Cornwall in the First World War

During this month, each weekday I'm posting a photograph showing Cornwall's First World War.

Here, it's the summer of 1918. A convoy of merchant vessels sailing for Falmouth passes the Lizard. High above, on watch for prowling German U-boats, is a Submarine Scout Zero Class airship from Royal Naval Air Station Mullion.

Ten SSZs flew from Mullion at different times; the first arrived in July 1917. The SSZ was powered by a 75 hp Rolls-Royce Hawk engine and carried either two 110 lb bombs or a single 250-pdr.  Below the gas-bag, three crewmen sat in the small gondola: a wireless/telegraphy operator, who also manned the nose machine-gun; the pilot in the central position; and aft, by his engine, the air mechanic.

My new book, 'Cornwall In The First World War', is published by Truran. With 112 pages and 100 images, you'll find it in bookshops across the Duchy. It's also available on line through Waterstones, with free UK post: http://bit.ly/I47c9p