veteran’s corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

It appears there is a full press effort to flood and violate American airspace with objects, presumably balloons. Several objects have been shot down and the government is reluctant to release information. The latest are rumored to have a hexagon shape. All the objects carry an “unknown” payload. The first object was confirmed to be Chinese. The lack of information and different shapes on the others leaves me believing they could be of Russian or even North Korean origin.

A little background on balloons and the military application of them.

The French in 1794 were the first to use balloons in warfare. They credit the balloon with their defeating the Austrians. It even proved demoralizing for the Austrians, some thought they were agents of the devil on the side of the French. Two people would be aloft in the hydrogen filled balloon. One handling the balloon and signaling, the other observing. Communications were done by flags or sliding messages in sandbags down cables.

The French were able to see weak spots in the lines and direct troops towards them. Napoleon commissioned several more balloons to be made and even developed a school. Military visionaries of the time even thought a aerial invasion of England was possible.

Napoleon brought the balloon corps with him to Egypt. During the battle of Aboukir the balloons were misused badly. The British plunged deep into French lines and destroyed all balloons and supporting equipment. The French balloon corps never rebounded.

Balloons resurfaced again during the Civil War used by both sides, for artillery and reconnaissance purposes.

One Union General went aloft himself and the balloon tether snapped. The General found himself drifting over Confederate lines. The Butternuts took pot shots at him. He stayed calm and eventually winds luckily switched and drifted him back over Union lines.

Balloons were used for similar purposes in WW1. The airplane was coming into its own. Balloons were very tempting targets for pilots and floating in them became dangerous. Many parachutes were designed at this time, no word if they worked.

In WW2 the British launched thousands of balloons. These floated freely with several cables hanging off them. These were used to confound German V1 and V2 rockets.

The Japanese launched thousands of bomb bearing balloons in WW2. They were intended to start the west coast on fire. Five children were killed when they stumbled upon one of these.

Recently they have been used in Afghanistan by our troops. They served as surveillance platforms.

Giving Hearts Day was a great day for the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard. We did a 22 hour event. 22 hours represents the number of service members that commit suicide daily.  We raised a little over $2,100. We gave 75% of the proceeds back to other giving hearts day charities. It was our way of paying it back to the community. Thanks to Outlet Recreation, Starbucks Coffee and FMHG volunteers for helping us pull it off.

Anything else Veterans related contact me at 11btwk@gmail.com.