Aerial photo interpretation (unidentified objects)

[Recceswind]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone knows what these objects were. All of them were situated just at the runways of German airfields. They were definitely not "Splitterschutzboxen" or AA positions. Approach lights?

Thanks!

[Andy Fletcher]

Some of them do look like vacant flak positions, some almost like bomb craters. Could they possibly be positions for personnel to take cover in the case of air attack. What period do the photos date from and what are the locations of the airfields.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher

Some of them do look like vacant flak positions, some almost like bomb craters ...
Andy Fletcher

I second that. I wondered if they were emplacements for MGs used in the auxiliary AA role?

[Larry deZeng]

I think this is why photo recce missions tried to take obliques as well as verticles.............

[SES]

Hi,
Please see:
http://www.gyges.dk/interpretation_of_aerial_photos.htm
specifically I think that the pictures depict the so called Drohnen Nest:
http://www.gyges.dk/fliegerhorst_gro...eMG%20Flak.htm
bregds
SES

[Larry deZeng]

Very interesting, instructive and helpful information, SES. The photo interpreters really had their hands full with the verticals, didn't they? I am hoping the original prints they used were a little sharper than these?

L.

[Recceswind]

My first thought was they were standard machine-gun emplacements but currently I am not sure of that... Please take a look at the additional photo. As you can see, there are three round "objects" just at the runway. In five other cases from my first post such "objects" were situated just at the ends of grass/concerete runways too. It is why I asked about approach lights.

All posted photos were taken in early- and mid-1944 in east Germany (Silesia, Pomerania). Airfields in the photos had no Flak.

[Andy Fletcher]

Have you got the sortie references for the photos and I'll see if I have the corresponding interpretation reports.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[SES]

Originally Posted by Recceswind

All posted photos were taken in early- and mid-1944 in east Germany (Silesia, Pomerania). Airfields in the photos had no Flak.

Hi,
Did you check the Drohnen Nest shots. These leMG were used as make-shift Flak and at Grove we have seen how regular Flak was withdrawn and replaced with the leMG, but they do not apear as Flak in the airfield complement (Gliederung).
bregds
SES