Amidst growing concern about a dilution of airship experience, on 27 Feb 1918, the FŸhrer der Luftschiffe (head of the German Naval Airship Division) FregattenkapitŠn Peter Strasser, issued Order No. 3377 in which he called for the creation of a practical guide to handling and operating airships.
This book, written largely by Dr. Eckener and amplified with reports from front line airship commanders, is the direct result of that order.
Only 40 copies were produced originally - one for each airship Kommandant and a few for the training staff.
The original contains no illustrations, line drawings or photographs: all photographs have been added by the translator, to provide relevant visual context.
I have also added new material in two TranslatorÕs Annexes, in the spirit of StrasserÕs original aim