Very nice map.
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Up Ship - Naval Lighter Than Air
- Thread starter PhrogPhlyer
- Start date
Just watched a show about the Battle of Point Judith. It was the last WWII U-boat attack near American soil (Near Fort Greene, RI) which involved two blimps (K-16 & K-58). The U-Boat sank a coal ship, then was attacked by surface ships, and the two blimps. Interesting fact. The US Navy had 134 K-class blimps during WWII.
A K-class airship of Blimp Patrol Squadron (ZP) 14 overhead of USS Langley (CVL-27) off Norfolk, Virginia, on 6 October 1943.
A little know side of the Army's LTA (Barrage Balloon) support, 81 years ago on D-Day.
Arriving on Utah and Omaha beaches alongside the infantry in 150 landing craft, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion became the only black combat unit to see action on D-Day. Braving enemy fire, they flew and maintained their flammable balloons (hydrogen inflated) at an altitude of roughly 200 feet, tethered to cables with the aim of creating a hazardous thicket to discourage the Luftwaffe from strafing the beaches. Their conduct that day earned them a commendation from Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who cited the 320th for conducting “its mission with courage and determination” and proving itself “an important element of the air defense team“.
Arriving on Utah and Omaha beaches alongside the infantry in 150 landing craft, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion became the only black combat unit to see action on D-Day. Braving enemy fire, they flew and maintained their flammable balloons (hydrogen inflated) at an altitude of roughly 200 feet, tethered to cables with the aim of creating a hazardous thicket to discourage the Luftwaffe from strafing the beaches. Their conduct that day earned them a commendation from Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who cited the 320th for conducting “its mission with courage and determination” and proving itself “an important element of the air defense team“.
The Army had several blimps, but had failed to establish a mission need for having them.
Several were transferred to the Navy. Much learned from flying the TC-14 went into the development of the K-class blimps.
Note it's unique twin lower rudders. The upper vertical stabilizer had no rudder.
Several were transferred to the Navy. Much learned from flying the TC-14 went into the development of the K-class blimps.
Note it's unique twin lower rudders. The upper vertical stabilizer had no rudder.
While piloting a British blimp, Ensign Norman Jackson Learned, U.S.N.R.-F-C. was the only U.S. Navy aviator who successfully led an attack that sunk a German U-boat during World War 1.
The complete story can be read here:
nauticaspace.com
The complete story can be read here:
“LIGHTER THAN AIR”
THE EXPLOITS OF AN AMERICAN PILOT IN WORLD WAR I – ENSIGN NORMAN JACKSON LEARNED, U.S.N.R.-F-C. By Bruce McWhirk (photo: Elmira Star-Gazette) Ensign Norman Jackson Learned, U.S.N.R.-F-C. was the on…
nauticaspace.com
On 30 June 1932 ZR-3, USS Los Angeles was formally decommissioned with the command of her last Captain, Commander F.T. Berry USN to "Haul down the Commission Pennant."
She is the only US airship to receive a formal ship decommissioning.
Although she would again fly, rather than being decommissioned again, she was instead stricken from the Navy's list of ships.
In the 1920's and 1930's Navy Officers and rated personnel moved seamlessly between surface and airship assignments.
Time ordered to the Navy airships was counted as sea-duty.
She is the only US airship to receive a formal ship decommissioning.
Although she would again fly, rather than being decommissioned again, she was instead stricken from the Navy's list of ships.
In the 1920's and 1930's Navy Officers and rated personnel moved seamlessly between surface and airship assignments.
Time ordered to the Navy airships was counted as sea-duty.
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Interesting detail on the commissioning status vs just an aircraft