 1916 |
The Imperial German Army Zeppelin LZ 78 (L-34) was a R-class World War I zeppelin.
The airship took part in three reconnaissance missions and two attacks on England dropping 3,890 kg (8,580 lb) of bombs. It also took part in the Zeppelin raid involving three other Imperial German Airships: the LZ 72 (L 31), L 32 and Zeppelin LZ 76 (L 33) on the evening of 23 September 1916. Of the four Airships, LZ 78 was the only Zeppelin that returned to base after the raid. Together all four Zepellins succeeded in dropping 3,200 kilograms (7,100 lb) of bombs on London and surrounding counties.
Last mission
On 27 November 1916, Zeppelin LZ 78 was intercepted and destroyed by British fighter pilot Second Lieutenant Ian Pyott in Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c (Serial no. 2738) off Hartlepool.[1] His bullets ignited the hydrogen, "like a massive fiery torch which lit up the night for miles around, she plunged into the sea."[2] The commander of the Airship was Kapitanleutnant Max Dietrich the uncle of famous actress Marlene Dietrich.[3]
