Hans von Schiller
Encyclopedia
Hans von Schiller was an airship
captain. Born in 1891 in Schleswig-Holstein
, the young Hans von Schiller joined the navy at the beginning of World War I
. Impatient for action he volunteered for Zeppelin
service and was active on numerous Zeppelin raids against the British. After the war Hans continued his career to become a world pioneer in international air travel. He was on board Zeppelins for flights to the Arctic
and around the world. He Captained innumerable flights to the USA and South America
(from Germany) until the Lakehurst tragedy
in 1937 brought an end to this form of travel.
Looking for work, he accepted a position as commander of the air base at Cologne
in 1939. Major Von Schiller and his family survived the onslaught of the thousand bomber raids on Cologne, and he was later transferred from the Commander at Butzweilerhof air base to be in charge of the Norwegian air-sea rescue
group (Seenotdienstführer 5), promoted to the Luftwaffe
rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel).
At war’s end, he returned to Cologne to help clear the Rhine, and by 1948 he was made head of the Rhine ports for Cologne.
Author of many books on the wonders of Zeppelin flight, Hans eventually went into retirement and lived near Stuttgart
until 1976 where he died survived by two of his three children.
Airship
An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...
captain. Born in 1891 in Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
, the young Hans von Schiller joined the navy at the beginning of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Impatient for action he volunteered for Zeppelin
Zeppelin
A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893. His plans were reviewed by committee in 1894 and patented in the United States on 14 March 1899...
service and was active on numerous Zeppelin raids against the British. After the war Hans continued his career to become a world pioneer in international air travel. He was on board Zeppelins for flights to the Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
and around the world. He Captained innumerable flights to the USA and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
(from Germany) until the Lakehurst tragedy
Hindenburg disaster
The Hindenburg disaster took place on Thursday, May 6, 1937, as the German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during its attempt to dock with its mooring mast at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, which is located adjacent to the borough of Lakehurst, New Jersey...
in 1937 brought an end to this form of travel.
Looking for work, he accepted a position as commander of the air base at Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
in 1939. Major Von Schiller and his family survived the onslaught of the thousand bomber raids on Cologne, and he was later transferred from the Commander at Butzweilerhof air base to be in charge of the Norwegian air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
group (Seenotdienstführer 5), promoted to the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel).
At war’s end, he returned to Cologne to help clear the Rhine, and by 1948 he was made head of the Rhine ports for Cologne.
Author of many books on the wonders of Zeppelin flight, Hans eventually went into retirement and lived near Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
until 1976 where he died survived by two of his three children.