EYES OF THE FLEET

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 143, 9 October 1942, Page 3

EYES OF THE FLEET

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY THE FLEET AIR ARM TELL THE EXPERTS MANY OF THE ENEMY’S SECRETS.

By

in “Modern World.”

No longer are our cruisers the “eyes of the fleet.” The Fleet Air Arm has taken over the job and its flying patrols now operate as binoculars for the convoy vessels far below. The photographic section of the fleet air arm is now carrying out important reconnaissance flights over enemy territory and ships. Intensive training both in flying and in the technical subjects relating to photography are carried out at Royal Navy schools of air photography. In the early days of the war aerial photography was principally confined to the R.A.F., but with the rapid expansion of the navy’s town air force, the work of the section has taken on ever increasing importance. . . . ' \ The value and development of aerial photography goes back many years, to the days when peaceful pursuits took the place of intensive • fighting training in the production of personnel for the R A.F. Aerial photography was linked with exploration and map making in those days, but'even as long ago as 1931 the celluloid negatives were capable of revealing secrets hidden from experts studying the ground, over which planes flew to obtain their pictures. Through studying aerial pictures taken in a flight over Hadrian’s Wall, experts were able to detect signs of four camps which had been missed by archaeologists, as well as traces of unsuspected buildings forming an early encampment. \

Since this time the science of photography from the air has been developed to such an extent as to make very few secrets capable qf remaining hidden from the powerful lenses of warplane cameras. Each strip of negative has a story to tell to the shrewd expert, ' and the information gleaned in this way, used in conjunction with verbal reports, makes the task of each. side far more complicated in a modern war.

- During our operations in Norway, fleet air arm pictures told our naval authorities what was happening in the fjords, and of ’the progress of enemy supply and troopships as they crept along the rocky coast. To the uninitiated the view of an enemy naval base taken at a good height may convey little meaning-, but the eagle eyes of’the intelligence officers can extract a wealth of information from its study. They see much more than the harbour, stretching far below the fastmoving plane. They can detect activity in the building yards; number of ships moored to the quays, even their identity, to say nothing of such interesting facts .as whether the vessels are loading or have steam up, ready to sail -with the coming tide. . As the eyes of the navy patrol their beats they can take pictures of likely quiet anchorages; shallow water where U-boats may lie up between raids. Even from the air there may appear to be no sign of a marauder, but when the photographs are examined by an experienced eye, a lurking shadow may betray the submarine. An important feature of land photography is that pictures taken at in- ; tervals disclose any change that may , have taken place in the way of building, new fortifications, and a hundred ■ and one other little things which may ■ ’give useful tips for future operations. Equipment of warplanes for aerial photographs usually includes two fool-

proof cameras. It is essential that they should require the minimum of attention, and one is usually completely automatic. It is fitted with interchangeable magazine, capable of taking 125 exposures at a charge. Good pictures necessitate the plane flying on a straight and level course. Photographs may be taken at low levels when ground defences allow for a swoop out of the clouds, but the . development of telescopic lenses has made it possible for pictures to be taken from even 24,000 feet which provide revealing detail when examined by an expert. Taking the photographs is a risky job at most times. Pictures may be obtained by using the automatic camera at heights of a few thousand feet, but when opportunity occurs for closeups at low level the observer may emplay the other camera which is most suitable for oblique angle work. When the negatives have been exposed the plane returns to its base. Waiting are the' men who have been trained to develop and print the . precious strips of celluloid. Whilst they are at their work the observer is making his report. The observer’s story studied in conjunction with the finished prints are the material upon; which the experts reach their conclusions. With magnifier and stereoscope they are able to extract the enemy’s secrets and read far more into the picture than was seen by the observer when he flew over the target.