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9 History Facts so Weird They Seem Fake (But Aren’t)

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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

1. Balloons have long been used in spies and wars

For most of you who are truly passionate about history, this isn’t a surprise. In the past, balloons have been used in more openly aggressive ways. For instance, under Professor Thaddeus Lowe’s leadership, the Union army operated a balloon program during the American Civil War. The Peninsula Campaign of 1862 made heavy use of the Balloon Corps, which used its vantage point to offer details on the size and positioning of Confederate forces.

During World War II, the Japanese dropped approximately 1,000 fiery balloons over the United States in an effort to start forest fires and frighten the populace. Despite having little strategic consequence, one of the balloons killed six Americans in Oregon in May 1945. In contrast, the U.S. used manned airships during the conflict, primarily for reconnaissance.

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  1. At the beginning of World War I, observation balloons were so important that enemy forces tried to shoot them down. An Italian biplane pilot was harassing and shooting his revolver at an unarmed balloon observer when the man grew frustrated and threw his map case at the pilot. It hit and briefly stunned the pilot, who lost control of his plane and crashed. The incident remains the only time a balloon defeated an airplane in combat.

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