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The Downs Recorder ‐ Richard Bland History of the Downs in ten Objects. No 8 The Telegraph Pole at the Observatory. The telegraph pole in the photo is high above the Suspension Bridge by the Observatory, which was a Barrage Balloon site, and has its number and 39 incised into the wood, indicating the date it was put up. Three of the original series of poles, which ran down the slope and across the road to the local Barrage Balloon Headquarters at 3 Caledonia Place, remain. A plaque has recently been attached as a result of the efforts of Maggie Shapland, whose dedicated research is the basis of what follows.
of the balloons took place between March and July 1939 both for training, and to stimulate recruitment. In the event, though the first bombing raid was on June 25 1940, when the first real attack of November 24th 1940 came, the Balloons had little effect. It seems to be clear that some of the sites were deliberately attacked, and more than one balloon was cut adrift, but they entirely failed to prevent massive destruction of many areas of the city, though the key objective, to destroy the operation of the city docks, failed. There were further attacks between January and April 1941, and the balloons continued to be flown, but it was clear by then that fighters and radar were the best defence.
In 1943 the American Second Army came to Clifton, followed by the First Army, and they took The outbreak of war saw the Downs transformed. over most of the buildings around the Downs, and all Protection of Bristol from bombing was the the area to the west of immediate need, and the example of Guernica in Stoke Road which became 1936 had forced both the civil and military authorities to prepare in advance for both popular a major Tank Depot. Large temporary buildings panic and the probability of the use of gas. Plans were carefully laid as the issue of gas masks to all, were established, including and the scattering of London children around the a drainage system down the Gully, and tanks were landed in Avonmouth and thundered up Stoke Hill country, demonstrated. Bomb shelters were to be got ready for action. The entire planning for commandeered or created, and static water tanks erected at locations around the city on the correct D Day was done in Clifton, and the tanks all assumption that water supplies would be disrupted. vanished on June 4th 1944. The damage they did to the surface was massive, and it was not until 1949 that the Downs Football League was able to To prevent bombing attacks on cities barrage resume play. balloons were prepared. They were placed randomly around cities, at a height of 5000 to The Downs are for people, and the 10000 feet to force the bombers either to drop their weapons from such a height that they would management of a vast number of competing interests is sophisticated and subtle. be inaccurate, or to come in low and risk attack from anti-aircraft batteries or fighters. The balloons were 68 feet long, 27 feet in diameter, and If you enjoy the Downs, or use if for your sport, why not become a Friend? Membership is just filled with hydrogen. £10. For more information please visit our website fodag-bristol.weebly.com or contact There were 50 balloon sites around Bristol, 32 Robin Haward by emailing around Avonmouth, and 16 protected Filton. On robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk the Downs there were sites at the Look Out on 0117 974 3385 or visit Sion Hill, the Observatory, the top of Bridge Valley Road and the Water Tower. Public demonstrations