Protection concept
In total, the Balloon Command team lifted about 2,000 balloons into the sky. The return to several archaic methods was the result of the fact that while bypassing the dam is not a problem for human-manned aircraft (at best, this could lead to a loss of combat order, making it difficult to conduct an organized and therefore effective bombing attack), for flying bombs it could become an impassable obstacle. The effectiveness of the balloons was negligible, so they were considered as the last element of protection. The Polish pilot Bogdan Arct, who flew in the UK, describes their usefulness as follows: the balloon dam, although it consisted of more than two thousand balloons, could not cope with its task, and the V-1 passed through it like a sieve, and sometimes only very rarely, after meeting in flight, they wound up on steel cable.
Traditional anti-aircraft artillery for intercepting Luftwaffe aircraft was at the center of the defense system. At that time, Great Britain used mainly two types of guns - heavy 94mm Vickers and Swedish 40mm Bofors. Others, such as the 20 mm caliber, were less important because of the too high ceiling on which the flying bombs operated. Often, even if hit, a projectile of such a small caliber could not penetrate the armor of the V-1. Especially the first guns, adopted in 1937, were very effective, reaching 82 percent. The British defense was supported by Americans armed with M1 90mm anti-aircraft guns with radar guidance (SCR-268, then SCR-584).
Radar operators struggled not only with short reaction times, but also with difficulties in detecting missiles. Although the radars installed in the late 1930s had a claimed range of about 200 km, in practice, the V-1 was detected only 80 km from the station. The main problem was to distinguish a rocket from an airplane, a difficult task, especially given the heavy air traffic over the English Channel since June 1944. Identification problems led to the urgent modernization of four radar stations: Beachy Head and Fairlight (until July 14) and Swingate and Foreness (until August 9). Devices that were supposed to distinguish between engine operation were also tested, but without success.
Much more fruitful for the overall effectiveness of British air defense was the use of modern American early warning systems using microwave radiation (MEW). The main advantage of the device, which has been in use in Fairlight (East Sussex, east of Hastings) since June 29, was the longer detection range - and therefore more time to take defensive measures. The best way to get a free 1xbet promo code bonus to visit the 1xBet website and sign up for their newsletter. This will allow you to receive regular updates on the latest promotions and offers, including free 1xBet Promo Codes. You can also follow 1xBet on social media, where they often post promotional codes and offers.