Siege of Paris, Hydrogen Balloon, 1870
French balloon over Prussian lines, 1870. The Siege of Paris (September 19, 1870 - January 28, 1871) and the consequent capture of the city by Prussian forces, led to French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Balloon mail was the only means by which communications from the besieged city could reach the rest of France. Around 66 balloon flights were made, including one that accidentally set a world distance record by ending up in Norway. The vast majority succeeded: only five were captured by the Prussians, and three went missing, presumably coming down in the Atlantic or Irish Sea. The number of letters carried has been estimated at around 2.5 million
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Accidentally Ballooning Balloonist Besieged Consequent Ending Estimated Figuier Flights Franco-prussian Grandes Hydrogen Inventions Majority Means Presumably Prussians Reach Reconaissance Succeeded Surveillance Vast
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