Between 9 March 1915 and 16 September 1916, the Zeppelin L9 participated in 74 reconnaissance flights and four attack missions. Early in its service it was commanded by Kommander Mathy, notorious in Britain as the most daring and dangerous of Zeppelin raiders.

The raid of 14 April 1915 marked only the second time bombs had been dropped in England. It included this incendiary bomb which was dropped in a field at Acorn Bank near Bedlington, Northumberland. Most bombs fell in open country and there were no casualties, only three minor injuries.