LZ 37

The airship LZ 37 was a World War I Zeppelin of the German Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy). It was the first Zeppelin to be brought down during WWI by an enemy plane on the night of 6–7 June 1915.

History
In 1915 Zeppelins were first used by Germany for strategic bombing of the United Kingdom and France. LZ 37 was part of a raid with Zeppelin LZ 38 and LZ 39. While returning, she was intercepted in the air by R. A. J. Warneford in his Morane Parasol during its first raid on Calais on 7 June 1915. Warneford dropped six 20 lb Hales bombs on the zeppelin which caught fire and crashed into the convent school of Sint-Amandsberg, next to Ghent, Belgium. (51.062°N, 3.74853°W) killing two nuns. The commander of LZ 37 and seven members of the crew were killed. One member crew miraculously survived. It was the first victory of a heavier than air aircraft over a lighter than air dirigible. Flight S/L Warneford was awarded the Victoria Cross for his achievement.

The LZ 37 was based in Gontrode, Belgium (airport location: 50.98183°N, 3.78808°W).