Luftschiff LZ27 [L4] & Magnus von Platen

[Chris Woods]

Last year, in March, I published a question entitled 'Kaiser's naval aviator' asking for information about the Zeppelin L4, her raid on King's Lynn 19.1.1915, her other flights and crash in 1916, and her commander Magnus von Platen-Hallermund.

I received some very useful replies for which I am most grateful, and thought you might be interested in this copy of a letter I received regarding his escape from internment in Denmark:


"British Consulate
Aalborg
January 3, 1918

Sir: -

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 43 of the 31st. ultimo and in reply to report as follows:

The two German airmen who attempted to escape from this town on the 19th. ultimo were Lieutenant von Platen and Lieutenant Pzygode. The former succeded in effecting his escape, but the latter was discovered two days later in a small inn near Saeby and brought back to Aalborg.

At 2.20 on the afternoon of the 19th. Lieutenant von Platen, having obtained leave of absence - nominally until 5 o'clock, signed the book and went out for a walk. He was , I understand, accompanied as far as the front door by the Danish officer in charge, as prescribed by the Regulations.

When von Platen went out he was wearing an Ulster and a grey felt hat, and he took his dachshund with him. He returned at 3.24 p.m. and asked one of the new sentinels if he had seen the other dachshund (i.e. Lt. Pzygode's). Receiving an answer in the negative von Platen observed that he did not wish to lose the dog and that he would go away again and look for it. He then asked the sentinel if he might go into the house and fetch his bicycle as it would be easier he said to search for the dog on the bicycle then on foot. The sentinel have his consent and von Platen entered the house; but instead, immediately fetching the bicycle which stood in the passage close by, von Platen apperently went quickly to his room, changed his Ulster for a leather coat, signed the book (as having returned) and returning through the passage, took his bicycle and walked out.

He was not seen again, nor, it seems, have the Authorities been able to trace his movements for this time.

It appears that when von Platen went out at 2.20 he was not wearing under his Ulster the civilian clothes which had been handed to him in the morning, but his uniform from which he had removed all the facings and guilt buttons. In place of the latter he had sewn on ordinary bone buttons. Nor was the felt hat he wore the same which he had received in the morning, but another of similar shape and colour which it was not known he possessed. Which the exception then of the hat, and if the leather coat, which he had donned in place of the Ulster, can be looked upon as part of a German airman's uniform, Lt. von Platen may be said to have quitted the place where he had been interned, clothed in his uniform and not in mufti. But I do not know at present what bearing this point has on the question as to whether von Platen acted dishonourably or not.

On the other hand, one of the regulations is, as I understand, to the effect that not only shall no attempt be made to escape on leaving the premises after the book has been signed, but also that no arrangement for escape shall be attempted under such conditions. But von Platen, in that he deceived the guard and obtaining possession of his bicycle, did actually, whilst outside the premises and before he had signed off, make preparations or arrangements for escape. To that extent it may be possible be held that von Platen acted in contravention of the Rules.

The manner of Lt. Pzygode's escape was very similar to that of Lt. von Platen's.
Lt. Pzygode was in the house when von Platen went out at 2.20. At about 4.45 Pzygode signed the book and left the house taking his bicycle with him.

The whole guard was changed at 4.30: and thus it happened that none of the sentinels who had seen and spoken with Lt. von Platen when he was out, were present when Lt. Pzygode started, and the new guards did not, it seems, know that von Platen was out when they arrived.

A few minutes before 5 o'clock Lt. Pzygode returned and telling the guard that he had forgotten his "legitimation" card requesting permission to go and fetch it. The man gave his consent and Lt. Pzygode passed into the house. He reappeared in a few minutes, mounted his bicycle and rode away, the opportunity of signing the book having been secured. Lt. Pzygode was wearing his leather overcoat and leather cap, when he rode away.

No suspicion of the flight of these two officers was aroused until about 8 p.m. when they failed to appear at supper. The military authorities here says that they do not know how Lt. von Platen reached Hamburg. It is suggested he may possibly have travelled to the frontier on his bicycle, and that Lt. Pzygode's journey north was merely undertaken in order to put the authorities off von Platen's track.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
(sd). W.J. Holmes. "


Regards,
Chris

[Catfish]

Hello Chris,
thanks a lot for posting this - while the whereabouts of airships are more or less known, those details about crew or their commanders are really interesting !
Thanks for sharing, and greetings,
Kai

[Chris Woods]

Good morning Kai,

Always a pleasure to share information.

After the war, Magnus lived in Hamburg where he was a businessman, until he died in 1943,
Chris