BALLOON DEFENCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20075, 23 October 1939, Page 9

BALLOON DEFENCES

CREWS ALWAYS READY SHOCKS FOR RAIDERS VISIT BY ROYALTY (Kino. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Oct. 20. The balloon units which were visited by the King and Queen to-day form part of the elaborate system of defence of London. The squadrons, which are situated at stretegic points over the country, with an intricate communication system, are controlled by the balloon command of the Royal Air Force.

At a moment’s notice every balloon in the country can be raised, lowered or set on the move to another site.

In the larger barrages it is an impressive spectacle to watch. At the base the balloon crew are in charge day and night, as it is essential to have sufficient men to -deal with any emergency, whether weather or warfare. Wind variations are frequent and crews must be wary by day and night.

Though the balloons have not yet been tested by enemy attack, experiments carried out by the Royal Air Force show that enemy aircraft attempting to get through the barrage would get very unpleasant surprises. There have been several important developments recently in the technique in making the barrage more effective.

Balloon crows find themselves in varied surroundings. One crew is in the yard of an ancient public house.