Memories of Hindenburg

Regarding “Hindenburg History,” by Karl Zimmermann, Jan. 26: His zeppelin story brings back bittersweet memories.

I grew up in Karlsruhe, Germany, and on several outings to Frankfurt (when we were still allowed to travel), I saw the huge hangars that held the zeppelins.

When I was in grade school, every time one of these craft passed overhead, we were herded into the schoolyard to look up at the Third Reich’s “marvels.” Thus, I saw the last voyage of the Hindenburg with my classmates in 1937.

Not long after, as a Jew, I was “expelled” from that school, and, after a lengthy wait, we left Germany for the U.S. one day ahead of the infamous Kristallnacht.

WERNER HAAS West Hollywood

When I was a kid, the Hindenburg flew over our neighborhood preparing to land in an outlying field of Cologne, Germany. I was 8 and ran after the zeppelin, watched it land and have been fascinated ever since.

When I joined the U.S. Navy [he and his parents came to the U.S. and became naturalized citizens in 1944], I was hoping for a posting to the Lakehurst [N.J.] naval station, as that was where the airships were housed. When Airship Ventures offered rides in a modern zeppelin, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, they ceased business.

Good article. Brought back many memories.

ERIC DAVID Long Beach