Due to the critical global political situation at that time, the commander of Z VIII, Captain Andrée, finally was able to obtain the gas to fill the ship for operational readiness.

At the beginning of the war in early August 1914, the Zeppelin was able to fly reconnaissance and disruptive flights against the marching French troops.

On August 21, 1914, Z VIII received the same order as Z VII, reconnaissance and bombing of French troops that had entered the empire in Alsace.

A squadron of French cavalry attacked the ship's crew, who managed to get through to the German lines and report their reconnaissance results.

[1] Data from Peter W. Brooks's book Zeppelin : rigid airships 1893-1940 [1]General characteristics Performance Armament