Zeppelin LZ 32

M2-class zeppelin LZ 32, given tactical number L 7, was a rigid airship operated by the Kaiserliche Marine, which flew 164 times, including 77 reconnaissance missions over the North Sea, with several unsuccessful attempts to attack English coastal towns. Brought down on 4 May 1916 by anti-aircraft fire from HMS Phaeton (1914) and HMS Galatea (1914), she was destroyed by Royal Navy submarine HMS E31 off Horns Reef.

Crash
While on a mission, LZ 32 was spotted by light cruisers HMS Galatea (1914) and HMS Phaeton (1914) who opened fire on the airship. Just as they were doing this HMS E31 was operating with the sea plane carrier HMS Engadine (1911) in the North Sea in an air raid on the Zeppelin sheds at Tondern on 4 May 1916. E31 surfaced and spotted the airship, but being vulnerable on the surface, the sub dived to avoid attack. When the submarine put its periscope up, it observed that the Zeppelin was losing altitude after being hit by shells from HMS Galatea (1914) and HMS Phaeton (1914). E31 then surfaced just in time to get in the fatal shot and brought the Zeppelin down. HMS E31 then proceeded to rescue seven survivors from the crew of LZ 32.