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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 1271.PDF
Jess 22OT, T944 f £ / with the invasion has been the mapping of the Con tinental coast. This has gone on for over two years. The actual beaches and littoral of the invasion area were photographed at every state of the tide to obtain exactly the gradients to be traversed and to assess what obstructions would be met. The beaches no longer interest them, and they are now keeping an eye—or rather many eyes—on the roads, railways, bridges, canals and rivers in the back areas. They are probably also doing special work for the planning staff which may not reach fruition for months to come. Quite by the way, and just to show how thoroughly these things are attended to, it is interest ing to know that there is a special body of railway men who have been trained to read air photographs and who now assess the effect of the damage caused by the bombing of railways. Photographic Requirements One of the essentials of flying for photographs is that the actual taking run shall be straight and level and free from enemy interference. That is the reason for the selection of high-speed aircraft—special Spitfires and Mosquitoes— i and also the reason for the great height at which they fly. * • Not but what the pilots are prepared to take any necessary risk if the need is sufficient. For critical invasion-day photographs they were prepared to come down, if neces sary, from 30,000ft. to 5,000ft. Actually, the weather was bad, and they came down as low as 1,500ft. These pilots and navigators may go out totally unarmed many miles 'deep into enemy territory. Any armament carried would cut down speed and range. On the special Spitfires which are used, the leading edges and main spars have been sealed off and become two long auxiliary fuel tanks. Behind the main spar, just outboard of the wheel recess, on both port and starboard sides, automatic cameras are fitted. They have only 5m. focus lenses and project but
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