Log books for Balloon Barrage stations ?

[Kevin Heath]

Hi,

Does anyone know if there are such things as ORBs for Barrage Balloon stations? I am after any reports for the Balloons flown around Scapa Flow

thanks all

Kevin

[aestorm]

Gail Watson has a related barrage balloon post, though not the same question
titled World War 2 Blackpool .

Anne

[Kevin Heath]

Thank you Anne, i will try and find it

all the best

Kevin

[aestorm]

It doesn't answer your question but you may be able to share info ?

Regards

Anne

[jonny]

There are 'Balloon Sqn reports' at the NA, but I have never looked at them, so can't tell you whether they are akin to ORBs. They are listed by Sqn, so you may have to identify the units based at Scapa and take it from there.

Rgds

Jonny

[Dave Smith]

I looked at the ORBs for some of the balloon sqdns about 20 years ago, As I recall, they were not very detailed but did include mention of aircraft brought down.

[Kevin Heath]

Thanks Anne Jonny and Dave.

Do you still have the reports Dave? I know of a few aircraft which hit them, all British :o( We are trying to find where a Skua and Barracuda crashed after striking them !

all the best

Kevin

[Dave Smith]

Hi Kevin, I presume you mean Skua L2883 which crashed in Scapa Flow with the loss of the two crew. I only checked the ORBs for the Merseyside units so can't help with Orkney, I'm afraid. Around 100 allied aircraft were brought down by balloons as against about 24 German!

[Kevin Heath]

Hi Dave, yes thats the Skua and a Barracuda was also lost from Furious but crew were saved. Ok well National Archive then to try and find ORBs now I know there is such a thing :o)

thanks again

Kevin

[Keith Bryers]

Kevin

The Admiralty file for the balloon barrage at Scapa Flow is ADM 116/5790 according to W S Hewison/This Great Harbour Scapa Flow, a work with which I suspect you will be familiar.

The Air Ministry file for 21 Balloon Centre, Lyness, is AIR 29/71. There might also be separate files for each Balloon Squadron, specifically 950 Sqn, in this case but I can't tell you what the file number is, a search on NA's website should find it.

Regards

Keith