‘The trail of smoke from the burning remnants of an enemy observation balloon’, 1916 (b/w...

‘The trail of smoke from the burning remnants of an enemy observation balloon’, 1916. Stereoscopic photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1916. Observation balloons were used for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Observers would be carried in baskets or containers underneath the balloon. Although the balloons were usually heavily defended by anti-aircraft guns and fighter aircraft, they were a primary target as their destruction reduced an enemy’s ability to direct artillery fire. From a collection of 96 stereoscopic photographs in box two of two entitled ‘The Great War’ including the official series.