Aerial view.

Description Aerial view.

Date 1940

Collection Records of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), Second World War Aerial Reconnaissance

Catalogue Number C 47632

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 424576

Scope and Content Luftwaffe aerial photograph of Glasgow Rubber Works, 125-129 Shuna Street, Glasgow The buildings of the Glasgow Rubber Works are clearly outlined in the bottom right of this photograph, while the intelligence notes below describe its internal features. These include a boiler house ('1'), factory buildings ('2') and the plant's administration buildings ('3'). Other industrial sites identified as targets in this photograph include the Dawsholm and Temple gasworks, which can be seen at the top of the photograph, annotated as 'GB 52 44' (note the distinctive circular gasometers). Luftwaffe intelligence officers have also identified the sites of four barrage balloons (described in the intelligence notes as 'Sperrballon'), which are circled. Barrage balloons were deployed extensively in Glasgow during World War II and were used as protection for many of the wartime industries based within the city. The balloons were from RAF Bishopbriggs. They were used to discourage enemy aircraft from attempting dive-bombing and pinpoint bombing raids. Each balloon was fixed to a winch vehicle by strong cables which would seriously damage any aircraft that collided with them. One of the areas marked as a balloon site was called locally, "The Balloon". It is situated off Dorchester Avenue (Glasgow G12) and is the sight of former MOD housing. Taken during aerial reconnaissance by the Luftwaffe in July 1940, this photograph shows industrial sites such as gasworks and the Glasgow Rubber Works. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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