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When a Nazi Airship flew over Dorset

At the time the giant German airship, Hindenberg was the largest aircraft ever built – it was an awe-inspiring sight. With its Nazi emblems, it was the pride of the Nazi Party when it flew over North Dorset during the morning of the 5th July 1936.

However, was the Hindenberg on a spying mission? That was certainly the view of a reader’s letter to the Somerset Standard (11th July 1936):

‘Are we in future when this country has been suitably photographed from the air by the Hindenberg to expect showers of bombs and poison gas wherever she has been? That is in the event of a future war. In case the Nazis should at any future date take exception to this letter, I think it more prudent to sign – AYZ.’

Returning from the United States to Germany with passengers, it was not taking the most direct route. It was also making its way contrary to an undertaking between the British & German Governments. This was that the Hindenberg would avoid flying over Britain except when forced to do so because of some urgent and reasonable necessity.

On Sunday morning at around 7.30, the Hindenberg was seen crossing the Salisbury to Blandford road coming from the direction of Combe Bissett. At times, it was even possible to see passengers looking out from the gondolas and to read the airship’s name on its side. Passing just to the east of Blandford, the Ashley Wood Golf Course proved to be a particularly fine viewing point. The airship continued on its journey in the general direction of Southampton. A local newspaper wrote:

‘The atmosphere was particularly clear and as the sun glistened on her silvery fabric, she presented a remarkable sight.’

Several people, who had observed the airship, reckoned that it seemed to lose its way on occasions and had shown a particular interest in some sites. These included several airfields and the Westland aircraft factory in Yeovil and the Supermarine aircraft factory at Eastleigh - where the Spitfire fighter would be built. Some time was spent also flying over Southampton Docks and by Portsmouth’s Naval Dockyard. Several years later Yeovil, Southampton, Portsmouth and even Blandford were to be the target of German bombing raids.

In May the following year, the Hindenberg (see below) would be destroyed in a terrible fire during an attempted berthing in New Jersey in the USA. 







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