The British navy in 1854 fitted out with balloons for bombarding cities according to the local Dutch newspaper Goessche Courant

In 1854 England was involved in the so-called Crimean war with Russia as opponent. In the Dutch newspaper dated 2 March 1853 appeared next very small but quite interesting news item. The British fleet was well equipped with balloons filled with combustible substance to be used when with a favourite wind cities were passed to overwhelm the latter.