Additional High Res Aerial Photos Germany

[Franek Grabowski]

Polish Spitfires because they were leased by the Polish government. Indeed a number of them was lost on the ground, just as on other airfields. In the air there was a massacre of Focke Wulfs.

[Peter D Evans]

Just wanted to add my thanks for your efforts in making these superb images available for us all to see Scott... Like many here, I've just spent hours looking at them and it makes you appreciate the role your father and other recon pilots played during WW2... not as romantic as the fighter pilots, but just as important...

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[jvmasset]

Hello Scott!

On the Halberstadt photo you have indeed two Gotha-242 gliders (with a He-111Z nearby, it makes a lot of sense) in the middle of the field (there was no concrete runway in Halberstadt). I believe the A/C in the pens in the upper right of the photo are also Gotha-242. But what about "the camouflaged AC in the fake bush in the upper right corner"? I did not see any (maybe more obvious on the original?); are you are referring to the one just over the small black mark? there is indeed a fuzzy shape of one aircraft, but it may be wishful thinking; the scan is showing its limits! .
On the Laon Athies photo, I found only one A/C (lower right corner of the upper left ninth of the photo! A fighter I think)...only 149 to go...just kidding!

JV

[blythsco]

Hello JV

The camouflaged AC at Halberstadt are just above the ink spot as you have noted. Hopefully you are viewing the photo at the original resolution of 2219-2566. I can clearly see two AC. I was told that there was a major air battle going on that day (July 7, 1944) and that a number of LW aircraft landed at Halberstadt to refuel and rearm. My father was unaware of this air battle.

Thanks again

Scott

[blythsco]

Hello JV

Concerning the Ghent/St Denis photo my father says this mission was flown at about 30,000 feet. The cameras were pretty good apparently as the photo has not been cropped. This altitude was typical for Spitfire MX XI high altitude work although the V-weapons sites were shot from about 15,000 feet. The F-5s from the 7th PRG did oblique photos from an altitude as low as 50 feet.

Regards
Scott

[blythsco]

Hello JV

What you have identified at Dessau may very well be the basic ingredients of a JU-287. The nosewheels of a B-24, the fuselage of an HE 177, the tail of a JU 388 and the undercarriage of a JU 352. I hope I am making some sense since I had not heard of the JU 287 until about 2 weeks ago.

Thanks
Scott

[uksubs]

Originally Posted by blythsco

Hi

I have scanned several more photos to add to this set of aerial photos taken by my father John S. Blyth in 1943 and 1944 flying a Spitfire MK XI. He was with the 14th Squadron of the 7th PRG stationed at Mt Farm, UK and apparently really enjoyed violating Luftwaffe airspace during this period. I have no idea what some of these new scans are of and would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks
Scott

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2455401...7609636214338/

Great stuff Scott
Mt Farm is not far from me

[jvmasset]

Hello Scott! I thought that too, but the proportion and size would be wrong the Ju-287 had only a 21 m wingspan, where the one on the photo is 32 m. Besides the Ju-287 wings are made in one panel where the photo shows a dihedral on external panels!

JV