THE ~lR FORCE8 NF.i1'8. LETTER bombs and cameras, thus surprising the enemy redhanded in his most secret activities, Without the all-seeing hawk eyes of the aerial reconnaissance units, the British would not have been able to smash every German concentration along the invasion front. The much vaunted coordination-of the German armed forces would be impoesible without proper exploitation of aerial intelligence. The role of aerial photography has played a very large part in the success of blitakrieg tactics thus far. Actual war operations show a natural division on this whole function of aerial photographic intelligence. All the activity involving the operation of photo planes, aerial cameras, processing of films and preparation of flight diagrams falls within the scope of the photogrephic reconnabsance tacti-:a1 units of the Combat Conmand. The other function of exploiting and developinl the intelligence from the aerial photos falls within the sphere of photo interpretation units, placed so as to best serve the command echelons throughout the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s. Initi~l steps have already been taken to establish a Photo Interpretation Unit in the Intelligence Division of the Of. fice. Chief of <strong>Air</strong> Corps, in Washington, and throughout the Combat Conmand. Interpretation has been described as the sci~nce of determining the nature of various objects shown on photographs. and the discovery of hid~en objects which are either visible or known to exist. It is the practical application of the trained powers 01 deductive reasoning, with the aid of technical instruments, previous photographs and supplementary maps and information already collected about the territory being studied in the photograph. By putting together in time and space the total results of aerial reconnaissance. the photo interpreter converts hindsight into foresight, and puts the secrets hidden in the picture into a form of information that can be rapidly used in preparation for future action. The functions of a Photo Interpretation Uni tare: 1) To receive, record and collate all aerial photographs from all sources. 2) To develop by interpretation the maximum accurate intelligence from aerial photos in the mini._ time. 3) To prepare, arrange and reproduce this intelligence into the most concise and usable form. 4) To maintain a complete, current photolibrary and filing system wrth an adequate supply of all necessary technical instruments and aids to the task of interpretation. S) To assist in the training of personnel in all phases of photo interpretation. 6) To conduct research to test and improve methods of interpretation. 2 Theoretically, the operation of • photo interpretation unit is illustrated in ~ accompanyinl animated chart. -Shots" of tactical or stratelic activity of the ene~, as depicted at point A, are transmitted to a mobile or stationary photolraphic laboratory (at point B), where the film is quickly processed. The interpretation officer (C), who has been studyinl all previous photos and other available intellilence, is prepared to analyze speedily the new photos and report any activity which affec.s "the day-to-day conduct of the war." His quick" firstphase" interpretation is immediately transmitted to all tactical units affected. The value of this operation depends on speed and accuracy, which are both of the utmost importance. The films, prints and copies of the first-phase report are quickly forwarded to the Photo Interpretation Unit (point D). Copies of the prints go to points E and F for simultaneous processinl. The "seoond-pbsse" interpretation, administered at E, involves the plotting of the photos on large index or situation maps. The first-phase report is here verified and greatly amplified, .fter which it is forwarded to the HQ of tactical units at G. The final • third-phase" interpretation is a specialized strategic analysis. <strong>Office</strong>rs and civilian specialists in various spheres go over each photo minutely to extract every Irain of intelligenceaffecting their respective fields--for example, the Army. Navy, <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Force</strong>s or industrial fields. Ar~ specialists, for example, would offer their interpretation in the light of their knowledge of ground force tactics. army installations, equipment. anmunition dumps and barracks. Industrial specialists would be well versed -in the appearance and importance of oil refineries, power stations, munitions industries, railroad center, all types of manufacturing, docks and shipping. The results of their analyses are Iraphically illustrated and arranged into a final interpre~a" tion report by a staff of photogrammetric draftsmen and clerical assistants, comprising officers, enlisted men and civilians. These final interpretation reports provide valuable source material in the preparation of air estimate, objective and target folders (point H). They also play an essential role in the functions of the War Room and are given a limited distribution to the higher echelons of command. The Army's first course in photo interpretation given in recent years was concluded <strong>Jul</strong>y' 22, <strong>1941</strong>, at the Engineer's School, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Seventy-five officers, including two from the Marine Corps, successfully completed the course and many are now taking steps to train personnel for photo interpretation unit •• t th.ir variou. .tations.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Pag"! Reorganizat
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THE BIG BABY SOLOED B,19 Test Fligh
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ENLISTED PILOTS BEGIN TRAINING Gulf
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CABBAGE AND X-C DON'T MIX World War
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SIXTEEN NEW FIELDS "CHRISTENED" A D
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MAXWELL MANEUVERS TEACH FIELD DUTIE
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FLEDGLING SON OF FAtvf.OUS FATHER C
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- Page 25 and 26: THE JOB OF AIR CORPS TEST PILOTS Mu
- Page 27 and 28: A ... .&. ... "'.....J.....J -.,.,.
- Page 29 and 30: .All tb1'ee f01'lll8 of converted i
- Page 31 and 32: KEEP ,EM FLYING! Blood and hunger,
- Page 34 and 35: GENERAL ANDREWS COMMANDS THE CARIlm
- Page 36 and 37: The Army Air Forces' first glider,
- Page 38 and 39: GUDERS ••• (Ooncluded) spect
- Page 40 and 41: WE LEARNED... llpee!. So8riDg 18 a0
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- Page 46 and 47: increased it. al t1tude of flight 4
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- Page 50 and 51: LANDING various materials under con
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- Page 56 and 57: "VIET ." (Ooncluded) Junker-87 bomb
- Page 58 and 59: WE LEAIlJWED... (Concluded) nights.
- Page 60 and 61: FACILITIES. •• (Concluded) twee
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- Page 107 and 108: IN THE FIELD WITH THE ARMY AIR FORC
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- Page 119 and 120: .. An Equipment Review GERMAN AIRCR
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Graham CA-ackersfor Grounded Flyers
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A Veteran Retires FRANK P. LAHM APP
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New Marine Air Units MORE FEATHERS
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Wholesale Mess nail Feeding Them by
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The Bristol LIght Bom.ber Night Fig
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THE MONTH IN REVIEW hy FALK HARMEL
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Your Lite insurance SELF PROTECTION
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en eng ing the application. It is h
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LAHM .•• (Continued From Page 1
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"I I., K.NOW YOUR AIR~RAFT
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCES WASHIN
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THE .tIIR FORCES NEWS LETTER . ;:..
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THF ATR FORCES NEWS LETTER ,I I whe
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THE AIR FORCES NEWS LETTER chanical
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C I ~ . fjQ III ....
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he reports direction and distance f
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DEFENSE 0 00 (Continued From P.~. 1
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e shown repeatedly if necessar,. Fi
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THE AIR FORCES NliWS LETTER has in
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Air Forees Seareh Oeean Flight Ende
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"E" Awards at Langley Engineering M
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accessory emergency unit (emergency
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NOVEMBER F941 Further Expansion Und
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THE AIR FORCES NEWS LETTER Decorati
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would have been consumed in filling
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£AMEIlA ••• \Continued 'r_ P
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