Born in 1867 in the US, Steffen Crist moved to Germany in 1889 to study engineering and mathematics. Hired by the Zeppelin Company in 1910 as a consultant-engineer, Crist helped design the external engine struts and the water vapor recovery system, used to recover water vapor from engine exhaust. This recovered water was used as ballast, helping to balance the shift in airship weight as the airship burned its on-board fuel. For his efforts in air ship engineering, Steffen Crist was awarded the Wurtemburg Zeppelin Badge. This badge was given to the original supporters of the Zeppelin Company, as well as being awarded to employees for outstanding contributions to zeppelin design.
Conscripted to serve aboard observation airships in 1915, Crist worked to advance the idea of using airships in a more active role. During the Gorlice-Tarnow Offensive and the Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes, Crist used his observation airship to locate and rescue troops, earning him the Iron Cross. Dodging ground fire and Russian aircraft, Crist lost his airship during an attempted landing after conducting an observation mission over the Russian positions east of Dvinsk. Although the airship was damaged beyond repair, no crew members were killed or injured during the crash.
During the Masurian Lakes rescue mission, several of the rescued soldiers were from the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. While most of the Hamburg soldiers served in the 76th Infantry Regiment in Belgium, several prominent citizens served as military advisors for the Austrian military. It was their accounts of the Masurian Lakes rescue that prompted the City of Hamburg to award Crist the Hamburg Honor Cross in 1918, just prior to the end of the war.
Following the Armistice in 1918, Crist received a reservist commission of Oberst in May of 1919, and was given command of the newest airship produced by the Zeppelin Company, Der Fliegende Igel. Designed as a research and exploration airship, Der Fliegende Igel was fitted with the latest wireless radio gear and scientific instrumentation. Working directly under Dr. Hugo Eckener, Crist implemented a number of further improvements in airship design; putting into practice the lessons learned during his tour over the Eastern Front in WWI. Capable of Trans-Atlantic flight, Der Fliegende Igel would be capable of long-range exploration and research, which was formerly the domain of the larger ocean-going surface vessels.
Controversy almost immediately embroiled the new airship, as Crist insisted that he be allowed to staff his airship with crew members based on aptitude and job ability, instead of family or political connections. Matters were made worse when Crist was quoted as stating 'The French Foreign Legion routinely conscripts recruits from the ranks of their former adversaries. It would be foolish not to do the same, when such resources are available.' Employing former allied personnel as airship staff, and ignoring the recommendations of the Zeppelin Company's crew placement board might have ended his airship career, if it were not for the direct support of Dr. Eckener. Like Crist, Dr. Eckener fully supported the idea of crew placement based on merit, and not on family or political connections.
Along with an International crew, Crist also chose to include several security service members aboard his ship. With the advent of airship piracy, it was deemed necessary for even civilian airships to include a compliment of security personnel. Due to the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, civilian airships are not allowed to mount automatic heavy machine guns or carry air to ground munitions (aerial bombs). To get around the treaty restrictions, Crist outfitted Der Fliegende Igel with small arms, including the drum-fed Lewis machine gun. Chambered for the .30-06 round, this weapon provides sufficient firepower for airship defense. Its light weight allows it to be carried by security personnel when operating away from the airship.
Following a shake-down cruise over northern Germany and the Low Countries, Oberst Crist is scheduled to take Der Fliegende Igel into the Balkans, over the Black Sea, and then into Asia Minor. This eastern cruise is a mapping and fact-finding mission; looking for potential oil fields, as well as possible airship pirate hideouts.
This cruise is scheduled to continue over to British-held India, Burma, and then Hong Kong. Oberst Crist then plans to take his airship across the Pacific, following the proposed Pacific Airline Clipper route to the west coast of the US. With luck, Der Fliegende Igel should be able to make Seattle in late October, just in time to attend the Abney Park performance at the newly-built Seattle Marriott Hotel. As a moral booster for his crew, Oberst Crist has reserved the banquet hall at the hotel for his crew, promising them the first round of drinks, at the first Airship Officer's Mess dinner.
Awards:
Wurtemburg Zeppelin badge - 1911
Zeppelin badge - 1914
Iron Cross, 2nd & 1st Class - 1915
Hamburg Honor Cross - 1918
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