For many people, sandbags are simply used for protecting against flooding.At least, that’s what many people will think about when sandbags are talked about.Sandbags have many different uses, it is true.Flood damage can be protected against at little expense and relatively easily using sandbags however.

Sandbags can also be used in a military capacity.When the land forces move forwards quickly to take ground and secure it, they are often used to build protective barriers around bunkers.Positions can also be held once ground has been taken from the enemy using effective cover.

Sandbags were also used throughout the Second World War not only as bunker protection but also to help defeat German tanks.The Allies Sherman was an easy tank to produce, cheaper and easier to move about than the German Tiger.Sandbags were used to help reinforce the outside of the Sherman tanks and gave a sense of security and added morale to the tank crews inside them.

The ballast used in hot-air balloons is also often made up of disposable sandbags allowing for easy take-off.Clearly this needs to be done safely – no-one wants a sandbag landing on their head, unless of course the sandbag is being used as some sort of projectile.

The well known phrase ‘sandbagging’ also gets its name from sandbags.This is a means by which a person deviously gains an advantage over an opponent by deliberately understating their skills and talent.

Sandbags are a great invention, and help many overcome numerous problems that otherwise may not have had a cheap, reliable and often quick solution.