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. ...
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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.
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Add this copy of A Grandstand Seat: the American Balloon Service in to cart. $62.00, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Praeger.
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Good. Ex-Library copy with typical library marks and stamps. Shelf and handling wear to cover and binding, with general signs of previous use. Secure packaging for safe delivery.
Add this copy of A Grandstand Seat: the American Balloon Service in to cart. $97.99, very good condition, Sold by Resource Books, LLC rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from East Granby, CT, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Praeger.
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Very Good in Very Good jacket. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1998. First edition, first printing, 1998. Illustrated in black and white from old photographs. Black hardcover with illustrated dustjacket. Near fine, looks and feels new and unread, tiny smudge to outer edge of text block, pages very clean with no names or other markings. The mylar protected dustjacket is also near fine with some light shelf rubbing to the outer edge, no chips or tears. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall.
Add this copy of A Grandstand Seat: The American Balloon Service in to cart. $101.99, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 1998 by Praeger Publishers.
Add this copy of A Grandstand Seat: the American Balloon Service in to cart. $115.76, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Praeger.
Add this copy of A Grandstand Seat: The American Balloon Service in to cart. $117.32, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1998 by Praeger Publishers.
