Marth Swan Pt. 2

Zeppelin Sunday Part Two

Soldiers clearing Zeppelin wreckage.
Inset Lt. W.L.Robinson

Lt. W.L. Robinson was engaged on a routine patrol in the skies over Hertfordshire, when he spotted the German Zeppelin slowly proceeding below him. World War I or the Great War as it was to be called, was nearing the end of its second year. The war had started with German superiority in the air, but slowly the allies were beginning to match the enemy strength. Lt. Robinson, who was later awarded the VC, immediately decided to attack the great airship, and flew in with guns blazing. The Zeppelin burst into flames and began to fall from the sky. There were no survivors from the blaze, which was visible 16 miles away. Intense excitement was generated amongst the local population, and within a very short time the narrow roads and lanes around the farm were soon packed with traffic and excited onlookers. Later, when the flames had died down and the wreckage cooled, many pieces of the Zeppelin were taken away as souvenirs - and there can be few local museums that do not have their own unique bit of the airship.

When the wreckage had been cleared away, Martha and Ben were left to continue with their lives. Poor Martha however, had been severely traumatised by the whole affair, and her nerves never did recover from the awful fright, and she was affected by the dreadful experience for the remainder of her life.