Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0142Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of the sky - an observation balloon and an airplane are black shapes against a white cloud. Above the image "W160 (Star)" is printed, below the image "V18923 Observation Balloon Fatally Pierced by Incendiary Bullets from American Plane." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Underwood & Underwood, Inc. Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
V18923
OBSERVATION BALLOON FATALLY PIERCED BY INCENDIARY BULLETS FROM AMERICAN PLANE
Far above the surfcae of the earth you can see one of the battles of the air, with the American aviator in his 'plane victorious over the German observation balloon. Swinging in the tiny wicker basket which to you seems just a dot beneath the balloon, a German officer has been watching the least little movement behind the lines of the American troops.
It was to defeat his purpose that the American in his 'plane ventured over the lines and gave battle. Swooping swiftly, curiving and diving to avoid the hail of mahcine gun bullets and high explosive shells thith which the Germans sought to bar his path, he reached his goal and with incendiary bullets truck at the hugh gas bag.
One of his bullets has penetrated it, less than a minute ago, for within a few seconds the balloon will be entirely consumed with the flames, and the observer will have attempted to save his life by jumping with his parachute. In the length of time that it takes you to look at the balloon with its finlike projections at the stern to add to its stabilty, the hghly inflammable gas will have burned and the few bits of charred wreckage dropped to the earth.
His work done, the aviator is turning to journey back toward his own lines, three or four miles over enemy territory, to report ; "one 'blimp' shot down."
Copyrigh by The Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection