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JOHN EDGAR HOOVER / DIRECTOR r Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Beparitment of sustice 60-19) Washington, B.C. RCV:TD December 17, 1937 nl 74 MEMORANDUM FOR ygp. TAMM A Re: Destruction. of” Air- . f ahi Meu wdonhunell F i . ek LiLii Gill’ Lal Bo Government Reservation Matter, A \* With reference to the above“captioned matter, you will recall that on the evening of May 6, 1936 the Airship "Hindenburg" exploded in midair at Lakehurst, New Jersey as it was attempting to land on its initial trip for the year 1937 from Germany and was completely i damnlichead K/ WT de LO LLOL @ Theresfter certain investigation was performed by the Bureau at the reque t of Commander C. E. Rosendahl, of the Naval Air Stetion et Lakehurst, New Jersey, particularly as to one Joseph*Speeh who was a passenger on the Hindenburg. The information developed concerning Spach wees subsequently transmitted to Mr. South Trimble, Jr., Selicitor, Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. A pr rinted copy of a report preper ea by South Trimble, Jt’s concerning investigation of the Hindenburg disaster is in the Bureau file, setting out theories as to the cause of the accident. The conclusion in Trimble's report, however, is to the effect that the cause of the accident was the ignition of a mixture of free hydrocen and air and that the theory that a brush discharge ignited such mixture appears most probable, In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the Newark Office is closing its Pile. You wiil observe, however, from the attached letter thet the Newark Office has been requested to summarize information contained in numercus memoranda included in the Newark file which has not heretofore been Surnished the Bureau, Resvectfully, aE EERE J \O