Destruction of Zeppelin L43

[David Seymour]

There is an impressive painting on this month's page of the Cross and Cockade calendar showing Hobbs and Dickey bringing down L43. I've tried, without luck, to find an account. Please could someone let me know the story behind this painting?

Grateful as always for any help.

Best wishes,

David

[Dolphin]

David

On 14 June 1917 L43, under the command of Käpitanleutnant Hermann Kraushaar, was shot down off the Dutch coast by the crew of Curtiss H12 flying boat 8677: Flt Lt Basil Deacon Hobbs and Flt Sub-Lt Robert Frederick Lea Dickey, with wireless operator H M Davies and engineer A W Goody.

The Curtiss was on a patrol from Felixstowe when L43 was sighted at 0840 - the airship was patrolling the North Sea - and attacked. The midship gunner (Davies or Goody) fired tracer ammunition and FSL Dickie fired at the airship with Brock and Pomeroy ammunition as the flying boat passed over the Zeppelin, which burst into flames and fell into the sea.

For a more detailed account of the action, see Ray Rimmel's Zeppelin!

I hope that this helps.

Gareth

[David Seymour]

Gareth,

Very many thanks.

David