German Observation Balloon
The Germans made good use of observation balloons in several configurations. An early variety made by Parseval-Sigsfeld
and called "Drachen" (means either "kite" or "dragon") had a single fin, low center, and was totally cylindrical,
with rounded ends. The British called them sausages, for obvious reasons. The balloon's shape gave it another nickname, "Nulle" or "Testicle". The one pictured above is a copy of a French Caquot design, the German designation was the "Type Ae". The Caquot was tear-drop shaped, with three stabilizing fins. The improved Caquot could ride higher, and fly in higher winds than the Parseval-Sigsfeld, so it quickly replaced the Drachen, even among the Luftschiffertruppen. The observer suspended in the wicker basket typically had a wireless set, binoculars and one or two long-range, cameras with him. Their job was to observe actions on the front and behind it, to spot troop movements, unusual activity of any sort, and to call down artillery fire onto worthy targets. They were targets of great importance to the British HQ, especially before any sort of infantry action, so squadrons were frequently ordered to target balloons. This was especially risky as they were well guarded with AA guns, long-range machine guns and a fighter CAP. Getting to the balloon was easy, shooting it up was difficult and getting away was very difficult. It required good nerves, quick reactions, and an all round good pilot to fight off the CAP, avoid the AA and mg fire, hit the balloon before it is pulled down and then get away again. It was a rule of thumb with British pilots to never go after balloons below 1,000 feet, the AA and mg fire was too dangerous. The balloons could be pulled down very quickly as they were tethered to a motorized winch, so that once a fighter was spotted the balloon could be down in under a minute. The secret was to sneak up on them some how. As the balloons were filled with hydrogen they burned easily once they were pierced with tracer bullets or bullets especially designed for Zeppelins. The balloon observers were the only people routinely outfitted with parachutes, which had been available since 1915. By the war's end 241 German observation balloons had been shot down.
Canadian Aces Home Page
Image from:
S.F. Wise, Canadian Airmen and the First World War
Thanks to Brian Nicklas of the National Air and Space Museum, Archives Division for corrections to the first version of this page.