Record #:

15154

Author(s):

Carraway, Gertrude

Abstract:

Barrage balloons were a developmental aerial defense strategy for the coast during World War II. The contraption consisted of cigar-shaped neoprene bags inflated with helium and moored to winches controlling altitude. The object of barrage balloons was to create aerial obstacles for enemy airplanes. Balloons placed strategically had the desired effect of pushing enemy aircraft either off target or forced bombers to drop their arsenal at higher altitudes, meaning better chance of inaccuracies. Barrage balloon training began in April 1940 at Camp Davis, near Wilmington, as part of the Coast Artillery Corps.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 9 Issue 28, Dec 1941, p8-9, il

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations