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Alfred de Bath Brandon attacked L15 three times with explosive darts, incendiary bombs and his machine gun, but apparently did not cause significant damage to the Zeppelin. The worst of the damage was caused by shrapnel from rounds fired by the guns at Purfleet, Abbey Wood, Erith Marsh, Southern Outfall, Plumstead Common and Plumstead Marsh (all close to where I live).
It seems that as the airship turned towards the coast, one of the guns at Purfleet scored a hit that tore open a hole in the Zepplein's flank. L15 was then attacked by 2nd Lt Claude Ridley in a BE2c from Joyce Green, but he managed to get of only 20 rounds before the airship disappeared in the dark.
Brandon then made his attack which seems to have caused sufficient (or further) damage to force the airship onto the sea near the Kentish Knock Lightship just after midnight.
Although not directly responsible for the destruction of L15, his action was rewarded with an MC - "For conspicuous gallantry and skill in dropping bombs on a Zeppelin at night."
Incidentally, Ridley also received a Military Cross - "For conspicuous gallantry and good work during Zeppelin raids."
L33 was initially hit by a round from the gun located at Bromley (also close to where I live) which damaged a number of gas cells. Another shell, fired from the gun at Colchester, damaged more cells and the airship was already descending when Brandon made his attack, using a full drum of Brock, Pomeroy and Sparklet ammunition which did not cause the anticipated fire. After changing drums, Brandon opened fire again, only for the gun to jam after nine rounds and it was as he was attempting to clear the jam that he lost sight of the airship. L33 came down gently and the crew attempted to destroy the airship using signal flares but so little gas remained that the hull was not badly damaged.
His role in the capture of L33 was less obvious but he had taken part in actions resulting in the loss of two Zeppelins and this resulted in a DSO - "In recognition of gallantry and distinguished service in connection with the successful attack on Enemy Airships.".
Another source of information is Dr Douglas Robinson's epic work The Zeppelin In Combat.
Graeme
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