Women of Intelligence

Winning the Second World War with Air Photos


In WWII an ornate Victorian mansion, overlooking the River Thames at Medmenham, in Buckinghamshire, was the Headquarters of the Allied Central Interpretation Unit. It was here that the air photography, obtained by reconnaissance aircraft flying over the whole of enemy and occupoed Europe, was analysed by Photographic Interpreters. The Intelligence produced from their experts influenced virtually every Allied operation planned and carried out through the War.