The remains of an observation balloon burning on the ground, 3 February 1918 (b/w photo)

The remains of an observation balloon burning on the ground, 3 February 1918. Photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1918. Soldiers look on as Royal Flying Corps personnel deal with the remains of a kite balloon near Boyelles. Observation balloons were used for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Observers would be carried in baskets or containers that hung underneath the balloons which were fixed by cables to the ground. They were often attacked by enemy aircraft and artillery. One of 193 British and Allied official photographs.