Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Zeppelin Relic, an ovoid ingot of melted aluminium, 60 x 40mm. (approx.), one side smooth and engraved with a representation of a zeppelin and inscribed, 'Potter's Bar Oct. 1 1916', some scratches and marks on the smooth side, good condition £80-120

The relic is believed to have been from Zeppelin L.31 under the command of the renowned Commander Heinrich Mathy that was shot down by Second Lieutenant Wulstan Tempest R.F.C. on the night of 1 October 1916.

In the book, ‘Zeppelins over England’ by Kenneth Poolman, Mathy is described as, ‘young, coldly handsome, bold, competent, fanatical in duty and love of Fatherland, and quite ruthless in its cause, the very figure of a Nordic warrior, with the added refinements of a Prussian aristocrat ...’

On 1 October 1916, 11 zeppelins left Germany for a raid on England. Of these only L.31 under the veteran Commander Mathy pressed on to attack London. As the lone raider passed over Ongar, Essex, Tempest in his B.E.2c was ordered aloft from the R.F.C. Station at Sutton’s Farm. Approaching London from the N.E., Mathy dropped a clutch of bombs and incendiaries on Chesunt. Sighting the zeppelin as it was caught in the searchlights above N.E. London, the lone British aircraft made towards it. Seeing the approaching aircraft the zeppelin dumped its remaining bombs and turning north, climbed rapidly as it could. Both aircraft and dirigible were in danger of anti-aircraft shells that were bursting around them, fired by gunners oblivious to the presence of the British aircraft. For Tempest there was an additional problem, his pressure pump had broken, which meant he had to pump by hand to provide the necessary pressure in his petrol tank. Catching up with the Zeppelin 15,000 feet over Potter’s Bar, Hertfordshire, Tempest in his ailing craft attacked from slightly above. Pressing home the attack from below and behind, the zeppelin was seen to catch fire and within seconds was an inferno. Tempest was forced to take evasive action as the flaming debris of L.31 plummeted to the ground.

For this action Tempest was awarded the D.S.O. (London Gazette 13 October 1916).