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Observation balloons were an early instrument of definitive intelligence collection and also useful in the preparation of accurate battlefield maps

Observation balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. They were particularly useful in the preparation of accurate battlefield maps. Use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today.

The balloons were fabric envelopes filled with hydrogen gas, whose flammable nature led to the destruction of hundreds of balloons on both sides. Observers manning these observation balloons frequently had to use a parachute to evacuate their balloon when it came under attack. To avoid the potentially flammable consequences of hydrogen, observation balloons after World War I were often filled with non-flammable helium.

The Imperial German Army 1890 – 1913 A signal balloon is launched during the manoeuvres of 1899. source
The Imperial German Army 1890 – 1913 A signal balloon is launched during the manoeuvres of 1899. source

 

Imperial Russian cruiser Rossiya with military observation balloon, 1905. source
Imperial Russian cruiser Rossiya with military observation balloon, 1905. source

Typically, balloons were tethered to a steel cable attached to a winch that reeled the gasbag to its desired height (usually 1,000-1,500 metres) and retrieved it at the end of an observation session.

British observation balloon from 1908, typical of pre-WWI observation balloons. source
British observation balloon from 1908, typical of pre-WWI observation balloons. source

The first military use of observation balloons was by the French Aerostatic Corps during the French Revolutionary Wars, the very first time during the Battle of Fleurus (1794). The oldest preserved observation balloon, L’Intrépide, is on display in a Vienna museum. They were also used by both sides during the American Civil War (1861–65) and continued in use during the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War. Several soldiers of the Royal Engineers (balloon section) stood around the basket of an observation balloon whilst two more are sat on their horses watching. The balloon appears to have a female passenger. (Pre-1914) . source
Aviation in Britain Before the First World War. Several soldiers of the Royal Engineers (balloon section) stood around the basket of an observation balloon whilst two more are sat on their horses watching. The balloon appears to have a female passenger. (Pre-1914) . source

Balloons were first deployed by the British Army’s Royal Engineers during the expeditions to Bechuanaland in 1884 and Suakin in 1885. They were also deployed during the Second Boer War (1899–1902), where they were used in artillery observation at the Battle of Magersfontein and during the Siege of Ladysmith.

Observation balloon, Lorraine, France, 1915. source

 

British balloon of the German Parseval-Siegsfeld type, 1916. The rear tail fills with air automatically through an opening facing the wind. source
British balloon of the German Parseval-Siegsfeld type, 1916. The rear tail fills with air automatically through an opening facing the wind. source

 

Air mechanics filling a Caquot kite balloon with gas from a nurse balloon. Near Meaulte, on the Bray-Albert road, 7th August 1916. source
Air mechanics filling a Caquot kite balloon with gas from a nurse balloon. Near Meaulte, on the Bray-Albert road, 7th August 1916. source

World War I was the high point for the military use of observation balloons, which were extensively deployed by both sides. The British, despite their experience in late 1800s Africa, were behind developments and were still using spherical balloons. These were quickly replaced by versions, commonly referred to as kite balloons, which were flyable and could operate in more extreme weather conditions; at first, the German Parseval-Siegsfeld type balloon, and then French Caquot type dirigible. By World War I, artillery had developed to the point where it was capable of engaging targets beyond the visual range of a ground-based observer. Positioning artillery observers on balloons, generally a few miles behind the front lines and at altitude, allowed them to see targets at greater range than they could on the ground. This allowed the artillery to take advantage of its increased range.

A Caquot kite balloon leaving the ground. Note a motor winch and infantrymen hauling on ropes. Near Metz, 25 January 1918. source
A Caquot kite balloon leaving the ground. Note a motor winch and infantrymen hauling on ropes. Near Metz, 25 January 1918. source

 

 

Caquot type dirigible, 1918, used by the Allies in the mid-latter part of WWI. source
Caquot type dirigible, 1918, used by the Allies in the mid-latter part of WWI. source

 


Because of their importance as observation platforms, balloons were defended by anti-aircraft guns, groups of machine guns for low altitude defence and patrolling fighter aircraft. Attacking a balloon was a risky venture but some pilots relished the challenge. The most successful were known as balloon busters, including such notables as Belgium’s Willy Coppens, Germany’s Friedrich Ritter von Röth, America’s Frank Luke, and the Frenchmen Léon Bourjade, Michel Coiffard and Maurice Boyau. Many expert balloon busters were careful not to go below 1,000 feet (300 m) in order to avoid exposure to anti-aircraft guns and machine-guns.

An observation balloon basket with a group of soldiers stood around it another soldier appears to be working on the rigging above the basket. Aviation in Britain Before the First World War. source
An observation balloon basket with a group of soldiers stood around it another soldier appears to be working on the rigging above the basket. Aviation in Britain Before the First World War. source

 

Battle of Broodseinde. A Caquot kite balloon after being hauled down by its winch. Note air mechanics hauling on ropes to keep the basket on the ground. Near Ypres, 5 October 1917. source
Battle of Broodseinde. A Caquot kite balloon after being hauled down by its winch. Note air mechanics hauling on ropes to keep the basket on the ground. Near Ypres, 5 October 1917. source

 

Close-up view of an American major in the basket of an observation balloon flying over territory near front lines, 1918. source
Close-up view of an American major in the basket of an observation balloon flying over territory near front lines, 1918. source

 

The Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front, 1914-1918 Two artillery officers about to enter the basket of an RAF Caquot kite balloon to act as observers. source
The Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front, 1914-1918 Two artillery officers about to enter the basket of an RAF Caquot kite balloon to act as observers. source

World War I observation crews were the first to use parachutes, long before they were adopted by fixed wing aircrews. These were a primitive type, where the main part was in a bag suspended from the balloon, with the pilot only wearing a simple body harness around his waist, with lines from the harness attached to the main parachute in the bag. When the balloonist jumped, the main part of the parachute was pulled from the bag, with the shroud lines first, followed by the main canopy. This type of parachute was first adopted by the Germans and then later by the British and French for their observation balloon crews.

The only Marine Corps balloon observation squadron is disbanded at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on 31 December 1929. source
The only Marine Corps balloon observation squadron is disbanded at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on 31 December 1929. source

 

Launch of a Project MOBY DICK balloon at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico circa 1955. source
Launch of a Project MOBY DICK balloon at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico circa 1955. source

 

The Royal Navy during the Second World War The kite balloon drifter ROGER BLONDE delivering a balloon to a merchant ship in the River Mersey, WW2. source
The Royal Navy during the Second World War The kite balloon drifter ROGER BLONDE delivering a balloon to a merchant ship in the River Mersey, WW2. source

Observation balloons began to be used at sea for anti-submarine purposes towards the end of World War I. Observation balloons also played a role during the Cold War; for example, Project Mogul used high-altitude observation balloons to monitor Soviet nuclear tests. However, heavier-than-air craft now performed the vast majority of operations. Aerostats have been used by US and coalition military forces in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

The idiom “The balloon’s going up!” as an expression for impending battle is derived from the very fact that an observation balloon’s ascent likely signaled a preparatory bombardment for an offensive.

David Goran

David Goran is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News