Zeppelin L34 off Redcar

on the 27th of November 1917 this airship was on its second raid when it was intercepted by BE2c 2783 of 36 Sqdn, Seaton Carew. The airship was trying to evade the searchlights at Hutton Henry. The BE2c pilot followed the airship for some time before attcking, the airship had time to drop its bombs over Hartlepool, which killed four civilians on the ground. The pilot attacked the airship and it crashed in flames into the sea off Redcar with the loss of all 20 on board at 23.40hrs. The BE2c, piloted by 2nd Lt I V Pyott landed safely. The airship was one of what were new R Class super-Zeppelins. It was the only airship ever shot down by any northern squadron.

Captain of Airship - Kplt Max Dietrich, killed.

Plus 19 unknown.

Those who were recovered are believed to have been buried in Seaton Carew / Hartlepool Cemetery, though they no longer appear to lie there.


The BE2c which was involved in the shooting down of the Zeppelin

2nd Lt I V Pyott.


The airship is thought to have gone into the sea to the right of this photo (kindly supplied by Ian Donnison).