Recce report

[Henofred]

Hi,

I am reading a book about the 7th PRG and I would like to know what is a “Form White” at the time of a reconnaissance mission
Thank you by advance for your explanations.

All the best,
Frederic.

[Matzos]

Firstly sorry about the delay in replying

When a PR pilot landed he reported to the Intelligence Officer who would write down such details as objectives, heights flown, weather en-route, and the number of enemy interceptions on a “Form Orange” which was then signalled to the Central Intelligence Unit. (CIU) as a warning that films would be arriving. While the pilot was drawing a trace of his route with the position of any targets he had photographed.
After the processing of the film and printing of the all the frames, the prints would be sent to the First Phase Photographic Interpreters, they would examine them for any important information, like troop movements or new shipping traffic, the complete First Phase report was called “Form White” was then transmitted by teleprinter, or telephone if urgent to any operational Commands or other Services who might want to take immediate action.

When the ‘Form White’ was completed, the films and two sets of prints were sent by dispatch rider to the CIU.

The above information was for RAF PR pilots, but as both the USAAF and RAF PI’s worked at CIU, the form would have been in use by both services.

I hope this helps and is not to late.