Observation Balloon (1914-1918)

Observation Balloon. Location of events unknown. A giant egg-like thing is being carried toward camera by about ten RAF (?) guys. Side view as they carry it past. Back view they set it down on ground; next to its big brother - a giant balloon thing; held down w/ ropes. A bunch of guys around. Shot of men holding a big fat tube up to hole in the giant balloon; pumping air into it; a soldier standing on stepladder to reach it. Pan left; on what must be more of the same giant balloon which is curved around like a worm; moving around and filling up. Airmen holding onto ropes as the thing rises. Shot of the giant thing in the air; with a camera hanging from it to take surveillance photographs. Similar to airship / Zeppelin / blimp. But what was that first balloon for? (Could be pump? SL.) Surveillance techniques. inventions; aviation; flight. World War One. FILM ID: A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT’S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINATING IN