A Grandstand Seat

The little-known American Balloon Service worked in combat to help direct artillery fire more accurately and provide essential intelligence on enemy troop movements during World War I. German use of observation balloons to direct artillery fire in August of 1914 forced the Allies to develop a similar force. With the U.S. entry into the war in 1917, the balloon service, starting from scratch, evolved into an effective, disciplined fighting unit, whose achievements are unfortunately overshadowed by those of the flying aces. Reminiscences from balloon veterans form the basis of this book, the first to picture life as a gasbagger in the three major American engagements of the war.
Amazingly, life as an observer suspended in a wicker basket under an elephantine hydrogen balloon proved less deadly than piloting an airplane. From his grandstand seat, the observer kept tabs on the war below him and telephoned vital information to headquarters command. These reports were often the only accurate intelligence available. Balloonists remember the war as a great adventure, one which many of them lived to tell about.

EILEEN F. LEBOW was born and grew up in the Panama Canal Zone. After earning a Masters Degree from U.C.L.A., she taught for 30 years in the Maryland Public Schools. She is the author of Cal Rodgers and the Vin Fiz: The First Transcontinental Flight. She lives and writes in Washington, D.C.

"Eileen Lebow's well-documented book addresses a neglected feature of military aviation history. The Allied and German balloons were key to bringing artillery fire on enemy targets--so vital that they were constantly under attack by aircraft and artillery. The book records the American Balloon Service from enlistment to the fierce fighting that ended the war. A fascinating bonus is a look at the sacrifices our 'doughboys, ' through their own words, made in order to track and destroy enemy targets. This is not only an important reference but also a thoroughly enjoyable read."-General Bryce Poe II, USAF, retired Publisher of "Air Power History"