sausage balloon
Noun: 1. A small, non-rigid, elongated airship: A sausage balloon is a type of small, unpowered or lightly powered airship with a flexible, elongated envelope, historically used for military observation. 2. A type of barrage balloon: It can also refer specifically to a small, tethered, elongated balloon used as part of a barrage balloon system to deter low-flying enemy aircraft.
The term "sausage balloon" is a historical and descriptive term, primarily used in military contexts, particularly referring to World War I and World War II aviation. It describes the balloon's distinctive elongated shape, which resembles a sausage. * Early military observers ascended in sausage balloons to direct artillery fire. * The harbor was protected by a line of sausage balloons to obstruct enemy bombers.
- The reconnaissance report came from an observer in the sausage balloon hovering over the trenches.
- Pilots were warned to avoid the cables of the sausage balloons defending the city.
- As a descriptive historical term: The phrase is often found in historical accounts, documentaries, and literature describing early 20th-century warfare.
- The memoir described the perilous duty of serving in a sausage balloon corps.
- Observation balloon: A more general term for a tethered balloon used for military observation, which includes the sausage balloon type.
- Barrage balloon: A general term for any balloon, including elongated types, used in an aerial defense system.
- Blimp: A non-rigid airship, typically larger and powered, for civilian use. A sausage balloon is a simpler, often smaller precursor or variant.
- Observation balloon
- Spy balloon (in a historical military context)
- Captive balloon (when tethered)
- Balloon observer: The person operating from an observation or sausage balloon.
- The balloon observer spotted troop movements through his binoculars.
-
a small nonrigid airship used for observation or as a barrage balloon
