Barrage Balloons

Barrage Balloons were a way to protect people on the Home Front by preventing low-level attacks and dive bombing. Basically, they were huge balloons tethered to a wagon by cables. These cables were strong enough to destroy any aircraft that collides with it. Indeed, the balloons sometimes accomplished their goal, but there were also negative ramifications as well. For example, the balloons darkened the city by blocking out light from the stars or moon. Also, the balloons could be easily destroyed by machine guns shooting them down. This posed a danger to the home front because the barrage balloons would often come down in flames. During storms, the balloons had to be taken down because they would behave unpredictably in bad weather. Bringing down the balloons and "storm bedding" it was hard work, but had to be done because otherwise, the balloon would break away and drag the cables with it.