Ep 8. The Day the Balloon Went Up

It is a warm and sunny day in Walmington-on-Sea and the members of the Home Guard are enjoying a lazy afternoon. But things quickly take a turn for the worse when a barrage balloon breaks free from its moorings and begins floating towards the town. The balloon comes to rest on the roof of Mainwaring's bank, where it becomes entangled in the antenna of the local radio station.

As news spreads of the balloon's arrival, panic sets in and the townspeople begin to evacuate. The Home Guard are called into action to help control the situation and keep order. Meanwhile, the station manager and his staff are stuck on the roof with the balloon, unable to get down.

In the chaos that ensues, Mainwaring and his men attempt to use a ladder to rescue the stranded radio staff. However, they soon realize that the ladder is too short and they are unable to reach the roof. Jones comes up with the idea to use a trebuchet, which they had been planning to use in a wartime recreation. The trebuchet successfully launches a bag of sand to create a pulley system, which allows the radio staff to safely descend from the roof.

As the situation comes under control, the Home Guard realize that they have inadvertently activated the town's air raid siren. They quickly turn it off but not before a German bomber takes notice and begins to descend towards the town. The Home Guard must now think quickly to prevent a disaster and save their beloved town from bombing.

As the bomber approaches, the Home Guard struggles to mount an effective defense. Their attempts to shoot the bomber down with the town's anti-aircraft gun fail and it appears that all is lost. But in a stroke of luck, the bomber pilot spots a familiar statue in the town and realizes that he has mistakenly targeted the wrong location. He pulls up at the last second, narrowly missing the town.

The members of the Home Guard breathe a collective sigh of relief as the bomber disappears into the sky. They have successfully averted disaster once again and saved their town from destruction. As they celebrate their victory, they realize that the day the balloon went up was also the day that they proved their mettle and demonstrated that they were a force to be reckoned with.

Overall, "The Day the Balloon Went Up" is a thrilling episode of Dad's Army that showcases the bravery and ingenuity of the Home Guard. From the trebuchet rescue to the nail-biting confrontation with the bomber, this episode keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. With its lighthearted humor, memorable characters, and engaging storylines, Dad's Army remains a beloved classic of British television.