There are other ways of defending against air attack. In World War II,
cities were protected by balloon barrages. Hundreds of balloons were
sent high into the air. From them hung cables thousands of feet long.
Enemy aircraft sometimes flew against the thin steel cables and were
destroyed. Smoke screens were also used in antiaircraft defense.
There are other ways of defending against air attack. In World War II, cities were protected by balloon barrages. Hundreds of balloons were sent high into the air. From them hung cables thousands of feet long. Enemy aircraft sometimes flew against the thin steel cables and were destroyed. Smoke screens were also used in antiaircraft defense. Thousands of smoke pots were lighted around the place being defended, and the air soon became thick with smoke. Enemy pilots found it difficult to see the target through the smoke.
Smoke screens are no longer so effective, since enemy planes carry radar and can "see" through a smoke screen. Camouflage used to be another form of anti-aircraft defense. When something is camouflaged it is changed to look like something else. One form of camouflage is to paint a building in such a way that it looks like the country around it and cannot be distinguished from the air. Another form of camouflage uses nets with patches of cloth that look like leaves. These nets are often used to cover small buildings or artillery pieces.
Camouflage, like smoke screens, is no longer so effective. Enemy planes using radar can easily penetrate through camouflage A strong anti-aircraft defense is necessary to prevent war. If an enemy knows that a country is well-protected against air attack, it may not wage war against that country. Should war come, a strong anti-aircraft defense is absolutely necessary to protect the cities, airfields, factories and other important places against air attack.
