20 June 1914

On 20 June 1914 the Austro-Hungarian airship "M III" left Fischamend, near Vienna and a Farman HF.20 biplane piloted by Lt. Flatz set off in pursuit. The aeroplane overtook the dirigible at a height of 400 metres. It attempted to rise over the airship, but the aircraft collided. An explosion followed. The seven occupants of the airship were killed and burnt to an unrecognisable extent. The aeroplane fell not far from the wreck of the airship, and both the pilot and his passenger, Naval Lt. Puchta, were killed instantly.