German general and engineer (1838–1917) who designed the famous rigid airship that bears his name. ALS in German, signed “Gf. Zeppelin,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.75 x 11.25, April 18, 1915. Long, interesting letter to Mr. Messing on the difficulties of testing a large airplane in the World War and on some problems with the Gotha squadron. In part (translated): “The large airplane here has progressed so far that I am in a position to ask your Excellency to inspect the same in the course of next week (from the 25th onwards). While the plane has performed several small jumps rather dexterously, it is certainly going to be another eight or ten days before airmen Hirth, Vollmoller and von Schluter have quite mastered this novel and enormous machine...I have here discovered a relationship between the directors of airplane construction and the commander of the flying school, Captain Martens, which proves a decisive detriment to the cause which we all serve together. And we all ought to contribute to completing this important weapon of war as quickly and as well as possible. But the captain raises obstacles wherever he can, convinced that the machine can be no good. He behaves as if he were the construction supervisor and in his written instructions adopts a brusque, commandeering tone...The experimental construction dept. received from the airborne troops inspectorate a letter B No. 373, dated the 15th of this month, beginning: ‘With a view to the slow progress achieved in building the fighter plane as reported by the aviation replacement dept. 3, the inspectorate is prompted to revoke the leave of absence extended to airmen Vollmoller and Schluter.’ Now your Excellency is well aware that Lt. Hirth's leave of absence, as well as that of the airmen he identified as necessary, was not extended by the construction department but to me through higher echelons. The leave can therefore be revoked only through the same channels through which it was extended.—As concerns the slow progress made in construction it must be said that neither the inspector nor Captain Martens (the latter enjoying general access to the site) have lately satisfied themselves personally as to the progress made.” In fine condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds, light soiling, and a few tiny edge tears.
Germany had employed zeppelins and some unarmed airplanes for reconnaissance since the beginning of the war, but their development of fighter planes was lagging behind Great Britain and France. These allied nations already had armed fighter planes in the air at the time of this letter, while Germany’s efforts were in the experimental stage and had not produced any combat-ready aircraft. Perhaps encouraged by Zeppelin’s strong advocacy, in June the German Air Service would introduce the Fokker E.I as its first fighter aircraft. Zeppelin’s belief in the importance of fighter planes would prove correct—they soon produced a period of German air superiority in 1915–16 which the Allied forces nicknamed the ‘Fokker Scourge.’ An exceptional letter concerning the development of fighter planes, penned by an important aircraft innovator himself. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA.
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