British Balloon Unit

[Kim Sung]

With the threat from the Luftwaffe increasing in 1930s, the Brits started to prepare a new, effective way to defend their high sky beyond the range of their anti-aircraft fire. In the end of 1938, Balloon Command was established and balloon companies were set up nationawide. On September 3, 1939, 444 balloons were located in London and 180 in other areas. In August 1940, 49 balloon companies were positioned in major cities of Britain.

From its shape, the balloon was called 'Elephant of the Sky'. According to an official record, these balloons shot down 24 German aircrafts, proving their effectiveness. And they continued to be used until the end of the war.


* Image Source: 英獨航空決戰(The Battle of Britain)

[Kim Sung]

The Structure of a Balloon

1. Gas Exhaust Duct
2. Steering Rope
3. Safety Valve
4. Air Exhaust Duct
5. Rudder
6. Rudder Supporting Structure
7. Air Intake
8. Steel Cable
9. Gas Intake Line
10. Steering Rope
11. Air Intake

[Kim Sung]

As shown below, British antiaircraft guns have short effective fire ranges.

Aircrafts in thin color show their maximum flying altitude.
Aircrafts in dark color show their effective flying altitude.

① 3.7inch antiaircraft gun
② 3 inch antiaircraft gun
③ 40mm antiaircraft machine gun
④ 20 pound Mk. 2 antiaircraft machine cannon

(A) Bf109E
(B) Ju87B
(C) Do17Z
(D) He111H
(E) Bf110C
(F) Ju88A

Unit of Height: Meters

[Aufklarung]

Hi

Are the heights on that last image in Metres or Feet? Where is this image from?

Also:

...the Brits started to prepare a new, effective way to defend their high sky beyond the range of their anti-aircraft fire.

The purpose of Barrage Balloons was most definately not to "defend their high sky beyond the range of their anti-aircraft fire". You would be very hard-pressed indeed to get a BB up to 30-40,000 feet!! Most were designed to be used at altitudes less than 10,000 feet.

The purpose was to force attacking aircraft higher to a) reduce the accuracy of their bombing and b) lower the risk of suprise low-level bombing attacks. Their use also channeled single raiders into zones where they could be more effectively engaged by AAA fire, not to mention the physical threat they posed to aircraft should they strike a cable.

Hope this helps.

regards
A

[Kim Sung]

Are the heights on that last image in Metres or Feet? Where is this image from?

The heights on the above chart is in meters. Image source is 英獨航空決戰(The Battle of Britain)

The purpose of Barrage Balloons was most definately not to "defend their high sky beyond the range of their anti-aircraft fire". You would be very hard-pressed indeed to get a BB up to 30-40,000 feet!! Most were designed to be used at altitudes less than 10,000 feet.

The purpose was to force attacking aircraft higher to a) reduce the accuracy of their bombing and b) lower the risk of suprise low-level bombing attacks. Their use also channeled single raiders into zones where they could be more effectively engaged by AAA fire, not to mention the physical threat they posed to aircraft should they strike a cable.

Yes, you're right.

[Kim Sung]

What aufklärung said is right, seeing the 3 dimensional CG photo below.


* Image Source: 英獨航空決戰(The Battle of Britain)