Franz Stabbert

Kapitänleutnant Franz Stabbert (born 13 February 1881 in Kulm – died 20 October 1917 in Lorraine) was a Kapitänleutnant of the German Kaiserliche Marine. He is most known for being the commander of the doomed LZ 93 during the First World War.

Commands Stabbert joined the German Kaiserliche Marine in 1915 and was stationed in Tønder. He received his first command of a zeppelin that same year on board LZ 32, which he commanded from 5 September 1915 to 16 November 1915 and on which he completed 20 flights. His next command was on LZ 59, which he commanded from 29 December 1915 until the ship's demise on 3 May 1916, on which he completed 16 flights, including 2 raids on England and 10 reconnaissance missions. After the crash of his ship in Norway, killing 3 crew, Stabbert was arrested but fled after 6 months of internment and returned to the airship base in Tønder on 20 December 1916. After his ordeal, he was given the command of LZ 66, which he commanded from 20 December 1916 to 23 January 1917 and on which he completed 2 flights. His last command was of LZ 93, which he commanded from 5 April 1917 until the ship's demise on 20 October 1917 and on which he completed 22 flights.