| Place | Europe: United Kingdom, England, Greater London, London |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/20237 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Aluminium |
| Maker |
Luftschiffbau Zeppelin |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | 1916 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Fragment of metal from Zeppelin L31 : Gunner F B Fitzner, 23 Howitzer Brigade AIF
Description
Small piece of duraluminium (aluminium alloy) framework from a German Zeppelin. The piece has two rivets and has evidence of heat damage.
History / Summary
This piece is associated with the service of Second Lieutenant Frank Bernie Fitzner, who was born in Renmark, South Australia, on 11 November 1894. He enlisted in the AIF on 15 November 1915. 22255 Gunner Fitzner embarked from Melbourne for service on the Western Front on 20 May 1916 with 109 Battery, 23 Howitzer Brigade, disembarking at Plymouth in England on 18 July.
Fitzner served only in England while in the AIF. He obtained this piece of the Zeppelin L31 when he visited London on 3 October to be interviewed as a prospective candidate for acceptance into the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).On 6 June 1917 he was discharged form the AIF to take up a commission with the RFC. After training he served with 64 Squadron RFC.
The L31 was shot down on 1 October 1916 by Second Lieutenant Wulstan Tempest, 39 Squadron Royal Fling Corps. The crew of L31 were all killed, either by jumping from the flaming Zeppelin or burning to death. They were originally buried at Potters Bar, until their remains were moved to Cannock Chase in Staffordshire in the 1960s. Pieces of airships, especially Zeppelins, were a very popular souvenir in England. People came from far and wide to view the crash sites and purchase, or scavenge for pieces of the wreckages. While some pieces remained as they were found, other pieces of airships were turned items such as pieces of jewellery.