Hindenburg Disaster (LZ-129): FBI Files, Films & Newspapers

Description

The Hindenburg Disaster: A Timeline and Cast

Detailed Timeline of Main Events

• 1925-1934: Paul von Hindenburg serves as President of Germany. (The Hindenburg airship was named after him).
• February 5, 1936: The earliest newspaper coverage of the LZ 129 Hindenburg found in the FBI files compilation begins. This suggests the Hindenburg was already a prominent subject in the news.
• Throughout the 1930s (pre-May 1937): The LZ 129 Hindenburg operates as a celebrated German passenger airship, renowned for its size and luxury, operated by Nazi Germany. It makes flights to destinations like Lakehurst, New Jersey, showcasing its operational history.
• May 6, 1937:The Hindenburg Zeppelin, LZ 129, is in flight to Lakehurst, New Jersey, for a landing.
• The airship attempts to dock at the Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey.
• While attempting to dock, the Hindenburg catches fire and is completely destroyed.
• The disaster results in the deaths of 36 people.
• Firefighters battle the flames at the crash site.
• Injured persons are transported into ambulances.
• An investigation into the destruction of the Zeppelin Hindenburg begins, leading to FBI files being generated.
• A fourteen-year-old cabin boy escapes the crash.
• A German ambassador is interviewed about the crash.
• A witness takes an oath before testifying about the crash.
• Post-May 6, 1937:The cause of the fire remains a subject of ongoing debate and investigation, with leading theories pointing to highly flammable hydrogen gas and electrostatic discharge.
• October 7, 1939: The latest newspaper coverage included in the FBI files compilation dates to this time, indicating continued public and possibly investigative interest in the Hindenburg disaster for over two years after the event.

Cast of Characters

• Paul von Hindenburg: President of Germany from 1925 to 1934. The LZ 129 airship, “Hindenburg,” was named in his honor.
• German Ambassador: An unnamed diplomatic official who was interviewed about the Hindenburg crash on May 6, 1937.
• Fourteen-Year-Old Cabin Boy: An unnamed crew member who survived the Hindenburg disaster, mentioned in the U.S. Air Force Command Film.
• Witness(es): Unnamed individual(s) who provided testimony under oath regarding the Hindenburg crash, as depicted in the U.S. Air Force Command Film.
• Firefighters: Unnamed individuals who battled the flames at the Hindenburg crash site.
• Injured Persons: Unnamed victims of the Hindenburg disaster who were transported to ambulances.
• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): A government agency that generated files from an investigation into the issues surrounding the destruction of the Hindenburg.