Representation of balloon barrage for defence of London.  The balloon barrage forms an important part of the co-ordinated scheme - consisting of guns, searchlights, fighter aeroplanes and balloons - for the air defence of London. In time of war, the balloons would be disposed in a rough circle round the perimeter of London. Each balloon is attached by a steel cable to a winch on the ground by which it can be let up or hauled down to the required height. The balloon cables form a "death trap" to any enemy aeroplane colliding with them. The balloons are organized in flights and squadrons, the squadrons being on an auxiliary basis manned by volunteers with a small nucleus of fully trained regular personnel. (No.46)

Notes

Barrage balloons were intended to force enemy aircraft to either avoid the area they protected, or fly higher and lose bombing accuracy. Aircraft (friendly as well as enemy) occasionally flew into balloon cables, serious damage being the usual result, as the impact could cut deeply into a wing and cause the aircraft to stall.

Balloons suffered themselves, as they were vulnerable to machine-gun fire. In just six minutes on 30 August 1940, the entire Dover barrage of 23 balloons was destroyed by German gunfire. However, replacement balloons were quickly winched up.

References

• Ministry of Information (1943) Roof Over Britain The Official Story of the A.A. Defences, 1939-42

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