More Gambetta

Here is a picture of Gambetta preparing to board his balloon, the Armand Barbès, 140 years ago today, in order to make his hazardous flight out of a besieged Paris.

Note the sailors on guard and assisting with the launch. Detachments from the French navy played a multitude of roles during the siege, from manning gunboats on the Seine to providing crews for many of the balloon flights from the city.

There is a good French language wiki entry on the balloon operations during the siege here.