MORE Balloon Pictures

Ritterton · 3 August 2009, 08:09 PM

Hey folks, wanted to post a few more balloon pics, but thought maybe a new thread would be warranted. So there are the first of three that i got. Truly these were a great find and buy as I I paid about $8 total for all three images that I will be posting.

When I saw this I thought, oh that is a crashed caquot or something...didn't really pay attention to the stabilizers on it...

Its an airship...but no real clue as to where or when it crashed. Now this is a small photo that is about 4.5 cm x 7 cm. On the back is printed Poskarte with the typical separations and small box for a stamp. Down in the corner is the only potential clue - "C.156 (10.16)" Could the later set of numbers be the date?

R

SIGH...ok - maybe the title for this thread should have been FRENCH AND GERMAN??? shaking my head...red in the face...on to picture no. 2

Ritterton · 3 August 2009, 08:12 PM

I just like this composition. It's a great picture IMHO.

No Date and this is all it says as to the picture's subject:

Ritterton · 3 August 2009, 08:27 PM

Here there is no date. The photographer, based on what is printed on the back of this card, was Gustav Reinhold, Photogr. Atelier, Riesa a. Elbe.

What caught my attention were the different uniforms. I will say, as an enlisted men, the three officers in the foreground stod out quickly...

I am curious as to whether the man in the all light colored uniform is the NCO in the group of men working on the balloon?? Thoughts?

Rod_Filan · 3 August 2009, 09:09 PM

The airship in the first photo is the 14,000 m³ French Astra-Torres Alsace. It was brought down 2-3 October 1915 by Germans while trying to cross the Front, resulting in a forced landing near the town of Rethel on the Aisne river. The photographers of the day capitalized on the event, printing several postcards of this airship in various degrees of deflation. The gondola, engines and accessories were also later displayed to the public. The Alsace was constructed from the 23,000 m³ Grand Cruiser Pilatre de Rozier, which because of unacceptable performance was divided into two smaller identical 90m x 16.5m A-T airships; Alsace and Pilatre de Rozier II.
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Cheers
Rod

Ritterton · 3 August 2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod_Filan

The airship in the first photo is the 14,000 m³ French Astra-Torres Alsace. It was brought down 2-3 October 1915 by Germans while trying to cross the Front, resulting in a forced landing near the town of Rethel on the Aisne river. The photographers of the day capitalized on the event, printing several postcards of this airship in various degrees of deflation. The gondola, engines and accessories were also later displayed to the public. The Alsace was constructed from the 23,000 m³ Grand Cruiser Pilatre de Rozier, which because of unacceptable performance was divided into two smaller identical 90m x 16.5m A-T airships; Alsace and Pilatre de Rozier II.
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Cheers
Rod

Thanks Rod - I wondered if it was the backside of the tree line seen in this postcard. THANK YOU FOR CONFIRMING IT.

Rod