LZ 72 (navy designation L 31) was an R Class super-zeppelin belonging to the Imperial German Navy. It was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Mathy, an experienced commander, and took part in several raids over London during World War I.[1] It also participated in a reconnaissance role during the Sunderland raid of 19 August 1916. Its last flight was launched late at night on 1 October 1916. Several miles north of London, it was caught in searchlights and anti-aircraft fire. During this engagement, 2nd Lt. Wulstan J. Tempest was on patrol and spotted the zeppelin. He proceeded to engage the airship with incendiary rounds, causing the ship to burst into flames and crash in a field near Potter's Bar.[2][3] The entire crew died, and were originally buried there but were reinterred at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery in the 1960s. After this disastrous crash, the Imperial German Navy began reducing the number of zeppelin raids.[1]
^ ab"Mathy, Kapitanleutnant Heinrich (1883-1916". www.gwpda.org. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
^Morgan, Tom (April 2004). "Decisions at Potters Bar". Tom Morgan's HELLFIRE CORNER GREAT WAR WEB-PAGES. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
^"Death of A Zeppelin – The L-31 is shot down - History Channel on Foxtel". historychannel.com.au. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
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