Views of a Monster Zeppelin

Improvement Era, vol. 21, no. 3, January 1918, pp. 242 to 243

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations

Each of the German Zeppelins are equipped with at least six gondolas,

such as shown in the photo, on which are attached the apparatus for drop-

ping bombs. The gondolas are loaded with a certain quantity of the bombs

which are dropped or shot from the tube shown on the side of the craft.

The gondola looks a great deal like a miniature submarine, and the work

it accomplishes is on the same order as the barbarous endeavors of the

U-boats. There is much queer paraphernalia attached to the gondola. The

comparison in size between the gondola and the Zeppelin gives an idea of

the vast immensity of the "baby killer." Note the man on the ladder leav-

ing the gondola to enter the opening in the monster air craft. The photo

shows the L-49, which was brought down while returning from a raid over

London. It is lying near Bourbonne-les-Baines, in France.

VIEW OF THE WHOLE MONSTEF. ZEPPELIN

(680 feet in length)

It was the first great brand new German Zeppelin to be brought down

with practically a "whole skin," and was downed by French aviators, in

October, 1917. The German commander attempted to destroy his machine

when he saw that escape was impossible, but a Frenchman who happened

to espy him, ordered him to stop, and enforced his order with a rifle. The

small photo shows the huge gas bag lying helpless in a field near Bour-

bonnedes-Bains. Note the crowd of people who came from miles around

to see the huge Zeppelin. The crowd makes only little more than a speck

of dark against the sides of the gigantic "baby killer." The Zeppelin is

144 metres from end to end, or 680 feet in length by 75 feet in width. The

gas envelope was torn in a few places by the trees as it fell. There are three

gondolas on each side as shown in the other picture. Being practically

undamaged, the Allies were able to get exact information of the Zeppelin's

dimensions, design and working parts — some of Germany's military secrets.