​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ WW2 Aerial Reconnaissance Studies 

​TOPIC or COUNTRY

 This site began more than five years ago while surveying available on-line WW II aerial reconnaissance photos.  Aside from personal interest, my aim was to apply the tradecraft of imagery analysis by systematically searching the images, identifying items of interest, and relating them to contemporary events for context.  Since it reflects only what I have come across in my survey, the website has  no particular theme or focus. The resulting articles provide only a snapshot of places and events, but I hope this approach offers something a bit different for those interested in WW II  history. 

The imagery that I used comes from three collections.  Most recently I have relied upon the holdings of  The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and  the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) at Edinburgh, Scotland.  Early on, the website 'WW2 Aerial Photos and Maps'  was very useful.  Much of the NCAP holdings are digitized and can be viewed on-line for purchase.  As of June 2017 NCAP was partnering with NARA  to digitize some of its holdings – at this point  mainly German (GX) imagery. 

I hope the information is informative and useful; most of all, I hope it helps to  highlight the potential of WWII aerial photoreconnaissance for historical research.

​John M.