Photo analysis

Might help with this Officer MOS 8503; Photo-Interpreter --- from AAF Manual 35-0-1
 
Identifies, analyzes and tabulates information from photographs. Examines aerial photographs stereoscopically using the photointerpretometer and various other optical instruments as interpretation aids; determines location of enemy military installations, vital industries, rail and shipping centers, storage facilities and dumps, strength and position of enemy personnel, equipment and defense installations; computes bomb fall plots and bomb damage assessment reports; identifies type and number of enemy airfields, aircraft, naval equipment and ships, and antiaircraft and artillery positions; compares new photographic coverage with previous coverage of same location to detect changes in enemy installations and industries, camouflaged areas, dummies and decoys, writes immediate and detailed reports as required related to intelligence information gleaned from photographs; coordinates photo-interpretation activities with related intelligence work. Must be able to detect slight variations in appearance of vegetation and contour and to identify geographical  features and works of man in aerial photographs. May have the staff responsibility for the preparation of pertinent camouflage plans contributing to local security.
  Military experience desirable, Must have thorough knowledge of military installations, principles of identification, map reading and tactical employment or ground troops. Should have sufficient knowledge of camouflage to prepare deceptive plans and supervise their execution.
  Experience in aerial photography, civil engineering, geology, cartography, geography, surveying, forestry, soil conservation, photogrammetry, architecture, landscape architecture, or in natural science, such as botany or zoology, very desirable.
  College education with a major in engineering, geology, economic geography, architecture or forestry, very desirable.

Jack asked me to add some photos that came from the 3rd's photo section as a reference... as you can see on the bottom of the photo, info is given to the photo interpreters such as  Group mission number (3B-309) Location (Tadji) date/time (2-13-44-11:15) and the Sq/Grp (13S. 3BG)  and a/c number (#715)
 

 

 


 

I think the photo interpreter/analyst officer would usually be assigned to a higher HQ than Group ... They were more concerned with pictures taken by photo-recon planes, not the combat shots.
 Their job was to look at pictures taken at oblique angles under the stereoscope, photointerpretometer, etc.
Two pictures taken at slightly different angles of the same spot, under these instruments, appeared 3-D to the viewer, and his job was to pick out enemy installations, etc as mentioned in the MOS description above.
Also had to be able to " see through " camouflage attempts of whatever the enemy was trying to conceal; troop concentrations, U-Boat pens, hidden factories--- again, as above.
I think most of these photo personnel ( many WACS were used in this ) would have been assigned to Wing, Air Force, etc Headquarters, where targets would be identified by these methods, and then orders from that HQ sent to lower commands.

Let me see if I have this right.
1. Different skills may be applied to photo/image analysis.
2. Two or more people looking at the same photograph may interpret it differently depending on what each person is looking for, ex. one is looking for casualties while another is looking for camouflaged vehicles/equipment.
3.  Photo analysis is not limited to military use.
 
Am I basically correct?
 

1. Different skills may be applied to photo/image analysis.
2. Two or more people looking at the same photograph may interpret it differently depending on what each person is looking for, ex. one is looking for casualties while another is looking for camouflaged vehicles/equipment.
3.  Photo analysis is not limited to military use.

 
1.  Sure
2.  Not the best use of manpower, but sure.  An example might be if something is being constructed in the target area.
3.  Exactly right.  Lots of civilian uses.  Map making, resource management, law enforcement, and so on.

Photo reconnaissance was taking on a new dimension at RAF Medmenham, UK, staffed with both US and UK photographic experts.
 
Scott
 
Operation Crossbow
  

Mark,
 
Does your information include when the 17th and 18th PIDs were assigned to their respective Air Force?
 

Thanks all for a lot of good information.  The photos and video are all quite interesting.
 
Scott, I gave you 5 stars for the light table.  WOW! 
 
I have more questions, but they would be totally O.T. for this site.  If any of you would be interested in continuing via PM, please let me know.
 
Jim C.

bernies,
 
Thank for the additional information.