AIR 3PY
By
The author, who was a photograph interpreter for the Allied air forces in England during World War II, has related the story of the role of Photographic Intelligence in World War II, from the first use of serial reconnaissance by the French in 1914, through the impetus given it by the unorthodox daredevil Sidney Cotton for the British in 1939, to its use for D Day. Some highlighted events are: the Commando raids, the Allied bombing offensive and the threatened invasion of England. Through the work of Photographic Intelligence, the British were able to watch this German ""Operation Sea Lion"". The author notes that the advancement and success of Photographic Intelligence did not depend exclusively on improvements in equipment but was due largely to individual talents and initiative. Courage too was not lacking for those who flew alone and unarmed to get the pictures. A competent book not without a human interest appeal.