THE AERIAL BARRAGE
Balloon Breaks Away at Clapham Common The balloon barrage demonstration on attracted much attention in the boroughs of Battersea and Wandsworth. An unexpected incident was that a balloon above Clapham Common broke away as also did two others further east. The balloon from Clapham Common was caught by onlookers at Stockwell and anchored to some garden railings. These were bent and partly uprooted by the strain, but they held the runaway until an army lorry arrived and towed it back.
Another balloon which broke loose from its winch at Lambeth had a short spell of freedom. Its cable, dragging over the roofs, became entangled in the superstructure or a factory roof and was held firm long enough for members of the crew to climb up and secure it.
At 3 p.m., some hours earlier than had originally been arranged, the practice ended and all the balloons were brought to earth. By this time those which had broken loose were secured.
Too Much Wind — Not Enough Light The reason for the early termination was stated to be an increasing wind and failure of light creating an element of danger tor aircraft over London.
This was the first daylight rehearsal of the raising of part of the vast curtain of steel which would throw up a barrier around London against aircraft in war time.
The Air Ministry had warned pilots that the balloons would be flown at any height in an area which included Putney Bridge and Clapham and Wandsworth Commons. When the balloons had stopped rising, a number of aeroplanes were flying above them, as though on guard.
Each balloon, when inflated, measured about 63 [?]ft. in length, with a circumference of about 30ft. It was able to ascend at the rate of about 500 [?] ft. a minute, so that in ten minutes it was hovering overhead at 5.000 ft.
Object of the Barrage The object of the barrage is to force enemy aircraft to a height at which they can be effectively dealt with by fighter Wreft and anti-aircraft guns. Should a raiding plane come into contact with any of the cables which anchor the balloons it would be destroyed. The total personnel eventually required for this new group will be something like 6.000 officers and men. The height at which the balloons were flown on S.fturday was from 4.000 to 7.000 feet.
Official Explanation The Air Ministry announces:
The results of the small scale exercise held by the London Balloon Barrage on Saturday are satisfactory and useful. Only a small number of balloons were flown from their war sites, but the majority of these sites were chosen as being the most difficult from the operational point of view. The inflation and letting-up was carried out without a hitch under weather conditions which were by no means ideal. Although four of the balloons broke loose, the cause of these accidents was a technical one which is simple of rectification. The Air Officer commanding has expressed himself well pleased with the promise shown by the volunteer organisation, but it is important that recruitment should be carried on until establishments have been filled.
Auxiliary Air Force — Recruits Wanted the age limit for enrolment in the balloon barraged squadrons of the an auxiliary air force has been reduced from 28 to 25 years [?] and and applications are now urgently invited for men between that age and the age of 50 [?].
The recruits are required for various duties in connection with balloon operation and maintenance. Technical trades of the balloons squadrons include those of balloon riggers, fabric workers, lorry and winch drivers, and hydrogen workers.
AAF Recruits Expenses Emergency units drawn from local squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force were on duty during the recent crisis and each centre contributed balloons to the exercise on Saturday.
Recruits from the Battersea and Wandsworth areas travelling to the nearest balloon centre for training will be allowed necessary travelling expenses incurred, in addition to the appropriate allowance for each hour of training
[BNA: Link]
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