WORLD WAR II - Photo-reconnaissance.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington · No longer available

A stunning selection of images taken by photo-reconnaissance squadrons of RAF 106 Group and US 7th Photo Group over enemy and enemy-occupied territory. Taken between February and July 1944, these remarkable large-scale images portray major operations against Axis infrastructure and the preparations for and execution of the Allied invasion of Europe. This is a well-curated selection in terms of both subject matter and size and quality of the prints. We have traced one other copy in institutional libraries, at the Library of Congress, donated by General Carl Spaatz, commander of Strategic Air Forces in Europe in 1944.The shots gathered here include the bombing of Berlin ("vast areas of Berlin in ruins"); the destruction of aircraft factories at Limoges, Gotha, Leipheim, and Marienburg and of the railway marshalling yards around Paris; 14 images relate to the D-Day landings and the operations immediately following, including landing craft protected by war ships off the coast and at the beaches, temporary harbour with "breakwater [which] consists of Merchantmen and old warships anchored in a continuous line while special pontoon sections make up another, and also piers and jetties"; Horsa and Hamilcar gliders at Caen; the bombardment of Caen; Tirpitz at her moorings in Kaafjord; oil refineries at Hamburg in flames; 13 images relating to the V Weapons project: Bois Carré, the first V1 launch site to be identified, before and after bombing; a V1 in the air pursued by a Hawker Tempe

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