A d-day question

cirelaw · 06-02-2014, 06:45 PM

What were those zeppelin like baloons for? Looks like they could have been easily shot down!! Eric

Edward Tinker · 06-02-2014, 07:08 PM

they were - but they were also far enough away that many survived

some had people, some were just for showing windage - the others were for spotting for artillery (in this case ship to shore shooting)

I could be wrong in the above, i am going by tinker memory

cirelaw · 06-02-2014, 07:29 PM

That makes perfect sence. They seem to me to make a ready target! I assume they were launched in England and draged across the channel after D-Day as they had to be spotted first and would be an easy target. I'm told the Germans had whole crews during the first world war! You probobly was better off in the trenches!! Were there unit maked lugers given to the crews or pilots? ~Eric I just found our answer~http://www.century-of-flight.net/Avi...20airships.htm AWESOME!!

sheepherder · 06-02-2014, 07:50 PM

You're getting WWI Zeppelins mixed up with D-Day [WWII]. The allied 'barrage balloons' offshore at Normandy were launched by the ships for naval gunfire observation & spotting. No artillery (except for really small guns) could be landed until the beachheads had been established. Afterward, a floating port was floated over - a pre-built port, towed over to Normandy from England. Gigantic thing made of steel & concrete.

All the cable channels have been showing period film and surviving veterans commentary since the week before Memorial Day. Some never before seen footage. Pretty interesting stuff.

cirelaw · 06-02-2014, 07:59 PM

Thank you Rich!! I just watched "The Longest Day" with John Wayne and everyone else! It employed several actors like Eddie Albert among others who were actually there on June 6th. The fact that it was in Black and White enhanced its' impact. Thats where I noticed the spotter baloons. A Great American Epithet! Thank for your continued imput!! Eric~

saab-bob · 06-02-2014, 09:04 PM

Hmmm. Sorry gents those where barrage balloons used to discourage low flying aircraft attacks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrage_balloon

Apparently the English used them extensively.

Just think D-day plus 70 years this Friday.
Bob

cirelaw · 06-02-2014, 09:46 PM

Awesome!! You are right.They were done useing them in WW! as they were always being shot down as the air war evolved!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23xvTNtu0wA Eric

GySgt1811 · 06-02-2014, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saab-bob

Hmmm. Sorry gents those where barrage balloons used to discourage low flying aircraft attacks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrage_balloon

Apparently the English used them extensively.

Just think D-day plus 70 years this Friday.
Bob

Yep!

Guns

cirelaw · 06-02-2014, 11:36 PM

Must have been dangerous in a lightning storm!!

06-02-2014, 06:45 PM	#1
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	A d-day question What were those zeppelin like baloons for? Looks like they could have been easily shot down!! Eric Last edited by cirelaw; 06-02-2014 at 07:31 PM.

06-02-2014, 07:50 PM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	You're getting WWI Zeppelins mixed up with D-Day [WWII]. The allied 'barrage balloons' offshore at Normandy were launched by the ships for naval gunfire observation & spotting. No artillery (except for really small guns) could be landed until the beachheads had been established. Afterward, a floating port was floated over - a pre-built port, towed over to Normandy from England. Gigantic thing made of steel & concrete. All the cable channels have been showing period film and surviving veterans commentary since the week before Memorial Day. Some never before seen footage. Pretty interesting stuff. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

06-02-2014, 09:04 PM	#6
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Hmmm. Sorry gents those where barrage balloons used to discourage low flying aircraft attacks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrage_balloon Apparently the English used them extensively. Just think D-day plus 70 years this Friday. Bob __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"

06-02-2014, 07:08 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	they were - but they were also far enough away that many survived some had people, some were just for showing windage - the others were for spotting for artillery (in this case ship to shore shooting) I could be wrong in the above, i am going by tinker memory

06-02-2014, 07:29 PM	#3
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	That makes perfect sence. They seem to me to make a ready target! I assume they were launched in England and draged across the channel after D-Day as they had to be spotted first and would be an easy target. I'm told the Germans had whole crews during the first world war! You probobly was better off in the trenches!! Were there unit maked lugers given to the crews or pilots? ~Eric I just found our answer~http://www.century-of-flight.net/Avi...20airships.htm AWESOME!!

06-02-2014, 07:59 PM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Thank you Rich!! I just watched "The Longest Day" with John Wayne and everyone else! It employed several actors like Eddie Albert among others who were actually there on June 6th. The fact that it was in Black and White enhanced its' impact. Thats where I noticed the spotter baloons. A Great American Epithet! Thank for your continued imput!! Eric~

06-02-2014, 09:46 PM	#7
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Awesome!! You are right.They were done useing them in WW! as they were always being shot down as the air war evolved!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23xvTNtu0wA Eric

06-02-2014, 11:36 PM	#9
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Must have been dangerous in a lightning storm!!