Captive balloons, also known as kite balloons or observation balloons, were small, nonrigid balloons used by both sides. They were tethered to the ground behind the lines, allowing an observer in a basket hanging underneath the balloon to see what the enemy was doing and direct artillery fire. They typically rose to 3,000 or 4,000 ft. above the ground. Because of their shape, they were often called “sausages” by English speaking troops, or saucisse by the French. The Germans called them Drachen, which means “Dragon” or “Kite.” This German balloon is just being launched. (Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-00321A,_Westfront,_Aufsteigender_Fesselballon..jpg)