Historic Royal Palaces
@hrp-palaces.bsky.social
Six palaces, one charity
and a whole lot of history. 🏰
and a whole lot of history. 🏰
By 1945, Balloon Command disbanded, but the Tower’s balloon left a lasting mark ☁️
A medieval fortress had become a wartime defender of the skies 🏰 (5/5)
Read more in our latest blog ➡️ bit.ly/TOLBarrageBa...
A medieval fortress had become a wartime defender of the skies 🏰 (5/5)
Read more in our latest blog ➡️ bit.ly/TOLBarrageBa...
Barrage Balloons at the Tower of London in the Second World War
When London faced the fury of the Blitz during the Second World War, the Tower of London found a new way to protect the city from the sky – a huge hydrogen-filled 'barrage balloon'.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
By 1945, Balloon Command disbanded, but the Tower’s balloon left a lasting mark ☁️
A medieval fortress had become a wartime defender of the skies 🏰 (5/5)
Read more in our latest blog ➡️ bit.ly/TOLBarrageBa...
A medieval fortress had become a wartime defender of the skies 🏰 (5/5)
Read more in our latest blog ➡️ bit.ly/TOLBarrageBa...
In 1941, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) took over balloon duties. Despite doubts, they proved tough and capable, operating heavy winches, battling weather, and facing enemy fire 💪 By the end of 1942, 15,700 WAAFs had replaced 10,000 male balloon operators across the UK
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
In 1941, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) took over balloon duties. Despite doubts, they proved tough and capable, operating heavy winches, battling weather, and facing enemy fire 💪 By the end of 1942, 15,700 WAAFs had replaced 10,000 male balloon operators across the UK
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
📸 (IWM CH 9441) (4/5)
By 1940, as the Blitz raged, the Tower’s moat hosted a full balloon crew 🔥 They worked through air raids, fires, storms, even surviving a breakaway balloon and a nearby unexploded landmine 💥
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
By 1940, as the Blitz raged, the Tower’s moat hosted a full balloon crew 🔥 They worked through air raids, fires, storms, even surviving a breakaway balloon and a nearby unexploded landmine 💥
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
📸 A barrage balloon in the West Moat 1940 (3/5)
On 8 Oct 1938, the RAF tested a barrage balloon over the Tower, a striking sign of Britain’s preparations for war.
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
On 8 Oct 1938, the RAF tested a barrage balloon over the Tower, a striking sign of Britain’s preparations for war.
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)
The “castles of the air” forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, the increased altitude disrupted the aim of attacking planes and made them easier to shoot down during air raids ✈️ (2/5)