Large balloon filled with gas that was lighter than air
Attached to a Steel cable
Designed to 'float' in the air at altitudes that would deny low level air space to attacking enemy aircraft
Forcing the aircraft to fly at higher altitudes which could make bombing less accurate
The Committee of Imperial Defence decided to have 450 barrage balloons built to protect London in the event of a possible future attack
1936
Their foresight proved to be very accurate
When war broke out in September 1939, not only would London need this type of defence, but other major industrial cities, naval poses, Ports and airfields would as well
By August 1940 2,368 barrage balloons Fiew over major strategic sites across the Britain
These were he to prove invaluable during the Blitz
