KAISER IN ZEPPELIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1522, 14 March 1916, Page 4

KAISER IN ZEPPELIN.

SENSATIONAL FLIGHT.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH.

An interesting account of the flight in a Zeppelin which nearly cost Emperor William his life, came to hand by a recent mail. It has been officially denied in Germany that the Kaiser was aboard the ill-fated Zeppelin, but the crew and' officers were especially rewarded, according to the Kriegszeitung, for “saving the Emperor’s life during a flight at the front.” The Zeppelin was “No. 18,” and sleeping, working and • reception rooms had been specially fitted for the Kaiser. Most of the details have been obtained from intercepted letters, from which is gathered the following story The Zeppelin in question was the flagship of the first light squadron of airship “Dreadnought” cruisers. The observation cabin was fitted in the floor with a window constructed on the principle of binoculars magnifying seventeen times and measuring over a yard across. Among the other novelties were special parachutes to serve the purpose of lifebelts at sea in case of extremity. The Emperor wore pilot’s kit. After several postponements this important flight of the Emperor was finally fixed for a day on which drizzling rain fell. The Zeppelin quickly rose above the clouds into brilliant autumn sunshine, and landed quite regularly at Warsaw, where it was met by by an Austrian Archduke and a guard of honour. The Emperor emerged, watch in hand, bidding those present to note how precisely punctual was the airship’s arrival. Half an hour later the trip was resumed, apparently towards the fighting front of the German armies.

It was now that things began to go wrong. The engines stopped and mechanics hastened along the corridors and climbed outside ladders. The Emperor was told that an accident, common enough with Zeppelins, had happened, namely, that one of the screws had broken and was tearing into the aluminium envelope and causing a wastage of gas. This screw was to be changed while moving, and, after it had been isolated, the engines started again for home. Spare screws are always carried. Nevertheless, the repairs seemed to be inadequate and the loss of buoyancy increased beyond normal limits. The airship began to list heavily, and a parachute was prepared for His Majesty’s use. The commander of the airship telegraphed to earth and the wholf countryside was quickly aroused, cavalry and motors flying in all directions in obedience to the notification to prepare for a descent at any moment and anywhere. The engines were stopped and everything having weight was flung overboard, even the officers’ swords being jettisoned. But the huge machine continued to fall, until, by a great stroke of luck, its anchor caught some trees, and the airship reached the ground without actual disaster. Apart from official recognition of orders and medals, every officer and man concerned received special rewards from the German Emperor personally and the intercepted letters of pilots contain details of these awards.