World War II Marine Officer...

This concrete structure formed the base of a substantial crane used during World War II at the US Marine Officer Training Academy. Recruits learned how to load and unload cargo using cranes, winches, and cables. This training was crucial because ships were highly vulnerable to attack during cargo transfers.

The "Flying Balloons" mentioned played a role in defense. These were barrage balloons, large blimp-shaped balloons tethered to the ground by cables. They were deployed to protect ships from low-flying enemy aircraft. The cables would entangle planes, or force them to fly higher, making them easier targets for anti-aircraft guns. You can still see cleats on the concrete block, which were used for tying up these large fabric balloons.

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