German Rigid Airships by Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Division.

Hard back book, large format, 336 pages, 12 chapters profusely illustrated with B/W plates and technical drawings followed by 3 appendices, general index and index to plates.

Published in February 1917 in a secret edition strictly limited to 700 copies on security grounds, this immensely detailed manual, backed up by scores of photographs, drawings, plans and diagrams, gives the reader a complete run-down on everything that British Intelligence knew about enemy Zeppelins. Based largely on the examination of two sister ‘super Zeppelins’ - L31 and L33 - shot down over England, the book has chapters on evolving Zeppelin types, training and personnel; the building of Zeppelins; and their machinery and propellers; Fabric and hydrogen gas valves; bomb dropping gear; wireless telegraph apparatus; bombs, flares, guns and ammunition; bomb and machine gun sights; compasses, lifeboats, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment; and weather conditions.