Seifenblasen
"Seifenblasen" (Soap Bubbles) which were weather balloons with a metallic coating and carrying metal strips to confuse Allied radar. When spotted in the daylight sun or moonlit night the reflecting Seifenblasen gave the appearance of a Feuerball. They were derived from the Kriegsmarine’s U-boat secret weapon “Afrodita” (Aphrodite) anti-radar balloons, used as a decoy against patrolling Allied anti-submarine aircraft.
Since the Afrodita balloons worked with some measure of success, the ground-launched Seifenblasen were developed for use against Allied bomber and intruder aircraft radar.
Too add to Allied Intelligence confusing regarding these weapons, a third object was introduced - the Seifenblasen. These were large metallic-coated meteorological balloons that trailed foil strips to confuse Allied radar. Seen in the daylight sun or moonlit night the eerie slowly ascending Seifenblasen looked like a “Foo Fighter’ due to its reflection. But the Allies soon discovered what they were because they could be destroyed or either eventually destroyed themselves at high altitude.
Since the Afrodita balloons worked with some measure of success, the ground-launched Seifenblasen were developed for use against Allied bomber and intruder aircraft radar.
Too add to Allied Intelligence confusing regarding these weapons, a third object was introduced - the Seifenblasen. These were large metallic-coated meteorological balloons that trailed foil strips to confuse Allied radar. Seen in the daylight sun or moonlit night the eerie slowly ascending Seifenblasen looked like a “Foo Fighter’ due to its reflection. But the Allies soon discovered what they were because they could be destroyed or either eventually destroyed themselves at high altitude.