A d-day question
 

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

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

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!!

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.

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~

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

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

Yep! :thumbup:

Guns

Must have been dangerous in a lightning storm!!