Gallery

 

AIRMAIL FROM DANZIG TO AMERICA 1929 - 1939

1. To New York, North America

Up to 1939 there were no “non-stop” flights from Europe to North America. From 1929 a catapult service started from the Norddeutschen Lloyd steamers “Bremen” and “Europa” whereby mall was flown from them once they were some 500km off the coast of New York (and similarly to Southampton on the return voyage) - Danzig participated as a “Treaty State” from 10.9.29, although there was a “first flight” on 22.7.29.

On 15.8.29 the air route from Cologne to Cherbourg/France was opened In order to forward mall to these steamers, thereby effecting savings of up to three days. These catapult services were discontinued on 9.10.35 (there were no services In the intervening winter months). From the Spring of 1936 the airship “Hlndenburg” took over the service. Had it not been for the Zeppelin disaster the catapult service would not have resumed. The feeder flights from Cologne to Cherbourg were continued right up to 23.8.39 (from 30.7.30 to 10.9.33 also to the steamer “Columbus”).

2. Onward Air Service from New York or other Airports to North & Central America 1931 - 1939

Such mail wa.s forwarded by sea to New York or other North American ports and then sent on by air. Occasional flights were also made from the USA to various countries of South America.

3. Directly to South America 1931 - 1939

There was also no “non-stop” transatlantic service to South America up to 1939. It was only on the straight through flights of the airships LZ 127 and LZ 129 that mail was carried from 1932 to 1937. Air France was already making flights to the West Coast of Africa, connecting with fast ships to Brazil. Lufdt Hansa started up a regular service from 3.2.34. The flights went from Berlin with intermediate landings at Stuttgart, Seville, he Palmas (Canary Islands) to bathuret (West Africa). From there the mail went by flying boat which landed mld-Atiantic to be taken aboard the steamer “Westfalen” for refuelling. The aircraft was then catapulted off on its resumed flight to Natal (Brazil). From there the mail was taken on inland also by air. The return flights were scheduled In the same way as the outward ones. The introduction of night flying shortened the overall forwarding time further from four to three days. In July 1935 Luft Hansa agreed to co-operate with Air France. From April 1936 flights were centred on Frankfurt/Main.

 

Danzig Report Vol. 1 - Nr. 94 - January - February - March - 1997, Page 10.