| Airship Number | L59 (LZ104) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Zeppelin Company |
| Military Branch | Navy |
| Assigned Base(s) | Jamboli |
| Beginning Service Date | October 10, 1917 |
| Last Service Date | April 7, 1918 |
| Postal Marking | PM “Kommando L 59”, in Magenta Box with “Miiitârisch geprut:Einwandfrei am befördernl. |
| Dispatch Type | |
| Value | $$$$ - $$$$$ |
Notes
This PM is not shown in any of Jurgen Schneevogt’s lists, however any airship postal markings that show it was censored “Geprut” are very rare. In addition this Feldpostcard, on the reverse shows evidence of censoring, with something crossed out, and the handwritten “B” that appears like the “B” that the commander, Bockholt, used.
The front, address side, carries commander Bockholt’s signature, as well. The Feldpost Datestamp (although unnumbered, no doubt the Feldpost office in Jamboli, which had one) is 21.10.17, only 12 days after first flight, and exactly 30 days prior to the start of the famous “Afrika Fahrt”. The ship was probably newly released from the Zeppelin Company and in training. The transfer flight from Staaken to Jamboli started 3 Nov 1917, with Peter Strasser Hugo Eckener, and E. A. Lehmann on board. The helmsmen were Feldwebel-Lieutenant Grüssendorf one of the DELAG pilots, and Steuermann Wals from the battlecruiser “Goben. The Wachoffizer was Leutnant Mass.
This was the largest craft the Zeppelin company had built to that time with 68,500 cu.m. hydrogen, and 226.5m length. (The ZR III had 70,000cu.m hydrogen, with a length of 200.0m.)