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Up Ship - Naval Lighter Than Air

PhrogPhlyer

Two heads are better than one.
pilot
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A little know side of the Army's LTA (Barrage Balloon) support, 81 years ago on D-Day.
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Arriving on Utah and Omaha beaches alongside the infantry in 150 landing craft, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion became the only black combat unit to see action on D-Day. Braving enemy fire, they flew and maintained their flammable balloons (hydrogen inflated) at an altitude of roughly 200 feet, tethered to cables with the aim of creating a hazardous thicket to discourage the Luftwaffe from strafing the beaches. Their conduct that day earned them a commendation from Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who cited the 320th for conducting “its mission with courage and determination” and proving itself “an important element of the air defense team“.
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