Hi Schiller
FWIW the Approach end (or "downwind") cable often was used by aircraft such as the F-4, either following hydraulic problems or landing on a flooded runway - then again the F-4 was designed for such "abuse".
As I recall it the runway at Stanley ( Falklands) in the early 80's had 5 ( I think) cables, two at either end and one at the miodpoint and approach end engagements were the done thing.......it didn't always go as planned however, there was the F-4 that lost it's entire back end due to cable "whip".....anyone here care to own up?