Use of Robot II cameras during Bodenplatte

[Karoband]

Good evening,

According to Schenck's instructions to KG 51 and KG 76 for Bodenplatte the main mission of the jet bombers was to be post-strike assessment with each aircraft assigned two airfields to photograph. (Forsyth with Creek, Me 262 Bomber and Reconnaissance Units, (2012), pp. 52-53.) Even Chievres and Florennes were covered by KG 76 because they were listed as targets on the map that unit received on 31 December 1944. (Creek & Forsyth, Blitz Bombers, (2020), p. 106.)

Both Lukesch (Blitz Bombers, p. 110) and Haeffner (Me 262 Bomber and Reconnaissance Units, p. 54) identify the camera used as the Robot II Luftwaffen Eigentum with Zeiss lenses. While Lukesch implies these were hand-held by the pilot, Jan Horn in Das Flurschaden-Geschwader, (2010), pp. 196-197 reveals that in December 1944, aircraft of II./KG 51 had fully automatic Robot cameras installed obliquely in the rear starboard side.

Is there any more information on the use of these Robot cameras by the Luftwaffe? Photographs of them?

best regards,

Jim

[Roger Gaemperle]

Jim,

I recently sold such a Robot II with the mounting bracket and electric shutter release motor at my website:

https://vintageeagle.com/product/rob...amera-bracket/

There was a good article about these cameras at deutscheluftwaffe.com, but I believe it is offline and some of the content has been moved to a new website.

Cheers,
Roger

[Nick Beale]

Cameras were being fitted ot KG 51 aircraft in December 1944. I put something about this on my website in January 2015: http://www.ghostbombers.com/kf4/KG%2...51fight_4.html

As usual, this was information taken from ULTRA signals.

[Karoband]

Roger, thank you for the pictures. That camera definitely could be hand-held.

Nick, as always, your Ultra sources are gems of information.

[Roger Gaemperle]

Jim,

it could even be mounted to the pilot’s flight gear like in the following example of a Me 163 pilot:

https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/v...ra_me163_4.jpg

Cheers,
Roger