[1] When Germany declared in February 1915 that it would commence unrestricted submarine warfare, the Royal Navy responded with the building of airship stations around the coast.

[1] Being close to the Dover Straits the open fields east of Capel-le-Ferne were seen as ideal location for a base and work began in April 1915.

[1] The engineering section at Capel went on to design an improved variant of the SS airship, which would be known as the SSZ.

[1] When the Admiralty were informed about the new airship they censured the air station for carrying out unauthorised modifications, but on the other hand ordered the type into production.

[1] The airships carried out patrols along the English coast, and escorted shipping across the channel as a lookout for submarines.