11 August 1914
Yesterday morning, German army airship Z IV returned to her base at Köningsberg from a successful overnight mission on the Eastern front. Under the command of Hauptmann von Quast, the Zeppelin undertook reconnaissance of the areas around Mława, Gumbinnen, Insterburg, Friedland, Gerdauen and Tilsit. The mission revealed little evidence of Russian forces in or moving through the region. However, while over Mława, Z IV did take the opportunity to drop bombs on the Russian troops encamped there.
Z IV is most famous for the landing that she made at Lunéville last June. Navigating in thick cloud and unable to ascertain the prevailing winds, the airship crew found themselves over French territory. Hoping to avoid a diplomatic incident, commander Oberleutnant Jacobi landed the airship and submitted to its inspection by French authorities. The French released Z IV the next day.
Z IV is a “h” type Zeppelin, construction number LZ-16. She and her sister ship Z V are the oldest and smallest rigid airships in the German army, with Z IV making her first flight in March last year. She is 140 metres long and is powered by three 180-hp engines.
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