Rare 6” 520g Metal Fragment of a WW1 German Zeppelin LZ93 (L44) 100Kg HE Bomb Dropped on a Turnip Field at Sarre, Kent on 19th October 1917

Here on offer is a rare find, being a 6” fragment of a WW1 German Zeppelin LZ93 (L44) 100Kg HE bomb, that was dropped on a turnip field at Sarre, Kent on 19th October 1917. Sarre is a village and civil parish in Thanet District in Kent, England. It is believed to be the last bomb that Zeppelin LZ93 (L44) ever dropped.

Now LZ93 (L44) was a "Height-Climber" class “T” Zeppelin, which had a lightened structure to improve altitude.

Its first flight was on 1st April 1917 and it undertook eight reconnaissance missions and four attacks on England.

Zeppelins could carry more than two tons of bombs each and raided in groups.

The now slightly rusty metal fragment has an old rust stained label stuck to it that reads:

Piece of Zeppelin bomb dropped in a turnip field at Sarre, Kent on Friday night Oct. 19th 1917 and found by H.W.H. in the bomb crater.

I have done some research and identified that the Zeppelin that dropped the bomb was LZ93 also known as L44.

I have no idea who H.W.H. was who actually found it?

I also found a detailed report of the incident on an excellent website:

ZEPPELINS, GOTHAS & 'GIANTS'
THE STORY OF BRITAIN'S FORGOTTEN BLITZ 1914-1918

The “Silent Raid” on the 19th/20th Oct 1917.

This attack relied almost exclusively on "height climber" Zeppelins, launched against London itself on 19th October 1917, became known as the "Silent Raid." Although 33 Londoners were killed, hardly any of the defences were able to spot the air invaders, much less fire on them. Yet the result was hardly a one sided German triumph. Weather turned out to be England's saviour and the Zeppelin's nemesis.

When the 11 airships that took part that night climbed above 16,000 feet over England, an unexpected gale was blowing at up to 50mph. The science of weather prediction aloft was in its infancy, and the Germans were further inhibited because their ability to observe weather conditions precisely and in a timely fashion stopped in "no man's land" on the Western Front. The gale created chaos for the Zeppelin formation, scattering them in all directions. Only L54 recognized the danger, dropped its bombs early from 21,000 feet, and dove to a much lower altitude for the return flight home.

Kapitänleutnant Franz Stabbert brought LZ93 (L 44) inland over the Norfolk coast at 6.45pm near Blakeney and headed south. Thirty minutes later he dropped a 100kg HE bomb in a field at West Bradenham. Crossing into Essex, LZ93 (L44) dropped four incendiaries at 8.08pm over Rivenhall: two at Park Gates Farm, one at Rivenhall Hall Farm and one in a field about half a mile north-east of St. Mary and All Saints’ Church. There was no damage.
LZ93 (L44) left Essex at 8.25pm, crossed the Thames estuary and 15 minutes later appeared over Reculver in Kent, where she dropped two HE bombs in the sea, followed by three on land, damaging the kitchen ceiling at the King Ethelbert Inn. Another dropped about a mile to the south in the marshes at Chislet, landing about 270 yards from the railway, followed by two more at Sarre, one in a field at Sarre Court Farm and the other in a neighbouring field, damaging crops. (Probably the turnip field)

LZ93 (L44) went out to sea over Deal at 8.52pm. Swept across France behind Allied lines. It almost made it back, but French AA guns of the D.C.A. No. 174 (French Army Artillery) caught her just 10 miles from the Front Line and she crashed in flames at Chenevières. All crew on board the airship perished in the disaster, and the body of commander Franz Stabbert can be seen next to his ship on the picture taken from the wreck and shown in my photos.

It is believed that the crew died when they were crushed by the zeppelin when it smashed into the ground, suggesting that the crew was fully aware of their 6 km long descent.

Four other zeppelins who had accompanied L44 on its raid were also shot down above France.

Zeppelins in WW1 had two identification systems: a ship number such as LZ93 and a fleet number such as L44 assigned by the German Navy.

The ship number was for internal use at the Zeppelin factory and for tracking construction and modifications, while the fleet number was used for operational purposes, particularly by the German Navy during missions.

This number was assigned sequentially by the Zeppelin factory during construction. It indicated the specific airship's unique construction order. For example, LZ79 was the 79th Zeppelin built by the company.

The fleet number was assigned by the German Navy and was used for operational purposes, such as identifying the airship during missions and raids. The "L" denoted "Luftschiff" (airship) in German, followed by a sequential number.

This is a rare opportunity to obtain a unique museum quality piece of WW1 Zeppelin history, being the last 100Kg HE bombs that LZ93 (L44) dropped during its military service.

The bomb fragment measures 6” (15.3cm) wide and is about 3” (7.7cm) thick.

It weighs a heavy 520g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 51878