Spitfire Photo-Recce Units of World War 2

Spitfire Photo-Recce Units of World War 2 PDF Author: Andrew Fletcher
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472854624
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 183

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Book Description
A fascinating exploration of the feats of the RAF's photographic reconnaissance aircraft. The photographic reconnaissance (PR) versions of the Supermarine Spitfire saw service against the Axis Tripartite throughout World War 2. Its superior performance even led to the USAAF adopting the type for the Eighth Air Force's reconnaissance needs in Europe. PR Spitfires were responsible for some of the most significant intelligence finds of the war – from low-level oblique photographs of new German radars in France to locating the battleship Bismarck off the Norwegian coast before it attempted to sortie into the Atlantic. It has been estimated that as much as 80 per cent of Allied intelligence was gathered from aerial photographs, many of which were taken by cameras installed in PR Spitfires. In this volume, RAF PR specialist Andrew Fletcher details the important part played by the small number of 'photo-recce' Spitfires in the key theatres of World War 2. His detailed text, which includes numerous first-hand accounts, chronicles operations from the first months of the conflict through to VJ Day.

Spitfire Photo-Recce Units of World War 2

Spitfire Photo-Recce Units of World War 2 PDF Author: Andrew Fletcher
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472854624
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 183

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Book Description
A fascinating exploration of the feats of the RAF's photographic reconnaissance aircraft. The photographic reconnaissance (PR) versions of the Supermarine Spitfire saw service against the Axis Tripartite throughout World War 2. Its superior performance even led to the USAAF adopting the type for the Eighth Air Force's reconnaissance needs in Europe. PR Spitfires were responsible for some of the most significant intelligence finds of the war – from low-level oblique photographs of new German radars in France to locating the battleship Bismarck off the Norwegian coast before it attempted to sortie into the Atlantic. It has been estimated that as much as 80 per cent of Allied intelligence was gathered from aerial photographs, many of which were taken by cameras installed in PR Spitfires. In this volume, RAF PR specialist Andrew Fletcher details the important part played by the small number of 'photo-recce' Spitfires in the key theatres of World War 2. His detailed text, which includes numerous first-hand accounts, chronicles operations from the first months of the conflict through to VJ Day.

A Spy in the Sky

A Spy in the Sky PDF Author: Kenneth B. Johnson
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526761572
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
“An enjoyable ramble . . . the memoir of an unassuming, self-doubting aviator who, despite himself, proved to be pretty bloody good.” —Aircrew Book Review Many stories abound of the daring exploits of the RAF’s young fighter pilots defying the might of Hitler’s Luftwaffe, yet little has been written about the pilots who provided the key evidence that guided the RAF planners—the aerial photographers. Ken Johnson joined No.1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit as an eighteen-year-old. In this lighthearted reminiscence, he relives his training and transfer to an operational unit, but not the one he had expected. He had asked if he could fly Spitfires. He was granted that request, only to find himself joining a rare band of flyers who took to the skies alone, and who flew in broad daylight to photograph enemy installations with no radios and no armament. Unlike the fighter pilots who sought out enemy aircraft, the pilots of the PRU endeavored to avoid all contact; returning safely with their vital photographs was their sole objective. As well as flying in northern Europe, Ken Johnson was sent to North Africa, where his squadron became part of the United States Army Air Force North West African Photographic Wing (NAPRW). In this role, he flew across southern Europe, photographing targets in France and Italy. The Spy in the Sky fills a much-needed gap in the history of the RAF and, uniquely, the USAAF during the latter stages of the Second World War. “The sorties he flew are nothing less than heroic . . . his writing style is very good, and very humorous at that!” —Flyin’ and Ridin’ Blog

Spitfire Photo-Recce Units of World War 2

Spitfire Photo-Recce Units of World War 2 PDF Author: Andrew Fletcher
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472854594
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 97

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Book Description
A fascinating exploration of the feats of the RAF's photographic reconnaissance aircraft. The photographic reconnaissance (PR) versions of the Supermarine Spitfire saw service against the Axis Tripartite throughout World War 2. Its superior performance even led to the USAAF adopting the type for the Eighth Air Force's reconnaissance needs in Europe. PR Spitfires were responsible for some of the most significant intelligence finds of the war – from low-level oblique photographs of new German radars in France to locating the battleship Bismarck off the Norwegian coast before it attempted to sortie into the Atlantic. It has been estimated that as much as 80 per cent of Allied intelligence was gathered from aerial photographs, many of which were taken by cameras installed in PR Spitfires. In this volume, RAF PR specialist Andrew Fletcher details the important part played by the small number of 'photo-recce' Spitfires in the key theatres of World War 2. His detailed text, which includes numerous first-hand accounts, chronicles operations from the first months of the conflict through to VJ Day.

World War II Photo Intelligence

World War II Photo Intelligence PDF Author: Roy M. Stanley (II.)
Publisher: Scribner Book Company
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description


Air Force Combat Units of World War II

Air Force Combat Units of World War II PDF Author: Maurer Maurer
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428915850
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 520

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Book Description


Combat Squadrons of the Air Force; World War II.

Combat Squadrons of the Air Force; World War II. PDF Author: Maurer Maurer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 856

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Book Description
This collection of squadron histories has been prepared by the USAF Historical Division to complement the Division's book, Air Force Combat Units of World War II. The 1,226 units covered by this volume are the combat (tactical) squadrons that were active between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Each squadron is traced from its beginning through 5 March 1963, the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the 1st Aero (later Bombardment) Squadron, the first Army unit to be equipped with aircraft for tactical operations. For each squadron there is a statement of the official lineage and data on the unit's assignments, stations, aircraft and missiles, operations, service streamers, campaign participation, decorations, and emblem.

Mosquito Photo-Reconnaissance Units of World War 2

Mosquito Photo-Reconnaissance Units of World War 2 PDF Author: Martin Bowman
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9781855328914
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The third volume in the trilogy of Combat Aircraft titles devoted to de Havilland's 'wooden wonder', this book focuses on the Mosquito photo-recce variants of World War II (1939-1945) as well as their users. The design's superb performance, and ability to escape interception by enemy fighters made the Mosquito the ideal choice for the RAF's then embryonic photographic reconnaissance force. The production standard PR1 subsequently became the first Mosquito variant of any kind to see operational service with the RAF, flying its first sortie [over France] on 20 September 1941. These aircraft flew all manner of bomber support missions ranging from simple post-raid photo-recce to weather checking and experimental H2X radar photo-mapping. All are detailed in this volume.

Targeting the Reich

Targeting the Reich PDF Author: Alfred Price
Publisher: Greenhill Books
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
This valuable book, compiled and arranged by the leading authority on World War II aviation, brings together some of the most fascinating results of those aerial sorties over Europe. It includes more than 150 clear and precise photographs of targets--whether factories, railway yards, warships, or troop concentrations. Targeting the Reich is an authoritative and enthralling study of aerial warfare and a key to understanding the importance of reconnaissance in the grueling campaign to bomb Germany into submission.

One Flight Too Many

One Flight Too Many PDF Author: Jimmy Taylor
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780957221000
Category : Aerial photography
Languages : en
Pages : 748

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Book Description
Photographic Reconnaissance (PR) has recently caught public interest and this book, written by a former PR Spitfire pilot, gives a very clear description of what he had to do, the aircraft and cameras he was given, how he planned and took his photographs, and how he navigated his way, alone and unarmed under constant observation by enemy radar, to his distant targets in Occupied Europe and Germany, often in difficult weather conditions, and returned safely with the films containing information of vital importance to the photo-interpreters at RAF Medmenham and to the Allied commanders. This is also Jimmy Taylor's autobiography, so the reader has access to his frank contemporary diary of autumn 1944 and goes with him on his exciting sorties, including when he was chased by a then-unknown German jet, and his last one, when his engine blewup and forced him to parachute into a part of eastern Holland and led to his eventual capture. It also set in train a heart-rending German atrocity, which still calls him back every year to the families of the victims.It led to his meeting many historians, both Dutch and English, and so to his discovering the remarkable activities of his 16 Squadron during Operation 'Market Garden', the experiences, both cheerful and tragic, of his friends and colleagues in the RAF, and the heroic behaviour of the Dutch Resistance. Jimmy Taylor's progress through his training in Britain and America, his wartime flying and treatment as a prisoner, his post-war career and subsequent involvement with gliding, with his wartime colleagues and their later successors flying modern aircraft, and with the media, is told with humour and modesty and makes for fascinating reading, and is enhanced with hundreds of photographs taken at the time, including some of his own sorties. This is a great book in every sense: it will enlighten readers who are curious about the work of the PR squadrons and will fascinate aviation enthusiasts of all ages. It has appeared at the right moment and may well become a classic. The Cover Picture This was one of several taken in 1943 by the distinguished aviation photographer Charles E. Brown of Spitfire XI EN654.This served on 16 Squadron from June 1943, and Jimmy Taylor flew it from A12 airstrip in Normandy to B48 Amiens-Glisy on 9th September1944 when the Squadron moved its base. Two days later it was badly damaged in an accident, was sent to the UK for repair, and never returned to the Squadron. Photo: the Charles E. Brown Collection

Allied Photo Reconnaissance of World War Two

Allied Photo Reconnaissance of World War Two PDF Author: Chris Staerck
Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (CA)
ISBN: 9781571451613
Category : Aerial reconnaissance
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Until now, this decisive area of battlecraft has been relatively unheeded by historians. Allied Photo Reconnaissance of World War II convincingly redresses this oversight and chronicles this fascinating area giving a thorough account of many of World War II's most legendary operations, including the Dambuster Raid, Monte Cassino and the Normandy landings. The critical nature of airborne reconnaissance to both of the opposing sides and the propaganda uses to which the resulting information was put is comprehensively discussed. Detailed analysis of famous military actions are provided from the perspective of photo-reconnaissance. Also covered are the principal aircraft used by the RAF and USAAF, the range of camera equipment available to them, and the organization of Photo Reconnaissance units.