Inflation Tube
The Inflation Tube was used to inflate the tail of the Barrage Balloons used during World War II to protect ports in England during the build-up for the D-Day invasion, and later to protect the troops on the beaches.
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This tube - 40 in (1 m) tall and 18 in (45 cm) in diameter - was used to inflate the tail of a barrage balloon. These balloons were used during World War II to protect the ports of England during the build up prior to the D-Day invasion and then to protect the troops on the Normandy beaches during the invasion. They would be tethered to the ground in large numbers (several thousand). Their tethers would become a hazard to low-flying aircraft on bombing raids.