This was a crater left when an airship dropped a bomb in the grounds of Luton Hoo on September 24th, 1916. Bombs were also dropped at Dunstable, Kensworth and Leighton Buzzard around the same time, but nobody was hurt and the sum total of damage was a few smashed window panes.

The Hoo event wasn't reported at the time, but 20 years later to the day the Luton News recalled it and other Zeppelin incidents locally.

Most people in 1936 had a vivid memory of those night, said its report. The deep, insistent roar of engines from an unseen shape overhead, darkened streets, 'specials' on duty, prosecutions at the police court for lights carelessly shown.

The first Zeppelin, it said, flew over Luton on the night of September 2nd-3rd, 1916. On that night 16 started to raid England and the one which passed over Luton ended in flames at Cuffley - the first success gained by the air defences of London. The blaze was seen from Luton.

The airship had come from the direction of Hitchin and turned to approach London from the north-west. Sighting bombs were dropped at London Colney, but did no damage. The same night another Zeppelin passed over Flitwick and made off towards Hitchin.

On September 24th, bombs were dropped near Bedford and at Leighton Buzzard, where no damage was done. The Zeppelin passed over Luton on its return to the coast.

On another occasion the L52 dropped a bomb at Kensworth which did no more than smash some glass in a cottage.

On October 1st Luton people had another thrill when a Zeppelin crashing at Potters Bar was clearly seen. The district was lit up by the flames. A crowd on the railway footbridge cheered as the blazing mass fell. It was also seen from the top of Beech Hill, at Round Green, on the Downs at Dunstable, at Edlesborough and at Silsoe.